Author: openjargon

• Trump called for Biden to take cognitive test, but then misnames the doctor who tested him.
• Trump referred to Texas Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson as "Doc. Ronny Johnson."
• Trump took a cognitive test in 2018, which indicated no mental ability issues.

Donald Trump told supporters that President Joe Biden should be forced to take a cognitive test but then confused the name of the doctor who performed the test on him in 2018.

Speaking at a Turning Point Action convention in Detroit on Saturday, Trump said, "He doesn't even know what the word 'inflation' means. I think he should take a cognitive test like I did."

But a moment later, the former president referred to Texas Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson, who was the White House physician from 2013 to 2018, as "Doc. Ronny Johnson."

"Doc Ronny Johnson. Does everyone know Ronny Johnson, congressman from Texas? He was the White House doctor, and he said I was the healthiest president, he feels, in history, so I liked him very much indeed immediately," Trump said.

Trump took a cognitive test in 2018 after which Jackson said he spotted "no issues whatsoever" with Trump's mental ability, adding that he was "very sharp" and "articulate" and that he got a perfect score on a gold-standard dementia test.

On Friday, the Trump campaign branded Biden a "brain-dead zombie" after a video appeared to show him wandering off from leaders at the G7 summit this week.

"From Italy to the United Kingdom to New York, millions of people around the world woke up to headlines about crooked Joe Biden's cognitive decline on full display at the G7 Summit," Karoline Leavitt, Trump's spokesperson, said.

The video later turned out to be cropped, and a wider angle of the same scene showed the president had turned to face a skydiver who had just landed.

The video, shared widely across right-wing media platforms, came after the Biden campaign acknowledged Trump's 78th birthday this week with a scathing statement which included 78 things Trump did this year, including a host of felony convictions.

"Happy birthday, Donald. You're a crook, a failure, a fraud, and a threat to our democracy, economy, rights, and future," said James Singer, a Biden campaign spokesman.

• After traveling solo since I was 18, I've hit over 80 countries.
• I've made my fair share of mistakes, but I've learned how to stay safe while traveling alone.
• Simple measures, like sharing my location, have helped me avoid unwanted situations.

I've been traveling on my own since I was 18. After visiting over 80 countries and 13 years of trial and error, I've learned a few important safety tips.

Although flight prices seem to be rising ahead of the summer surge, they're significantly cheaper than this time last year, so I'm itching to plan my next trip.

I follow these rules everywhere I travel — it doesn't matter how upscale or "safe" the destination is supposed to be.

Although some situations are unavoidable, here's what I do to stay safe and alert while traveling solo.

I always share my location and itinerary with someone close to me.

Before a trip, I always share my flight and hotel information with my mom. I've also gotten into the habit of sharing my live location with her (indefinitely).

Other than the fact that it gives her a sense of security, I know that if anything were to happen (or if she doesn't hear from me when expecting to), she would have enough information to make a few calls and confirm I'm safe.

It only takes a few minutes but can make a huge difference in the long run.

Wearing a flat crossbody or belt bag under my clothing is key.

I always avoid wearing backpacks and those trendy see-through bags — there's no need to make someone curious. I don't like having my purse and valuables super exposed because it makes me a prime target for pickpockets.

Although it's easier to wear belt bags in colder environments when I'm wearing layers, I can still manage in lighter clothing.

Lululemon's Everywhere Belt Bag, Athleta's Pacesetter Run Belt, and Peak Gear's Travel Money Belt have been my go-to for traveling. They're small and thin enough to wear under my clothing but can hold my essentials (cash, credit cards, a phone, my passport, and copies of my ID).

I don’t wear my expensive bling or designer pieces.

I typically want to look good for photos, but wearing expensive clothing and stand-out jewelry always attracts unwanted attention.

Wearing shiny necklaces and a stack of bangles while sporting a Gucci tracksuit makes it look like I have money, which is the opposite of what I want someone to think when I'm traveling alone.

It also means I'm less likely to successfully negotiate or barter a good price on items in markets.

There are basic things I research about each city or town I’ll be staying in.

I'm a super spontaneous traveler. Although I usually have a list of places I want to visit, I rarely follow a day-by-day itinerary.

Regardless, once I know where I'm going, I always take time to plan which area to stay in and book hotels in advance. I try to find the best neighborhoods, then I explore a list of hotel options and select them based on reviews, location, and overall vibe.

I also always ask the front desk staff if there are any areas I should avoid once I check in — not everything is online.

Sometimes, I'll even look for female-oriented hotels or ones with mostly female staff members because that makes me feel a little more comfortable.

Looking lost or scared is asking for trouble.

How you carry yourself is a big deal. If I'm lost, I typically use the Maps.me app, which allows me to use maps even while offline.

I try to pop into a coffee shop — or even a bathroom stall — to look at the map and get my bearings. If I can't find a place to make a pitstop, I'll walk to a more populated area with lots of traffic.

If worse comes to worse, I'll just hail a taxi to take me back to my hotel.

Looking lost makes it pretty obvious you're a tourist and gives the impression that you're willing to accept help from anyone. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of situations like that.

For the same reasons, I also never walk around looking frightened, even if I'm freaking out on the inside.

There are different transportation apps all over the world, so I make sure I have the right one.

Not everywhere has Uber or even many taxis. I always look up popular transportation apps wherever I'm traveling and download them on my phone.

I usually even enter and save my credit card information, so I'm ready to roll and don't find myself stuck when I reach the destination.

I make sure I have enough cash with me.

I've traveled to places where credit cards aren't widely accepted, or I can't withdraw cash from ATMs.

To avoid that panic, I always carry cash and exchange it for the local currency at the airport or hotel.

I don't keep it all on me when I'm exploring — I just carry some with me and leave the rest safely locked in my suitcase.

I've learned to not say yes to everything.

When I travel alone, I'm bound to meet new people, and sometimes they invite me to parties or for drinks. But I always politely decline.

Nothing good has ever come from drinking with strangers in a foreign place, in my experience. And I always want to be clear-minded enough to pick up on strange or dangerous situations.

I don't even share my plans with strangers I meet, and I never post my real-time locations on social media.

It might seem obvious, but I also don't accept rides from strangers because then they'll know my whereabouts.

• My dad had an impeccable sense of style. 
• After he died, I went through his stuff and kept some clothes for myself. 
• Wearing his clothes makes me feel like he's hugging me. 

Tangible items prove that our loved ones existed. Clothing is deeply personal. An item of clothing tells a story of our dearly departed, from the robes they wore as they enjoyed coffee to the jewelry they splurged on to celebrate a milestone.

It's common to preserve our loved ones through their clothing or accessories. "Wanting to wear the clothes of someone who passed is a way to stay close to them, stay attached, as well as honor the person," Gina Moffa, grief therapist and author of "Moving On Doesn't Mean Letting Go," told Business Insider.

My Uruguayan father was impeccably stylish. He prided himself on his appearance and was thoughtful about putting together ensembles. I never saw him miss a chance to catch his reflection and smirk as he declared that he looked good.

He died almost 2 years ago

Despite spending the last year of his life in a nursing home due to various comorbidities, he was conscious of his style. For his last Christmas, he asked for a tropical shirt with palm leaves, a print we both love. Uruguay isn't a tropical destination, and I went to dozens of stores before I found one. I gave it to him while wearing a dress with a palm pattern. He was tickled that we matched.

On his final birthday, he asked to wear his Uruguayan boina, an oversized beret typically worn by gauchos. As he adjusted it, that classic smirk lit up his face. It was his 75th birthday, and I gave him an azure-hued Egyptian cotton scarf I bought for him in Luxor, Egypt. It was the last gift I ever gave him.

Five months later, he died of COVID-19. At some point in the weeks we stayed by his bedside watching his demise, my mother removed his wedding band and her own, giving hers to me and his to my sister. I've worn the thin gold band ever since. Moffa also wears her mother's wedding band, which she says is her good luck charm. "Twisting it on my finger makes me feel close to her, which can bring comfort," she told BI.

I kept some of his clothes

Ritualistically, after a loved one dies, people go through their wardrobe to see what can be donated. My father's clothes were as familiar to me as my own. As I sorted his clothes with my mom and sister, we selected items to keep. My sister kept a denim jacket and my mother his boina. We each took a T-shirt with the logo from his bicycle shop, and we chose one for his cremation.

I kept several shirts. Because he wore them at the nursing home, his name is written on the collar. His name touches the nape of my neck, where he'd often rest his hand as we walked together. In the pocket of his denim button-up, I found a receipt for the bus fare for our last family trip together. I can't throw it away.

After my father's death, I went to Iguazu Waterfalls, a place he had always dreamed of showing me. On both days, I entered the park wearing one of his button-up shirts. My father was a foot taller than me, and wearing his clothes makes me feel protected, as if he's hugging me.

My father left me his most prized possession — a Rolex watch that he won in a bet during his treacherous passage from Uruguay to Mexico in the 70s when he escaped the military dictatorship after being tortured. He'd often sell it and steal it to get money to survive.

Grief and nostalgia often go hand in hand. I often see the pair of Keen sandals he wore, and every time, I'm hit by a wave of grief. It's illogical, but I'll wonder, for instance, if his shoes are outside because he's inside waiting for me.

• I compared premade frozen beef patties from Wegmans, Costco, and Whole Foods to find the best one.
• I thought the patties from Wegmans were a bit too greasy.
• I loved the burger patties from Whole Foods because they were full of great flavor.

When it comes to summer cooking, I always like to have frozen burger patties on hand. They're a quick and convenient meal that I can make whenever the mood strikes. 

But there are a lot of options out there. According to market intelligence company Skyquestt, the global packaged-burger market, valued at $44.5 billion in 2023, is set to be worth over 67 billion by 2031.

To find out which supermarket chain carries the best frozen burgers, I compared options from Wegmans, Costco, and Whole Foods.

I sampled each patty multiple times, both with and without cheese. To eliminate as many variables as possible, I thawed and cooked each store's burgers simultaneously.

Here's how the frozen burger patties stacked up, from worst to best.

Wegmans' Angus-beef burgers seemed promising but looked a little different than the other patties.

At $15 for six ⅓-pound patties, this option was more expensive than many of Wegmans' fresh-burger options.

The packaging on Wegmans' seasoned Angus-beef burgers suggested cooking them frozen, so I separated a patty from the stack and cooked it on a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.

The juice didn't pool up on the top of the burger patty while I cooked it, and it kept an even shape and puffed up to the perfect size. However, I thought the seared outer layer took on an oddly orange hue.

I also tried thawing another Wegmans burger before cooking it, and this patty was noticeably grayer than the others I tried. However, I wasn't worried because color isn't always an indicator of freshness.

These burgers were a little too greasy and spongy for me.

When I bit into my first Wegmans burger, there was an enormous explosion of greasy juice. However, this could have been because I let them sit for a little bit before eating them.

I thought these patties were a little on the salty side, but to be fair, they were preseasoned with sea salt. The Wegmans patties stayed moist, but they seemed a bit greasy, even by burger standards. I also thought they had a spongy texture.

I'd eat one again if someone served it to me (it was a fine burger), but I'll skip them next time I'm at Wegmans.

I was curious to see what the Kirkland Signature Angus-ground-chuck-and-beef patties would be like.

At $28 for 18 patties — each weighing ⅓ pound — Costco's house brand represents the best deal for frozen patties of the three stores. These hearty-looking, pink patties were easy to separate from the stack. 

The packaging suggested cooking these patties frozen, but to be fair, I tried cooking them both thawed and frozen.

I found it very easy to overcook them, especially when I started with a thawed burger. These patties were large in circumference but thin, so they cooked faster than I expected. The first three came out fully well done when I was aiming for a medium temperature.

Still, they took on a nice brown crustiness when seared on the skillet and maintained a decent size.

I didn't think the Kirkland Signature patties had a ton of flavor.

Unfortunately, I didn't think these burgers tasted like much. They were a bit juicy when I cooked them to medium, but they didn't offer much flavor.

That being said, when I garnished them with cheese, ketchup, and the like, they were good. If I served them at a barbecue, no one would ever complain.

I preferred them to some other frozen burgers I've tried in the past, and due to the cost and convenience, I could imagine myself picking up a package of these during barbecue season. 

Whole Foods' organic grass-fed beef burgers were smaller than the other patties.

The Whole Foods burger patties were the most expensive of the three, at $8.50 for four ¼-pound patties. They were slightly more costly per pound than Wegmans' and the only organic-beef option among the three I tried. They were also smaller than the other patties.

The box I got was frozen solid, and the burgers were pressed so tightly in their packaging that it was impossible to separate them without at least partially thawing them first. Unlike the other two brands, Whole Foods suggested thawing these patties first.

The small patties cooked very fast. They were so thin that, at times, I wound up with dried-out edges even when the center of the burger was still juicy. They shrunk in the pan and didn't look especially appealing. 

Surprisingly, the Whole Foods burger was my winner.

In my opinion, these patties tasted distinctly better than the other two options. There was a rich, meaty, almost gamey flavor that tasted as much like skirt steak as ground beef. Each patty also had a nice, crusty texture from the skillet.

When I tried all three burgers side-by-side, completely unadorned, this was the only one I finished.

Once I run out of the remaining Kirkland Signature burgers in my freezer, I'll pick up the Whole Foods patties to cover the rest of the summer.

• Bernie Sanders said the CEO of Novo Nordisk will testify on the cost of Ozempic and Wegovy.
• Lars Jørgensen will appear before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
• Sanders, who chairs the committee, said the hearing would focus on the "outrageously high cost" of the drugs.

US Senator Bernie Sanders has announced that the CEO of Danish drug company Novo Nordisk will testify on the high cost of the weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.

Lars Jørgensen will appear on a solo panel before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) in September, according to a press release.

The hearing will focus on what was described in the press release as the "outrageously high cost" of the drugs, which have soared in popularity over the last year.

Sanders thanked the CEO for volunteering to testify and said a vote on whether to subpoena Novo Nordisk to answer questions about the drugs' pricing would be canceled.

"The American people are sick and tired of paying, by far, the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs," Sanders continued. "Novo Nordisk currently charges Americans with Type 2 diabetes $969 a month for Ozempic, while this same exact drug can be purchased for just $155 in Canada and just $59 in Germany."

"Novo Nordisk also charges Americans with obesity $1,349 a month for Wegovy, while this same exact product can be purchased for just $140 in Germany and $92 in the United Kingdom," he went on. "The Committee looks forward to Mr. Jørgensen explaining why Americans are paying up to ten or 15 times more for these medications than people in other countries."

Sanders had previously written to Jørgensen in April to inform him that HELP was investigating the costs of Ozempic and Wegovy.

He said those involved in the development of the drugs deserved "great credit" and that they could be a "game changer" for US citizens dealing with obesity or diabetes. But he noted that the drugs were unaffordable to many, despite studies suggesting that they are priced far higher than their production costs.

An investigative analysis published in JAMA Network Open found that supplies of drugs like semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy that helps people feel full by mimicking the hormone GLP-1 — could cost less than a dollar to produce.

Novo Nordisk issued a response to Sanders in May, claiming it retained around 60% of the list price of Ozempic and Wegovy in the US after rebates and fees paid to middlemen, Bloomberg reported.

The company said it was prepared to work with lawmakers to tackle "systemic issues so that everyone who can benefit from its medicines is able to get them." It noted that it expected net prices of the drugs to continue to fall.

Earlier this week, a top UK doctor warned people against using drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy to get "beach body ready" for summer.

Speaking at the National Health Service (NHS) Confederation conference, NHS England medical director Stephen Powis said: "We know these new drugs will be a powerful part of our arsenal dealing with obesity, but they should not be abused. Buying medication online without a doctor's supervision can lead to complications and dangerous consequences."

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

Happy Saturday! After deciding to move to Bali on a cold NYC day, one couple is selling their tropical escape. See inside their rustic-luxury villa on the market for $1.89 million.

On the agenda:

• Travel agents are so back.
• Inside America's fastest-growing city.
• Our guide to finding the right cruise line.
• The best foods to keep your brain healthy.

But first: A chat with "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" star Rob McElhenney.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here.

This week's dispatch

Rob McElhenney's many hats

Rob McElhenney breezed into a sun-lit photoshoot studio in Culver City, Los Angeles. He was running behind schedule, but he was ready.

Looking at McElhenney on set while we shot Business Insider's latest digital cover story, you would've never guessed his morning started with a flat tire. McElhenney was charming, engaged, and curious.

It's those qualities that have turned the actor into a multihyphenate. Not only is he the creator of "Always Sunny," but he also co-owns Wrexham AFC, the oldest English football club in Wales. His ownership of the team is documented on his other hit show, "Welcome to Wrexham," which recently ended its third season.

McElhenny now has his sights set on something bigger, and he lays out his ambitious new plan in our profile, written by Samantha Rollins and Lucia Moses.

His "Wrexham" costar and co-owner, Ryan Reynolds, says McElhenney is the one to bet on.

"If you need to overcome a problem or manifest a miracle, tell Rob it's impossible," he told BI.

Travel agents are back

Following the pandemic-era lockdowns, people are hungry for travel. Millennials and Gen Zers in particular are fueling a travel boom — but they don't want to plan their own trips.

Instead of booking online themselves, 38% of Gen Z and millennial respondents said they preferred using a travel agent. The interest in having someone else plan a vacation is returning travel agents to their '90s glory.

How travel agents came roaring back.

Everyone's moving to Texas

Movers from all corners of the US are flocking to Celina, Texas, a small town about 41 miles north of Dallas. You won't find a bustling shopping mall in Celina, but it does have one commodity in abundance: newly built-homes.

Major cities in Texas have long spearheaded the state's rampant population growth, but smaller, lesser-known spots like Celina are now taking the lead. That's partly because they offer what many big cities can't: low costs, a chill lifestyle, and homes.

Inside America's fastest growing city.

The right cruise for you

Thinking of booking a cruise? It's important to remember that not all cruises are created equal.

Each cruise line has amenities, entertainment, and experiences tailored to specific cruisers. For example: Carnival is good for families, while Cunard is a high-end option for mature travelers.

An avid cruiser explains.

Also read:

• I always book rooms near staircases on cruises. If you pick the right part of the ship, your vacation will be way better.

Food for thought (literally)

According to Dr. Uma Naidoo, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and professional chef, you can eat your way to a younger, healthier brain.

Naidoo told BI that what you eat can significantly boost your brain power and mood. She also shared the seven foods for a healthy brain — and gut — that are always on her grocery list.

See all the foods that make her list.

What we're watching this weekend

"House of the Dragon": Season 2 of HBO's "Game of Thrones" prequel premieres Sunday.

"Bridgerton": Netflix's hit romantic drama released the (extremely steamy) second half of its third season.

"Monkey Man": Dev Patel's directorial debut, an action thriller about an underground street fighter, is now streaming.

See the full list

Deals we love

• Designer swimwear sale: Summersalt is holding a 30% off sale featuring its stylish and supportive one-pieces, bikinis, and more.

  Save on concerts and live events: Get $20 off tickets to your next music festival, concert, or sporting event with our exclusive discount from Vivid Seats.

  These shoes are made for walking: And that's just what we did. More than 50 miles later, here are the top 10 walking shoes for women.

More of this week's top reads:

• The 48 best gifts you can still give Dad this Father's Day.
• This one cheap, simple amenity should be in every hotel room.
• What it's like growing up in Lithuania, the happiest place on Earth for people under 30.
• I don't like dogs, and it's messing up my dating life.
• My group of 12 paid $35,000 for an all-inclusive week in a huge villa.
• What to do if a fellow airplane passenger insists you switch seats.
• We're having two weddings so our queer friends don't have to go to Florida.
• Review: Staying at the Waldorf Astoria in Rome.

• Inside a 5-star hotel in Panama City's richest neighborhood.

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  The Insider Today team: Joi-Marie McKenzie, editor-in-chief, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Annie Smith, associate producer, in London.

• Kayla Corbitt is a military wife and nonprofit founder who turned down a job because of childcare.
• She spent $5,000 for four months' worth of part-time daycare services while she searched for work.
• Corbit says many military families need help with navigating the childcare system.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kayla Corbitt, a 35-year-old nonprofit founder and military wife from San Antonio, Texas, about having to turn down a job because of childcare. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I had my first child in 2018 when my husband, who is in the military, and I lived on a military base in Italy. We were planning to move back to the United States, so I began learning about childcare programs for military families in the US. I found a program called the 90-day Looking-for-Work program that would cover childcare for 90 days while I looked for a job.

My goal was to look for a job once we returned to the US and get childcare funding from the DoD. We couldn't afford daycare without it.

In April 2019, we moved back to the US into the DMV area. I felt confident about moving back and resettling in the US. We had to spend a couple thousand dollars to relocate, but we had about $8,000 left in savings when we got approved for the 90-day "Looking for Work" childcare subsidy.

Thirty days after I enrolled my son into daycare, I found out the center hadn't been getting paid. I went back and forth with the program for another three months while my child attended daycare centers that turned out to be no longer approved by the program.

Eventually, my family was denied reimbursement. We spent almost all of the savings we had left on daycare costs.

I got a job offer but couldn't accept it because of childcare issues

For four months, my husband and I paid out of pocket for the daycare center while waiting to get approved. We used up about $5,000 of our savings, paying $834 a month for part-time childcare in addition to the downpayment and other fees.

In the meantime, I got a job offer. I went through the hiring process, including the interview and background check with a company that is a contractor for the DoD. They offered me $40,000 a year for the job. However, after being continuously denied for the daycare center and spending all our savings on childcare, I declined the job offer to stay home with my child.

My husband's income barely met our needs, so I needed a job, but I couldn't afford to pay any more money out of pocket for the daycare center.

We lost so much money while trying to find an approved daycare center that we ended up living paycheck to paycheck for a year.

My family had to take out a $2,000 loan

After about a year, we had to take out an Army Emergency Relief loan for $2,350. This is a loan given to military families for financial assistance. It was a shameful experience.

Since we couldn't get approved for the 90-Day Looking-for-Work program, I applied to another childcare subsidy program for military families, the MCCYN+ program. We got approved by this program and began looking for daycare centers that it would approve. I also began applying for more jobs.

In September 2020, I finally found a daycare center that qualified for a military assistance program. This time, I knew I couldn't rely on the information on the DoD website, so I became an expert on daycare certifications and the vetting process.

Around the same time, I got another job offer. I coordinated starting the new job and getting the new daycare center approved so that I wouldn't have to pay out of pocket and could start saving money.

Many military families need help with childcare

I accepted my new job offer and was hired as a contractor for the Military Family Readiness System. I helped military families find resources to improve their lives during that time. Once I started working, we could repay the loan and save again.

Because I became an expert in this situation, I began advocating for other military families. I founded a nonprofit, Operation Childcare Project, where we conduct case management for military and veteran families who need help understanding and navigating childcare.

Many military families like mine need help with childcare. My case is not unique.

If you have a unique childcare experience or hack and want to share your story, please email Manseen Logan at mlogan@businessinsider.com

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

Welcome back to our Sunday edition. Happy Father's Day to those celebrating.

There are YouTubers, and then there's MrBeast. While many aspire to make a little money from the platform, Jimmy Donaldson, aka MrBeast, makes a lot: Court documents reveal he expects to make $700 million in revenue this year.

On the agenda today:

• After years of languishing, Abercrombie is back from the dead.
• Meta VPs are getting squeezed out amid a "permanent" efficiency mode.
• An NYC luxury developer's empire is starting to show cracks.
• It's time to stop having "emotional check-ins" at work.

But first: Why Apple might have the best hand in AI.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here.

This week's dispatch

Apple's intelligence

Another week, another AI-focused tech event. First there was OpenAI's spring update, then Google I/O, and then Microsoft Build. Last week, Apple joined the fray.

The tech giant's WWDC event didn't disappoint. CEO Tim Cook unveiled Apple Intelligence, a generative AI system partly powered by ChatGPT (for now). Wall Street cheered, making Apple the most valuable US company for a period.

Some of the smartest minds in tech applauded Apple's strategy. Why?

For one, Apple is applying artificial intelligence to a narrower set of quotidian tasks. As Katie Notopoulos noted, it appears to be a kinder, gentler AI. (On the other hand, a whole bunch of startups have reason to be fearful.)

Assuming Apple Intelligence works as intended, there will be even more reason to switch to or stay with Apple. It could also drive hardware upgrades and push revenue per user higher.

It also emerged that Apple is not paying OpenAI for the ChatGPT integration. Apple gets the benefits for its users while OpenAI foots the bill for the computing costs. Apple also stressed the door is still open to working with Google, giving it leverage to play OpenAI and Google off against each other. It's a power move that demonstrates Apple's incredible reach.

Add it all together, and, as Linette Lopez writes, Apple may be the one Big Tech company getting AI right.

Abercrombie has returned

In a time where fashion fads are faster than ever and many brands are struggling, Abercrombie & Fitch has executed a remarkable turnaround.

The clothing brand, once known for its dark, cologne-drenched stores and attractive employees, languished for a decade. But it's recently begun wooing millennial and Gen Z shoppers — and Wall Street is loving it, too.

How Abercrombie rose from the dead.

Meta VPs on the chopping block

Mark Zuckerberg's efficiency strategy is hitting Meta's upper ranks. The company is looking to trim the number of VPs from over 300 to about 250, three people told BI.

That means executives aren't safe from high performance standards and intense head-to-head evaluations. Mid-year performance reviews and "stack ranking" are just a few of the hurdles facing VPs.

The effects of Zuck's "permanent" efficiency.

A luxury developer's big challenges

Michael Shvo made a name for himself first as a broker, then as a developer of glitzy projects in New York City.

Shvo has long had a Midas touch. Over the past few years he's snapped up roughly $3 billion of US property with the help of German investors. But a soft real estate market and a trail of angry business partners and customers are threatening to thwart his big plans.

The cracks in Shvo's empire are starting to show.

Your manager is not your therapist

In a 2023 survey, nearly half of Gen Zers said they're fine talking about mental health at the office. Managers have said their young employees have no qualms about openly discussing it.

There's just one problem: A workplace overly focused on mental health isn't always a recipe for better mental-health outcomes. In fact, some researchers think talking about your struggles too much can actually make them worse.

What Gen Z gets wrong about the workplace.

This week's quote:

"Get in asap, we're going to Pluto."

A Redditor's post to r/WallStreetBets in 2020, as chronicled by a new book on the GameStop frenzy.

More of this week's top reads:

• Clarence Thomas raised him "as a son." Now he's facing 25-plus years on weapons and drug charges.
• Millennium is backing Coatue star Aaron Weiner's new hedge fund.
• The age of geriatric millionaires is upon us.
• An overemployed Gen Zer describes the sacrifices of trying to reach FIRE status.
• All-powerful CEOs wrecked the tech industry. Here's who can save it.
• Meet 60 of the top angel investors who back B2B startups.
• A list of all the biggest cases and investigations on Elon Musk's docket.
• America's real geographic divide is between bosses and their employees.

• Inside Henrik Fisker's second failed automotive startup.

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  The Insider Today team: Matt Turner, deputy editor-in-chief, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.

• Season three of "Bridgerton" focuses on Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington's romance.
• The finale, released on Thursday, sets up several future storylines.
• Here's where Colin, Penelope, and more members of the ton end up.

Warning: There are major spoilers ahead for season three, part two of "Bridgerton."

The second half of "Bridgerton" season three aired on Thursday, bringing Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington's friends-to-lovers romance to a close.

As is standard with the series, these two got their happily ever after. But what happened to everyone else?

Here's a breakdown of where each prominent character wound up at the end of the season.

Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington get married and have a baby.

After traveling for a couple of months, Colin (Luke Newton) returns to the ton with more swagger and confidence, quickly becoming one of the most eligible bachelors of the season. Meanwhile, Penelope (Nicola Coughlan), after overhearing Colin's unkind comments last season, has put her longtime, unrequited crush on him aside to focus on finding a husband and getting out of the Featherington house.

Colin offers to give Penelope lessons in charm to attract suitors, but in doing so, he finally develops romantic feelings for her. After a steamy makeout in a carriage during episode five, they immediately get engaged.

But Penelope's Lady Whistledown secret threatens their relationship. During episode six, Colin catches Penelope delivering a new issue to the printer. Despite being angry with Penelope about her Lady Whistledown persona, he goes through with the wedding anyway, claiming it's out of honor since the two had already had sex.

Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen), who pretends to be Lady Whistledown for the reward, also finds out Penelope's secret and attempts to blackmail her. Penelope comes up with a smarter plan. Instead, she sends Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel) a letter as Lady Whistledown and asks if she could address the public herself and plead her case.

Penelope is unmasked as Lady Whistledown at the ball and says that she was careless with the power she gained from writing as Whistledown but would be more responsible if the queen allowed her to continue. The queen doesn't punish Penelope and Colin ends up forgiving her — and admitting that he was envious of her success and bravery.

The epilogue, which takes place months later, reveals that Penelope gave birth to a baby boy and Colin published a book about his travels, called "Traveling With Myself."

The finale ends with Penelope retiring her literary persona, and formally introducing herself as Penelope Bridgerton in her column.

Kate and Anthony move to India ahead of the birth of their first child.

Kanthony's season three storyline focuses on the couple enjoying marital bliss and trying to produce an heir. After extending their honeymoon to prioritize their own happiness, Kate (Simone Ashley) returns to the ton pregnant with the couple's first child.

In part two, after the Polin wedding, Kate talks about missing India and Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) tells her that he'd like to see her home country soon, before their baby is born. Then, he comes up with the idea for them to move to India.

Kate is a bit unsure at first, but Anthony explains that he wants their child to grow up as a Sharma and know their history.

Because the journey takes months, Kate and Anthony leave town shortly after so they can prepare for their baby's birth in India.

Benedict Bridgerton decides that he's not ready to settle down yet and wants to keep exploring his freedom.

Season three of "Bridgerton" introduces Benedict's (Luke Thompson) new love interest, a forward-thinking widow named Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New). They end up having a casual relationship and she introduces Benedict to another of her friends, Paul, who has been intimate with both men and women.

In part two, Benedict has a threesome with Tilley and Paul. But Benedict and Tilley's romance comes to an end because she develops deeper feelings and wants to be more than friends with him. Although Benedict thinks Tilley is "extraordinary," he's not ready for a serious relationship because she opened him up to new, freeing experiences and he doesn't want to give that up yet.

"The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know," Benedict tells Eloise. "It feels right now that the next thing I might learn may change me entirely."

Little does Benedict know that his life is going to change soon, in the next season of "Bridgerton."

The season three finale includes a scene heavily implying that Benedict's love story will be the focus of season four. During a conversation with Eloise, she says that she'll return to town in time for their mom's masquerade ball.

"I will be there, hiding out behind a mask, avoiding eligible ladies like the plague," Benedict retorts.

Francesca Bridgerton marries John Stirling, Earl of Kilmartin, and moves to Scotland.

Francesca (Hannah Dodd), the third-eldest Bridgerton daughter, became more prominent in season three after making her debut in society.

She's more shy and introverted than her siblings but forms an instant connection with a similarly reserved man named John Stirling (Victor Alli). After getting married at the Bridgerton house during a small ceremony, Francesca and John prepare to relocate to his primary estate in Scotland.

Francesca explains to her mom that moving to a quieter, more peaceful place will allow her to get to know herself better and learn who she is.

The finale also plants the seeds for the major component of Francesca's story — her eventual romance with John's cousin. At the final ball of the season, Francesca is introduced to John's cousin Michaela (Masali Baduza) and immediately gets flustered in front of her. Francesca is last seen heading to Scotland in a carriage with John, Michaela, and Eloise.

In Quinn's book series, Francesca is married to John for a short amount of time before he dies unexpectedly. His cousin, Michael Stirling, becomes the new earl. Years later, Francesca and Michael reconnect and get married.

Eloise joins Francesa and John in Scotland so she can see more of the world.

Season three kicks off with Eloise forming an unexpected friendship with Cressida and trying to fit in with the other ladies of the ton after the Lady Whistledown debacle last season.

Despite Eloise and Penelope's friendship being on the rocks, she keeps her Lady Whistledown identity a secret — until she learns of Penelope and Colin's engagement at the start of part two.

During episode five, Eloise tells Penelope that she must reveal her Lady Whistledown secret to Colin by midnight. Just as the clock strikes 12 a.m. at Colin and Penelope's engagement party, Cressida interrupts and announces that she's the mystery writer.

Eloise later implores Penelope to stop writing Whistledown issues, because she can't continue the ruse while married to Colin. But Colin ends up finding out Penelope's secret on his own. After foiling Cressida's plan to blackmail Penelope, Eloise and Penelope slowly repair their friendship.

However, in the finale, during a conversation with Benedict, Eloise says that she feels "directionless" and has spent most of her life in Mayfair or at Aubrey Hall. She concludes that if she wants to make a change in the world, she has to see more of it and meet new people.

Eloise decides to travel to Scotland with Francesca and John so she can have some adventures before returning to town next season.

Lady Danbury makes amends with her brother, Lord Marcus Anderson.

When Lady Danbury's (Adjoa Andoh) younger brother Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis) arrives in town during part one, she's not friendly or welcoming to him. It's later revealed that she holds a grudge against him because he snitched on her to their father and prevented her from escaping the night before her wedding to Lord Danbury. Because Marcus betrayed Agatha, she became distrustful of him and distanced herself.

During the penultimate episode of the season, Lady Danbury and Marcus discuss their childhood grievances. Marcus explains that the night before her wedding, he was trying to protect his sister from the dangers of the outside world.

Lady Danbury, in turn, says that her life has been so full of joy lately and she was concerned that he'd take it away from her.

Lady Danbury and Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) also have a heartwarming conversation during which they acknowledge a major plot point from the spin-off show "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story": Lady Danbury having had a secret relationship with Lord Ledger, Violet's dad.

The two women agree that they're adults who are free to do whatever they want. But Lady Danbury also adds that if Violet's blossoming romance with Marcus doesn't end well, she's choosing her friend over her brother.

Violet Bridgerton opens herself up to romance.

During a present-day scene in "Queen Charlotte," Violet told Lady Danbury that her garden was in bloom and she was considering romance again.

Little did Lady Danbury know that Violet would end up developing an attraction to her brother during season three of "Bridgerton."

Violet and Marcus lightly flirt throughout the season, and the finale ends on a promising note for them.

Queen Charlotte finally learns Lady Whistledown's identity.

Like previous seasons of "Bridgerton," Queen Charlotte spends a great deal of time in season three trying to track down Lady Whistledown. This time, however, she turns it into a true ton-wide witch hunt by offering a 5,000-pound prize to the one who unmasks Whistledown.

Cressida claims to be Lady Whistledown in a bid for the prize money, but Queen Charlotte doesn't buy it. After taking tips from members of the ton, she narrows her search to the Bridgerton family specifically.

Eventually, however, Penelope unmasks herself to the Queen, who allows her to plead her case to the ton at the Dankworth-Finch ball in the finale. Miraculously, Queen Charlotte pardons her of all gossip-related crimes.

"She seems humbled. But we will be watching that she remains so," the queen says. "What is life without a little gossip?"

The Featheringtons finally have children of their own.

Prudence (Bessie Carter) and Philippa Featherington (Harriet Cains) host the Dankworth-Finch ball with their husbands — with a financial assist from Penelope — at the end of season three. It's a spectacular affair and the perfect venue for Penelope to reveal her true identity as Lady Whistledown to the ton.

The revelation has an added bonus: Lady Featherington can tell the solicitor from the Crown that the conspicuous amount of money her family came into was from Penelope's writings, removing them from scrutiny.

Months after Penelope's revelation, she, Prudence, and Philippa give birth to children. But in a twist, neither of the elder siblings, who were under significant pressure to produce an heir, has a son. It's Penelope who gives birth to the new Lord Featherington, but Prudence and Philippa seem perfectly content to have given birth to daughters.

Cressida Cowper's dad sends her away to live with her aunt in Wales.

Cressida goes from a mean girl to a full-on antagonist in season three of "Bridgerton."

Desperate to avoid a forced marriage to an older, off-putting man named Lord Greer, Cressida gets the idea to pose as Lady Whistledown and collect the queen's reward. However, Penelope writes a Lady Whistledown issue that discredits Cressida and shows she was lying. After tarnishing her family's reputation, Lord Greer rescinds his marriage offer and Cressida's dad decides to send Cressida to live with her Aunt Joanna.

In one last-ditch effort, Cressida tries to blackmail Penelope so she can use the money to start a better life for herself elsewhere. But Penelope outsmarts her and Cressida is last seen getting into a carriage to Wales.

• When I moved to a new town with my family, I struggled to make friends.
• Most people my age were either busy or didn't want to welcome new people into their lives.
• I joined a gym and met new people; I even started talking to strangers at my local dog park.

A few years back, I uprooted my family and moved to a town where I knew virtually no one. I had plenty of family and friends in my old city but knew no one in my new area. I had to meet new people — or learn to love being alone, buy a cabin out in the woods, and knit sweaters for myself.

At that time, I encountered something that most people struggle with when they get older: Making friends is hard, especially for a middle-aged man like myself.

Back when I was young and in school, I could make new friends easily. All I had to do was say hello, smile, and laugh at a joke. The next thing I knew, we were hanging out, getting dinner, or going to the movies. But as I entered middle age, I noticed the game had changed. It was difficult to make new friends as a married father with two young kids.

I had to ask myself: How do you make new friends later in life?

There were many obstacles in my way

When I first set out to make friends in my new area, I realized there were a few hurdles.

For starters, people my age are busy. They're raising a family, building their careers, and looking toward retirement. They aren't interested in setting aside time to welcome new people into their lives, and it is tough to add new things to a busy life.

Plus, babysitters are needed. If I want to get out of the house, especially with my wife, I must spend money on someone to watch my kids.

I also found that people, especially those in middle age, resist change. It seems they ask themselves: Why should I add you to my friend Rolodex? They're also unwilling to trust strangers and welcome you into their lives.

So, it wasn't easy to make new friends. I struggled, and it was incredibly lonely. More than a few times, I went to the movies alone and ate dinner alone at restaurants. Of course, there's nothing wrong with this, but it wasn't beneficial to my mental wellness.

I had an imaginary friend as a kid, but I didn't want to dig him out again just so that I would have someone to talk to.

I considered meeting people at the bars, but there is a sadness to being middle-aged and still trying to act like you are much younger.

So, I thought I should take my hobbies and interests and focus on those areas to meet quality individuals. If they saw we had similar likes and dislikes, it wouldn't be long before we exchanged numbers. I imagined my witty texts would win them over to becoming my friend for life.

But it took longer than I thought.

I leaned into my hobbies to find my people

I have always been into fitness, so I joined a gym. I am on the muscular side and rock a shaved head, so I later learned from others that I was not the most approachable person in the gym. More than a few times, I was asked if I was a cop — in an unfavorable way. People were steering clear of me as if I was there to arrest them as I was curling.

However, once they learned I was a writer, the friend floodgates opened. Many people chatted me up, told me about their book ideas, and wondered if they had ever read anything I wrote. I finally scored some new friends.

Beyond the gym, I also focused on my love of animals. I took my dog for a walk around town and eventually made some friends. I went to the local dog park and let my four-legged son loose. Before long, he was playing with some new buddies, and I was meeting their owners.

I also joined a local book club to make friends. This path was a bit less successful for me because I could only make it halfway through a Nicholas Sparks book before I had to tap out.

All in all, after a number of months, I made new friends and developed more of my interests. And I finally realized that who cares how many friends you have? It is always quality, not quantity, that matters.