Three years ago, Menlo Ventures partner Matt Murphy helped lead one of the earliest investments in Anthropic. Menlo will be one of the biggest winners when the company goes public, with a stake estimated at around $14 billion. Before the IPO, Murphy sits down with Chief Correspondent Ben Bergman to discuss how the money pouring into these major AI companies is impacting the broader funding environment, and where he's looking for the next big opportunity.

• Earlier this week, the FCC approved SpaceX's plan to deploy 15,000 Starlink satellites for direct-to-device service.
• The federal agency also waived a rule that requires a leasing agreement with a ground-based carrier.
• On Thursday, SpaceX said it will acquire a slice of low-frequency cellular spectrum that could help it operate better indoors.

Days after Elon Musk's SpaceX scored a regulatory win that could give Starlink more power to compete with wireless giants Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, the company announced that it will acquire a slice of low-frequency cellular spectrum that could help it operate better indoors.

Earlier this week, the Federal Communications Commission granted SpaceX's request to deploy and operate 15,000 Starlink satellites to provide direct-to-device connectivity. The FCC also waived a rule that requires a leasing arrangement with one or more terrestrial wireless carriers, allowing SpaceX to use its own spectrum for the service.

And SpaceX announced on Thursday that it will acquire a slice of low-frequency cellular spectrum that could help Starlink's signal operate better indoors, not just under open skies.

Musk called Thursday's announcement a "very big deal" in a post on X.

The move brings Starlink closer to becoming more than just a mobile service for remote areas or emergency situations — and toward becoming a serious mobile carrier rival.

"This prime low-band spectrum addresses one of the key remaining technical gaps that will pave the way for Starlink Mobile to become a major mobile carrier in the US," SpaceX said.

Stocks for T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon were all hit after trading hours following the SpaceX announcement. T-Mobile's stock fell more than 11%, while Verizon and AT&T's stock fell by about 6.6%.

SpaceX has faced skepticism in the past from the carriers it hopes to take on.

"We've seen no zero discernible impact on our broadband growth from any LEO, low earth orbit satellite provider, including Starlink," Verizon CEO Dan Schulman said at a Goldman Sachs conference last month.

Schulman added that he does not view satellite as a "viable competitor in the medium and even longer term."

SpaceX would also need other critical ingredients to build a reliable urban cellular network, including ground infrastructure like cell sites and fiber connections.

• Three former OpenAI safety researchers said they were abruptly fired from the company last week.
• Each employee said on X that they were only given verbal reasons for their firing.
• The employees said their firings will have a "chilling" impact on OpenAI's "open culture."

Three former OpenAI researchers released a letter on Thursday saying they were abruptly fired last week and that the move will have a "chilling" effect on company culture.

In a letter titled "OpenAI cannot make AI safe on its own," the trio wrote that OpenAI is "not a normal company" and that working with third parties to address safety risks with the "freedom to do so without fear" is a key component of working there.

The letter, which was addressed to OpenAI's safety committees, was shared on social media by Mikita Balesni, one of the fired employees who worked on AI alignment. Tomek Korbak and Jasmine Wang, both of whom worked on safety, were also fired and signed the letter.

A spokesperson for OpenAI said in a statement to Business Insider that an internal investigation found that the three employees violated company policies regarding access to and handling of sensitive information.

The employees wrote on their individual social media accounts that they received only verbal explanations for their firings and that they all acted within the bounds of their employment.

"The reasons that we were provided for our terminations are simply not adding up," Wang wrote on X.

Balesni wrote in a post that he was told the company no longer trusts him because he was "speaking too much to third party safety organizations."

"I never shared company IP. The work I was doing was coordinated with my reporting line, research leadership, and the board," Balesni wrote.

Korbak wrote on a separate post that he was verbally told he was fired because "of the way I communicated with METR," a third-party research nonprofit that evaluates AI models and safety risks.

"To be clear, talking to METR was my job," he wrote.

In the letter, the employees wrote that they were concerned that their former colleagues would now be "afraid to speak and operate in ways that, until last week, were an integral part of working at OpenAI."

"Terminations such as ours, executed and communicated so abruptly, are chilling the open culture OpenAI has prized in the past," it said.

The letter also included three parting recommendations for OpenAI: to embed third-party safety auditors within the organization, preserve the monitorability of frontier models, and support "an open and transparent culture of dialogue" between safety researchers and the "rest of the safety ecosystem."

In an internal memo sent to staff on Wednesday, an OpenAI research leader wrote that they strongly agreed with the recommendations. An OpenAI spokesperson shared the memo with Business Insider.

"We deeply appreciated their contributions to AI safety and their willingness to speak up and challenge ideas. We championed their voices, supported their work, and placed enormous trust in them," the research leader wrote in the memo. "I want to be very clear that these decisions were not about raising safety concerns or speaking out. We have always encouraged that and always will. We do not terminate employees for raising concerns."

Korbak wrote in his social media post that he was concerned that OpenAI would use the latest firings as a "pretext" to pull back its work with METR.

Frontier AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic have recently been grappling with a series of security incidents in which AI agents went beyond their intended boundaries.

In July, OpenAI said an AI agent escaped its sandbox and hacked into Hugging Face's infrastructure.

METR has been a key third-party investigator into these incidents.

Playing with the best cat toys is the closest a house cat gets to channeling their inner predator — aside from the occasional housefly, of course. From catnip-filled kickers to crinkly balls and feather wands, toys give cats a healthy outlet for their natural hunting instincts, making them less likely to turn your hands, feet, or furniture into prey. Whenever you engage your kitty in play, it's also best to wrap up the session with a small treat or meal to complete the hunting experience.

Between professional cat product testing, fostering, cat sitting, and a lifetime as a cat mom, I've handled more cat toys than I can count. Drawing on that experience, I narrowed our testing pool to 30 standout toys and enlisted a panel of Business Insider cats and their humans to put them to the test. With input from experts, I selected toys that spark a cat's natural hunting behavior while also withstanding their claws and teeth.

Our top picks for the best cat toys

Best overall: SnugglyCat Ripple Rug - $50 at Chewy

Best wand: Pet Fit For Life Interactive Wand Bundle - $20 at Chewy

Best automatic: Potaroma 3-in-1 Hide-and-Seek Cat Toy - $25 at Chewy

Best teaser wire: Cat Dancer Products Original Cat Dancer (2 pack) - $8 at Chewy

Best ring: Fat Cat Cat Crazies - $4 at Chewy

Best catnip kicker: Yeowww! Chi-Cat-a Banana - $8 at Chewy

Best crinkle: SunGrow Mylar Crinkle Balls - $7 at Chewy

Best ball: Franklin Table Tennis Balls - $10 at Amazon

Best puzzle overall: Nina Ottosson Rainy Day Puzzle and Play - $13 at Chewy

Best easy puzzle: Catit Senses Food Tree - $28 at Chewy

Best ball on track: Catstages Chase Meowtain Interactive 4-Tier Cat Track Toy - $21 at Chewy

Best tunnel: Kitty City Cat Tunnel Bed - $43 at Amazon

Best subscription: KitNipBox - $26/box at KitNip

Best overall

Instead of thinking of toys as just entertainment, it can help to see these items as tools, or, as veterinary behaviorist Dr. Carlo Siracusa calls them, "the essential toolkit for cat behavior." The Ripple Rug isn't a toy in the typical sense. It's an all-in-one cat playground that taps into almost every feline instinct and hunting style: stalking, pouncing, hiding, scratching, foraging, and even lounging.

It features two layers of carpet — a bottom with a non-slip backing and a top with hidey holes. Cats or toys can pop out of the openings, or you can stash treats between the layers. My cats love slipping through the holes and bunching up the rug for rabbit kicking, which the carpet is durable enough to handle. Other than taking up nearly 12 square feet of floor space, the rug's main drawback is the need for additional toys to maximize enrichment, like a feathered teaser wand to weave through the openings.

Lily Alig, former Business Insider Reviews kitchen editor, enjoyed the rug's adaptability, using its detachable layer to create tunnels for her cats Salem and Luna. When Salem burrows inside and is jumped on by Luna, Lily can just reform the tunnel to reset the play.

Best wand

A cat without toys isn't just bored — they're missing out on an essential part of being a cat. Without a way to act out their natural hunting sequence (including stalking, capturing, and killing), cats are deprived of behaviors as essential to them as daily movement is to us. Over time, that lack of stimulation can lead to stress and unwanted behaviors. "A lot of the conflicts that we see between cats or cats and people are stress-related," Siracusa says.

Interactive wand toys are an especially effective way to satisfy your cat's instincts and get them moving. Because you control the speed and direction, you can mimic the way prey would behave, like dancing away from your cat instead of moving toward them, Geller says. She recommends the Pet Fit For Life Wand, which has a plush foam handle, a metal wand, and an extra extension piece to make the wand even longer. That added reach keeps your hands safely out of the play zone.

Different cats — and even the same cat on different days — will gravitate to different textures and movements, Siracusa says. In Geller's experience and for our tester's cats, the Pet Fit For Life feather attachment was the clear favorite, while my cats were just as excited about the worm. To cover all your bases, the Pet Fit For Life bundle comes with an easy-on/off metal clasp and four interchangeable attachments — a worm, two feather attachments, and a mouse with feathers. Always put wand toys away between play sessions to prevent accidental tangles or chewing.

Best automatic

Each morning, my cat Atlas waits patiently for me to switch on her favorite toy, the Potaroma 3-in-1 Hide-and-Seek Cat Toy. This has been part of her routine for over two years. We love it so much that I've gifted one to my brother-in-law's cats and recommended it to several friends.

It features a motorized butterfly that spins and flutters on top and a fluffy toy that circles unpredictably under a fabric cover. "Motorized 'prey under fabric' mats invite low-impact, extended activity — perfect for calorie burn without joint stress," Warner says. The butterfly moves realistically, and the hidden toy pops out with an element of surprise. "If the toy always moves in the same way, the cat will quickly realize it isn't real prey and lose interest," says Heather Alvey, certified cat behavior consultant and owner of Felidae Behavior Consulting.

The best automatic cat toys don't run endlessly, Siracusa says. "If you leave the game going and the cat can't grab anything, the cat will lose interest and might even become frustrated." While cats can bite the butterfly and fluffy toy, the Potaroma also stops automatically after five minutes of inactivity. It stays in standby mode for two hours, so your cat can reactivate it with a touch. I typically charge it overnight about every three days, turning it on twice daily for my cats to enjoy. Replacement toy attachments are sold separately.

Best teaser wire

Providing your cat with the best toys isn't about having the fanciest ones, Siracusa says. What matters more is finding toys that entice your cat to play and give them a chance to complete the hunting sequence. Enter the Original Cat Dancer — a $4 piece of metal wire with rolled cardboard on each end.

"Does your cat love chasing moths? Try the Cat Dancer," Alvey says. Its secret is the springy wire that makes the cardboard rods bounce unpredictably, like a real bug. For our cat tester Chowder, the Cat Dancer isn't just a toy — it's an obsession. Chowder becomes completely locked in when the Cat Dancer is in motion, like a fly buzzing around the room. When it's put away, he whines for its return.

The soft cardboard gives your cat something satisfying to bite or claw into, fulfilling the "kill" part of the hunt. Geller recommends letting your cat successfully grab the toy in their mouth or paws before starting the game again. "Real prey might lose stamina during the hunt or play dead to trick the cat," she says. These little captures are what trigger feel-good chemicals. The soft cardboard also gives your cat something satisfying to bite or claw, fulfilling the "kill" part of the hunt. Geller recommends letting your cat successfully grab the toy in their mouth or paws before starting the game again. "Real prey might lose stamina during the hunt or play dead to trick the cat," she says. These little captures are what trigger feel-good chemicals.

I've gone through several Cat Dancers over the years, since determined cats can eventually rip the cardboard off. But for its low price, it's an easy toy to replace when the old one finally gives out. For a deeper dive into what makes it a fan fave for one editor's cat, check out our Cat Dancer review.

Best ring

Some cats will turn just about anything into a toy — milk rings, bread ties, you name it. It's entertaining to see them get creative, and it might save you a few bucks on toys. But those household items aren't designed to withstand rough play or a cat's teeth and claws. They can break into small pieces or cause an intestinal blockage. Fat Cat Cat Crazies are a safer, more durable alternative. These colorful rings skitter and slide across the floor like little bugs. I can twist and tug them without snapping them apart.

After a few years of tossing these rings across our house, I still haven't found a single broken one. My cat goes wild when they zip across the tile floor, sending her sliding after them on her furry paws. Sometimes I'll add the Ripple Rug to the mix so the ring skips over the carpet before gliding onto the hardwood. Your cat might even retrieve the ring and bring it back to you, ready for another round.

The rings will definitely end up under your stove or couch, but at around $6 for a pack of four, it's a small price to pay.

Best catnip kicker

Yeowww! is well-known for making cat kicker toys that many cats love. They use only catnip leaves and flower tops for maximum strength — a combination that revs many cats up. I especially like their rainbow and banana kickers because they have a slight curve. Warner says curved kickers hug the belly, making them easier for cats to grab and hold compared to straight ones.

Our tester Chowder was particularly enthusiastic about her banana kicker. "She likes to get super 'high' on it and bounce around the house. I'm not sure if she enjoys the catnip or the toy more, but she's having fun," says her human, Lauren Savoie, Insider Reviews deputy executive editor. While my cats might not bounce around the room the house after playing with their rainbow kicker, they certainly enjoy intense bunny kicking sessions, often pausing to bite and lick the toy between kicks.

"Kicking with the back legs is a behavior cats will use with larger prey, like if they catch a rabbit," Siracusa says. With all that kicking power, you need a kicker that's built to last. Yeowww! toys are made of sturdy twill with strong seams, and their catnip stays impressively potent. The best cat kicker toys are large enough for your cat to firmly grasp and kick with their back legs, about 8 to 10 inches, Warner says. The Yeowww! rainbow and banana kickers measure 6 and 7 inches, respectively.

Best crinkle

These crinkle balls have been a longtime favorite of our feline tester. They make a soft rustling sound and have an irresistible texture. "Papaya loves the noise these crinkle toys make! She especially enjoys when we squish them in our hands to create fun sounds before tossing them for a few minutes of batting and kicking," says her human, Sally Kaplan, Insider Reviews executive editor.

According to Siracusa, short bursts of play — about three to five minutes — are ideal for cats. As soon as their interest starts to fade, it's the perfect moment to wrap up with a treat or a small meal for a satisfying "game over" in the hunting sequence.

Each pack comes with 12 brightly colored crinkle balls. Papaya has been enjoying hers for years without any shredding or damage. Each ball measures about 1 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter, meeting Warner's safety guideline to avoid any toy smaller than 1 1/4 inches across.

Best ball

When your cat prefers a ball with a little more oomph, a ping pong ball might do the trick. I like to bounce them off the floor or send them rolling down the stairs. My cat Lyra will leap into the air trying to swat them down, and both cats love chasing them down the stairs, only for the balls to ricochet and bounce off in a new direction.

Ping pong balls aren't ideal if your cat wants to retrieve the toy, but they're a smart choice for cats who chew or try to ingest softer materials. Siracusa says if your cat happily bats and chases them, ping pong balls work well. You can also make an enrichment game for your cat by adding them to a cake pan filled with shallow water, creating an extra challenge when your cat tries to scoop them out from an unstable surface.

Best food puzzle toy overall

Daily food enrichment is essential to the emotional well-being of cats and supports their natural behaviors of hunting, foraging, and eating multiple small meals. Food puzzle toys dispense food or treats when manipulated and allow cats to think through challenges in a physically active way, says Dr. Jamie Richardson, chief medical officer at Small Door Veterinary. Food puzzles range from beginner to expert levels, and Geller recommends the Nina Ottosson Rainy Day Puzzle and Play as an expert-level challenge — but don't let that intimidate you or your cat. What I love about this puzzle is how adjustable it is to many skill levels.

I introduced this puzzle slowly to my less food-motivated cat Atlas to keep her engaged without frustrating her, which Siracusa says can look like giving up or walking away. At first, I placed kibble in the open wells, then started covering some with the swiveling raindrops. Once she got the hang of that, I added the spinning wheel. Now she's solving the scent peg challenge, which requires her to move the peg over the well to release the food within, then shift it again to reach the prize.

There are lots of ways for your cat to use this puzzle, which is exactly what makes it such a worthwhile buy. Atlas has been working on it for a few years now, and it also works with wet food. On special occasions, we'll squeeze Churu treats into a few compartments. It has no removable parts, which can easily become lost. The shallow wells and raindrop shapes take a little extra effort to scrub with a sponge, but I find it easier to clean than other puzzles we've tried with narrow tubes or deep ridges.

Best easy food puzzle toy

Even though this puzzle is ideal for beginners or cats who get frustrated by moving parts, your cat will still have to work for their reward. The three-tiered Catit Senses Food Tree encourages them to sit up, paw, and bat for their food. They may even need to circle around it to find the best angle to reach their treats. Siracusa says some of the best food puzzles for cats are the ones that get them moving.

To use this puzzle, pour kibble or crunchy treats into the top. As the pieces fall through, they land within the staggered levels, which feature slots. It's up to your cat to reach in through small holes to pull the food out or push it downward, level by level, until it finally drops into the dish at the base.

The Food Tree doesn't work with wet food, but the openings are large enough to fit many kinds and sizes of treats and kibbles. It's easy to take apart and wash by hand.

Best ball on track

Cats often lose interest in toys when they move too repetitively or predictably. "Unpredictable movement is key," says Dr. Sarah Cortright, chief medical director of the Under Dog Community Project. Still, lower-energy adults, cats with mobility challenges, and kittens may enjoy the low impact of ball track toys — something I saw firsthand while fostering a semi-socialized cat who'd just given birth to five kittens. She was exhausted and wary of people, and no toy seemed to catch her eye. That is, until one day, I heard the rhythmic clack of the roller ball track toy.

The Catstages Chase Meowtain features four circular tiers, each with a lightweight plastic ball that circles its track. Some cats like to lie on their sides and lazily bat the balls, like my foster kitty. Others sit and paw at them, watching and waiting for the ball to circle the track for the next swat. More engaged cats might walk or sprint around the pyramid for a more active play session.

The balls aren't removable from the track, so there's no risk of losing them under the couch. In fact, there are no small or removable parts, wires, or strings, which makes this one of the best cat toys to leave out for solo play. It has non-slip feet, though it still slides around a bit on hard surfaces.

Best tunnel

In the wild, cats spend a lot of time stalking their prey and pouncing at them from under cover. A cat tunnel can create that feeling for your cat, down to the sound of tall grass subtly rustling.

As my cats race through the Kitty City Cat Tunnel Bed, it rustles just enough to mimic the thrill of sneaking through vegetation. It has two entrances, each with a dangling toy, though my cats are usually too busy stalking and pouncing on passing wands and teasers to pay them much notice.

Don't underestimate the importance of interactive play alongside the tunnel. You don't want your movement to be the only thing that looks like live prey, Siracusa says. A tunnel offers cats a place to hide and plan ambushes, but it's up to you to direct that hunting instinct toward toys — not your feet or ankles.

When the "hunt" is over, reward your cat with a treat before allowing them to curl up in the cozy bed at the tunnel's center before the next hunt. The Kitty City Cat Tunnel Bed also took top honors in the tunnel category in our guide to the best cat beds, where it won praise for its versatility and dual uses for lounging and play.

Best subscription

If you've made it to the end of this list and still feel unsure where to start — or if it seems like your cat doesn't like anything you've tried — a subscription box can be a smart way to discover what excites them. "Don't give up," says Siracusa. "Don't just try one or two toys because they're popular. If your cat doesn't like them, it doesn't matter. We're all different, and cats are too." Even if you don't stick with it long-term, a few deliveries can help pinpoint your cat's play style. If you do find toys that are a hit with your cat, rotating toys every few days can help maintain novelty.

With the KitNipBox, five new cat items arrive monthly, with 5% of the proceeds supporting animal welfare. You can pick larger boxes if you'd like more toys, and cancel anytime before the next charge. The variety and quality of toys in my first box really impressed me, and my cats were instantly drawn to all of them. The second box, however, was less exciting, with fewer unique toys, though Atlas still happily purred as I unpacked it. While this suggests the boxes may lack variety some months, all the toys are designed in-house, which makes each box feel special.

Our first Happy Cat Box, intended for one cat, included a two-pack of '90s-inspired catnip-filled hair scrunchies, a sisal and raffia chew toy (Lyra went straight for this), two strong catnip kickers, and a wand with a long ribbon, bell, and sturdy wooden handle (my cats' favorite). The featured treats were Vitakraft lick treats made with salmon broth, salmon, and other meats, and just 8 calories each. A lick mat was included for serving, but you can swap the treats for an extra toy instead. The second box was packed mostly with plush kicker toys, one of them filled with catnip, plus crunchy Emerald Pet Feline Dental Treats. Despite the lack of variety in my second box, it's worth giving KitNip a chance if you're striking out elsewhere, don't know where to start, or just want to mix things up for your cat.

What to look for in cat toys

The word "toys" doesn't fully capture how important playthings are for cats. "Playful behavior is something that is part of the nature of cats themselves, because it allows them to kill animals multiple times throughout the day," Siracusa says. My experts recommend choosing toys that spark your cat's hunting instincts. This way, they can complete their "hunt" and won't seek out other, less desirable activities or outlets. Below are the key qualities of the best cat toys to help channel your cat's instincts.

Biologically appropriate features: Experts agree that the best cat toys tap into a cat's instinct to hunt. When evaluating a toy, consider:

• Movement: Does it move sporadically and realistically, or can you manipulate the toy to mimic the motion of prey? "The best automated toys move erratically, stop and start, or hide under fabric — like a mouse scurrying under a blanket," Cortright says. Automatic toys should also be designed to be caught by the cat to prevent frustration. When it comes to the best teasers and wands, look for wires that bounce or feathers that flutter. "Prey doesn't dangle in a cat's face or bop them on the side," Alvey says.

• Functionality: Does the toy inspire stalking, chasing, pouncing, biting, foraging, or hiding? These are all important activities that allow your cat to be a cat.

• Design: Does it resemble real prey in size, shape, or texture? Look for fur-like fabric, feathers, or crinkly materials.

• Surprise: Are there moving or disappearing elements, like toys that pop out from fabric or tunnels? "Predictability is a fast death for interest," Warner says.

Safety and durability: Cat toys are meant to be hunted and "killed" through chasing, pouncing, biting, and kicking, so they need to hold up to rough play. According to my experts, these safety guidelines will help keep your cat safer while playing:

• Choose toys without small parts like beaded eyes, noses, or foam pieces.
• Check seams and parts regularly by gently pulling on them. Toss any toy with loose pieces or exposed stuffing.
• Avoid toys smaller than 1 ¼ inches in diameter, Warner says. Anything smaller can be swallowed and cause choking or a blockage.
• Store anything with long strings out of reach (like wands) until supervised playtime.
• Safer options for solo play include catnip kickers, soft mice, and rubber balls.

Suitability for your cat's age and physical abilities: Siracusa says kittens prefer social play — like chasing, wrestling, and mock fighting — but few toys truly replicate that. A simple mouse toy can come close for kittens who like to retrieve. On the other hand, adult cats develop their own hunting styles and usually prefer object play, using toy objects to practice their skills.

If you have an aging cat or a cat with mobility issues, you'll likely need to adjust both the toys you choose and how you play. A senior cat with arthritis in their back legs, for example, may not want to bunny kick a catnip toy or jump after a wand. Warner says in these cases, try low-impact toys like treat balls, slow-feed puzzles, and motorized "prey under fabric" mats. You can also adapt your wand play by scooting the toy under a blanket or engaging your cat with slow, low movements of the toy so your senior isn't forced to overextend their arms.

Siracusa says a change in how often or how engaged a cat is in play can be a normal part of aging. However, any sudden changes in play or activity level should be discussed with your veterinarian. He says diseases as common as dental disease can make play painful for cats.

Enticing extras: Some plants, including catnip, silvervine, and valerian, release chemicals meant to keep plant-eating insects away. But for cats, the effect is anything but threatening. Sniffing it sends many cats into a state of joy: rubbing their heads on objects, rolling around, and purring in what scientists dub the "catnip response." Not every cat feels the same euphoria from catnip. However, our experts say fresh dried buds and cut leaves are often more exciting than powdered catnip.

Sound and texture matter, too. Crinkle materials can mimic the rustling of prey through grass, triggering a cat's hunting instincts. The texture adds tactile interest. However, loud squeakers or motors could be scary rather than fun to some cats.

How we tested the best cat toys

I'm a lifelong cat parent, including one cat with orthopedic issues, and I've fostered nearly 50 cats and kittens. I know firsthand how selective cats can be, and how rough they can be on their toys. To get a wide range of opinions, I recruited six Insider Reviews editors and reporters and their cats to help test the best cat toys. We tested over 30 cat toys, taking note of their features, our cats' level of enthusiasm, and how they held up to play. Some toys were tested in multiple households. Here's the approach we took:

Safety and Durability: We inspected every toy straight out of the box, checking for small parts, glued-on pieces, or fabric trim that could come loose. We gently tugged on any attachments to see if they detached easily. For soft or fabric toys, we pulled and twisted them to test the seams and stitching. We also bent or lightly compressed plastic components to see if they cracked, warped, or popped apart. For electronic toys, we let the battery run all the way down to measure battery life, then noted how long it took to recharge. During play, we watched closely for wear and tear.

Biologically appropriate features: Based on expert advice, we awarded points to toys that triggered a cat's hunting instincts, such as ones that wiggled, fluttered, or moved erratically. We checked each design to see if it looked like real prey in size, shape, or texture. We preferred toys with details like feathers, fur-like fabric, or a crinkly feel. Finally, we also gave high marks to toys that offered an element of surprise, like components that popped out from tunnels or disappeared under fabric.

Subscription boxes: In addition to evaluating the toys themselves, I evaluated each cat toy subscription based on ease of sign-up, customization of the plan, and ability to swap toys for other toys or treats. I also checked whether the service provided clear shipping and delivery notifications and whether you could easily pause deliveries or cancel the subscription.

Cat toys FAQs

What toys do cats like the most?

Because play mimics hunting, the best cat toys are ones that look, move, smell, and/or sound like real prey. "Wand toys, crinkle balls, and kicker toys are among the most popular cat toys," Cortright says.

What toys are best for indoor cats?

Toys that get indoor cats moving and practicing their natural hunting skills help them stay physically fit, and spare your feet, hands, furniture, and other pets from becoming their "prey." "Cats typically prefer soft textures like plush or felt, and movements that are fast, fluttery, or unpredictable," Cortright says.

How do I figure out what toys my cat likes?

Finding the right toys often takes some experimentation, but Alvey has a helpful tip: "Observe what your cat is already interested in and find toys that mimic those experiences," she says. For instance, cats that like chasing bugs may like a wand toy with fluttering feathers or a toy like the Cat Dancer. A cat that breaks into cupboards might like a challenging food puzzle. If your cat is known to shred toilet paper rolls, a catnip-filled kicker toy can satisfy their need to kick and bite. You can also try DIY food puzzle options and see examples of commercial food puzzles rated by difficulty level through this cat food puzzle resource.

What toys make cats lose weight?

Any toy that encourages movement can help cats lose weight. Wand toys, such as the Pet Fit For Life wand, are a great choice because you control the speed and intensity of the "prey" movement. Even if your cat only walks behind the toy at first, that's a good start. The Catit Senses Food Tree also promotes activity by encouraging your cat to circle around the puzzle to bat pieces of food.

What kind of toys do senior cats like?

Even senior cats enjoy playtime, but they often prefer gentler activities due to reduced energy or mobility issues. Many older cats like toys they can bat at rather than pounce on or chase. You can adapt your play style to accommodate their mobility by playing closer to the floor. Watching a slow-moving toy can be just as enriching for cats as leaping through the air. You know your cat best, so always consider their unique preferences and physical abilities when choosing toys.

• Micro dramas are huge in China, and growing in the US and the rest of the world.
• The mini-shows are starting to turn into real ad money for Meta, the platform micro dramas depend on.
• The ads are also free, very engaging content for Mark Zuckerberg and Co. Some ads run as long as 20 minutes.

Micro dramas are booming outside the US. They're beginning to see traction stateside too, with lots of startups trying to convince American consumers to pay a few dollars to watch soapy stories on their phones.

But right now, there's one clear winner in the US micro drama industry: Mark Zuckerberg.

Zuckerberg's Meta is by far the most popular place for micro drama producers to market their stuff, industry players tell us. Some estimate that startups are directing up to 75% of their marketing budgets to Meta's various properties, in the hopes of getting Facebook or Reels users to come to their sites.

"What I hear consistently from apps is, Meta gets more than half of the customer acquisition spend by most micro drama apps," said Hernan Lopez, founder of research firm Owl & Co. He pegs micro drama ad spending at $1.5 billion globally — excluding China, where the genre started.

But Meta isn't just harvesting ad dollars from the micro drama business. It's also getting tons of free content: Micro dramas advertise themselves by showing users multiple episodes of their shows for free — and sometimes they'll show them many, many episodes. Some micro drama producers, including ReelShort, Flareflow, and ShortMax, have uploaded clips as long as 20 minutes to Meta's ad hub.

So Meta gets the best of both worlds: Micro drama producers give them money and they give Meta engaging videos that keep their audiences on Meta's properties.

Meta declined to comment.

GammaTime, a year-old micro drama company, spends some 55% of its marketing budget on Meta, said cofounder Slava Mudryk. Very long ads are part of the mix when GammaTime launches a series or has a series with a particularly strong story arc within the series, he said.

Mudrykh said these long ads give Meta an advantage over TikTok and YouTube, which don't offer them.

"We always use it with launches," he said. "What we see is that this long sequence just brings people in to watch. And when it's done, the desire to continue watching on the app is strong."

You'd expect that TikTok, which exists solely to show users short clips and whose Chinese roots have made it very familiar with micro dramas, would be a big player in micro drama ads. But people in the industry say Meta's ad infrastructure and targeting abilities make it easier to find viewers and convert them into paying customers.

It also helps that Facebook's aging user base is more likely able and willing to spend money on apps, says Ali Albazaz, whose Inkitt startup runs micro drama app Candy Jar.

"If the story is enticing enough, and grabs the user's attention, that person who comes to our app has a very high likelihood of converting to a paid user."

But that also seems like it will set up a long-term tension between Meta and its new breed of customers: If micro drama players are able to get real traction, that means they'll eventually be pulling eyeballs away from Meta. It's also not a new tension for Meta: A few years ago, when TikTok was entering the market, Meta made billions selling ads promoting the app to its users — and now TikTok is a giant competitor.

I'm a textbook overpacker. When I board a plane, I find comfort in the fact that my massive checked bag is stuffed with a variety of clothing to get me through every possible scenario. But this summer, due to all the airline chaos, I challenged myself to consolidate all my travel necessities into a carry-on for my nine-day trip to Germany.

Vuori is one of our favorite sources for women's activewear, but it turns out, its warm-up pants and breathable tees are perfectly adaptable for travel. I wore them from my eight-hour red eye through my weeklong trip exploring a new city. I especially loved how the the soft, flexible fabrics were compact and space-saving in my tightly-packed suitcase.

I packed basic items with limitless styling abilities, from black joggers to neutral tees.

The most versatile travel clothing includes solid- and neutral-colored pieces that are comfortable yet look put together. Vuori's daily joggers in black ($98, XS-XL) fit the bill. They have an ultra-high tie waist and super soft stretch fabric for optimal comfort. Plus, the wide ribbed waistband and ankle cuffs pair with a slim silhouette to give a polished look (despite the fact that you're technically wearing sweats).

The only downside to the joggers in terms of functionality was the lack of pockets. Vuori's performance jogger ($94, available in 16 colors as well as long and regular length) is a good alternative if pockets are a must, but they wear more like traditional sweats. I preferred the sleeker appearance of the daily jogger for versatility reasons.  

On the flight, I wore my Performance Joggers and layered Vuori tees so I was prepared for every possible plane climate.

I layered the Daydream Crew for one trip, and wore the Energy Tee and Long-Sleeve Feather Tee for the other. I loved that the pieces layered beautifully, especially since plane cabins can get chilly.

I wore the short-sleeve tee en route to the airport in the summer heat, and later threw on the crewneck and oversized long-sleeve tee for the flight. Both items were warm, but not heavy (though the Daydream Crew is warmer than the Long-Sleeve Feather Tee) and each folded neatly into my travel tote as I peeled them off. 

I dressed up the pieces from my airport outfit into more dynamic looks.

I wore my Vuori sets again and again during my vacation, incorporating the various pieces into different ensembles by dressing them up with jeans, statement boots, or a blazer. Since these items are machine washable and dryer friendly, I was even able to quickly do a load of laundry mid-trip and wear many of the pieces a second or third time. 

They each fit a variety of dress codes, from sightseeing to dinner reservations.

Vuori clothing is a bit on the pricey side, but I always prefer to spend more on a high-quality item that will last, rather than buy cheap and need to replace the item after a few wears. I've washed and dried these items many times now and they look as good as the day I got them. 

With midweight, breathable fabrics, Vuori's loungewear doubles as performance wear and can be worn well on hikes, jogs, or yoga class. 

Since suitcase space was (very) limited, my compact clothing left room for bulky necessities.

On this trip, I was attending a friend's wedding, plus my fiancé and I had booked an engagement photoshoot, so I had to pack two bulky dresses and heels that were going to be single-use items. That didn't leave a ton of space for the rest of my clothing, so the fact that Vuori items are super compact and fold up small made a huge difference.

It's easy to see why people swear by Vuori loungewear for travel.

The most comfortable sweatpants for women: After her 19-hour nonstop trip from New York to Singapore (the longest direct flight in the world), travel writer Maria Yagoda called the Vuori Halo Essential Wideleg Pants her saving grace. "I have never found such breezy, soft, cooling, light-as-air travel pants that didn't feel sweaty and sticky by the end of my journey," writes Maria.

The bottom line

Vuori's loungewear is on the expensive side, but ultimately worth the price. It's packable, versatile, comfortable, and high-quality, making it perfect for travel. Being able to re-wear items from my "plane outfit" throughout my trip — with just a quick wash halfway through — let me fit everything I needed into a single carry-on. I enjoyed the minimalist packer experience so much, I can actually see a future where I fly carry-on-only.

While the days of cable might be waning, live TV streaming services are becoming more necessary than ever, especially for fans of sports, news, and network TV shows. YouTube TV is offering the best live TV deal we've seen all year, with 18% off for the first five months of service.

YouTube TV has risen through the ranks of the most popular live TV streaming services, bolstered by an impressive selection of channels and other key features, like multiview, unlimited cloud DVR, up to three simultaneous streams, and the ability to create up to six household accounts. The platform offers 100+ channels in its Main plan, ranging from local affiliates to popular networks typically only found in cable packages.

YouTube TV typically costs $83 a month, but new customers can get $15 a month off their first five months after a free trial. The deal runs until November 26, 2026, and is only available if you click through our YouTube TV link (otherwise, you'll just see a two-month offer).

We spend our days tracking deals and vetting them to see if they're actually worth it, and not just a flashy "sale" tag. Time after time, the best streaming deals are the ones that combine deep discounts with longevity. The deal on YouTube TV's Main plan does both by extending past a simple introductory month offer and offering real savings that can add up to a total of $75 off over five months.

The Main plan offers a mix of key sports networks, like ESPN and Fox Sports, and popular news and entertainment channels, including CNN and Bravo. YouTube TV has also begun to offer cheaper Sports + News and News + Entertainment packages, which have their own introductory offers, but the best bang for your buck when it comes to a true cable alternative is the Main plan.

FAQ

How long has the YouTube TV deal been around?

The YouTube TV deal first launched on January 1, 2026, and has been extended a few times. The current offer is scheduled to conclude on November 26.

How long is the YouTube TV free trial?

YouTube TV offers a free trial for new users, so you can try out the service for multiple days before you're charged for your first month, giving you time to decide whether it's a good fit. YouTube TV's free trial varies in length, so you should check to see what's available to you when you go to sign up. We've seen trials ranging from five to 21 days.

What channels are available with YouTube TV?

As we mentioned above, pretty much every channel you'd find in a standard cable package is available through a YouTube TV subscription. That includes robust local channel coverage (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC) and cable networks.

In YouTube TV's Main plan, some of the most notable channels available include AMC, Bravo, CNN, Disney Channel, ESPN, FS1, FS2, Fox News, FX, MTV, NFL Network, TBS, TNT, truTV, and USA. In the Sports plan, some of the top channels include ACC Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FS1, FS2, ION, SEC Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, and T2.

How do you sign up for the YouTube TV deal?

Signing up for the YouTube TV deal is a simple process. For the main plan, just make sure to click through one of our YouTube TV links to ensure you're accessing the full five-month offer (navigating to the YouTube TV sign-up page through other means, like Google, will only show you a two-month offer).

Once you click through, you can check the plans and channels that are available to you in your ZIP code. You can start the sign-up process by clicking the big blue "Try It Free" button, which will prompt you to choose a Google account to sign in with.

Put simply, the Rykä Devotion X walking shoes are the most comfortable sneakers I own. They just went on sale for Prime Day, but there's still a chance to save. I checked and saw they're only about $4 more than they were yesterday.

The Devotion X sneakers were a huge hit last Prime Day (nearly 2,000 of our readers picked up a pair). I love them because they're breathable, stretchy enough to fit wide feet, and well-cushioned so my joints don't ache after a long day of travel.

These shoes are already affordable at an average cost of $70. For a little while longer, they're even cheaper starting around $65 a pair. For more of the top discounts left on Amazon, check out our main Prime Day deals hub.

Our fitness gear expert Rachael Schultz first put me onto the Ryka Devotion Xs. She consulted podiatrist Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS while researching the best walking shoes for women. Rykä's Devotion X sneakers check all Dr. Daughtry's boxes: shock-absorbing cushions, a firm midfoot for stability and arch support, and a stretchy airy knit upper so my feet can sweat and swell in comfort.

My high arches won't allow me to go 20,000 steps in just any pair of sneakers. But I don't necessarily need to splurge on fancy Brooks or Hokas to get the support I need — these Rykäs are just $65 on Amazon, though that price can vary slightly based on your preferred color and size combination.

I've offered people (sometimes unsolicited) advice that they don't need Brooks or Hokas when shoes like these exist. More reasons to love the Rykäs:

The mesh uppers can stretch to fit wide feet. The knit upper is well elasticated, but still retains its shape after years of wear. Plus, the roomy toe box allows my toes to splay naturally (which also makes them a great pick for people with high-volume feet).

They stabilize your gait. A combination of high arches and weak ankles cause me to walk with an an uneven amount of pressure on my foot tendons. The Rykäs help balance out my step.

Unlike running or training sneakers, these are designed just for walking. Running shoes usually have a meta-rocker to propel feet forward. These feel more even so as to not disrupt my natural stride.

The cost of wearing stylish, impractical footwear is being more prone to stress fractures. The Rykäs are a great recovery shoe that have held up after two years of hard wear. The mesh upper is still well intact, and the cushioning is just as bouncy as the day I unboxed them. There are a few loose threads around the collar, but not enough to threaten the structural integrity of the shoe.

The bottom line

I've tested walking shoes that cost as much as $275, but I reach for my Rykäs time and again. The Rykä Devotion X sneakers (now $65) have held up far longer than I expected. This deal expires soon, so if you were debating whether these are worth it, now's the time to decide.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of the final best Prime Day deals or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

• Govee's permanent outdoor lights are 42% off and perfect for Halloween and Christmas decor.
• The lights offer 16 million colors and 100 modes, customizable via the Govee Home App.
• Govee lights are cheaper than professional installation, costing under $200 on Prime Day.

Halloween is less than three weeks away, and that means neighborhoods are starting to get in the spooky spirit. Driving through my nearby subdivision, I notice every home competing to outdo the next with festive decor. But the smartest homes rely on permanent outdoor light displays that stay up year-round — sparing owners from the nightmarish chore of wrestling with tangled cords on a ladder — a chore that only gets worse as temperatures drop for Christmas.

In the spirit of finding the Prime Day deals that solve these exact headaches, I scrolled through thousands of deals to find the ones that really stand out, like 42 % off Govee's Permanent Outdoor Lights. Govee has quickly become the gold standard for set-it-and-forget-it exterior lighting. Not to mention, the vibrant and customizable lighting displays mean these aren't your standard string lights. The 100-foot set was marked down to $189.99 from $329.99 for Prime Day, and the deal is still live afterward.

Here is why your future self will thank you for grabbing them at their lowest price ever. Hint: You'll only need to install it once and can customize your exterior lighting for every holiday with the tap of a button.

Why the Govee Permanent Outdoor Lights are a great buy

Install once, enjoy year-round. Set up in time for Halloween, with less lift for Christmas decorating, keep your roofline illuminated through the dark winter months. With an IP67 waterproof rating and operating range from -4°F to 140°F, these lights are built for heavy weather. They are rated for up to 50,000 hours of operational use—meaning even if you run them for 12 hours every single night, they'll last over 11 years. The lights are also installed flat, leaving a discreet daytime profile that won't distract from your home's architectural design.

Endless color customizations. Govee's RGBIC ecosystem unlocks 16 million colors and 100 scene modes. Your imagination is the limit as you can independently assign custom colors, animations, and dynamic scene modes to individual light modules along the strand. You customize and set light schedules via the Govee Home App, which is also compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Matter. But these aren't just for holidays and celebrations; on regular nights, you can illuminate your home in a soft, white light for a stately look from the street.

Flexible sizing and expansion. Available in 50-, 100-, and 150-foot kits depending on your home's frontage, the system is fully modular. You can string together up to 9 light segments and 4 extension cables off a single power supply to seamlessly cover complex rooflines, gables, and multi-story setups. However, you are not able to cut. Each light is spaced 18 inches apart (approximately 1 foot between lights).

Cheaper than professional installation. Custom permanent lighting installed by professionals can easily cost between $2,500 and $5,000. Govee delivers that exact same sleek, high-end architectural "wall wash" look for under $200 on sale—saving you thousands of dollars in exchange for a quick weekend DIY project.

The bottom line

This is the lowest price Govee has offered for their signature Permanent Outdoor Lights 2. The deal has been extended beyond Prime Day, but we're not sure for how much longer. With fast delivery times, you'll still have plenty of time to install them ahead of Halloween, and you won't have to pull out the ladder again to hang lights for Christmas — or ever again, really. If you want to create vibrant light displays for every holiday or season, this setup is for you.

More Govee Prime Day deals

• See all Govee Prime Day deals

Govee Prime Day FAQs

What length lights should I buy?

Govee lights are sold in increments of 50, 100, and 150 feet. To calculate how many lights you'll need, measure all the areas you want to light, such as rooflines or patios, and add up the total linear footage. A 50-foot strand is typically enough for a front porch or garage outline, while a 100-foot strand should cover the full house front. Cutting Govee permanent outdoor light strands will break the circuit and void the warranty. If you have excess lights at the end of a run, loop or tuck the extra segment under the eaves or trim it out of sight.

Are Govee lights easy to install?

Govee outdoor lights do not require professional installation and are designed to plug into any standard outdoor outlet. They have peel-and-stick mounting for easy positioning under eaves, soffits, and gutters. They also come with screw clips to reinforce the cords. If you're concerned about getting up on a ladder, you could also hire a contractor through third-party sites like TaskRabbit.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

• It was a roller coaster Thursday for Microsoft.
• JD Vance called out Microsoft during a press conference about visa crackdowns.
• Hours later, Trump honored CEO Satya Nadella as a "key figure".

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella had a bizarre day.

On Thursday morning, Vice President JD Vance hosted a press conference to announce that the US would suspend a major visa program for Microsoft's workers.

Though several tech companies were targeted, Vance called out Microsoft by name, alleging that "no company in the United States" abused the Permanent Labor Certification Program (PERM) worse.

"If you do the math, for every worker that Microsoft laid off, they replaced that worker with one-and-a-half foreign indentured servants," Vance said. "Now that is a scandalous system that we've allowed in this country for far too long."

Huge banners behind the veep declared "PROTECTING AMERICAN WORKERS" and "FIGHTING VISA FRAUD."

But hours later, Trump was singing Nadella's praises.

At a White House event honoring "a new golden age" for science, Nadella walked up to the president — whose administration had just accused his company of visa fraud, mind you — and received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.

"For more than three decades, Satya Nadella has been a key figure in the transformation of Microsoft — revolutionizing the company and empowering businesses, students, and consumers from all over the world with some of the most capable software ever built or ever even conceived," Trump said at the event, before the two posed for a photo op.

Nadella, for his part, thanked Trump for the "incredible honor" in an X post, which didn't mention Vance's accusations. A Microsoft blog post shared by a spokesperson to Business Insider said 80% of the company's roughly 6,000 H-1B visa applications were for existing employees, not new hires.

"Microsoft only files H-1B petitions for those who meet the rigorous standards of this visa category," the company wrote. It also said the "vast majority of Microsoft employees in the United States are Americans."

Thursday's awkwardness was the latest example of Trump putting business leaders in tricky situations as he takes a far more active role in business dealings than his presidential predecessors.

Trump has used his executive influence to encourage business leaders to back a variety of his initiatives, like his Trump Account savings program for American children. At the same time, he's lashed out at opposition, including on Thursday when he said that anyone who wasn't on board with his official declaration to rebrand artificial intelligence as "super intelligence" would be considered an "enemy" of the White House.

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days ended late last night, but the kitchen deals are still great. I'm skipping the mediocre markdowns and focusing on the deals I'd recommend to friends, including products we've tested and picks that rarely go on sale.

I've checked these standout offers to ensure they are still in stock at truly good deal prices. Right now, the Nespresso Vertuo Pop+, the best-value Nespresso machine we've tested, and the version that's bundled with a milk frother, is 33% off.

Below, you'll find the best kitchen deals you can still get after Prime Day. If you're looking for other deals, check out the latest coverage of deals that are still live.

The best Amazon Prime Day coffee maker and espresso machine deals

Coffee gear can get expensive fast, which is why it's one of the first categories I track during Prime Day. I look for meaningful discounts on machines we've tested — not a $10 markdown masquerading as a must-buy deal. Here are the coffee makers, espresso machines, grinders, and accessories worth a look.

The best Amazon Prime Day cookware deals

Good cookware should last for years — sometimes decades — so I'd rather wait for a real discount on something great than buy a mediocre pan because it's cheap. Look here for worthwhile Prime Day deals on Dutch ovens, skillets, cookware sets, and brands our kitchen team has tested and recommends.

The best Amazon Prime Day kitchen appliance deals

An air fryer or blender that normally costs a few hundred dollars gets a lot more interesting at 25% or 30% off. This is where I'm collecting the best deals on countertop appliances, including air fryers, blenders, stand mixers, food processors, and other machines that earn their counter space.

Air fryers

Blenders, ice cream makers, and stand mixers

Prime Day kitchen deals FAQs

When is Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2026?

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event officially runs from Tuesday, October 6, through Wednesday, October 7, 2026. The 48-hour sale kicks off at 12:01 a.m. PT on October 6 and concludes at 11:59 p.m. PT on October 7. However, early discounts on kitchen gear, gadgets, and countertop appliances often quietly go live in the days leading up to the event as brands clear warehouse space for holiday inventory.

Do I need an Amazon Prime membership to shop the deals?

Yes. The steep price drops on trusted outdoor brands are exclusively paywalled for active Amazon Prime members. If you aren't currently subscribed, your best strategy is to sign up for a free 30-day trial to lock in the savings on high-ticket fire pits and sectionals — you can always cancel before the billing cycle begins.

Is Prime Day a good time to buy kitchen gear?

It can be. The key is to separate an actual deal from a product with a big red percentage next to its price. I look at the price itself, how unusual the discount is, our experience with the product (and the brand), and whether there's a compelling reason to buy it now rather than wait for Black Friday.

For big-ticket purchases in particular, I'd rather recommend five genuinely good deals than 50 things that are just on sale.

If you snoozed on Prime Day deals, all is not lost because several of the best coffee makers and espresso machines are still discounted to perk you up. I've checked every deal in this guide to see what's still available, removing expired offers and sell-outs and confirming discounts on models our team has personally tested.

Some of the best post-Prime Day coffee maker deals are on Breville and Nespresso espresso machines, two brands that are Prime Day mainstays, but don't get discounted much outside of these major deal periods. Our best overall espresso machine from Breville is $220 off, while we found Walmart stocking the compact Nespresso Vertuo Pop for just $87. These are solid options for upgrading your morning coffee routine without paying full price.

Whether you're shopping for a single-serve coffee maker, an espresso machine for beginners or experts, or a model for classic drip coffee lovers, there are several discounts still available to perk you up.

See all Prime Day coffee and espresso deals

Shopping for more Amazon Prime discounts? Check out all of our coverage of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon for the full selection.

The best Amazon Prime Day coffee maker deals 2026

Find major discounts on everything from basic brewers to premium specialty coffee makers. It's important to consider how much coffee you brew each day, what features you may need, and whether extras like iced-coffee settings, built-in frothers, or smart connectivity are worth the extra cost.

• See all Prime Day coffee maker deals

Ninja DualBrew Pro

Why we love it: The Ninja DualBrew Pro can make full carafes, single servings, iced coffee, and concentrate for lattes and cappuccinos. The built-in fold-away frother adds extra value for coffee drinkers who like to make coffee-shop style beverages at home. Its Prime Day discount makes it a compelling all-in-one coffee solution under $200.

• See all Ninja coffee deals.

Why we love it: The Braun BrewSense delivers consistently flavorful coffee thanks to its PureFlavor brewing system, which maintains optimal brewing extraction and temperature control. Its compact footprint and programmable features make it a practical choice for everyday use in any home. It's our favorite budget coffee maker and overall a solid Prime Day value from a trusted brand.

• See all Braun deals

Why we love it: This budget-friendly 12-cup Ninja coffee maker is at its lowest price of the year. The programmable coffee maker has a small-batch setting and can make classic or rich strength.

Why we love it: The K-Duo is great for large households with different coffee preferences. From one unexpectedly compact machine, you can brew a carafe for brunch or a single-serve pod for a busy morning in various beverage sizes.

The best Amazon Prime Day espresso machine deals 2026

Prime Day is considered one of the best times to invest in an espresso machine because there are deep discounts on premium models from Breville, De'Longhi, KitchenAid, and more. When shopping, consider whether you want a built-in grinder, automatic milk frothing, or a more hands-on experience that lets you refine your technique. This year's deals range from beginner-friendly machines under $100 to advanced setups that produce cafe-quality drinks at the touch of a button.

• See all Prime Day espresso machine deals

Many of Breville's top espresso machines are up to 30% off.

Why we love it: The Breville Barista Pro is our top espresso recommendation from Breville's lineup, and at $630, this is the lowest price we've seen for this excellent machine. It sits in the middle of the lineup, capable of exciting discerning espresso aficionados while remaining approachable to beginners. In testing, the Pro pulled consistent shots and has an ultra-fast 3-second heat-up time, 30 granular grinder settings, and a digital LCD screen. If you're looking for a more entry-level Breville, the Breville Barista Express is a crowd favorite and is on sale for $499.

Compare the Breville espresso lineup.

Why we love it: De'Longhi has so many deals for Prime Day, but this automatic machine is a great buy for those users who just want to push a button. This machine does it all for you, with seven one-touch recipes, including espresso, cappuccino, latte, and iced coffee. Its precision conical burr grinder offers 13 different grind settings, ensuring the proper extraction for every cup. And its Latte Crema System can handle both plant and dairy milks.

• See all De'Longhi deals.

Why we love it: Ninja's Luxe Cafe Premier makes it fast and easy to whip up espresso, cold brew, and coffee in minutes with Barista Assist Technology, a guided experience featuring customized grind-size recommendations, weight-based dosing, and active brew adjustments for temperature & pressure to achieve balanced flavor. This is the lowest price this social-media darling has been offered at, which only happens around major deal seasons.

Why we love it: The De'Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine really surprised me during our espresso machine testing. It offers manual control and a traditional steam wand with few bells and whistles. But it has an incredibly compact footprint, makes excellent espresso, and has superior frothing capabilities for such an inexpensive product. At under $100, it's one of the most affordable machines and also one of the best.

Why we love it: KitchenAid's KF2, a fully automatic espresso machine, lets you make cold espresso beverages and features a more compact design. I tested a similar model, the KF6, and it brewed perfect espresso on the first pull, so I expect the same performance with the K2. It has an intelligent dosing system that adjusts the grind size for you and a built-in milk frother.

• See all KitchenAid deals.

The best Amazon Prime Day single-serve coffee maker deals 2026

Single-serve coffee makers are ideal for anyone who wants a fresh cup of coffee without brewing an entire pot. Look for machines that offer fast brewing times, multiple cup sizes, and flexible pod options. This year's best deals include compact espresso machines, budget-friendly Keurigs that make mornings easier, and espresso pod brewers.

• See all Prime Day single-serve coffee maker deals

Why we love it: The Nespresso Vertuo Pop is one of the smallest machines in Nespresso's lineup, but it still delivers rich coffee topped with the brand's signature crema. It can brew several Vertuo pod formats from 5 to 12 ounces with the touch of a button, while taking up little counter space, and has a 19-ounce water reservoir. Surprisingly, the lowest price we found on this cute model is $85 at Walmart. The VertuoPop+ version, which has a slightly larger 25-ounce water tank, is on sale for $99 on Amazon, but if you're looking for the lowest price on a Nespresso, Walmart is your best option here. You can find a Pop bundled with a milk frother for $134 on Amazon, or go after Nespresso's latest and greatest, with 32% off the Vertuo Up, which has a lightning-fast 3-second heat-up.

Why we love it: The Keurig K-Supreme means fewer frequent tank refills thanks to its 66-ounce reservoir. The introduction of mult-stream technology enables a more even water distribution for better extraction and aroma. Plus, you can customize your cup with strength and temperature control options. It's our favorite Keurig option for its versatility.

See all Keurig Prime Day deals.

Why we love it: The Keurig K-Elite features Keurig's classic, long-standing design and an extra-large 75-ounce water reservoir for fewer refills. This programmable single-serve pod machine offers five brew sizes, hot water on demand, and over-ice and strong brew settings.

Why we love it: Coffee is a serious necessity for some, and the AeroPress is a small, simple, portable, and easy-to-use way to brew a highly competitive, frothy cup of coffee somewhere between a French press and an espresso. This is our preferred method for a single cup of coffee that doesn't require the use of pods.

Prime Day coffee maker FAQs

Is Prime Day a good time to buy a coffee maker?

Prime Day is one of the best times of the year to buy a coffee maker because many of the biggest brands offer discounts that rival Black Friday pricing. We found especially strong deals this year on espresso machines from Breville and De'Longhi, single-serve coffee makers from Nespresso and Keurig, and drip coffee makers from Oxo, Ninja, and Cuisinart.

What kind of coffee maker should I get?

The best coffee Maker depends on your habits and budget. Drip coffee makers are ideal for households that brew multiple cups throughout the day, while single-serve machines offer convenience and minimal cleanup for both home and work settings. Espresso machines are best for coffee enthusiasts who want lattes, cappuccinos, and specialty drinks at home. If versatility is your priority, look for a machine that can brew hot and iced coffee, as well as specialty drinks, from a single appliance.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out all of our coverage of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon for the full selection.

• Aaron Sorkin's new film "The Social Reckoning" is about the 2021 Facebook whistleblower scandal.
• Jeremy Strong stars as Mark Zuckerberg opposite Mikey Madison as the whistleblower Frances Haugen.
• Jeremy Allen White plays Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz.

Aaron Sorkin's "The Social Reckoning" sees Jeremy Strong portray Mark Zuckerberg during the 2021 Facebook whistleblower scandal.

The new film, which hits theaters on October 9, is the much-anticipated follow-up to 2010's "The Social Network." It also stars Mikey Madison as the whistleblower Frances Haugen and Jeremy Allen White as the award-winning technology reporter Jeff Horwitz.

Here's how the cast compares to the real-life people they're playing in "The Social Reckoning."

Jeremy Strong plays Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook founder and Meta CEO.

Jesse Eisenberg, who played Zuckerberg in "The Social Network," told Variety that he was asked to reprise the role for "The Social Reckoning," but declined.

"I just told him I'm moving in different directions in my life," Eisenberg said of Sorkin, who wrote and directed the new film. "I don't want to be associated with that character, but all of my reasons for not wanting to do the movie have nothing to do with how wonderful the movie is, and will be, and I'm sure is already."

Instead, Jeremy Strong was cast as the adult version of Facebook's founder.

As he did while playing Kendall Roy in HBO's billionaire-family drama "Succession," Strong went method for the role, according to Sorkin.

"Jeremy does a lot of his own work," Sorkin told NYT's "The Interview." "I told all the other actors in his scenes: 'Guys, he's not going to be hanging out with you at craft service. He's not going to be yucking it up with you between takes. He's probably not going to speak to you at all."

"He is going to treat you the way he imagines Mark treats the people around him.' And that's what happened," he continued. "You cannot argue with the results."

Mikey Madison plays Frances Haugen, also known as the "Facebook whistleblower."

Frances Haugen is a data scientist and former product manager on Facebook's civic misinformation team, also called the civic integrity team.

In 2021, Haugen became known as the "Facebook whistleblower" when she leaked tens of thousands of internal Facebook documents to reporters and lawmakers.

She testified at a Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection that Facebook's algorithm prioritizes divisive and extremist posts, and she advocated for governmental regulation and stronger oversight.

Haugen told The Hollywood Reporter that she didn't get a chance to meet Mikey Madison, who won the 2025 best actress Oscar for "Anora," before Madison stepped into the whistleblower role for "The Social Reckoning."

"She was extremely busy that year because she'd won the Oscar just a few months before," Haugen said.

Still, Haugen said she hopes that Zuckerberg will watch the film.

"When I sat there for two hours and watched it, I was like, 'Wow, this is a thing that has really impacted the course of my life, and I have done a wonderful job of being in denial about that,'" Haugen said. "I hope if Mark watches the movie, he has the same experience."

"He should be reminded that, hey, you are making choices," she continued. "You don't have to be the head of Meta forever. You don't have to play this role in society."

Jeremy Allen White plays Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz.

Jeff Horwitz, a former technology reporter for The Wall Street Journal, is now a San Francisco-based reporter for Reuters.

Horwitz won several journalism awards for "The Facebook Files," a 2021 investigative series based largely on the internal documents provided by Haugen.

Jeremy Allen White, who previously helmed the 2025 Bruce Springsteen biopic "Deliver Me from Nowhere," recently told The Independent that he was initially hesitant about taking on the role in "The Social Reckoning."

"I was really nervous about playing another real person," he said. "I didn't know if I wanted that responsibility entirely."

Bill Burr plays Charlie, a character inspired by Facebook investor Roger McNamee.

Sorkin told Vanity Fair that, due to potential legal concerns, he didn't name Bill Burr's character in "The Social Reckoning" after Roger McNamee, a venture capitalist and early Facebook investor.

In 2019, McNamee published a scathing book about Zuckerberg, titled "Zucked: Waking Up to the Facebook Catastrophe," which is listed in the movie's credits — along with Haugen's memoir and Horwitz's book, "Broken Code" — as additional research materials. Sorkin said he spoke to all three "a lot" while writing the script.

Sorkin described McNamee as "a kind of consigliere to Mark until they had a big falling out over the direction of the company."

"Originally, it was made clear to me that I couldn't call Bill Burr's character Roger McNamee, not because there was going to be a problem with Roger, who was on board, but because there might be a problem with Facebook and the situation that I have Mark and Bill Burr's character in the movie," Sorkin told Vanity Fair. "So that character had to become inspired by Roger McNamee, which is what it is now."

• The Trump administration says it's suspending Microsoft and Adobe from a federal program used to sponsor foreign workers.
• JD Vance accused Microsoft of abusing the Permanent Labor Certification Program, or PERM.
• “If you do the math, for every worker that Microsoft laid off, they replaced that worker with one and a half foreign indentured servants,” the VP said.

The Trump administration is suspending Microsoft and Adobe from a federal program that companies use to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling said Thursday during a press conference.

Vance accused Microsoft of abusing the Permanent Labor Certification Program, or PERM. The program is an initial step that employers generally must complete before sponsoring a worker for an employment-based green card, requiring them to show that no qualified and available US workers could fill the role.

“If you do the math, for every worker that Microsoft laid off, they replaced that worker with one and a half foreign indentured servants,” Vance said.

Microsoft filed more certified PERM applications than any other employer in the first three quarters of this fiscal year, with 1504, according to a Business Insider analysis, and an additional 174 were filed for subsidiaries LinkedIn and Activision. Adobe filed 168 in the same time period.

The announcement came just over a week after Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella sat two seats away from Vance at President Donald Trump's White House "Super Intelligence" luncheon, a gathering of tech executives focused on AI.

A Microsoft spokesperson pointed Business Insider to a blog post the company published Thursday, which said “the vast majority of Microsoft employees in the United States are Americans.”

Microsoft wrote that roughly 80% of the about 6,000 H-1B visa applications it filed in the last fiscal year were to extend or change the status of existing employees, rather than to hire new people. It said the remaining applications were for people already legally in the US and amounted to 1% of its US workforce.

Adobe did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling said the administration was also suspending Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL Technologies, and Capgemini from the program. The IT companies are among the largest users of PERM and other employment-based immigration pathways in the US.

Vance also said the administration would investigate nine universities, including Harvard, Yale, and Stanford, over allegations that they used J-1 exchange visas to undercut American wages. Labor Department Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito said subpoenas had already been served.

The announcement is the latest escalation for the administration against companies that rely on highly skilled foreign workers, particularly through the H-1B visa system. Microsoft is one of the biggest employers of H-1B workers in the US.

It was not immediately clear how long the suspension would last or what it would mean for Microsoft employees whose permanent-residency cases are already pending. The process is already slow: The Labor Department says PERM applications took an average of 336 calendar days to process in August.

Correction: October 8, 2026 — An earlier version of this story misstated who announced Adobe's suspension. It was Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling.

Amazon's October sale is over, but it's not too late to shop the remaining Prime Day deals. Those in the market for a new monitor can grab some solid discounts on models geared toward gaming, work, entertainment, and everything in between. I've been tracking the best Prime Day monitor deals throughout the sale, and I've updated this roundup with discounts that are still kicking from LG, Samsung, and Asus. I've also checked stock and pricing to ensure none of my recommendations have expired or sold out.

Those on a tighter budget can still snag this Samsung 22-inch 1080p monitor for just $70. The display is about as basic as an entry-level monitor gets, but if you just want a no-frills budget monitor for everyday tasks, it's hard to beat at that price. Gamers in need of higher performance can also find capable models on sale.

I've been testing tech products for over a decade, and I've covered every Prime Day event since the first sale in 2015. All that experience helps me circle in on the good Prime Day deals while weeding out the ones you should skip. And if you're looking for more deals across other product categories, check out all of our Amazon Prime Day coverage.

The best Prime Day computer monitor deals

If you're looking for a standard monitor built for everyday productivity, web browsing, and basic media consumption, these models from Samsung, Dell, and LG are all solid values. The Samsung S30GD, in particular, is a great deal at $70. At 22 inches, it's on the small side for a modern monitor, but it's priced accordingly and a good fit for those with limited desk space.

The best Prime Day gaming monitor deals

These monitors boast features that make them ideal for gaming, including high refresh rates, fast response times, and low input lag. Some also use advanced screen technology, such as OLED or local-dimming LED panels, which enable deeper black levels.

Prime Day monitor FAQs

How do we choose the best Prime Day monitor deals?

I picked the best Prime Day monitor deals by comparing Amazon's advertised discount to each display's typical street price using tools like Keepa and CamelCamelCamel. This helps me distinguish meaningful monitor discounts from sales that appear impressive only at first glance.

Though not all of the monitor deals in this roundup are at all-time lows, they all represent a solid markdown from each model's regular price.

What's the difference between a standard monitor and a gaming monitor?

Everyday monitors prioritize practical work and media use, making them well-suited to web browsing, spreadsheets, streaming, and light photo editing. On the other hand, gaming monitors are built to make games look and feel more responsive, with smoother motion and features that enhance contrast, color, and brightness.

For a basic home office setup, a 1080p or QHD monitor with a standard LED panel and a 60Hz refresh rate is usually all you need. If you play action-heavy games, look for a model with at least a 120Hz refresh rate, a quick response time, and variable refresh rate (VRR) support to reduce screen tearing.

Higher-end gaming displays often use OLED, QLED, or Mini LED technology, which can provide better brightness and contrast than a conventional LED panel. These gaming monitors typically support HDR (high dynamic range), which adds more pop and dimensionality to compatible games. And if your PC has the graphics power to run games at a higher resolution, a 4K gaming monitor can deliver a noticeably sharper image.

Should you buy an ultrawide monitor?

Ultrawide monitors can be useful for both gaming and productivity. This type of display gives you a much wider workspace than a typical 16:9 or 16:10 display. That extra room is especially handy for keeping several windows open side by side for multitasking, and it can make compatible PC games feel more immersive by expanding your field of view.

The tradeoff is that ultrawide models need a larger desk footprint and often cost more than conventional monitors. They make the most sense if you want a cleaner alternative to a dual-monitor setup.

Should you buy an OLED for work?

OLED monitors are excellent options for gamers, but they have notable quirks that may make them less suited to work and everyday browsing.

For one, OLED panels are susceptible to burn-in, which can cause faint outlines of static images to become permanently stuck on the screen if they're displayed for too long. This is rare if you use an OLED display for gaming and watching movies, since they feature a lot of different moving elements that keep the image varied.

But if you're using an OLED for work with the same apps and windows open for several hours every day, there's a chance that certain static elements, like icons and taskbars, could cause burn-in over time. OLED monitors have features to minimize this risk, and many brands now offer two to three-year warranties that cover burn-in, but it's still a factor to consider.

Beyond burn-in, many OLED panels also have issues displaying text. When viewed up close, text on some OLED displays can look off compared to a good LCD monitor, with colored outlines or a slightly blurry quality. This is especially true on lower-resolution panels, as 4K OLED monitors tend to offer sharper text.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

• Stocks were under pressure on Thursday as oil and yields spiked.
• The 10-year Treasury yield jumped after easing slightly on Wednesday, hitting a 24-year high.
• Oil, meanwhile, surged on new fears about US-Iran war escalation.

Stocks pulled back further from recent all-time highs on Thursday as traders watched oil prices spike and key bond yields resume their march to their highest levels in nearly a quarter century.

The records logged earlier in the week didn't last long, with stock losses mounting for a second day on Thursday following fresh highs in Tuesday's session. The premarket declines pared as trading got underway, with the Dow earlier pointing lower by more than 500 points, though it ultimately turned around, closing out the day in the green.

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

• S&P 500: 7,765.36, down 0.47%
• Dow Jones Industrial Average: 51,231.64, up 0.1% (+51.77 points)
• Nasdaq 100: 30,725.81, down 1.39%

Oil and bond yields were the familiar culprits hitting equities in Thursday trading.

Brent crude jumped 5% to $105 per barrel on concerns about new large-scale attacks on Iran in the coming weeks. Reports said that Donald Trump and his advisors have been drawing up plans for major strikes ahead of the midterm elections in November. Trump also told attendees at a rally on Wednesday that a deal "isn't really something that I want to do."

However, Trump said later in the day in a post on Truth Social that the US wouldn't attack Iran before the election.

Meanwhile, renewed selling in Treasurys drove yields higher again during the session, though they pulled back after touching new 24-year highs. The 10-year Treasury yield ended the day about 5 basis points lower at 5.22% after surging as high as 5.35%, the highest level since 2022. Comments from a top Fed official were the catalyst for the latest yield spike.

Fed Gov. Christopher Waller said during an event in Turkey that more hikes are likely needed to cool inflation. On Wednesday, minutes from the September meeting indicated officials see one more hike on the horizon this year.

The new spike comes as investors are also nervously eyeing France's bond chaos, which market observers see as a warning for other economies dealing with fiscal instability.

Jim Reid, global head of macro research at Deutsche Bank noted the global nature of the market's bond roller coaster, flagging the pressure it's putting on other areas of the market.

"The UK's 10yr gilt yield (+6.8bps) hit a post-2007 high of 5.44% while 10yr Italian yields rose by +9.7bps," he wrote. "US Treasuries did mostly stabilise amid a pullback in oil and a strong 10yr auction, but 30yr yields (+1.3bps) still reached a new post-2002 high of 5.67% and are back up +2.7bps this morning. The renewed stress led to mounting pressure on risk assets"

David Morrison, chief market strategist at Trade Nation, added that there may be other factors weighing on US markets. An update out of Silicon Valley may be adding to concerns about oversupply of new debt at a time when demand for Treasurys already appears uncertain. Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that SpaceX is looking to raise up to $40 billion of debt financing to buy Nvidia chips for its data centers.

"Treasury yields spiked up again, with both the US 10-year and 30-year hovering around the 24-year highs seen this time last week," he said. "The jump in crude prices hasn't helped. Nor has the news that SpaceX, Oracle and Broadcom are all looking to raise cash for AI chip purchases."

Prime Day has come to an end, but it looks like Amazon didn't get the memo. Several Prime Day deals are still available, including record-low prices on some of the best TVs my team has tested. I review TVs year-round, so I know a good discount when I see one. I've been glued to my screen all week, tracking the latest promos and stock changes, and I've compiled the best TV deals you can still grab.

If you've always wanted an OLED TV but were put off by high prices, I recommend snagging the brand-new 65-inch Roku Pro Series OLED. Even after Prime Day, it's still on sale for just $800, making it the most affordable 65-inch OLED on the market. The Pro Series offers all the benefits of OLED tech, including pixel-level contrast control and wide viewing angles, but it's notably dimmer than pricier OLEDs and competing Mini LED TVs. However, if you want a budget-friendly OLED for watching movies in a dark room, this is a steal. You can learn more in my Roku Pro Series OLED breakdown.

Meanwhile, if your goal is to save big on a really big screen, I highly recommend the 98-inch TCL QM8L, which is still on sale for a whopping $3,000 off. This 2026 model is part of TCL's new SQD lineup, which offers an incredibly wide range of colors. You can learn more in my full TCL QM8L TV review.

Since Prime Day is technically over, there's no telling how long these lingering TV deals will remain. If you see a model you like, I recommend grabbing it now before the deal is gone, as we're unlikely to see prices this low again until Black Friday.

The best Prime Day Samsung TV deals

Some of the best Samsung TVs my team and I have tested are still on sale after Prime Day. If image quality is your priority, Samsung's S90H OLED remains at a record-low price. This 2026 model has a new anti-glare screen that does a great job fighting reflections. And like all OLEDs, it offers impressive pixel-level contrast and wide viewing angles. You can learn more in our Samsung S90H review.

The best Prime Day Roku TV deals

Roku has expanded its reach beyond streaming devices to include a solid lineup of competitively priced TVs. The Roku Plus Series is one of my favorite budget-friendly QLEDs, and it's an especially good value at up to $220 off right now. Roku also recently launched its first OLED TVs. The 65-inch model is just $800, which is an absolute steal for an entry-level OLED. For more details, see my guide to the best Roku TVs.

The best Prime Day TCL TV deals

The best TCL TVs are known for their competitive prices, but these lingering Prime Day deals take their value to another level. The QM8L is a standout with record-low prices across various sizes. The QM8L is one of TCL's flagship SQD TVs, delivering expanded color performance while offering better contrast and brightness than similar models from Samsung, LG, and Sony.

The best Prime Day LG TV deals

LG is known for its high-contrast OLED TVs, and its 2026 C6 and C6H are holding steady at record-low prices. The C6H is an incredible value for anyone who wants an extra-large OLED. It's available in 77- or 83-inch sizes and delivers a noticeably brighter picture than the standard C6, which is sold in smaller sizes. The C6H wowed me during testing, and at these prices, it's my top pick for anyone who wants a big-screen OLED. For more info, head over to my LG C6H TV review and guide to the best LG TVs.

The best Prime Day Hisense TV deals

Like TCL, Hisense has cemented its place as a top TV brand for overall value. Its midrange and flagship sets rival TCL's offerings while undercutting similar options from Sony and Samsung. Hisense's new 2026 U7SG and U6SF Pro are great examples. Both are getting great discounts and feature anti-glare screens (in sizes under 100 inches). That's a rarity for TVs at such budget-friendly prices. For more details, see our guide to the best Hisense TVs, and check our full review of the Hisense U6SF Pro.

The best Prime Day Sony TV deals

Sony TVs often command a premium over other brands, but the company's top models stand out for their near-reference-level image accuracy and processing. Several of Sony's older TVs are still at record-low prices, including the midrange Bravia 7 Mini LED. That model has been replaced by the new Bravia 7 II True RGB TV, which delivers a wider color range. But at this deal price, the older model is a great value. For a closer look at how Sony's current lineup compares, check out my guide to the best Sony TVs.

Prime Day TV FAQs

How did I pick the best Prime Day TV deals?

I've been reviewing TVs for more than a decade and cover the industry year-round, so I'm always up to date on the latest pricing trends. I also compared Amazon's sale price with each TV’s typical street price using deal-tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel and Keepa to make sure the discount is genuinely worth your attention.

Though not all of the TV deals included above are record-low prices, they all represent solid savings over each TV's typical cost. For more tips on separating a real bargain from a dud, check out our guide to tracking Prime Day deals.

Should you still buy a 2025 TV model?

Yes, 2025 TV models are still excellent buys since they're often on sale for less than their 2026 counterparts and typically offer very similar performance. However, certain 2025 TV models are now hard to find in stock as stores have sold through their remaining inventory. In this guide, I've included a mix of 2025 and 2026 TV model deals to provide options that offer the best value and availability.

What type of TV should you buy?

TV terminology can get confusing fast. But while acronyms like LED, QLED, Mini LED, OLED, and RGB LED may sound like marketing jargon, they all have genuinely important differences. The best option for you depends on your budget, room lighting, and what you watch most. Here’s the quick version:

• OLED TVs: OLED models, including QD-OLED and tandem OLED sets, deliver the best overall picture quality. Their pixel-level contrast control enables true black levels that disappear into a dark room, as well as very wide viewing angles, making them especially great for movies. The tradeoffs are higher prices — particularly at larger sizes — lower peak brightness than the very best Mini LED/QLED TVs, and a small risk of burn-in. For a closer look, see our OLED vs. QLED comparison.
• QLED TVs: QLED TVs, including SQD models, use quantum dots to produce a bright, colorful image. They’re a strong fit for well-lit rooms, come in a wide range of sizes and prices, and don’t carry a burn-in risk. Top QLED TVs pair quantum dots with Mini LED backlighting and local dimming, though even those models can’t quite match an OLED’s black levels or off-angle viewing.
• LED TVs: Standard LED TVs are the most affordable route to a new TV or a bigger screen. They can be perfectly fine for casual viewing, but most skip higher-end features such as quantum dots, local dimming, and wide-color support, so their picture quality is more limited.
• RGB LED TVs: Also marketed as Micro RGB, RGB Mini LED, or True RGB, these newer TVs use separate red, green, and blue LEDs to expand the color range. The technology is promising, but choices are limited, and OLED remains the better pick for contrast. You can learn more in our RGB LED vs. Mini LED comparison.

What size TV is best?

The right TV size comes down to your space, how far you sit from the screen, and what you’re comfortable spending. A TV larger than 65 inches can make movies, sports, and games feel far more cinematic, but bigger isn’t automatically better.

When comparing Prime Day TV deals, it can be tempting to jump on a cheap big-screen TV instead of a smaller, more expensive one, but a smaller step-up model can often deliver better contrast, color, brightness, and overall image quality than a bargain-priced extra-large TV. Look at the display technology and picture-quality features alongside the size to find the best fit for your room and budget.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

• Meta's chief AI officer, Alexandr Wang, is aware that people want Muse to make them money.
• He said he finds it "funny" how people will prompt Meta's AI agent to make them $10,000.
• Have you used Meta's AI agent yet? What do you think?

Meta's chief AI officer, Alexandr Wang, says he plans to improve Muse, but users will have to work a little, too, if they want the agent to make them money.

"We always want to figure out how to make the agents better. And then we want them to be able to continue doing more and more complex tasks," Wang told Cleo Abram during a recent interview for Abram's "Huge Conversations" show.

Wang was describing the viral prompts that some users are giving Meta's popular AI agent to make them X amount of money.

"I find this really funny, but there's a lot of people who will just ask their Muse, 'I want you to make me $10,000.' And, obviously, not everyone can just ask their Muse to make them $10,000."

He added, "You're going to have to do your part if you want to make $10,000."

Wang previously encouraged users to use Muse to find such savings as part of his #musemoneychallenge, but asking Muse to make money is on a different level.

Meta's goal, Wang said, is to continue to improve Muse's memory so it can help users tackle more complex tasks.

"The memory of the agents is not like that of a human," he said. "Sometimes it can feel like it's like that, but it is really different. So that's one area where we're always trying to improve."

Muse has proven to be a major hit for Wang's Superintelligence Labs team. A month after its release, Muse remains No. 1 among free apps on the Apple App Store, a crown that has often been held by OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Wang said that Meta wanted to find a way to bring "the magic" that developers have seen when they used agents and make it more accessible to the masses.

"Most of the industry has been really focused on making them just better and better and better at coding," he said. "But we really felt this was a big gap because most people in the world, they don't know how to code. They probably never even want to code."

Part of Meta's focus for Muse will be figuring out how to make an agentic product sustainable.

Wang noted that Meta is already offering subscription tiers. There's speculation around whether the company could also bring ads into the agentic service, perhaps similar to how OpenAI has rolled out advertising for its Free and Go plans. Wang said that Meta isn't discussing ads that much.

"I wouldn't say we're spending that much time thinking about ads necessarily right now," he said.

Other business models may concern the $10,000 you asked Muse to make for you.

"If they're buying things using Muse, or Muse is saving them money, or Muse is making them money, figuring out a way to take some small fee on those kinds of transactions," he said.

• "Bridgerton" has two new seasons in the works.
• One will focus on Francesca Bridgerton, while the other will show Violet and Edmund's love story.
• You can read some historical romance books while you wait for the seasons to come out on Netflix.

It's a great time to be a "Bridgerton" fan.

Season five of the beloved Netflix series is officially in production following the success of season four, which told Benedict Bridgerton's love story. Francesca Bridgerton Kilmartin will pick up the helm in season five. Two years after her husband died, she will try to make sense of her feelings for his cousin, Michaela Stirling, marking the first queer love story to be the focus of a season of the show, as the streamer first announced in March 2026.

And on Thursday, Netflix announced that it's not the only "Bridgerton" production in the works.

A new spinoff series about Violet and Viscount Edmund Bridgerton, the parents of the Bridgerton brood, is coming. The show will go back in time to their love story, much like "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story" did for Queen Charlotte and King George.

Though there is movement in the "Bridgerton" world, it's not yet clear when new episodes will arrive. Season five of the show will hit screens sometime in 2027, and the Violet spinoff does not have a premiere date.

Some historical romance books could help pass the time while you wait. From stories of marriage of convenience to enemies-to-lovers epics, check out some of the best books for "Bridgerton" fans.

"When He Was Wicked" by Julia Quinn

Season five of "Bridgerton" will be based on "When He Was Wicked," book six in Quinn's series. But the show will be substantially different from the novel, as the Michaela Stirling that viewers know on screen is actually Michael Stirling in the book.

In the novel, Michael Stirling falls in love with Francesca Bridgerton at first sight, ready to put his life as a rake behind him for her. To his dismay, though, his beloved cousin John met Francesca first, and Michael plans to live his life supporting them from afar and quietly wondering what could have been.

However, when John dies unexpectedly two years later, Michael must return to Scotland and take over as the Earl of Kilmartin, putting him in the orbit of a grieving Francesca. Francesca is thrilled to have Michael back and eager to lean on him for friendship and support, as she always has.

When that comfort gives way to a passion Francesca never expected, she'll have to rethink everything she thought she knew about love.

"Violet in Bloom" by Julia Quinn

Quinn did not write a full-length novel about Violet and Edmund's love story; instead, she included a novella about them in her collection "The Bridgertons: Happily Ever After," called "Violet in Bloom."

The short story offers readers a look at Violet's childhood and her courtship with Edmund. Quinn wrote on her website that she did not feel she could write a full-length book about the couple because Edmund dies when they are still quite young, but the novella's structure gave her a way into their love story.

Violet's consuming love with Edmund is the reason she encourages all of her children to find their love match, and the novella gives readers a front-row seat to their bond.

Be warned, the other installments in the collection are second epilogues to the "Bridgerton" novels, so don't read them unless you have already read the series (or don't mind spoilers).

"Bringing Down the Duke" by Evie Dunmore

"Bringing Down the Duke" is the first installment in Evie Dunmore's "A League of Extraordinary Women" series.

It follows Annabelle Archer, one of the first women admitted to the University of Oxford in 1879. Annabelle is a scholarship student, and her financial support depends on her commitment to recruiting influential men to join the suffragette movement.

Annabelle doesn't know how she'll convince Sebastian Devereux, the Duke of Montgomery, to help her cause. His support is crucial because he directly influences the Queen's policies, but the removed Sebastian is more interested in finding a suitable wife than in women's rights.

Worst of all, neither Annabelle nor Sebastian expected the palpable attraction between them, threatening to derail everything they were both working toward. They'll have to see which is more powerful: their goals or their feelings for each other.

"The Davenports" by Krystal Marquis

If you love the ensemble cast of "Bridgerton," Krystal Marquis' "The Davenports" is the perfect addition to your to-be-read list.

Inspired by the true story of Charles Richard Patterson, Marquis' novel follows the family of William Davenport, a previously enslaved man who became a successful business owner with the Davenport Carriage Company. By 1910, his family is wealthy and secure, and his children — particularly his daughters Olivia and Helen — have become fixtures of high society.

When "The Davenports" begins, Olivia is set on marrying a suitable match until she finds herself drawn to Washington DeWight, a civil rights activist, while Helen can't stop thinking about the man who is supposed to be courting her sister, Jacob Lawrence. Meanwhile, the girls' former close friend and current maid, Amy-Rose, and Olivia's best friend, Ruby, end up in a love triangle with John Davenport, Olivia and Helen's charming brother, until Ruby falls for someone she never anticipated.

Full of heart and no shortage of romance, the first installment of "The Davenports" series will scratch the same itch as "Bridgerton."

"Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon

Like "Bridgerton," Diana Gabaldon's historical romance "Outlander" became a successful TV series, but unlike Quinn's works, her nine-book series comes with a side of magic.

When "Outlander" begins, former combat nurse Claire Randall is trying to find her footing after World War II ends in 1945. In an attempt to find a new normal, Claire and her husband Frank visit the Scottish Highlands, but a walk through a stone circle sends Claire back in time to 1743, when war was the backdrop of Scotland.

Claire is desperate to return to her life, but to stay alive, she is forced to marry the surprisingly kind warrior, Jamie Fraser. As time passes, her reluctant marriage to Jamie becomes a passion Claire has never known. Will she return to her life in the future or take on an adventure in the past she never expected?

"The Magpie Lord" by KJ Charles

KJ Charles' "The Magpie Lord" has all the aristocratic fun of "Bridgerton" with the added flair of dark magic.

It's been two decades since Lucien Vaudrey set foot in London following his exile to China. When his father and brother suddenly die, Lucien has to return to a life he never expected as the new Lord Crane.

However, his earldom comes with the same adversaries his father had, leaving Lucien in danger of nefarious magic. He enlists the help of Stephen Day, a magician who can't stand the Crane family, to help him.

Stephen expects to loathe Lucien as he did his relatives, but to his surprise, Lucien is relaxed, tattooed, and clearly wants him. As Stephen's feelings for Lucien deepen, evil continues to invade the lord's home, putting them both at risk.

"Suddenly You" by Lisa Kleypas

Amanda Briars decides to take her sexuality into her own hands in "Suddenly You" by Lisa Kleypas.

As a 30th birthday gift to herself, author and spinster Amanda decides to seek out a male companion so she can experience intimacy. So when Jack Delvin, a publisher who wants to work with her, appears on her doorstep, she assumes he's there for a very different reason, leading to a night of passion neither anticipated.

After their encounter, Amanda and Jack still have to work together, and neither can ignore their attraction. Will their different backgrounds keep them apart, or will love bring them together?

"The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels" by India Holton

If you want a romance like "Bridgerton" with a touch of darkness, "The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels" by India Holton will hit the spot.

Although Cecilia Bassingwaite appears to be a demure Victorian woman, she's actually a thief. She uses her societal standing to swindle goods from England's upper class as a member of the Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels.

Assassin for hire Ned Lightbourne is tasked with taking Cecilia out for his boss, Captain Morvath, but everything changes when Ned lays eyes on her.

Cecilia and Ned have no choice but to work together to save the Wisteria Society from Morvath's wrath — drawing them closer and closer together.

"Rebel" by Beverly Jenkins

In "Rebel" by Beverly Jenkins, Valinda Lacy is building a new life for herself in Reconstruction-era New Orleans.

Originally from New York City, Valinda has big dreams of helping rebuild the city, but her hopes are dashed when ruffians make a target of her and the school she created.

Architect Captain Drake LeVeq steps in to help Valinda and is immediately smitten with her. Drake finds everything about Valinda alluring, especially her independence, so he's devastated to learn she has a responsible fiancé waiting for her in New York.

The more time Val spends in New Orleans with Drake, the less she wants to return to the life set out for her.

The first installment of Jenkins' "Women Who Dare" series, "Rebel," is exciting and steamy.

"The Duchess Deal" by Tessa Dare

The first installment in Tessa Dare's "Girl Meets Duke" series is "The Duchess Deal," a perfect story for fans of the marriage-of-convenience romance trope.

The Duke of Ashbury rarely leaves his home after the war, hiding the burns and scars he took home with him. However, he needs to have a child, so he has to get married.

When his fiancée abruptly pulls out of the wedding, and he spots his seamstress, Emma Gladstone, with the dress in hand, he gets Emma to agree to step in and become the duchess.

The duke plans to keep Emma at arm's length, only visiting her bed at night to produce an heir. That won't work for Emma, though, who insists they dine together every night. And the longer Emma is in the Duke of Ashbury's world, the more enamored she is.

"Ana María and the Fox" by Liana De la Rosa

Like "Bridgerton," Liana De la Rosa's "Ana María and the Fox" takes place during a society season in Victorian London.

Mexican heiress Ana María Luna Valdés ends up in London with her sisters when the French occupy her home country, giving her the chance to see what life is like when she isn't under her father's watchful eye. She can't help but notice Gideon Fox, a politician with ambitious plans to bring an end to the Atlantic slave trade.

Gideon is sure he doesn't have time for a romance with anyone, no matter how alluring he finds Ana. To his dismay, he has no choice but to protect her when a rival politician makes advances on her — nor does he have a choice in the feelings he develops for her.

"A Night Like This" by Julia Quinn

If you like the class tension that was central to season four of "Bridgerton," Quinn's "A Night Like This" might be right up your alley.

The second novel in the "Smythe-Smith Quartet" follows Anne Wynter, the governess for three cousins in the Smythe-Smith family (who will be familiar to fans of "Bridgerton"). Being a governess isn't her dream job, but it works for Anne, especially since it helps her keep her real identity private.

Anne is hopeful she can maintain her low profile until Daniel Smythe-Smith, the Earl of Winstead, returns to town, and he immediately sets his sights on her. Anne has had no trouble resisting men in the past, but there's something about Daniel that stirs feelings in her she never anticipated.

When enemies from Daniel's past threaten not only him but Anne, he'll show her just how far he's willing to go to protect her.

"Slightly Married" by Mary Balogh

Like "Bridgerton," the "Bedwyn Saga" follows a rambunctious family, and the first installment, "Slightly Married," focuses on the second eldest son, Aidan Bedwyn.

Aidan might look tough, but underneath it all, the colonel has a soft heart. That warmth leads him to visit Ringwood Manor after one of his soldiers died, determined to care for the man's sister in his stead.

Instead of finding a grieving, helpless woman, he meets Eve, an enchanting and fearless woman who quickly makes clear that Aidan's help is the last thing she wants. However, when Aidan offers to marry her so she can keep her home, Eve feels she has no choice but to accept.

Although Aidan is immediately drawn to Eve, the pair agree to a loveless marriage, but one kiss may undo everything they had planned.

Lime spent nearly a decade as a private company before going public in July 2026, and CEO Wayne Ting has been along for most of the ride. He joined in 2018, became CEO in 2020, and led the micromobility pioneer from growth at all costs to a business built to turn a profit. Ting sat down with Editor at Large Katie Roof to explain why now was the moment to list, what it took to get there, and what he learned along the way.

Amazon's October Prime Day sale offers the perfect chance to save big on headphones. My team and I test the latest headphones year-round, so I'm constantly keeping tabs on pricing, which helps me separate the good Prime Day deals from the ones you should skip. The best Prime Day headphone deals include some of the lowest prices I've seen yet on our favorite over-ear and earbud models from Sony, Soundcore, Apple, and Bose.

While many of our top headphone recommendations were on sale for the event, the selection is much more limited now that Prime Day is over. That said, our budget pick, the Soundcore Space 2, is still 18% off, while our top noise-canceling pick, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, is down to $369.

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days officially ended on October 7 at midnight PT, but we've updated you with the best headphone deals still kicking below. And for more savings across tech, home, kitchen, and style, be sure to browse all of our Prime Day deals coverage.

The best Prime Day earbud deals

Several top-tier earbuds from Sony, Anker, and Bose have dropped to great Prime Day prices. While several of the most popular deals have already expired, you can still find the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds at 40% off.

The best Prime Day over-ear headphone deals

If you prefer an over-ear pair, there are plenty of Prime Day deals on brands we love. Again, several of the more trending discounts have come and gone, but there are still some worthwhile price drops on Bose, Apple, and more.

FAQs

How do we find the best Prime Day headphone deals?

To find the best Prime Day headphones deals, I compare Amazon's discounts against typical street pricing for various models. My team and I cover headphones year-round, so I'm always up to date on the latest pricing trends. I also use deal-tracking tools, like Keepa and CamelCamelCamel, to examine Amazon's historical pricing data, which helps me figure out how much certain headphones usually sell for. In addition, I take a look at what other retailers have been charging.

This combination of expertise and research helps me figure out whether a Prime Day headphone deal is a winner or a dud.

Which headphones should you buy?

The right headphones for you come down to where and how you'll use them. Over-ear noise-canceling models are usually the best choice for flights, commutes, and busy offices, since they tend to offer the best sound quality, comfort, and noise reduction. Wireless earbuds are easier to toss in a pocket and are a better fit for workouts, calls, and everyday listening on the go.

My team and I have tested a wide range of headphones and earbuds, and the Sony WH-1000XM5 are our pick for the best over-ear headphones. Meanwhile, the Sony WF-1000XM5 are our favorite wireless earbuds. Both combine great sound, effective noise cancellation, and the kind of everyday features most people actually use.

That said, there's no single right pair for everyone. Bose, Apple, Sennheiser, Sonos, Technics, Soundcore, and other brands make excellent alternatives, whether you're prioritizing price, fit, call quality, or a particular ecosystem.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

Coffee lovers, you're in luck: The best Breville espresso machine we've ever tested is still $220 off after October Prime Day. The Breville Barista Pro strikes the right balance between hands-on control and everyday convenience, making this one of the best Breville deals I've spotted during the sale.

At $629.95, the Breville Barista Pro isn't quite the absolute lowest price we've seen this year — it briefly fell to $569.99 during June Prime Day in a lightning deal — but it is still the second-lowest price so far in 2026. The deal saves you $220 off the usual $849.95 price, making it one of the best times we've seen to buy our favorite Breville espresso machine. Don't wait too long, because the deal ends this weekend.

If you want a new at-home espresso machine, this is the best Prime Day deal you'll find. For more of the top discounts on Amazon, visit our main Prime Day deals hub and guide to the best coffee and espresso deals, to see what's still on sale.

Breville makes a sprawling lineup of espresso machines, but the Breville Barista Pro remains my top pick for anyone who wants hands-on control without sacrificing speed or convenience. I've tested numerous Breville models over the years, and this one hits the sweet spot for most home espresso drinkers. Setup is straightforward, and the bright LCD walks you through essential steps like dosing, grind size, and shot timing without requiring you to consult the manual constantly. (Though you should probably still read it before you begin pulling shots.)

I was able to pull espresso with a thick, syrupy crema after just a couple of shots and very little fine-tuning. The built-in conical burr grinder also streamlines the process, taking you from whole beans to espresso without the need for a separate grinder.

The Breville Prime Day deals go well beyond espresso machines, too. I've rounded up the best discounts on Breville coffee makers and espresso machines below, along with deals on countertop appliances, including air fryer toaster ovens, blenders, and more. These are the Breville deals I'd actually consider buying based on our testing and experience with the brand.

The best Breville espresso machine deals for Prime Day

Choosing the right Breville espresso machine can be overwhelming, with a lineup spanning roughly a dozen models, from an under-$250 entry-level unit to a $2,000 setup, and the differences go well beyond price. Some automate much of the process, while others give you more control over every shot.

To find out which are worth the investment, coffee roaster and barista Abby Hersh tested and reviewed Breville's core espresso machine lineup, evaluating how much work each requires and the quality and consistency of the espresso it produces. With October Prime Day bringing some of Breville's best machines down in price, these are the deals worth considering for your at-home espresso setup.

The best Breville countertop appliance deals (ovens, juicers, blenders)

Breville's espresso machines may get the most attention, but some of the best Prime Day deals extend to the brand's countertop appliances. Whether you are hoping to replace a collection of single-use gadgets or finally upgrade your baking, blending, or juicing setup, October Prime Day has brought discounts to several of Breville's most versatile kitchen appliances.

The standout is the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro, our undisputed top pick for the best air fryer toaster oven. Its large capacity and combination of convection baking, air frying, roasting, and dehydrating functions make it a genuine alternative to using a full-size oven for many everyday meals. Below, I've rounded up the best October Prime Day deals on Breville toaster ovens, blenders, juicers, and other countertop appliances worth considering.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

• LinkedIn is changing how it awards employee bonuses.
• Bonuses in 2027 will be based solely on individual performance, instead of 50% company performance.
• Major tech companies have been ramping up performance pressure on employees.

LinkedIn is overhauling how it awards annual corporate bonuses, according to an internal memo viewed by Business Insider.

The Microsoft-owned professional social network currently awards bonuses as a combination of company performance (50%) and individual performance (50%). Starting in 2027, employees' end-of-year bonuses will be based solely on their individual performance during the fiscal year.

"At Linkedin, we believe you should be recognized and rewarded for the impact you make," the memo states. "That's at the heart of our pay-for-performance philosophy, and our bonus plan is an important part of how we recognize and reward you for your contributions."

Bonus targets will remain unchanged and the new policy excludes employees with sales quotas.

"We're updating our bonus plan to create a more direct connection between individual performance and bonus payouts," a LinkedIn spokesperson said.

The change shifts compensation away from a model in which employees shared in the company's financial success and gives managers greater influence over bonus decisions to incentivize top performance.

Other major tech companies have been ratcheting up performance pressure on employees by tying more compensation to individual performance. Some of these changes offer bigger rewards to top employees while tightening expectations for those who fall short.

LinkedIn's parent company Microsoft has this year overhauled its performance review system, making performance distinctions significantly sharper.

The bonus change follows a period of cost-cutting at LinkedIn. In May, the company laid off employees and said it would scale back investments in areas including marketing campaigns, vendor spending, customer events, and under-used office space.

LinkedIn CEO Daniel Shapero told employees at the time that the company needed to operate more profitably while redirecting investments toward priorities such as infrastructure.

Read an excerpt of the memo:

At Linkedin, we believe you should be recognized and rewarded for the impact you make. That's at the heart of our pay-for-performance philosophy, and our bonus plan is an important part of how we recognize and reward you for your contributions.

With that in mind, I want to share a change we're making to our bonus plan beginning in FY27.

This applies only to those in our corporate bonus program and does not apply to quota-carrying roles on sales compensation plans.
What's changing: Beginning in FY27, we're simplifying how we calculate annual bonus payouts.

Before, bonus payouts were determined by a combination of company performance (50%) and individual performance (50%).

Now, your end-of-year bonus payout will be based entirely on your individual performance during the fiscal year. This creates a more direct connection between the impact you make and the rewards you receive.

What isn't changing: Your bonus target. Bonus targets remain targets, not guaranteed payouts.

Higher performance may result in a higher payout, while lower performance may result in a lower payout, and your manager will continue to differentiate bonus payouts based on individual performance. This change to remove the corporate component won't impact the funding of our bonus plan. How we perform as a company continues to be important.

Have a tip? Contact this reporter via email at astewart@businessinsider.com or Signal at +1-425-344-8242. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.

Going public is a milestone, not the finish line. Yet many companies spend years preparing for their IPO and far less time planning for the realities that come after it. Jill Hallquist, a leader in Fidelity's digital transfer agent business, and Lenka Haase of Fidelity Stock Plan Services join journalist and author Adam Rogers for a conversation about the lessons they've learned from helping companies navigate life as a public company, including common pitfalls, evolving shareholder needs, and preparing for future growth and liquidity events. Session presented by Fidelity.

• Tech billionaires are obsessed with "reprogramming" their bodies for longevity.
• Jeff Bezos, Peter Thiel, Yuri Milner, and Sam Altman have all invested in the rejuvenation strategy.
• The very first human attempt at cellular reprogramming is underway, and it looks like it's working.

Getting old can be painful. Stick around long enough, and you're bound to weather some kind of age-related decline, like creaky joints, clogged arteries, or vision loss.

Silicon Valley billionaires, including Jeff Bezos, Peter Thiel, Yuri Milner, and Sam Altman, who want to skip all that mess and reprogram their cells back to a more youthful state, have invested in startups working on the hottest trend in longevity science: cellular reprogramming.

The technique has rejuvenated lots of mice and monkeys, but it had never been tried in humans — until this year. The first human trial of cellular reprogramming is underway at Life Biosciences, where patients are being dosed with a first-of-its-kind rejuvenation therapy for glaucoma, an eye disease that can cause vision loss.

On Thursday, Life Biosciences released its first safety data. So far, three patients received the experimental therapy: an eye injection, coupled with eight weeks of daily antibiotics that turn on the rejuvenation factors inside their cells. The company said none of the patients reported major side effects and that it was "well-tolerated."

The goal of the treatment is to essentially turn back time at the cellular level, making old eyes young again by delivering genetic programming instructions, similar to those that rejuvenate stem cells and embryos.

Cellular reprogramming as a 'master key' for age-related health issues

There are some early signals that the technique might be working. Two of the three patients showed significant vision improvements on a standard eye exam, suggesting that the new drug might be restoring sight, or at least improving it.

Dr. James Tsai, president of New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, told Business Insider the news is "exciting," but very preliminary. Tsai, a glaucoma specialist who was not involved in this trial, said it's possible the therapy did not fully regenerate the eyeball but merely improved existing electrical signals in patients who still had some vision.

"I need a lot more information to say, 'Hey, we're truly at the holy grail of really reversing vision [loss],'" he said. "The exciting thing is they've done it in humans."

Based on the positive results, an independent safety monitoring board has approved a threefold increase in dose for the next group of patients in the study, which could improve the therapy's effectiveness.

If Life Biosciences's initial trial of this technology proves successful, it could be applied to other diseases next. Its chief operating officer, Michael Ringel, points to successful animal trials of cellular reprogramming for various age-related conditions, including arthritis, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, and even brain diseases like Alzheimer's.

"We believe it has the potential to really be a master key to address a broad range of age-related diseases," Ringel said. "But of course, that's something that will have to be shown clinically. We have to prove it, not just think it."

Silicon Valley is racing toward human trials for longevity

Life Biosciences is the first company to try this longevity technique in humans, but several Silicon Valley biotech startups are gunning to get into the race next. Jeff Bezos-backed Altos Labs hired clinical trial expert Joan Mannick last year, appointing her as head of product development.

"You only bring in Joan if you have something that's getting ready for trial," longevity scientist and XPRIZE Healthspan director Jaime Justice said.

Then there is New Limit, which recently raised $435 million in a Series C round led by Peter Thiel's Founders Fund. The company has been bullish about its ambitions to begin its first human trials of a liver-cell reprogramming therapy in 2027. And Sam Altman-backed Retro Biosciences is also researching the idea.

Update: We're always on the hunt for new Peacock promo codes and other offers, but we haven't found any active coupons or deals yet this month. We'll continue to search for new codes and keep this page updated as we find them, so make sure to check back in the future. Still interested in subscribing to Peacock today? You can explore evergreen savings with Peacock's annual plans and bundles below or head back to checkout.

Peacock has gradually climbed the ranks of the best streaming services since its launch in 2020, and the platform shows no signs of slowing down. The streamer carries a massive collection of programming, featuring everything from classic movies and network TV shows to original streaming exclusives. The NBCUniversal app has also built out an impressive selection of live sports programming and reality TV series, so there's something for everyone. There are multiple tiers of service available, including a budget-minded plan, but one of the easiest ways to unlock extra savings is by using one of the best Peacock promo codes.

While NBC hits like "Law & Order" and "30 Rock" might be the initial selling point for Peacock, the streaming service's catalog reaches far beyond that. Reality TV fans can binge Bravo hits like "Vanderpump Rules" and the "Real Housewives" franchise, as well as Peacock reality originals such as "The Traitors" and "Love Island USA." There's an enticing selection of films, from horror flicks like "Obsession" to Best Picture winners such as "Oppenheimer."

Peacock also carries an impressive slate of original TV series, including hits like "M.I.A.," "Ponies," and "The Burbs." The streaming service even offers select live sports events, including multiple NFL, NBA, and WNBA games each season. Some of the games are streaming exclusives, meaning even cable subscribers might need to sign up for Peacock if they want to watch every game of the season.

Our comprehensive Peacock TV guide has all the details on the service, including info on subscription tiers, pricing, content, and bundles. Deals and coupons are some of the best ways to cut costs at checkout, especially after the recent Peacock price hike. That said, these discounts are hard to come by, so we've rounded up the best ongoing Peacock savings opportunities below.

Today's best Peacock coupons and promo codes

Previous Peacock promo codes

Are there any other Peacock sales running at the moment?

At the time of writing, Peacock doesn't have any limited-time deals available. Sales from the streaming service have become pretty rare over the past year (the streamer even sat out Black Friday and Cyber Monday in 2025). However, there are still plenty of ways to save on a subscription, including annual plans and bundles.

Peacock annual plans always offer savings year over year compared to the total amount you'd pay over 12 months with a monthly subscription. The Peacock and Apple TV bundles offer savings each month when compared to the price of subscribing to multiple services separately. Check out the savings below:

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

How to use Peacock promo codes

You must create an account to take advantage of a Peacock promo code. From the Peacock landing page, you can click "Pick Your Plan" and then hit "Choose" on the option you want. From there, you'll be taken to a checkout page where you can create an account by entering your name, email, password, ZIP code, and birthday. On this page, you can apply the promo code by clicking "Have a promo code?," pasting the code into the text box, and clicking "Apply."

Can you stack Peacock promo codes?

Peacock promo codes can't be stacked together. Users can only apply one code per account at a time. However, in our time tracking Peacock discounts, we've found that there's typically only one coupon available at a time (if at all).

Peacock promo code frequently asked questions

Does Peacock offer discounts for teachers, students, or the military?

Peacock offers special discounts for select groups. The platform has a student discount, allowing eligible students to pay $6.99 monthly for the first 12 months of their Peacock Premium subscription instead of the standard $12.99 a month. Young adults aged 18-24 who aren't students can also qualify for savings with the Peacock young adult discount, which also brings Peacock Premium down to $6.99 a month for the first 12 months of service. These promos offer 60% savings for a full year.

Eligible teachers and military members can also receive a discounted Peacock Premium subscription for $7.99 monthly for the first 12 months.

All of these discounts are subject to required verification, which is done through SheerID. Those who are still eligible after the first 12 months might be able to renew (with further verification) at the then-standard discount rate.

Be sure to check out our roundups of the best student discounts and the best teacher discounts for more savings. For a similar value deal, check out the Disney Plus and Hulu bundle student discount.

What is the difference between Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus?

Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium Plus are the two main tiers of the streaming service. There's also Peacock Select, which we'll dig into further down the page.

Peacock Premium costs $12.99 a month or $129.99 a year. It gives you access to the streaming service's full catalog (including movies, NBC shows, Peacock originals, and Bravo programming), but it's supported by ads. Premium also offers access to select live sports and events, including full coverage of the Olympics.

Peacock Premium Plus costs $19.99 a month or $199.99 a year. Like Premium, it gives subscribers access to Peacock's full catalog of content, although you'll be able to watch on-demand programming ad-free. Premium also unlocks 24/7 live streams of your local NBC station and gives you the ability to download certain programming so that you can watch it later offline.

All tiers of service, including monthly and annual plans, underwent a price hike in August 2026. Prior to that, the last Peacock price hikes took place in July 2025 and 2024.

Does Peacock offer a free trial?

No, Peacock doesn't have a free trial. The streaming service initially offered users a weeklong free trial, but this option was later removed. There is also no longer a free tier of Peacock, so you'll need to pay for a plan to access any programming.

Do Instacart Plus and Walmart Plus members get Peacock?

Multiple grocery delivery services offer Peacock subscriptions at no extra cost. Instacart Plus added Peacock as a perk in 2023, and members can access Peacock Premium to get the streaming service's full library of ad-supported content. Walmart Plus members also have access to Peacock. A Walmart Plus membership grants access to either Paramount Plus Essential or Peacock Premium. Members can choose between the two ad-supported services every 90 days, so customers can switch back and forth or just use one service continuously.

Where can I watch Peacock?

Peacock's streaming app is available on iOS and Android mobile devices, Roku, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Google TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, Xfinity, and more. Peacock is also available on gaming consoles like PlayStation (4 and 5) and Xbox (One, Series X, and Series S). For a full list of supported devices (along with required generations and operating systems), see Peacock's website.

Is Peacock available outside the United States?

Peacock is available to watch within the United States and certain US territories, such as Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the US Virgin Islands. However, there are no international versions of Peacock, unlike some of its main competitors. If you're hoping to use the service while traveling in other regions, it will be worth trying one of the best VPNs.

Which live sports events are available on Peacock?

If you're a sports fan, Peacock has you covered. Subscribers get access to Sunday Night Football during the NFL season, NBA games, WNBA games, soccer matches from the Premier League, golf tournaments, cycling races (including the Tour de France), and more. NBC had the broadcast rights to Super Bowl LX and the 2026 NBA All-Star game.

Peacock is also the main US streaming hub for the Olympics. NBC and other NBCUniversal networks offer loads of broadcasts from the most notable events, but if you're hoping to watch everything that the Olympics has to offer, including live coverage at off-hours and less mainstream sports, then Peacock is the best option. Peacock most recently carried the 2026 Winter Olympics, and NBCUniversal holds the US broadcast rights to the Olympics through the 2036 Summer Games. You can learn more about sports coverage on Peacock's website.

What's new on Peacock?

Peacock subscribers recently gained access to new TV episodes, including the season premieres of "Saturday Night Live" and "The Traitors: New Blood," both of which air on NBC. Several of the network's flagship procedurals (including "Law & Order: SVU," "Law & Order," "Chicago PD," and "Chicago Fire") also return in October. New episodes are available live with Peacock Premium Plus or on demand the next day with Peacock Premium.

Additionally, Steven Spielberg's "Disclosure Day" makes its streaming debut on October 9. Peacock Originals, including "Crystal Lake" and "The Wolves of Real Estate," will premiere later this month. In October, the streaming platform also acquired several older movies, including "American Psycho," "Coraline," and "The Mummy" movies. Learn more about what's new on the Peacock website.

What is Peacock Select?

Peacock Select is the streaming service's newest and cheapest tier, which was initially rolled out in 2025. At $8.99 a month or $89.99 a year, Select is the cheapest of Peacock's subscription plans. Select plans grant subscribers access to TV favorites from NBC, Bravo, and more. However, Select is missing quite a few programming categories, including movies, Peacock originals, and live sports/events.

Since it's so pared down, we mainly recommend this tier for those who don't mind advertisements and are simply looking for a budget-friendly way to catch up on-demand with broadcast favorites. Otherwise, it's worth shelling out a bit extra each month for Premium or Premium Plus.

Check out more streaming discounts in our guides to the best streaming deals and bundles and the latest Paramount Plus coupons.

• Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
• On Thursday, a judge said that the search warrants used to search his homes were unlawful.
• The arrest followed years of public scrutiny over Mountbatten-Windsor's ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

The investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor received a setback.

Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was arrested by Thames Valley Police, the local force for southeast England, at a royal home on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his ties to Jeffrey Epstein in February 2026.

On Thursday, a judge said that search warrants issued at the time of his arrest were unlawful. Still, the Thames Valley Police's investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor's ties to Epstein continues.

Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied any involvement with Epstein's sex-trafficking crimes. However, his relationship with Epstein has been under scrutiny for over a decade, as Virginia Giuffre named him in a lawsuit she filed against Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015.

That scrutiny only intensified after the release of documents in the Epstein files in early 2026. According to emails released, the former prince appeared to forward reports related to his work as UK trade envoy to Epstein in 2010 and 2011.

King Charles said in a statement at the time of the arrest that "the law must take its course" and that the authorities had the royal family's "full and wholehearted support and co-operation."

Here's a timeline of Mountbatten-Windsor's connection to Epstein.

1999: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Jeffrey Epstein reportedly met through Ghislaine Maxwell.

As the BBC reported, Ghislaine Maxwell introduced Epstein to Mountbatten-Windsor in 1999.

The trio remained friends throughout the early 2000s, with Epstein and Maxwell attending parties at Windsor Castle and Sandringham. The three were also photographed together at events, including a 2000 party at Mar-a-Lago with Donald and Melania Trump and the 2000 Royal Ascot. Epstein and Maxwell were also photographed at Princess Beatrice's 18th birthday party in July 2006, the BBC reported.

In 2008, Epstein pleaded guilty to solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of prostitution with a minor under the age of 18, and was sentenced to 18 months. Mountbatten-Windsor visited Epstein in New York in December 2010, just four months after Epstein's release.

Mountbatten-Windsor said it was a "mistake and an error" to visit Epstein after he was convicted of the sex crime in a statement released by Buckingham Palace in August 2019.

April 2015: Virginia Giuffre sued Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell for defamation, naming Mountbatten-Windsor in the suit.

In 2015, Virginia Giuffre brought a defamation case against Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, alleging that the pair had sex-trafficked her starting in 2000, when she was known as Virginia Roberts.

Giuffre alleged that Epstein forced her to have sex with Mountbatten-Windsor in his New York mansion, in London, and on Epstein's private island in the US Virgin Islands in 2001 when she was 17. 

However, the allegation was thrown out and struck from the record by a judge, who said it was "immaterial and impertinent to the central claim" in the case at the time.

August 2019: Giuffre's allegations were made public when documents from the 2015 case were unsealed.

Further details about Giuffre's allegations against Mountbatten-Windsor were made public in 2019, after documents from the 2015 defamation case were unsealed.

In the documents related to sex-trafficking charges against Epstein, witness Johanna Sjoberg told investigators about a sexual incident that she said happened, and involved herself, Maxwell, Mountbatten-Windsor, Giuffre, and a puppet of the prince.

"Andrew and Virginia sat on the couch, and they put the puppet ... on her lap," Sjoberg was quoted as saying in the documents. "I sat on Andrew's lap, I believe on my own volition, and they took the puppet's hands and put it on Virginia's breast, and so Andrew put his on mine."

Buckingham Palace denied Mountbatten-Windsor's alleged involvement with Giuffre in a statement at the time.

"It is emphatically denied that The Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts," the palace's statement read. "Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation."

August 2019: Giuffre said Mountbatten-Windsor "knows exactly what he's done" after the royal denied involvement in Epstein's sex-trafficking operation.

Mountbatten-Windsor made a statement after Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell on August 10, 2019, saying he sympathized "with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure."

Mountbatten-Windsor added that during the time he knew Epstein, he did not witness or "suspect any behavior of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction."

Giuffre responded with a statement of her own. Speaking to reporters outside a Manhattan court at the time, she said the prince "knows exactly what he's done, and I hope he comes clean about it."

November 2019: The then-prince stepped down from his royal duties days after a disastrous BBC "Newsnight" interview.

Discussing the allegations in a BBC "Newsnight" interview with host Emily Maitlis on November 16, 2019, Mountbatten-Windsor suggested that a photo appearing to show him with his hand around Giuffre's waist was fake.

He also said during the interview that on the night Giuffre alleged they had dinner, partied at a club in London called Tramp, and later had sex, that he was at home with his daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie.

The interview was perceived negatively and labeled a "car crash" by much of the British media.

Following the interview, a string of charities, businesses, and universities cut ties with Mountbatten-Windsor, and on November 20, 2019, the duke announced he would step back from his royal duties.

"It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family's work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support," Mountbatten-Windsor said in a statement.

After saying that the Queen had given him her permission to step back from his duties, Mountbatten-Windsor said he continued "to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein."

He added that he would be "willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required."

August 2021: Giuffre filed a lawsuit against Mountbatten-Windsor, accusing him of sexual assault.

In a complaint filed at a New York federal court in August 2021, Giuffre said Mountbatten-Windsor was aware of her age and that she was a victim of sex trafficking when she was forced to have sex with him in 2001.

"I am holding Prince Andrew accountable for what he did to me. The powerful and the rich are not exempt from being held responsible for their actions," Giuffre said, via her lawyers, in a statement to ABC.

January 2022: A judge denied Mountbatten-Windsor's motion to dismiss the case, and the Queen stripped him of his military titles and patronages.

Judge Lewis A. Kaplan denied Mountbatten-Windsor's motion to dismiss Giuffre's lawsuit on January 12, 2022, ruling that it was "denied in all respects," allowing the case to proceed to trial. The new ruling did not preclude the parties from settling before the trial.

A day later, Buckingham Palace issued a statement announcing that Mountbatten-Windsor would face the lawsuit as a private citizen. 

"With The Queen's approval and agreement, The Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to The Queen," a spokesperson for Buckingham Palace said in a statement sent to Business Insider. "The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen."

Mountbatten-Windsor stopped using the HRH title in any official capacity after the removal of the patronages and military affiliations, a royal source told Business Insider.

February 2022: Mountbatten-Windsor reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre.

Mountbatten-Windsor settled with Giuffre on February 15, 2022, according to court documents obtained by Business Insider.

Mountbatten-Windsor intended to make a "substantial donation to Ms. Giuffre's charity in support of victims' rights," the sum of which was not disclosed, according to a joint statement made in the court filing. 

The statement added: "Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms. Giuffre's character, and he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks. It is known that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked countless young girls over many years."

Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025, just over three years after they reached a settlement.

October 2022: Maxwell called Mountbatten-Windsor her "dear friend" in an interview.

In October 2022, The Mail on Sunday published an interview with Maxwell, who was imprisoned at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, at the time after being sentenced to 20 years in prison for sex trafficking girls for Epstein.

In the interview, she referred to Mountbatten-Windsor as her "dear friend" and expressed concern for him.

"He is paying such a price for the association with Jeffrey Epstein," Maxwell said. "I care about him, and I feel so bad for him."

Maxwell's comments contradicted those of Mountbatten-Windsor, who denied he was close to Maxwell during his legal proceedings with Guiffre.

January 2024: Mountbatten-Windsor was named in unsealed court documents about Epstein.

As part of a lawsuit between an Epstein accuser and Maxwell, a New York judge unsealed the names of more than 170 of Epstein's associates.

Mountbatten-Windsor was among those identified in the documents, as were Bill Clinton and Donald Trump.

The documents further undermined Mountbatten-Windsor's assertion that he wasn't close friends with Maxwell or Epstein, as the manager of Epstein's Palm Beach home, Juan Alessi, said in a 2009 deposition that the former prince spent weeks at Epstein's home and received "daily massages."

In addition, Alessi said Sarah Ferguson, the ex-wife of Mountbatten-Windsor, was also a close friend of Epstein.

October 2025: Mountbatten-Windsor gave up his royal titles.

Mountbatten-Windsor tried to rehabilitate his image in 2024 and early 2025 and return to the public eye. Still, the continual release of new information about his relationship with Epstein made his attempts futile.

On October 17, 2025, Mountbatten-Windsor announced he was giving up his royal titles.

"In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family," the statement said. "I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life."

"With His Majesty's agreement, we feel I must now go a step further," he went on to say. "I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me."

The royal stopped being known as Prince Andrew after the announcement, going by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

January 2026: The Department of Justice released more Epstein files, including photos of Mountbatten-Windsor appearing to kneel over an unidentified woman.

The January 30, 2026, drop of Epstein files included photos of Mountbatten-Windsor appearing to kneel over an unidentified woman, who was clothed and lying on the floor. It's unclear when or where the photos were taken.

The files also include emails between Epstein and an account called "The Duke," who signs his emails "A," as well as exchanges between Epstein and Ferguson.

February 2026: Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

On February 19, 2026, Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. It was his 66th birthday.

The former prince served as UK trade envoy from 2001 to 2011, and the Epstein files appear to show Mountbatten-Windsor forwarding emails with his official work reports to the disgraced financier in 2010 and 2011.

"Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office," Oliver Wright, the assistant chief constable with the Thames Valley Police, said. "It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence."

King Charles released a statement about the arrest at the time.

"I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office," it said. "What now follows is the full, fair, and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation."

"Let me state clearly: the law must take its course," the king's statement went on to say. "As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all."

Police were photographed at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where Mountbatten-Windsor had been living, as well as his previous residence in Berkshire, on the day of his arrest, carrying out searches of the properties.

The police released Mountbatten-Windsor under investigation around 11 hours after his arrest, AP reported. He was photographed leaving the Aylsham Police Station in a car.

October 2026: A judge said the search warrants Thames Valley Police used to raid Mountbatten-Windsor's homes were unlawful.

On October 4, The Telegraph first reported that the former prince launched a judicial review of the warrants that Thames Valley Police used to search his home in Sandringham and his former Berkshire residence.

At a hearing on the matter on October 8, a London judge, Nicholas Hilliard, said there were errors in the original warrant application. The Thames Valley Police issued a statement on its website on the same day, acknowledging that the warrants had been issued in error and stating that it planned to continue its investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor's actions despite the legal setback.

"We accept the position that the initial court's decision to issue warrants under the specific piece of legislation used was incorrect and therefore these must be legally quashed," the statement said.

"Legal proceedings are currently ongoing to decide how material seized during the searches will be managed and whether we can lawfully retain it in support of our ongoing investigation," it continued.

Mountbatten-Windsor's lawyer did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

October Prime Day has come and gone, or so we thought. Several of the best air fryers we tested this year are still on sale, some at up to 55% off.

The day after Prime Day, you can still scoop our best overall air fryer pick, the Cosori TurboBlaze, for easy, crispy food every time for 25% off. A more unusual savings that is still live is 20% off the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro. This splurge-worthy pick is for anyone who wants one appliance that can air fry, toast, roast, bake, and more — it could essentially replace your oven.

There are plenty of air fryers on sale, but our list focuses on top-performing models from our testing and comparable models from those brands. We also break down which air fryer is best for your cooking needs, kitchen setup, and lifestyle.

• See all the best Prime Day air fryer deals and browse all of our Prime Day deals coverage.

The best Prime Day air fryer deals

Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer

Best for: Home cooks looking for consistent, even crisping and a faster preheat time than standard models.

The value: The Cosori TurboBlaze is the best air fryer we tested. The classic basket style handles everything from frozen fries to whole chickens with ease, and its cooking functions cover a wide range of meal prep needs.

The trade-off: While it excels at performance, the sleek black finish can be a fingerprint magnet, requiring frequent wiping to keep your countertop looking pristine.

Prime Day deal: Even though this price point is fairly common for the TurboBlaze, it remains an incredible buy. Our top-tested, best-overall air fryer for under $90 offers an unmatched combination of speed, power, and everyday value.

Read our Cosori TurboBlaze review.

• See all Cosori deals

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

Best for: Home cooks who want a high-performance, all-in-one machine that can replace a full-size oven for most daily tasks.

The value: The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is the gold standard for versatility. This isn't just an air fryer — it's a precision-engineered countertop oven that bakes, roasts, broils, toasts, and reheats with consistency.

The trade-off: This is a premium appliance with a larger footprint and higher price tag than dedicated air fryers, making it an investment piece that requires dedicated counter space. It also takes longer to air fry than basket models, but still achieves that crispy browning.

Prime Day deal: This 20% off discount is the lowest price Breville has offered on its air fryers this year, making it the best offer you'll find on this high-powered oven.

• See all Breville deals.

Ninja Crispi Pro

Best for: Home cooks who want an air fryer that can prep, cook, serve, store, and reheat in the same glass containers.

The value: The Ninja Crispi Pro streamlines meal prep with two glass containers — a 6-quart option for family-sized cooking and a 2.5-quart container for smaller portions — plus storage lids for leftovers. It also has six cooking functions, including air fry, roast, bake/proof, dehydrate, recrisp, and max crisp. In testing, it did an excellent job of evenly browning and crisping the food, and we even used it to finish off chicken wings on other models that couldn't keep up.

The trade-off: The glass containers are more versatile than a standard air fryer basket, but they also make the system bulkier to store. It's best for someone who will actually use the containers for cooking and meal prep, not just occasional air frying.

Prime Day deal: At its Prime Day price of $249.95, the Ninja Crispi Pro is $50 off its usual $299.99 price. That's not a massive discount, but Ninja doesn't discount this popular item that often, making it a solid savings. The smaller original Ninja Crispi is also 15% off.

Read our Ninja Crispi Pro review.

• See all Ninja deals

Beautiful 6 Qt. Air Fryer

Best for: People who want a high-performing and great-looking air fryer at the lowest price

The value: This air fryer is already a great value, coming in at under $70 and rarely seeing any price cuts, making this $15 savings a tremendous deal.

The trade-off: The design doesn't feel as sturdy as others, with a very plasticky design.

Prime Day deal: This Walmart-exclusive is on sale during Walmart's competing Deals and More sale, which runs through October 11.

Read our Beautiful Air Fryer review.

More Prime Day deals on air fryers we've researched or tested

Why you can trust my Prime Day air fryer deals recommendations

So far this year, our team has tested 18 air fryers for our air fryer buying guide. From compact basket-style air fryers to high-capacity air fryer toaster ovens, we stress-tested every unit for cooking performance, ease of use, design, and value.

The Prime Day deal recommendations in this article were chosen based on our testing data and tracking Amazon's pricing history. I'll update this guide in real time throughout Prime Day to remove expired offers and surface new, verified deals as they drop.

FAQs

Are Prime Day air fryer deals worth shopping?

Yes — if you know what to look for. Prime Day is consistently one of the best times of the year to score significant savings on kitchen appliances.

How does Business Insider verify if a Prime Day deal is a "good" one?

We don't just rely on the percentage-off badge to tell if a Prime Day deal is good. We track air fryer prices year-round, comparing sale prices against historical data, including all-time lows and average prices. If a "deal" price is higher than it's been in the last 3 months, we'll tell you. We only highlight offers we believe represent a genuine deal on a high-value product.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out all of our coverage of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon for the full selection.

If you've ever been on beauty TikTok or watched any get-un-ready-with-me content, you've likely seen these LED masks everywhere — but they're usually pretty pricey. Prime Day might be over, but this rare deal on one of the most popular masks around is still live.

Our writer Rachael Schultz tested tons of the most popular options (including some that were almost $700) for her guide to the best red light therapy masks and named the Solawave Red Light Therapy Mask the best soft, flexible option on the market.

I've also used the Solawave red light mask on the recommendation of my mother, who is one of the most critical and reliable product testers around (I'd like to hope it runs in the family) — and we both agree that the mask deserves the glowing reviews.

Why should I choose the Solawave mask?

According to our writer Rachael Schultz, the Solawave Red Light Therapy Mask is one of the more travel-friendly LED masks she's tested: Its soft silicone design lies completely flat in a carry-on, and the detachable battery pack helps prevent it from switching on mid-trip.

It also has one of the better fits we’ve tried, with adjustable straps, comfortable eye guards, and enough visibility to scroll on your phone or move around during treatment. Best of all, each session takes just three minutes—though acne-prone shoppers should note that it doesn’t offer blue light.

What does an LED mask do?

An LED face mask is basically a low-effort way to give your skincare routine a little extra oomph. You wear one for a few minutes at a time, and the LED light can help with things like dullness, fine lines, and uneven-looking tone over time — think a subtle glow and skin that looks a bit fresher, not a total transformation overnight.

Prime Day may have officially ended last night, but the below phone deals are still running. They're now marked as 'limited time deals,' but they're no longer exclusively for Prime members.

These are some of the best prices we've ever seen, especially on Samsung's latest flagship Fold devices. The deals on the new Pixel phones are the cheapest since their release just a few weeks back and are well worth considering, especially the base Pixel 11.

Unfortunately, iPhones are still a no-go for Prime Day, since Amazon doesn't typically sell new models (but you can find deals on carrier sites that knock hundreds off the 18 Pro Max). That said, Android users can still take advantage of huge discounts on Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones, including $350 off the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 and $150 off the Google Pixel 11.

The best Prime Day Samsung Galaxy phone deals

Samsung's Galaxy smartphone line is synonymous with top-of-the-line Android performance. With sleek yet durable designs, professional-grade photography, and a range of sizes and price points, there's one for every type of user. You can learn more about some of the top devices in our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra review and Samsung Galaxy A37 review.

The best Prime Day Google Pixel phone deals

Google just dropped the Pixel 11 series in August, so we're excited to see it already on sale for Prime Day. The new generation brings subtle changes that you can learn about in our Google Pixel 11 review. Older models are also seeing major discounts, including the Google Pixel 10a, the top budget pick in our guide to the best Google Pixel phones.

FAQs

Are iPhones on sale for Prime Day?

Amazon doesn't typically sell new iPhones directly, so you won't find Prime Day discounts on Apple's latest models. You may see deals on renewed or refurbished options, but shoppers looking for a brand-new iPhone are better off checking carriers like Mint Mobile, T-Mobile, and Verizon to see if they're running any promotions. Check out the latest iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max deals in our guides.

Other Apple products, including AirPods and iPads, are seeing major discounts for Prime Day. You can find the best offers in our Apple Prime Day deals guide.

Should I get a case for my new phone?

As phone technology has advanced, durability has improved, so now an accidental drop isn't always the end of your phone. That said, given how pricey smartphones are, we still highly recommend investing in a phone case. We also think that screen protectors (especially tempered glass ones) are worth it for certain models.

Check out our case guides for our top picks (several of which are also on sale now): iPhone 18 Pro Max | iPhone 18 Pro | iPhone 17 | Z Fold 8 | Z Fold 8 Ultra | Z Flip 8 | Pixel 11/11 Pro | Pixel 11 Pro XL | Pixel 11 Pro Fold

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out the rest of our Prime Day coverage, or browse Amazon directly for the full selection.

• Mikey Madison plays Frances Haugen in Aaron Sorkin's new film "The Social Reckoning."
• In real life, Haugen is a former Facebook product manager-turned-whistleblower.
• Haugen testified before Congress in 2021 that Facebook was knowingly causing harm.

Much like its acclaimed predecessor, Aaron Sorkin's new film "The Social Reckoning" examines and dramatizes the real people in Mark Zuckerberg's orbit.

Billed as a companion piece to the 2010 hit film "The Social Network," which told the story of Facebook's early-aughts founding and rapid climb to a multibillion-dollar valuation, "The Social Reckoning" stars Jeremy Strong as a grown-up Zuckerberg in the throes of wealth, power, and scandal.

"The Social Reckoning" also stars Oscar winner Mikey Madison as Frances Haugen, better known as the "Facebook whistleblower."

Starting in September 2021, The Wall Street Journal published "The Facebook Files," an investigative series made possible by Haugen, a data scientist and former product manager on Facebook's civic integrity team.

Haugen leaked tens of thousands of internal documents after leaving the company, sharing many with reporter Jeff Horwitz (played by Jeremy Allen White) to expose its harmful policies and prompt change at the company.

Here's everything to know about the real-life woman who inspired Madison's character.

Frances Haugen began her career at Google in 2006

Born and raised in Iowa, Haugen studied computer engineering and later earned a master's degree in business from Harvard.

In her 2023 memoir, "The Power of One," Haugen writes that when she arrived in Silicon Valley in 2006, it was very much a boys club. She felt like an outlier.

"Blonde women were on the sales team or were marketers," Haugen writes. "They did not code — but I did."

On that note: Sorkin told Business Insider's Jason Guerrasio that Madison was keen to dye her hair blonde, but he dissuaded her from the idea. (They did, however, agree to give Madison a shorter haircut.)

"I didn't want her worried about that in the performance," Sorkin said. "I always worry, like for instance, if I cast a British actor and they need to do an American accent, is that going to be your concern every moment of every day? Are you going to be able to do what I need you to do in terms of getting into the text if all you're thinking about is the American accent?"

In "The Social Reckoning," Haugen is shown dealing with dismissive comments from male colleagues, like one who tells her to join a dating app because she would "benefit from loosening up."

Haugen spent the first eight years of her career working in various positions at Google. She resigned from the company in 2014, largely due to health issues. She was diagnosed with celiac disease and later with non-occlusive temperature-sensitive vasoconstrictive disorder, a rare condition that causes chronic pain and inflammation in cold temperatures.

Haugen was hired by Facebook in 2019 to work on the civic integrity team

After Haugen's health improved, she worked at other major tech companies, including Yelp and Pinterest, before being recruited by Facebook in 2019.

She has said she agreed to work at Facebook on the condition that her role would be in detecting and combating misinformation on the platform, motivated by a former friend who'd become obsessed with conspiracy theories.

"It's one thing to study misinformation, it's another to lose someone to it," she told The Wall Street Journal. "A lot of people who work on these products only see the positive side of things."

Haugen was assigned to monitor Facebook's impact on international elections and protect against election interference, and later said she was shocked by the "horrifying magnitude of the danger that we were facing." Haugen said her breaking point was when the civic integrity team was dissolved in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, and she quit in May 2021 — but not before secretly copying about 22,000 internal documents, many of which she shared with Horwitz and federal law enforcement. (At the time, Facebook said the civic integrity team wasn't dissolved, but "integrated into a larger Central Integrity team.")

Haugen, then 37, sought federal whistleblower protection with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

She then publicly revealed her identity during a "60 Minutes" interview with Scott Pelley.

"When they got rid of civic integrity, it was the moment where I was like, I don't trust that they're willing to actually invest what needs to be invested to keep Facebook from being dangerous," Haugen told Pelley.

Haugen said the root of Facebook's problems is how it optimizes for engagement: Posts that contain divisive language and misinformation are more likely to elicit likes, comments, and shares, so the algorithm amplifies them.

"Facebook has realized that if they change the algorithm to be safer, people will spend less time on the site, they'll click on less ads," she said. "Facebook makes more money when you consume more content."

Haugen added that, in her view, Facebook routinely prioritizes "profit over safety."

The documents obtained by Haugen included a range of internal reports and studies showing, in part, that Facebook's algorithm had encouraged political parties around the world to embrace extremist ideas; that drug traffickers and human traffickers openly used Facebook's services; and that Instagram, acquired by Facebook in 2012, increased rates of depression and eating disorders among its users, especially teenage girls, more so than other social media apps.

Haugen testified before Congress in October 2021

Haugen testified before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection that Facebook not only causes harm but does so knowingly, while hiding its research from the public.

In her opening remarks, Haugen said that Facebook is used to "deepen divides, destabilize democracies, and make young girls and women feel bad about their bodies."

Haugen also stressed the need for government regulation, telling the lawmakers, "There is no one currently holding Mark accountable but himself."

"When we realized tobacco companies were hiding the harms it caused, the government took action. When we figured out cars were safer with seat belts, the government took action. And today, the government is taking action against companies that hid evidence on opioids," she said in her written testimony. "I implore you to do the same here."

Haugen's testimony received bipartisan support, and Sen. Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, called Haugen "A 21st-century American hero."

Zuckerberg said in a statement that Haugen presented a "false narrative" about the company.

Where is Haugen now?

Weeks after Haugen's testimony, Facebook Inc. rebranded to Meta.

The following year, Haugen said in an interview with Bloomberg that Meta likely wouldn't improve unless Zuckerberg stepped down.

"No one but Mark Zuckerberg can control Facebook right now," she said. "I don't think the company can recover as long as he is the leader of it."

Four years later, Zuckerberg continues to act as chairman and CEO of Meta. The company recently launched a bespoke AI chatbot called Muse.

Haugen has continued to criticize social media algorithms and the tech titans who oversee them, including Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, who acquired Twitter, now X, in 2022.

In March 2026, Haugen spoke to NPR's "Here & Now Anytime" about the landmark social media addiction trial, which found both Meta and Google liable for harming young users' mental health. Meta was ordered to pay $4.2 million in damages to the 20-year-old plaintiff, while Google's subsidiary YouTube was ordered to pay $1.8 million.

"What the jury decided was that Facebook knew their algorithms would preferentially push people toward more extreme topics. It doesn't have to be that way, but it does make you consume the products more," Haugen said. "So unless we have consequences like this, they're not going to give us the best of social media."

Haugen was also a key source for Sorkin while he was writing "The Social Reckoning," acting as a consultant, though she was not directly involved in the film's script or production.

"We screened it for her just a couple of weeks ago," Sorkin told Vanity Fair in September. "That was a scary two hours for me. Fortunately, she really loved it."

Haugen now lives in Puerto Rico with her husband, Alex Newman, an entrepreneur and cofounder of the security software HCaptcha, and their 1-year-old daughter. She told Elle in August that she lives a slower, more relaxed life than her whistleblowing mythology might imply.

"You can believe whatever you want about me," she said. "I have a very happy life, I have a very cute baby, and I get to live by the ocean."

Amazon's October sale is technically over, but there are still several lingering Prime Day deals on all kinds of products, including popular Apple devices. I've been tracking the best Apple deals all week, and I've pulled all the top savings still available on AirPods, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches.

I'm excited to see that one of my favorite Apple Prime Day discounts is still live even after the event has ended. Though it just hit stores last month, the brand-new Apple Watch Series 12 is available for $50 off. It's rare for fresh products to get discounts right away, so I recommend snagging this deal while it's still around. MacBooks and iPads are also marked down from their list prices, but you should temper your expectations. Apple raised iPad and MacBook prices in June, so these deals aren't as good as I've seen before. That said, some models, like the 13-inch MacBook Air, are still being discounted to their original pre-increase price.

Since Prime Day is officially over, it's unclear how long these lingering Apple deals will last. So, if you see an Apple deal you like, I recommend snagging it while it's still in stock.

Best Prime Day AirPods deals

The AirPods Max 2 are still on sale for $429, the same price they dropped to at the start of Prime Day. Unlike other AirPods, the Max 2 use an over-ear design with large padded earcups. This helps them deliver some of the strongest noise cancellation on the market. You can learn more in our full AirPods Max 2 review. Apple's AirPods Pro 3 are also on sale, but today's discount isn't as good as yesterday's. They're available for $199, which is still a great price, but they were down to $179 on Prime Day.

Best Prime Day Apple Watch deals

It's rare to see brand-new Apple products get discounts right after release. That's why it's so exciting to see the Apple Watch Series 12 still on sale for $50 off. The Series 12 offers a few upgrades over older models, including longer battery life. It's also getting new Apple Intelligence features via a software update later this year. Apple's entry-level smartwatch, the Apple Watch SE 3, is also still available at its Prime Day discount, but only in the Starlight colorway, which is $50 off. Other styles are on sale, too, but they're marked down by $30.

Best Prime Day MacBook deals

Due to rising memory costs, Apple increased MacBook prices in June. Those higher list prices have been a big bummer, but these deals help take some of the sting out. Many MacBooks dropped down to their original pre-increase prices for Prime Day, and these discounts are still available. For instance, the 13-inch MacBook Air is $200 off, which matches its original MSRP of $1,099. The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M5 Max is even $100 less than its initial launch price of $3,599.

Best Prime Day iPad deals

Apple also increased iPad prices in June, but Amazon is offering solid $50-$100 discounts on various models. They all still cost more than they did before the price hike, but they're cheaper than they've been over the last few months. For instance, the 11-inch iPad Air has been selling for $700 to $749, but it's currently on sale for $649. That's still $50 more than it used to cost, but in this case, any discount is a win. You can learn more details about the iPad price hike in our guide to the latest iPad models.

Best Prime Day Mac Mini deals

In September, Apple released its latest Mac Mini model with the M6 chip. Again, due to increased memory costs, this latest Mac Mini launched at a notably higher price than previous Mac Minis, with an MSRP of $899 versus $599 for the previous-generation model. But for Prime Day, the M6 Mac Mini got its first big deal, with a very solid $120 discount. Even after Prime Day, this deal remains active, but there's no telling how long it will last.

Best Prime Day Apple accessory deals

Lingering Prime Day deals are also still available on a few handy Apple accessories, including the Apple Pencil and AirTags, with discounts of up to $30. If you're not sure which Apple Pencil model is the right fit for your iPad, check out our guide to Apple Pencil compatibility.

FAQs

How do we pick the best Apple Prime Day deals?

For this guide, I didn't just grab every Apple deal I saw on Amazon. Instead, I searched for my team's top recommendations from our various Apple guides, as well as some of the brand's most popular items. I then carefully compared Amazon's deal prices with the typical street prices for each device using deal-tracking tools like Keepa and CamelCamelCamel. Though Apple rarely discounts items through its own online store, deals are actually common from Amazon and other retailers. I only included Apple products that are on sale for less than their typical price.

Why aren't iPhones on sale at Amazon?

You won't find new iPhone deals in this roundup because Amazon doesn't actually sell current-generation iPhones directly. Its available listings are largely for refurbished models, which aren't the right fit for most shoppers.

If you're looking for a new iPhone, check carrier promotions instead. Providers like Mint Mobile, T-Mobile, and AT&T often roll out their own offers around big sales events, making them a better bet for meaningful savings. You can find more iPhone promotions in our iPhone 18 Pro Max deals guide and our guide to iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max trade-in offers.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our roundup of all of the best Prime Day deals, or browse Amazon's website for the full selection.

• After spending most of my life in Ottawa, I moved to Japan expecting to head home after one year.
• Living abroad showed me how much I value spontaneity, travel, and a life that feels like my own.
• Now, I'm heading back to Canada with a different perspective on what I want from my future.

I was born and raised in Ottawa, and aside from a handful of vacations abroad and summer road trips to nearby Canadian cities, it's where I spent almost all of my time.

Most of my family lives there, and the relatives who don't are only a few hours away. Growing up, the path modeled to me was pretty straightforward: Stay close to home, take vacations when you can, and build your life nearby.

As I got older, though, I felt a growing need to see what else was out there. I was also feeling the pressure of rising costs in Canada, and my apartment lease was ending, so the timing felt right for a change.

I'd visited Japan a couple of years earlier and loved it, so when I found out about the yearlong Working Holiday Visa program, it felt like the perfect fit. I assumed that once the year was up, I'd just come back home and sign another lease nearby.

However, after my first night out in Tokyo, I was already looking into how I could stay away longer.

Living in Japan has been better than I ever imagined

For most of my life, I've craved adventure. I grew up hiking, taking little road trips with my mom, and looking for any excuse to get out of the city for a day. I've always loved novelty, and living in Japan has given me so much of it.

Since moving here, I've lived in multiple places, including Tokyo and Osaka. I've traveled to over a dozen more cities and towns, tried countless new restaurants, and met people from all over the world. It feels like there's constantly something new to see or explore.

The train system here makes it so easy to lean into that spontaneous side of myself. I love being able to visit a new city on a whim, whereas in Ottawa, doing the same thing would usually require a little more planning and a lot more money.

The more I've experienced this kind of lifestyle, the harder it is to imagine giving it up. I don't necessarily want to spend my life in one place just because it's where I'm from, and now, I know a future filled with new places and experiences is available to me.

I'm going home, but I'm not done exploring

Going back to Canada is the next logical, short-term step for me. My visa's coming to an end, and making a permanent move abroad would take a lot more planning and paperwork.

This doesn't mean I'm done exploring the rest of the world, though. After I leave Japan in a couple of months, I'm planning to spend some time in Southeast Asia — and if I can, I might squeeze in a couple more stops on my way home.

Once I'm back in Canada, I'm sure I'll jump into planning another trip, or maybe I'll start looking into another yearlong visa. I can see myself living abroad again, or at least spending more time traveling internationally, whether that's in Japan or somewhere completely new.

For now, though, I don't plan to settle back into life in Ottawa the way I once thought I would. While I'm in this up-in-the-air phase, I'd love to move (or drive!) across Canada and see where life takes me from there.

I'm looking forward to exploring more of my home country. Since moving to Japan, I feel like I've changed, too — and I've reflected on how little of Canada I've actually seen. I'm excited to experience my home with a new perspective.

I'm still in my 20s, so I feel lucky to have the freedom to keep figuring things out as I go. And living in Japan didn't give me all the answers, either. If anything, it gave me more questions.

As I head home, I'm taking everything I've learned and felt this year in Japan with me — and I'm so excited to see where I'll go next.

• A federal judge appeared inclined to extend his block on Trump's ban on three media outlets from the White House.
• The judge said on Thursday that one of the administration's arguments is contradicted by the president's own words.
• "That's an uphill climb," the judge said of the DOJ's effort to defend the ban on national security grounds.

A federal judge appeared inclined to extend his block on President Donald Trump's ban on three media outlets from the White House.

The administration's argument that the ban was based on national security concerns is contradicted by the president's own words, US District Judge Timothy Kelly said during a hearing Thursday.

"That's an uphill climb," Kelly said of the Justice Department's effort to defend the ban on national security grounds, noting Trump's claim that his ban was based on his disapproval of the outlets' coverage.

Kelly is weighing whether to grant a lengthier block of Trump's move to ban POLITICO, CNN, and MS NOW from the White House. The Trump-appointed judge already lifted the ban last month, issuing a two-week restraining order, which he extended through Tuesday, that enabled the three organizations to regain access to the West Wing. But he now appears to be leaning toward a more durable injunction that would maintain the outlets' access during what could be months of litigation.

Kelly's original ruling found that the ban likely violated the news outlets' due process rights, since the White House restricted access without any notice and without setting out any identifiable standards for news organizations to follow to maintain their credentials.

"That's probably the biggest hurdle you all have," Kelly told the government during a hearing that drew a swath of media executives, reporters and First Amendment attorneys to the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., leading Kelly to remark on the vastly outnumbered Justice Department attorney assigned to the case.

In what has been a recurring theme in court battles across the country, Kelly pointed out that Trump's own comments — declaring repeatedly in interviews and on social media that he banned the outlets for writing "negative" stories about him — conflicted with the Justice Department's later efforts to claim the ban was a response to the outlets' publication of sensitive national security information.

A lawyer for the news organizations, Theodore Boutrous Jr., urged Kelly to reject Trump's ban for a second reason: a violation of news organizations' First Amendment rights and an effort to chill the free press. Boutrous argued that a recent interview Trump gave to Time magazine "amounts to a confession" from the president that he revoked the journalists' press passes because he considered their stories to be too negative.

"That interview really is the coup de grace," Boutrous said. He also pointed to a recent comment from Attorney General Todd Blanche that Trump banned the outlets from the White House due to their "one-sided reporting."

Justice Department lawyer Michael Velchik argued that the Trump administration had, in fact, provided due process to the news outlets — after Trump's ban went into effect. He cited unsigned letters from the White House press office delivered in the days after the lawsuit was filed, identifying a handful of stories the administration viewed as "misinformation" or "national security" risks.

Velchik argued that the outlets "defaulted" by failing to respond to those letters. He also repeatedly attributed the letters to Trump himself, even though they were unsigned and Trump never referred to them publicly.

Boutrous, calling this after-the-fact effort a "sham process," underscored the absence of any indication Trump had signed off on — or even had any awareness of — the letters.

Velchik also repeatedly argued that the courts should give the president more leeway than might apply in other contexts, where decisions about reporters' access are made by federal agencies.

"The White House is a sacred place," Velchik said.

Kelly asked whether the president could ban a news organization from the White House based on stories that were demonstrably false. Boutrous said no, while Velchik articulated a more malleable standard.

"From our perspective, it's within the discretion of the president," Velchik said.

Kelly emphasized that his assessment of the issue was constrained by longstanding precedents that forbid the White House from barring access to the West Wing press areas based on disagreements with content, along with requirements that revoking such access must be based on clear standards and potential consequences spelled out in advance.

The Justice Department has said it disagrees with those decisions, but the judge made clear he is bound to follow them.

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

• Game day is the perfect time to use your slow cooker for easy, hands-off recipes.
• I made five game-day foods in my Crock-Pot, including creamy queso dip and mac and cheese.
• I loved every recipe, but the crispy and juicy Buffalo wings really impressed me.

Football season is back, and Sundays are once again reserved for touchdowns, quality time with family and friends, and an all-important game-day snack spread.

In a bid to find simple game-day foods that didn't require hours in the kitchen, I decided to test five slow-cooker recipes.

I've made classics like Buffalo chicken dip countless times in my Crock-Pot, but this time I branched out with options like spicy wings, meatballs, and mac and cheese.

Every dish impressed me, though the wings were the clear MVP.

Here's how I made five game-day appetizers in a slow cooker.

The first game-day recipe I made was classic Italian meatballs.

These slow-cooker meatballs from Chef Savvy are an easy, versatile game-day option. Serve them in tomato sauce, pile them into rolls for meatball subs, or pair them with pasta. I used a store-bought beef-and-pork meatball mix, but the rest of the ingredients are pantry staples.

It's best to mix the ingredients by hand in the bowl to ensure the eggs, breadcrumbs, and meat are well incorporated. 

I formed the mixture into medium-sized balls and placed them on a lightly greased sheet pan so they could brown in the oven briefly.

I could see flecks of chopped onion and parsley throughout the meat mixture. The recipe yields about 24 meatballs, and I ended up with exactly that many, so I knew I had portioned them correctly.

Next, I broiled the meatballs for about four minutes per side, keeping a close eye on them so they wouldn't burn.

Once the meatballs were perfectly browned, I took them out of the oven.

I then started gathering the ingredients for the tomato sauce: crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.

The meatballs fit in a single layer inside the slow cooker. I then added the tomato sauce ingredients and let it all cook on low for four hours.

It's fine if the meatballs overlap slightly in a smaller slow cooker. After four hours on low, mine still looked a little underdone, so I cooked them for another 30 minutes on high.

Check that yours are fully cooked before serving, since timing can vary depending on the slow cooker and the size of the meatballs.

Finally, the meatballs were done — they were delicious. If you have any leftovers from your game-day party, they're tasty the next day, too.

I thought the meatballs were perfectly juicy and well-seasoned, while the tomato sauce tasted like homemade marinara that had been cooking on the stove for hours.

I enjoyed the meatballs on their own as an appetizer. However, later in the week, I served some of the leftover meatballs and sauce with pasta for dinner, which really impressed me as well.

The next slow-cooker appetizer I made was a personal favorite for game days: Buffalo chicken wings.

I started by mixing together Buffalo sauce, minced garlic, chopped yellow onion, and brown sugar. 

While I had heard you could make Buffalo wings in a slow cooker, I was admittedly skeptical. I was nervous that the wings wouldn't turn out crispy enough, since that's usually done in a traditional oven or a fryer.

However, Spend With Pennies' recipe called for broiling the wings after cooking them in the slow cooker, which would crisp them in just a few minutes. 

After adding the chicken wings to the slow cooker, I poured the sauce mixture over the top.

The chicken wings that I bought didn't have the drumsticks and flats separated, which added a bit of time to my preparation.

I cooked the Buffalo wings in the slow cooker for three hours on low.

After they were fully cooked, I removed them from the slow cooker and placed them on a sheet pan with foil.

I then brushed some of the Buffalo sauce still in the slow cooker over the wings. I then put them under the broiler for about three minutes on each side until they were crispy and slightly blackened.

I decided to serve the wings with blue cheese dressing, but you can also choose ranch or any dipping sauce of your choice.

I was pleasantly surprised by how easy these wings were to make, and loved how the slow cooker made the wings extremely tender.

I was really impressed by this Buffalo-wings recipe.

The wings were crispy on the outside, while the meat inside was tender, juicy, and moist. I also thought they were the perfect spice level — they had a kick but didn't set my mouth on fire. 

I thought these would fit in well at any game-day or Super Bowl party. 

The next slow-cooker recipe I tried was Martha Stewart's queso dip, which only called for a few ingredients.

I've tried a number of Martha Stewart's slow-cooker recipes in the past, and I've enjoyed a majority of them. I was excited to see how Stewart's queso dip recipe would turn out.

Like a lot of her slow-cooker recipes, this dip only required a few ingredients, which I really appreciated.

I started by adding American cheese and pepper jack cheese to the slow cooker and mixed it with a small amount of cornstarch.

After adding the cheese to the slow cooker, I added a can of evaporated milk and a can of diced tomatoes with chilies.

I mixed it until it was creamy and then seasoned it with salt.

The queso continued cooking for two hours on the low setting.

You'll know it's done when the dip is bubbling and slightly thickened. 

After giving the dip a stir, I then added my toppings.

I added sliced jalapeños, red onion, and cilantro. 

I thought this dip was absolutely delicious. I also loved how easy it would be to make for a large group of people.

I thought the pepper jack and American cheeses meshed well together, while the tomatoes and green chilies added a lot of flavor. I really liked the texture of the dip — it wasn't too thick or too watery. 

I also really liked how this dip only called for a few ingredients. It would definitely make life a lot easier when cooking for a group of people on game day.

I also made Martha Stewart's indulgent three-cheese slow-cooker macaroni and cheese.

The celebrity chef shared her recipe for slow-cooker macaroni and cheese in her cookbook, "Martha Stewart's Slow Cooker."

The recipe calls for three cups of sharp white cheddar and one cup of Gruyère, which make up the sauce. The third and final cheese in this recipe, Parmigiano Reggiano, is added to the breadcrumb mixture later.

I sautéed the onion until it softened, then added it to the slow cooker along with the cheese.

I softened the chopped onion with a tablespoon of butter.

In addition to the grated cheese and chopped onion, I added two cans of evaporated milk, two cups of milk, and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.

After mixing the ingredients with the uncooked macaroni, simply leave the slow cooker to cook on high.

I also made homemade breadcrumbs to top the mac and cheese with.

To make the breadcrumbs, the recipe instructed me to pulse two slices of bread in a food processor. I then toasted the breadcrumb pieces on the stove for a few minutes until they were golden brown.

The mac and cheese took an hour and a half to finish cooking on high.

I thought that the three different kinds of cheese, especially the smoked Gruyere, made for a complex flavor profile, while the onions added a savory flavor to the dish.

The last slow-cooker appetizer I made was Buffalo chicken dip.

The base for the Buffalo chicken dip by Taste of Home calls for crumbled blue cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and ranch dressing.

I mixed those ingredients in a medium-sized bowl before spreading the dip in a single layer in the bottom of my slow cooker.

I then added a layer of shredded chicken to the slow cooker.

You can use rotisserie chicken or simply boil up some chicken breasts and shred them yourself with a fork, like I did.

Next, I poured Buffalo wing sauce over the chicken-and-dip mixture and added a layer of shredded American cheese.

I could already tell this dip was going to be delicious.

After cooking on low for three hours, the dip was hot and bubbling in the slow cooker.

I set the slow cooker to warm and began prepping my toppings. I added another layer of American cheese and put the lid on the slow cooker to allow the cheese to melt. Then, I chopped up one green onion and added it to the top.

The dip was perfectly creamy, spicy, and cheesy — another successful slow-cooker recipe that's perfect for game day.

The layers of the dip were perfectly proportioned. With each bite, I got a delicious mouthful of cheese, hot sauce, and chicken. This recipe really impressed me, and I would definitely make it again.

• Amazon is phasing out its Fire-branded tablets after 15 years.
• The company's new line of tablets has its Alexa+ voice assistant built in and likewise lean into Alexa branding.
• The new Alexa Tablets cost between $229.99 and $499.99 and run on Android.

Goodbye, Amazon Fire tablets. You lasted longer than the Fire Phone.

After 15 years, the e-commerce giant is discontinuing its Fire tablets and replacing the budget-friendly devices with a new line of pricier tablets that have its Alexa+ voice assistant built in.

An Amazon spokesperson told Business Insider that the company will continue to sell through its current inventory of Fire tablets, but is no longer manufacturing new units with that branding.

The new Amazon Alexa Tablets, which run on Google's Android operating system and come with access to the Google Play Store, are now available for purchase and will ship on October 14 in the US, Mexico, and Canada.

Amazon's aluminum-cased Alexa Tablet 12 Pro, Alexa Tablet 11, and Alexa Tablet 8 run from $229.99 to $499.99.

"The Alexa Tablets are a new product line built for what's next — they don't change anything about the experience Fire tablet owners have today," the Amazon spokesperson said. "Fire tablets remain their own product — fully supported, with continued security updates. Customers who love their Fire tablets can keep using them."

It's not the first time Amazon has moved on from a Fire-branded device. Its Fire Phone was a high-profile flop that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos later called a "tiny little blip."

• I've flown business class many times. Virgin Atlantic's version of it has never been my favorite.
• I don't love how its upper-class seats cannot smoothly transition from upright to lie-flat.
• That said, my flight had great food, top-tier service, and fun vibes that I really enjoyed.

As soon as I learned what business-class life was like, I never wanted to go back. Now, my husband and I use credit-card points to get the experience whenever we can, especially on long-haul overnight flights.

That's mainly because the lie-flat seat is an absolute game changer, and I was especially looking forward to it when my husband and I booked Virgin Atlantic upper class aboard a 787-9 Dreamliner from Los Angeles to London this summer.

It's a leg and an airline I'd flown before, so I knew all the perks of this airline's version of business class. I also knew one thing I probably wouldn't love as much as the other posh details of the flying experience: the seat.

Unlike most business-class seats I've experienced — I'm fortunate to have flown long-haul business class on about 10 different airlines — Virgin Atlantic's doesn't smoothly recline all the way from upright to lie-flat.

Instead, it's a seat or a bed. When you're ready to sleep, you get up, and a flight attendant flips the seat over and makes it up with bedding. It's pretty seamless, but I still find the setup a bit cumbersome. I'd rather just be able to gradually recline into a comfortable lounging position.

Nevertheless, I tried to head into this flight with an open mind.

For this overnight flight, I had a window seat

Our overnight flight from LAX to London Heathrow was scheduled to take 10 hours and 25 minutes.

I was traveling with my husband while our kids were in summer camp (a rare grown-ups-only escape!), and we'd booked an upper-class seat configuration that was both interesting and slightly awkward for a couple.

This part of the plane has a 1-1-1 configuration, and every seat has direct aisle access, which is a great perk. However, I was seated by the window, and my husband was across from me in the middle section of the partially herringbone-style cabin.

I liked that I could see him from my seat, but we were foot-to-foot across the aisle, so our heads weren't actually close enough to have a conversation without one of us standing up.

We could've been physically closer together, separated only by a short wall, if he'd been in a window seat behind or in front of me, but those seats weren't available when we booked.

My seat had another quirk: Because of the seat position relative to the window, I had to turn and look backward to see out of it, which felt a bit strange and awkward.

The seat was comfy, but I still wish it seamlessly flowed between upright and lie-flat positions

The seat itself was comfortable, with plenty of room (up to 22 inches wide, according to Virgin Atlantic). And once it was made up into a lie-flat bed, I found it plenty comfortable to sleep on.

My issue wasn't with the seat's comfort so much as how it functioned.

In most business-class seats I've flown, I can use the controls to find exactly the position I want: upright for eating or working, partially reclined for watching a movie, and fully flat when I'm ready to sleep.

This setup did not offer that same range with ease.

The seat does recline — it adjusts between 17 and 42 degrees, according to Virgin Atlantic — but beyond that, getting it fully flat required me to get up. In the slightly inconvenient manual process, the padded back flips toward the footrest area.

I appreciated that a flight attendant handled the seat conversion and added the bedding while I was in the bathroom, giving the whole process a hotel-like, service-oriented feel.

However, I like to lounge somewhere between sitting and sleeping throughout a long flight, so I missed being able to gradually recline all the way down whenever I wanted to rest.

I've encountered a similarly unconventional seat with only one other airline, and it's simply not my preference.

The food and service felt top-tier

As a vegetarian, I find that airline meals can sometimes feel like an afterthought, but I've found Virgin Atlantic's upper-class options to be flavorful and thoughtfully presented.

This time, I had a hearty tomato-based pasta for dinner. On past upper-class flights, I've had dishes like warm tofu rice bowls and vegetable gyozas, and the food has felt approachable and tasty rather than overly elaborate for the sake of seeming luxurious.

The service has similarly struck the right balance for me: attentive but relaxed, which fits the airline's personality.

Everything on board felt stylish and fun

The seat may not be my favorite, but Virgin Atlantic's overall vibe is what sets the airline apart.

Upper class felt polished without feeling stuffy at all. The cabin looked sleek, with distinctive purplish mood lighting and a playful personality overall.

Even tiny details have character. The meal service included airplane-shaped salt-and-pepper shakers, which have become favorites among Virgin Atlantic flyers.

The airline's upper class also has a social component that's unusual in commercial aviation. Rather than treating the cabin exclusively as a collection of individual seats, Virgin Atlantic incorporates spaces where passengers can get up, have a drink, or socialize.

Yes, there was an actual bar at the back end of the upper-class section on this flight — and, of course, drinks and snacks were all included, as they would be at my seat.

It was fun to see a cabin crew member pouring drinks at the bar on my way onto the plane, but I'm usually sleeping rather than chatting over drinks when I fly.

Passengers may not be able to enjoy these for much longer, though — the airline has announced plans to remove its in-flight bars in the next few years to make room for more premium seats.

All in all, I'd happily fly in Virgin Atlantic's upper class again

For me, the seat style is a bit of a drawback. However, a flight experience is about much more than only the seat.

Sure, business class is always a splurge — especially on long-haul flights — but this airline tends to offer good value for miles, in my experience.

I also appreciated that the experience didn't seem to take itself too seriously. Business class can sometimes feel formal, whereas Virgin Atlantic manages to make a premium cabin feel genuinely fun.

After more than 10 hours aboard, I came away with the same impression I've had of Virgin Atlantic before: It's stylish without being overly serious, the food is good, the service is warm, and the entire experience has personality that sets a fab vacation vibe right away.

I definitely expect to fly upper class with this airline again — and I look forward to it. Plus, Virgin Atlantic has announced plans to completely refurbish the cabins on its 787-9 fleet (including this plane) around early 2028, so I look forward to eventually trying the new version of this class, too.

Virgin Atlantic declined to comment.

• Chipotle stock popped on a report that Starbucks could acquire the Mexican fast-casual chain.
• Chipotle rose as much as 8%, while Starbucks shares dipped on the news.
• The move would mark Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol's return to Chipotle, which he departed in 2024.

A burrito with your coffee, anyone?

Chipotle stock surged on Thursday on a report from The Financial Times that Starbucks has explored a takeover of the Mexican fast-casual chain. It could not be determined if Starbucks submitted a formal offer or what the status of its plans to acquire the company is currently, the FT said.

Shares of Chipotle jumped as much as 8% on the news before paring the gain. Starbucks shares dropped as much as 6% intraday.

A merger would combine two of the largest and most iconic brands in America's casual dining scene, with Chipotle valued at around $41 billion, and Starbucks' market cap sitting at over $103 billion on Thursday.

The move would also mark Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol's takeover of his former employer. Niccol was the CEO of Chipotle from 2018 to 2024.

Chipotle and Starbucks' shares have moved in opposite directions since it was announced that Niccol would take over the coffee chain.

Starbucks shares have risen 19% since his role was announced in August 2024. The performance has lagged the broader market, with the S&P 500 up 42% in that time, but it's outclassed peers in the space. In his tenure, the Invesco Food & Beverage ETF (PBJ) is up just 1.4%.

Chipotle, meanwhile, has gotten crushed. The stock has plunged by 41%, struggling against headwinds including slower sales, higher input costs, and recent public health concerns, including the Cyclospora outbreak that broadly reduced foot traffic to fast-casual chains this summer.

Starbucks and Chipotle did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider.

• President Donald Trump wants everyone to get on board with his AI rebrand.
• Trump threatened those who don't use the term super intelligence or the corresponding "SI" abbreviation.
• It remains to be seen how tech companies will respond.

It's SI or else.

President Donald Trump said on Thursday that anyone who doesn't use his preferred term of super intelligence (SI) will be considered an "enemy" of the White House.

"The White House considers anyone that uses the term, 'Artificial Intelligence,' as opposed to the highly accepted new and more accurate term, 'Super Intelligence,' THE ENEMY!" Trump posted on Truth Social.

Trump's statement suggests the White House may punish companies or individuals who do not abide by its preferred speech, which would be a potential textbook First Amendment violation if enforced.

The White House has moved to rebrand artificial intelligence, which Trump said suggests that the technology is "fake."

While some companies, most notably Meta, which has a SuperIntelligence Labs, had super intelligence embedded in their branding before Trump's recent move, their descriptions were more about the future of artificial intelligence than an outright rejection of the terminology itself.

After meeting with industry leaders in late September at the White House, Trump signed an executive order that required federal departments and agencies "to the maximum extent permitted by law" to use "'Super Intelligence' and 'SI' in place of 'Artificial Intelligence' and 'AI' in official correspondence, public communications, websites," among other official communications.

The order did not apply to private-sector companies like OpenAI because the White House has no legal authority to enforce such a measure.

Since Trump's statements and orders, at least one company has followed the White House's wishes. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk wrote on X that the space and technology company would rename its AI unit, SpaceXAI, to SpaceXSI.

If Musk follows through on his promise, it would be the second such rebrand for what was originally known as xAI this year. In February, SpaceX announced that it was acquiring xAI, makers of the Grok chatbot, and rechristened the unit as SpaceXAI in July.

As of Thursday afternoon, SpaceXAI's X account still said "SpaceXAI."

It remains to be seen what other leading AI and tech companies will do.

There was a bit of awkwardness after Trump made his wishes known on the same day of the highly anticipated AI lunch. During a White House panel discussion, Nvidia CEO Jensen Wang corrected himself when he said "AI" instead of "SI." In comments made with Trump standing just feet from him, OpenAI President Greg Brockman said the company "builds artificial intelligence" to help everyone.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently dismissed the possibility of renaming the company during an interview with Politico.

"No plans to do that," he told the Politico Decoded podcast. "But we have been talking about super intelligence a lot and we will continue to talk about it."

The Crock-Pot electric lunchbox took the TikTok world by storm a few years ago, and it went back on sale for Prime Day. At $30, the self-heating lunchbox is just about $1 short of its all-time low price on Amazon.

The 20-oz. portable container is an easy way to skip the office microwave line. The lunchbox uses a detachable cord and warming base to slowly heat food, so you can heat up lunch without ever leaving your desk (as long as you're near an electrical outlet). Plus, the interior dish and lid are dishwasher safe, so the cleanup can be just as easy as the preparation.

While Amazon's October Prime Big Deal Days event has come and gone, a few stellar deals still remain, and 25% off the Crock-Pot electric lunchbox is one of them. You can explore other lingering deals in the rest of our Prime Day coverage.

The Crock-Pot Electric Lunchbox

We're big fans of the Crock-Pot brand and its reliable warming technology. While the electric lunchbox shouldn't be used to slow-cook meat like some of its larger counterparts, it offers the signature quality we've come to expect from the brand, making it perfect for heating up pre-cooked meals and leftovers.

The Crock-Pot electric lunchbox features a soft matte rubberized coating and comes in Faded Blue, Black Licorice, Blush Pink, and Moonshine Green. Unlike some other Prime Day deals, which often save the best discounts for less desirable colors, all four color options have the same 25% off deal (although you can get an extra $4.50 off the pink version by clicking a coupon).

Our deal-hunting team tracks prices year-round to ensure that a deal is actually worth it. We haven't seen the lunchbox listed below $30 in a few years (and even then, it was just about $1 cheaper), so this is likely as good a deal as you'll get on the Crock-Pot electric lunchbox.

The Crock-Pot electric lunchbox wasn't the only stellar Prime Day kitchen deal worth shopping this year. There were plenty of Prime Day deals on cookware, air fryers, and coffee and espresso machines, many of which are still available. In fact, the family-sized signature Crock-Pot 7-quart manual slow cooker is currently 40% off.

Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our latest Prime Day coverage, or browse Amazon directly for the full selection.

• I went to school in an outdoorsy Oregon city, but moved to Philadelphia for a job after graduation.
• I've since moved back to my college town, largely because of the lifestyle differences.
• I was surprised at how much I missed my car and the easier access to outdoor activities.

When I moved across the country for a job after spending my entire life in outdoorsy West Coast cities, I didn't expect the homesickness that would follow.

I spent four years in college in Eugene, Oregon, a medium-sized city situated between the Cascade Mountains and the Oregon Coast, where my life revolved around physical and outdoor activities.

My social circle included surfers, skaters, snowboarders, and mountain bikers, and taking an after-class hike with friends was the norm. Having grown up in San Diego, I'd been used to an outdoor-focused lifestyle for as long as I could remember.

But after graduating, I accepted a job in Philadelphia and moved in the fall of 2025, drawn to its walkability, big-city energy, and the chance for a change of pace and scenery.

I knew there would be differences between life in Eugene and Philadelphia, but I struggled with not having a car, the harsher-than-expected winter weather, and the extra planning it took to get outdoors.

I ultimately moved back to Oregon less than a year later because it was a better match for my lifestyle.

The cold weather wasn't just uncomfortable — it was painful.

After treading through the rain in Oregon for four years, I thought that adjusting to the Philadelphia winter would be a breeze.

But I found the city’s combination of wind, snow, rain, and humidity hard to adjust to.

On my walk to work, the city's frigid wind tunnels would leave my face red and numb by the time I reached my desk. Without a car, there was no quick dash from a parking lot.

The swings in Philadelphia's weather — from snowstorms to thunderstorms — made it difficult to plan my week and even harder to imagine enduring it for years.

I missed the convenience and freedom of having a car.

Philadelphia is a city known for its walkability. It was a huge selling point for me as I decided where I wanted to move to after college. I was tired of driving and wanted to experience the charm of getting lost walking through the big city.

In Philadelphia, I lived in Old City, within walking distance of work and much of downtown.

When walking became necessary, however, that "charm" was a different story. I found my personal bus route was quite unreliable, and I ended up walking more than I expected, which was a pain when I had to haul groceries back home for a mile, twice a week.

When temperatures dropped below freezing, walking around became something I dreaded: I had to pull on four to five layers of clothing just to stay relatively warm, and constantly being surrounded by people on the street became exhausting.

I missed the solitude of my car.

Nature takes more planning when living in a city.

I am an avid runner — I run at least four times a week and have enjoyed scenic trails by beaches and rivers my whole life.

During my first weeks living in Philadelphia, I realized I no longer had the easy, everyday access to shorelines, trailheads, and open space that I’d taken for granted.

Instead, my running routes during the workweek would have to weave through the city itself, full of traffic and pedestrians, or along a loud highway next to the Delaware River.

Philadelphia has parks and trails, but getting to the kind of mountain nature I craved often required setting aside time for a weekend trip and arranging transportation.

I once took about an hour to reach Philadelphia's Wissahickon Valley Park by bus from Center City, where I ran past waterfalls and beneath tree canopies brimming with fall foliage, but the headache of planning transport made it a tough sell to do again.

It was a big eye-opener about how much I value the easy, convenient access to Oregon's dense forests and mountain trails.

My social life was more centered on indoor hobbies.

In Oregon, my experience hanging out with friends largely takes place outside: at the beach, on hikes, lying out in parks, or doing something sporty. I had a similarly outdoors-oriented social life growing up in San Diego.

Among the Philadelphia friends and coworkers I met, indoor plans — book clubs, chess clubs, trivia, knitting, or drinks — came up more often.

While they were great and I enjoyed the time with friends, I'm a busybody at heart — I felt myself getting antsy to move. It was costlier, too. A few hours at a bar a few times a week adds up.

The days felt busier and more regimented.

Compared with the slower pace I was used to in Eugene, life in Philadelphia — surrounded by constant honking, ambulance sirens, and people rushing — felt more hurried.

It felt like everyone had their own rigid schedules, and I fell into pretty strict routines myself, both during the workweek and on weekends. The city's close quarters also made me feel cramped, and I realized I prefer smaller places with more room to spread out.

Now that I'm back in Oregon, I love the open spaces, slower pace, and the ease my car brings to everyday life — especially the freedom to go to the mountains without turning it into a weekend project.

• On October 2, an Irkutsk lab employee died from pneumonia.
• There's confusion over what illness the woman died from, with conflicting reports out of the region.
• The World Health Organization says the US is at "very low risk" of being exposed to the plague.

After a technician at an anti-plague laboratory in Siberia died, Russian officials are attempting to calm global concerns.

Darya Shipilova, a 28-year-old employee at the Anti-Plague Research Institute in Siberia, died on October 2 after being hospitalized days earlier for pneumonia in Shelekhov, a nearby town.

The World Health Organization told the Associated Press on October 6 that the plague presents a "very low" risk to the broader European region.

That doesn't mean we know everything — or really, much of anything — as of now. While there's no confirmation of a plague outbreak so far, conflicting reports about how Shipilova got infected, whether she was infected at work, and Russia's current safety protocols have given some medical experts pause.

On October 7, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the organization had requested more information from Russian health authorities.

"It's an odd situation that needs more transparency and requires more information for clarity," Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, the founding director of the Boston University Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases, told Business Insider.

Here's everything we know so far.

What happened to Darya Shipilova?

Rospotrebnadzor, Russia's public health watchdog, said that Shipilova died from "pneumonia of unknown etiology." A friend told CNN that she died on October 2.

WHO director of Epidemic and Pandemic Management Maria Van Kerkhove said Wednesday that the health agency doesn't know how Shipilova and urged Russian officials to provide more information.

People of Baikal, an independent regional news outlet, reported that Shipilova was "deeply anxious about ever infecting anyone if something happened," according to one of her colleagues at the institute.

Other colleagues called her "responsible" and described the anti-plague institute as "a serious facility" in terms of safety measures.

Did she die of pneumonic plague?

Reports from Russian exiled publications — ones forced to operate outside Russia or use decentralized reporting methods — speculate whether Shipilova died from the pneumonic plague.

The Moscow Times, an independent publication located in Amsterdam, reported unconfirmed claims that Shipilova may have broken a test tube containing plague bacteria at the institute before she fell ill.

It also reported, citing Russian Telegram channel Mash, that she was hospitalized with pneumonia symptoms and placed on a ventilator before her death.

Why has Shipilova's case raised alarm?

Reports from Russian state media and independent publications have often clashed, leading to more questions than answers. "The scenario, to me, doesn't fit together," Bhadelia said.

If the reports of a broken test tube were true, an anti-plague institute should have several safety measures in place, such as protective equipment, ventilation, and clear treatment protocols.

"She needs to have broken a test tube, have a breach in her personal protective equipment, not reported the incident, not gotten the antibiotic prophylaxis, just gone home under no one's observation, shown up at a local district hospital, and exposed 200 people," Bhadelia added.

That explanation, however, is at odds with another report from the People of Baikal.

Rospotrebnadzor said authorities identified and monitored 197 people who had contact with Shipilova. By October 8, the agency said it had completed the health checks, and nearly 5,000 laboratory tests found no dangerous pathogens. It had previously reported two COVID-19 cases and two rhinovirus cases among those tested.

"It could be that we just don't have the perfect information, that there might be some media sensationalism in the regional media, or there may be something else going on that we don't know," Bhadelia said.

Still, the current risk is nowhere near a COVID-19-level threat.

What is pneumonic plague — and how does it spread?

Yersinia pestis, or plague, is a bacterial infection that progresses very quickly, Bhadelia said. Patients with pneumonic plague can sometimes develop symptoms in under 24 hours. It can be fatal if left untreated.

Luckily, when caught early, treatment is also pretty straightforward: A course of antibiotics.

In July 2025, an Arizona man contracted pneumonic plague from two ill cats. He was medically evaluated after two days of abdominal pain, chest pain, and dry cough. He died eight hours after admission. However, all 46 people exposed to him recovered after taking antibiotics.

Bhadelia said it points to one of the biggest mysteries of the Russia case so far: If Shipilova was reportedly experienced, knew she was exposed, and reported it, why wouldn't she be under quarantine and quickly treated with medication?

"Early identification and post-exposure prophylaxis is one of the ways that this could be avoided," she said.

Is there any risk to people in the US?

The WHO says the risk outside Russia is "very low," and there is no evidence of cases in the US or beyond the Irkutsk area.

Still, US officials are seeking more information. At a press conference in Iceland on October 6, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, "It's incumbent upon Russia to obviously share more information with the world."

President Donald Trump also said he had expected to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss a possible case of pneumonic plague, but the Kremlin said a call hadn't been scheduled yet.

When asked if he thought the incident was somehow connected to Russia developing a bioweapon, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, "We hope not," and "we're going to find out soon enough, but we don't think so."

What we're missing from Russia

Bhadelia, who is also the founding director of the Biothreats Emergence, Analysis, and Communications Network, said the organization is trying to provide the most up-to-date information on the pneumonic plague in Russia.

It's not easy.

For one, under international law, Russia is required to report any suspected global public health emergency to the WHO within 24 hours. WHO learned about the patient through an AI-assisted platform that monitors local news reports of concerning illnesses, according to CNN.

Russia is also notorious for clamping down on the free press, particularly after the start of the Ukraine war. Additionally, some early reports of the plague, including from pro-Kremlin sources such as REN TV, appeared inaccessible when Business Insider checked on October 6.

Some of the reports from Rospotrebnadzor have also been vague. For example, the agency said it tested Shipilova and found no connection to plagues attached to her work. However, Bhadelia said it's unclear exactly what she was tested for.

"We should find out what the results were of what she was negative for, even if they don't know what she's positive for," she said.

For onlookers, the situation carries some parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over six years later, WHO still hasn't confirmed the origin of COVID-19, which Bhadelia said could be contributing to the panic.

"Transparency is important," she said. "We've learned from the COVID lesson that this can spin out to be much bigger."

• Marines are deploying a new combat ration built for the first days of war.
• C-CARs replace three MREs with one lighter daily ration for mobile operations.
• Less food weight means more room for gear and fewer early resupply missions.

Marines are deploying with a new combat ration — that is, stuff to eat — built for the first days of war

After entering service last year, the Close Combat Assault Ration, or C-CAR, is now deploying with frontline Marine units.

The new ration condenses what would normally be three Meal, Ready-to-Eat packets into a single daily package, reducing the weight troops carry to free space for ammunition, batteries, and other mission-essential gear.

The Defense Logistics Agency, which manages and develops the rations, told Business Insider that the C-CAR is intended for use during the first 72 hours of a conflict, when troops need a lighter, less bulky alternative to traditional MREs.

Carrying less food gives Marines more room. It reduces the need for risky resupply missions during the first few days of a conflict, Capt. Matt Burdick, a logistics officer with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, told Business Insider.

The 13th MEU recently deployed to the Middle East with the new rations after they entered service last year. Business Insider spent three days on the USS Makin Island with the 13th MEU off the coast of California this summer as they prepared for their deployment.

Unlike traditional MREs, which are designed to be heated and eaten during longer pauses, C-CARs are built for troops on the move, Burdick said. Meals come in squeeze pouches that can be eaten without heating or utensils, eliminating the need for water to prepare them (though most service members rarely heat MREs).

There are just three menu options— spaghetti, chicken burrito bowl, and beef stew.

Troops have frequently stripped MREs ahead of training, throwing away unwanted extras or heavier food packets to pack more compactly and carry less weight. The C-CAR, Burdick said, arrives in a more bare-bones fashion.

Burdick said his unit first encountered the rations during an exercise last year— because each of the nearly 300 Marines he was responsible for feeding carried enough food from the outset, logisticians conducted fewer resupply missions, reducing both the supply burden and its signature in the field, he explained.

The new ration won't replace the MRE, which Burdick said is designed to be distributed at scale and for longer-term operations, though it does replace the older "First Strike Ration," which was also meant to provide troops more food in a smaller package.

The rations remain in the early stages of fielding, Burdick said, with Marines using them alongside traditional MREs as the Corps gathers feedback from units to guide future ration development.

• Netflix's "The Altruists" dramatizes the FTX fraud scandal and premieres Nov. 19.
• Anthony Boyle plays Sam Bankman-Fried, while Julia Garner portrays Caroline Ellison.
• Bankman-Fried is serving a 25-year prison sentence; Ellison served about 11 months.

Netflix has released its first trailer for "The Altruists," its upcoming series dramatizing the massive multibillion-dollar fraud scheme that led to the collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried's cryptocurrency empire, FTX.

In the eight-episode series, which hits the streaming giant on November 19, Anthony Boyle stars as Bankman-Fried, opposite Julia Garner, who plays Caroline Ellison, a former crypto executive and Bankman-Fried's ex-girlfriend.

"Over the course of the years that our show depicts, Sam and Caroline, with the very best of intentions, talked each other and themselves into committing a number of terrible crimes," creator and showrunner Graham Moore said.

Ellison, who had pleaded guilty to conspiring with Bankman-Fried and served about 11 months in prison, was recently hired at Manifund, a grantmaking platform.

Bankman-Fried was sentenced in 2024 to 25 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of all seven counts of fraud and conspiracy.

He remains behind bars at a low-security federal prison in California.

Federal prison records show Bankman-Fried is projected to be released on Christmas Day in 2043.

• Amazon banned Meta's Muse. Graham thinks that's an opportunity for other tech companies to pounce.
• The Y Combinator cofounder said it's the first time he's seen Amazon exposed to a competitor.
• Amazon has said it's worried about data security. Execs say AI agents could complicate returns.

Paul Graham says he thinks Amazon is opening itself up to competitors.

In a Wednesday night X thread, Graham, the cofounder of tech VC firm Y Combinator, criticized Amazon's recent decision to block consumer AI agents from its platform.

It's the "first opportunity I've seen since Amazon was founded for a startup to create an Amazon competitor," he wrote.

"People will want agents to buy stuff for them. It will be one of the main use cases. And they won't want to use some Amazon-supplied agent to do it."

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk reposted the thread with a one-word endorsement: "Seriously."

Graham's post comes as Amazon clashes with Muse, Meta's consumer-focused AI agent that can complete multi-step tasks, like making purchases.

Amazon banned Muse from its marketplace, saying the agent didn't identify itself when shopping and appeared to capture and store customer credentials.

Meta has said Muse itself cannot see users' passwords or payment methods. The company says credentials a user shares are stored securely in Muse's dedicated cloud computer, rather than visible to the agent.

Graham's theory is that Amazon wouldn't bother blocking agents if shoppers didn't want to use them — but blocking the agents could come at Amazon's peril, he warned.

"Your usage restrictions are my opportunity."

The post also comes as AI companies are moving deeper into the consumer agent arena. In late September, OpenAI launched Dots, its Muse-like competitor. Amazon has not publicly said if it has blocked Dots.

Not everyone agrees with Graham. Imran Khan, the founder of investment management firm Proem Asset Management, wrote that Amazon likely believes that more agents shopping on their platform risks increasing costly returns and "completely mess up their unit economics."

Amazon is hardly sitting on the sidelines of the consumer AI race. It has its own shopping assistant, Rufus, and a "Buy for Me" feature that buys products from some outside brands.

Amazon didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Amazon founder Jeff Bezos says the productivity gains from AI could lead to a labor shortage.
• Extra productivity may mean families only need one working parent, he said in a Fox News interview.
• This will take people out of the workforce and make hiring more difficult, Bezos added.

Jeff Bezos says many families will return to having just one working parent as AI drives increased productivity.

Speaking to Fox News in an interview on Wednesday evening, the Amazon founder said the workplace efficiency gains he believes AI will trigger could lead to a labor shortage.

If AI increases economic productivity as he expects it to, "you're not going to need to have a two-earner income household," Bezos told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier.

"If you want to have it, it's fine. You'll have it. But if you don't want to have it, one of the people might drop out," he added.

Bezos went on to say that increased productivity from AI could also mean people can make enough money to choose to work three days a week instead of the traditional five.

"Some people will also decide, you know what, I can support my family working three days a week. That's what productivity in the economy means," he said.

This option will, in turn, make it more challenging for companies to hire as more people choose not to work, Bezos said.

"It's going to actually be difficult to hire people because the productivity in the economy is going to make it so that if people don't want to work two jobs, they won't have to."

Bezos, the world's third-richest person, is the latest billionaire AI-backer to espouse what he sees as a future in which the technology supercharges productivity and gives workers more control over their lives.

Bezos joins Musk in touting an 'age of abundance'

Elon Musk, the world's richest man, has long touted the potential for an AI-powered future in which people have more money and time and work less.

"I think by far the most likely outcome is an age of abundance where we don't have just universal basic income, we have universal high income," the Tesla and SpaceXAI CEO said at a meeting of tech leaders at the White House last week.

As AI has risen in prominence in recent years, many have warned that the technology could lead to mass unemployment as white-collar jobs become more automated.

So far, these warnings have not materialized, with the US unemployment rate rising slightly since 2022 but remaining relatively steady between 4.1% and 4.5% over the past two years.

An analysis by Yale Budget Lab in June this year found that AI's impact on America's job market since it went mainstream in late 2022 has been modest. Rather than eliminating jobs, it has tended to change them, researchers found.

• Skydance executives, led by David Ellison, rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.
• The new media giant's logo was everywhere, alongside those of Warner Bros. and Paramount.
• Ellison's bell-ringing celebration came after a long bidding war with plenty of twists and turns.

David Ellison is celebrating in style after completing Paramount's Warner Bros. Discovery merger, forming media giant Skydance.

Ellison and his leadership team rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday morning in New York's Financial District, days after addressing staff on Skydance's first day.

I've closely followed the Paramount-WBD saga for nearly a year including:

• Paramount's hostile offer
• Its bidding war against Netflix
• The lawsuits that delayed the deal
• The settlements that paved the way for Ellison to close the $110 billion deal

So when I saw Ellison and company ring the bell on Wall Street, it felt like a symbolic way to close this chapter of Skydance's story — even though the real action is just beginning.

While Skydance executives were in celebration mode on Thursday, they face a litany of challenges, including a roughly $80 billion debt load and potent competition in streaming from the likes of Netflix, Disney, and YouTube. Although HBO Max and Paramount+ may be stronger together, Ellison and Skydance's leaders need to figure out how to integrate their streamers.

Skydance shares rose more than 5% on Thursday but are down 30% this year and have lost nearly half their value in the last 12 months. Those losses didn't stop Ellison from projecting confidence.

"We are positioned to win in every single vertical that we operate in," Ellison told CNBC at the NYSE before ringing the opening bell. "By combining Paramount and Warner Bros., we have the greatest content engine with marquee intellectual property."

Here are 18 photos I took at Skydance's opening bell ceremony.

A giant Skydance banner was draped over the front of the New York Stock Exchange for the ceremony, along with some of the new company's biggest brands

Inside, Skydance's new logo was everywhere, next to those of Warner Bros. and Paramount

Skydance displayed props from some of its biggest hits, including this helmet from the best-picture nominee 'Top Gun: Maverick'

Also on display were props from Harry Potter, including this Gryffindor uniform and a Golden Snitch

Shoes from Paramount's best picture-winning 'Forrest Gump' were also in the lobby

The NYSE trading floor was bustling with people connected to Paramount, Skydance, and RedBird Capital (a major Skydance investor)

New Skydance co-CEO Ynon Kreiz (left center) and CEO David Ellison (right center) took the trading floor

I had a front-row view as Skydance's leadership team gathered ahead of the opening bell

Ellison was front and center, flanked by the team he assembled to lead the new media giant

Ellison and his fellow executives posed for the crowd

Skydance's executives were jubilant as Ellison rang the opening bell

Ellison and his team clapped and shook each other's hands, congratulating themselves after months of waiting to buy WBD

Ellison and his team then left the perch from which they rang the opening bell

A backdrop emblazoned with Skydance's logos next to those of Paramount and Warner Bros. marked the new company's appearance

Ellison and Kreiz then met with officials on the NYSE trading floor

Ellison and his colleagues posed for photos to commemorate the launch of their new company

Kreiz (left) took in the scene, less than a week after leaving his role as Mattel's CEO to join Skydance

Kreiz, Ellison, and a trader posed as Skydance shares rose in early trading

• A new congressional report has tallied more than 80 US military aircraft damaged or destroyed.
• Losses include F-35s, tankers, drones, helicopters, and other costly assets.
• Congress may examine whether the defense industry can replace aircraft fast enough.

More than 80 US military aircraft have been damaged or destroyed in the war against Iran since it began in late February, resulting in billions of dollars in losses, a new congressional report has revealed.

The losses highlight how airspace has become a fiercely contested front for the US military. Unlike the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, where American forces generally operated with air superiority and suffered relatively few aircraft losses to enemy action, the war in Iran has exposed aircraft both in the air and on the ground to sustained missile and drone attacks.

The updated report from the Congressional Research Service, which was released this week, lists 81 aircraft that were lost or damaged in US operations against Iran since February 28.

The list includes fighter jets, refueling tankers, helicopters, airborne early warning aircraft, and special operations planes. Nearly 50 were drones of various types — almost all of them MQ-9 Reapers, but also a few MQ-1 Predators and one MQ-4C Triton.

Several US aircraft were shot down by Iran, while others were struck on the ground at American bases across the Middle East. Three F-15E fighter jets were destroyed by friendly fire over Kuwait. Among these losses are high-value assets, such as an F-35A Lightning II stealth jet and an E-3 Sentry airborne early warning plane, some of the military's most expensive and closely-guarded assets.

Seven KC-135 Stratotankers were damaged or destroyed; one crashed in Iraq in mid-March, killing all six crew members — the deadliest of all the incidents.

Military aircraft take years to build, with each costing tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. The report noted that some damaged aircraft may have returned to service — but Congress may need to examine whether the defense industry can replenish those shortfalls quickly enough to meet other military demands, and how such losses might provide an advantage to adversaries.

The Congressional Budget Office said in September that it estimated the cost of equipment losses was at least $1.9 billion as of August 1, but that figure could be higher than $3.3 billion, depending on how the US plans to replace it. Several American aircraft were damaged in an Iranian strike on a base in Jordan last month, although they have since returned to service.

The CBO estimated that Operation Epic Fury cost the Department of Defense more than $38 billion, including munitions expenditures, equipment losses, and other expenses.

The updated tally from the Congressional Research Service is based on official military statements, media reports, and the Pentagon's inspector general, which said nearly 60 aircraft were damaged or destroyed as of June 30.

• Julia Flesher Koch is the third-richest woman globally, with an estimated $84.6 billion net worth.
• Flesher Koch owns real estate in New York City, Florida, and the Hamptons.
• A longtime philanthropist, she has also ventured into sports ownership.

Julia Flesher Koch, the widow of billionaire industrialist David Koch, is one of the richest women in the world.

Forbes estimated that Koch and her family were worth $84.6 billion in 2026, making her the third-richest woman in the world.

She inherited her fortune from her husband, David Koch, who died at age 79. At the time, Forbes ranked him among the 20 richest people in the world.

Flesher Koch is now a philanthropist and has more recently ventured into sports ownership.

Here's a look at Flesher Koch's life, real estate, and finances.

Julia Flesher Koch's billionaire husband died in August 2019.

At the time of his death, David Koch was worth $42.5 billion, according to a Forbes estimate, making him one of the richest people in the world.

They were married for 23 years.

After her husband's death, Flesher Koch became one of the world's richest women.

Forbes pegged Flesher Koch's net worth at $84.6 billion as of October 7, 2026. This makes her the third richest woman in the world, after Alice Walton and Françoise Bettencourt Meyers.

Alongside her children, Flesher Koch inherited a 42% stake in Koch, Inc. after her husband's death in 2019.

Born in Iowa, Flesher Koch moved to New York in 1984 and became part of the high society scene.

In the early 1990s, she was photographed at high-profile events, including the opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Exhibition.

She worked as an assistant to Adolfo, a fashion designer.

Flesher Koch met David Koch on a blind date set up by friends in January 1991.

However, they didn't hit it off immediately, according to The New York Times.

"Afterward, we shook hands, and I said, 'I'm glad I met that man because now I know I never want to go out with him,''' Flesher Koch told the Times in 1998.

Six months later, they met again and started dating.

After five years of dating, they were married in May 1996 at Koch's home in the Hamptons.

After their marriage, Flesher Koch became a fixture on the New York social scene, according to a 1998 profile in The New York Times.

In 1997, Vogue editor picked Flesher Koch to serve as co-chairwoman for that year's Met Gala.

"Julia's one of those people who occur in New York every few years," fashion editor Patrick McCarthy told the Times in 1998. "She's beautiful, she loves fashion, she knows how to entertain, she's married to an extraordinarily rich man."

The New York couple had three children together: David Jr., Mary Julia, and John Mark.

Mary Julia Koch works as an associate editor of Free Expression, a daily opinion newsletter by The Wall Street Journal.

David Jr. Koch is the special assistant to the general manager of the Brooklyn Nets, according to his LinkedIn page.

John Koch, the youngest of the three siblings, keeps a lower public profile. BSE Global described him as high-school-aged when it announced the family's investment in 2024.

Flesher Koch and her husband owned at least $143 million in real estate in New York City, the Hamptons, Aspen, and Florida at the time of his death.

Business Insider estimated in 2019 that David Koch's known real-estate holdings were worth at least $143 million, based on purchase prices and then-current property estimates.

For years, they lived in a Fifth Avenue apartment once owned by former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis that Koch bought in 1995 for $9.5 million, according to The New York Times.

In 2004, the couple's primary residence became a massive 18-room duplex in a ritzy Manhattan building.

Koch paid about $18 million for the duplex at 740 Park Avenue in 2004, according to The Real Deal.

740 Park Avenue is notoriously exclusive and expensive. To live in the Art Deco co-op, which opened in the 1930s, Business Insider reported in 2017 that at the time prospective buyers reportedly needed at least $100 million in liquid assets.

Flesher Koch sold the duplex in 2025 for $45 million, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing property records.

The couple also owned a $40.25 million Manhattan townhouse.

Sources told the New York Post in August 2018 that Koch and Flesher Koch paid cash for the property.

The eight-bedroom Upper East Side home, which was originally listed for $51 million, included a 1,500-square-foot primary suite, a gym, and a rooftop terrace.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Flesher Koch sold the property for $41 million in an off-market deal in 2023.

Flesher Koch bought two Upper East Side apartments in 2022 worth $101 million.

In 2022, Flesher Koch bought two apartments at 4 East 66th Street from the estate of Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen for a combined $101 million, The Real Deal reported.

At the time, The Real Deal reported that this was the most expensive co-op sale in New York's history.

Flesher Koch also owns two neighboring oceanfront properties on Meadow Lane in the Hamptons.

One is the longtime mansion she has owned since the 1990s; in 2021, she bought the adjoining oceanfront estate for $70 million, The Wall Street Journal reported.

In 2025, she expanded her holdings again, paying $33.5 million for a property on the bayfront, according to property records cited by the Journal.

The Kochs also had homes in Aspen and Palm Beach.

David Koch bought two neighboring Aspen properties in 1989 and 1991 for $1.9 million and $1.75 million, respectively, according to Pitkin County property records previously reviewed by Business Insider.

Julia Koch still has a residence in Palm Beach. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2026 that she was the wealthiest property owner in the town.

Flesher Koch is the president of the David H. Koch Foundation, which funds science and medical research, education, and the arts.

Through the David H. Koch Charitable Foundation and personal giving, the couple had donated more than $1.3 billion, according to the Julia Koch Family Foundation website.

Flesher Koch remains president of the David H. Koch Foundation, according to its latest tax filing for 2024.

She sits on the boards of Koch, Inc., Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Venetian Heritage.

Flesher Koch has also donated to NYU and NYU Langone Health. She gave $3 million to establish an endowed professorship in orthopedic surgery and $1.4 million to create an endowed scholarship that covers the full tuition of at least one medical student at a time.

In 2023, Flesher Koch set up the Julia Koch Family Foundation.

Julia Koch is the founder and chair of the foundation. The foundation has committed $75 million to an NYU Langone ambulatory-care center in West Palm Beach, pledged $50 million to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and made grants to several Brooklyn nonprofits."

In 2024, Julia Koch and her children purchased a 15% stake in BSE Global.

BSE Global owns the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, and the Barclays Center.

Forbes reported that the deal was worth almost $700 million.

In 2025, Flesher Koch and her children acquired 10% of the NFL's New York Giants.

The deal valued the team at over $10 billion, according to Forbes.

"My family and I are honored to join the Giants organization, a storied franchise with deep roots in New York," Julia Flesher Koch said in a New York Giants press release announcing the deal.

• EY's AI business is booming.
• The Big Four firm reported its AI-related sales were up nearly 50% in its latest financial year.
• EY has also added 10,000 jobs globally, though it cut its US head count by 4,500.

Fears of AI-driven job loss loom over the professional services industry, but at EY, depending on where you work, you needn't worry.

The Big Four consulting and accounting firm reported on Thursday that it added nearly 10,000 jobs globally in its 2026 financial year, as revenue from AI-related services surged almost 50%.

The rise in head count brings EY's workforce to 415,000. Much of that rise was concentrated in a category that EY calls its global entities, which added more than 10,000 staff. The group, also known as EY's global delivery services, includes its offshoring centers.

In the firm's Americas division, the workforce decreased by roughly 4,500, or 5%.

Workforce shifts come as EY and its global boss Janet Truncale have bet big on AI under its "All-In" strategy. The firm has invested billions to transform its operating model and evolve the services it offers clients. The 50% surge in AI-related sales, up from a 30% rise for the year before, suggests the AI bet is paying off.

The rise in demand for AI-related services reflects that businesses have moved beyond experimentation and are now redesigning how they operate, said Truncale, EY's global chair and CEO, in a press release.

Overall global revenue rose 4.7% in the 2026 financial year to hit $57 billion.

EY-Parthenon, the firm's strategy and transactions arm, was its fastest-growing service line, increasing revenue 7.4% to $6.8 billion.

The numbers mark a turnaround from EY-Parthenon's performance over the previous two years, when the division grew by 2.6% and 0%. It also signals success in expanding the EY-Parthenon brand to represent the entire strategy and transactions service line in 2025. A rebound in the deal market and demand for strategy services is also likely to have contributed to the rise.

Tax revenue rose 6% to $13.8 billion, while consulting grew 4.4% to $17.4 billion, and assurance grew 3% to $18.9 billion.

EY's results cover the first full financial year following its consolidation of 18 geographic regions into 10. EY said the simpler structure would improve collaboration, speed, and client service across its international network.

As EY develops its AI offering for clients, it has also been changing the way its own employees work. The firm said it has invested $448 million in training and development during the year.

AI opportunities

AI has disrupted professional services, putting pressure on time-based pricing models and creating questions about how junior talent will develop as more work gets automated.

Despite the uncertainty, leaders at top firms have said the technology offers a healthy pipeline of new consulting business, arguing that rather than being replaced by AI, companies will need consultants to help them implement it and reorganize their workforces. EY's annual results showed that the firm has added 9,000 jobs in its consulting division globally.

Increasingly, consulting firms are working on multi-year projects to completely transform a company's operations. There are also new AI-related opportunities in auditing, tax advice, and deal valuations.

While EY's AI-related business surged, results from other consultancies have been mixed. In September, Deloitte said its global revenue grew 3.8% to $74.5 billion — a slowdown compared to the 4.8% rise the year before.

Deloitte's tech consulting business was the slowest-growing division. The technology and transformation arm grew 2.5% compared with 4.7% the previous year.

Shares in Accenture, one of the few publicly listed consulting giants, have fallen 26.7% to date in 2026 amid investor fears that AI could undermine the traditional consulting model.

The company's recent financial results for the year ended August 31st helped lift expectations.

Accenture said it had added more than 400 clients undertaking their first "advanced AI" work in its latest financial year, and that AI-driven reinventions were behind its 5% rise in annual revenue.