Author: openjargon

• I booked free personal-styling appointments at Nordstrom and Saks to refresh my work wardrobe. 
• My appointment at Saks was more glamorous and included a tray of cakes, fruit, and nuts.
• The appointments are great for those who want a wardrobe refresh but aren't sure where to start.

It can be difficult to find work-appropriate clothes that are professional but not stuffy and can seamlessly transition from a Zoom meeting to a happy hour — all while looking good, of course.

I tend to shop minimally and pick investment pieces that I love (and end up wearing for years), but it's gotten harder to put together office-ready looks that don't feel repetitive.

Similarly, as more and more companies mandate a return-to-office policy, workers are looking for ways to update their workwear wardrobes.

I was long overdue for a work wardrobe refresh, so when I learned that both Nordstrom and Saks offer free one-on-one styling appointments at certain store locations, I jumped at the chance to try them.

I booked appointments using each store's online portal and was excited to see if the stylists could help me revamp my work-to-happy-hour look. Here's how it went.

My Nordstrom styling appointment was up first

Before my appointment, my personal stylist, Kalyn, texted me directions to the changing room in the store's contemporary section.

The room was stocked with an extensive selection of on-trend work tops, jeans, blazers, and dresses, which she said were meant to give "off-duty model" vibes.

The pieces were mostly neutral colors, although there were some pops of red, olive green, and light blue.

There were also quite a few menswear-inspired work pieces, including jackets, trousers, and shirt dresses.

By the mirror, there was a table with a selection of earrings and heels to try on with my outfits. After asking me for my initial thoughts on her selections, my Nordstrom stylist left to find more colorful pieces to add to the collection.

I got to work trying on the pieces, some of which were a little out of my comfort zone

Many of the pieces she pulled for me felt more "masculine" than the styles I'd typically wear, but I was impressed by what she'd picked, given that she didn't initially have an idea of my style or coloring.

While in the fitting room, I played around with pairing pieces together myself. I styled a white power blazer with gray wide-leg pants that looked like they belonged in a C-suite.

I even tried teal-and-white-striped button-up co-ords and leather loafers that I'd never pick for myself. Even though I wasn't a fan of how they looked on me, it was fun trying them on. It felt like I was playing dress-up.

Kalyn asked for feedback and came back with some additional picks

After asking for my initial thoughts on her selections, Kalyn returned with more pieces for me to try. It was clear that she'd taken note of my coloring and slightly less formal style. However, the clothes were a little less business casual than the options from the first round.

I loved a butter-yellow slip dress she'd picked, although I'd probably wear it to date night instead of to work.

I also liked a pair of white wide-leg pants that I wouldn't have chosen for myself and a burnt-orange bodysuit that I could easily wear for both a day of meetings and happy hour.

I didn't show my stylist anything I tried on, but throughout my appointment, she asked for feedback from outside the fitting room and periodically brought more things she'd curated while taking out pieces that I didn't like.

Considering how high-end everything looked, I was surprised by how relatively affordable it was. Prices started at about $30 for an Open Edit tank top and went up to $248 for a Reformation dress.

My appointment at Saks felt a little more glamorous

On the day of my appointment, my Saks stylist, John, called me and asked some questions about the occasion I was shopping for and what brands I liked.

Although I wasn't expecting a call, it was helpful to talk through what I was looking for and which styles I preferred. Getting to know a little about my stylist's personality beforehand was also nice.

My appointment was at the department store's Fifth Avenue Club — a luxe space with its own doorbell and a large suite with a couch and complimentary cakes, fruits, and nuts.

John gave me a rundown of what he'd chosen, grouping certain pieces to try on together. He asked me to show him every outfit after I'd tried it on, even if I didn't like it.

I didn't love some of the earlier picks on my body, but John took my feedback into account

Trying on some of the menswear-inspired pieces was initially a little disheartening, as I struggled to find blazers and collared styles that didn't overwhelm my frame.

John critiqued each outfit, asking my thoughts and zeroing in on some of the things I did and didn't like, such as overwhelming silhouettes and certain necklines. He also shared advice on how he'd tailor certain pieces to be more flattering to me.

Eventually, I even tried on two black blazers that looked good on me — a huge win for someone who's never owned a flattering blazer.

In fact, two of my favorite pieces didn't jump out at me on the hanger and probably weren't things I would've chosen myself.

Most of the pieces I tried on were in the $300 to $500 range, but a few dresses were on sale for $150 to $200. Saks is high-end, but it had a sale that made some of the pieces more affordable.

However, I think if you're shopping for timeless wardrobe staples, splurging on certain pieces is worth it.

Overall, the styling appointments were a worthy investment of my time

Although each appointment took about two hours, I think they were worth the time I spent in the stores.

I tried on pieces I would've been too intimidated to pick off the rack myself, and the stylists encouraged me to try on things outside my comfort zone.

I learned about styles and designs I'd like to try on again in the future and discovered that garments that wouldn't catch my eye on the floor can end up being flattering favorites.

Normally, when something doesn't look good when I'm shopping, I'm discouraged and unsure how to find an alternative that looks better on me. However, it was nice to have a stylist there to guide me.

Overall, I think the personal-styling appointments are great for those who want a wardrobe refresh but aren't sure where to start. Both stylists were helpful and even gave me some ideas about styling some of the clothes I already own, and I didn't feel pressured to make a purchase if I wasn't sure about the pieces.

Although I didn't buy any of the pieces I tried on, I'm keeping an eye on them to see if they go on sale or if I can find something similar that I really want to splurge on.

• MrBeast shot to fame for giving life-changing amounts of money to complete strangers.
• The YouTube star has turned that approach into financing and fundraising for UBI programs in Uganda.
• His Beast Philanthropy organization donated $200,000 to help people buy basics or start a business.

MrBeast became the most popular YouTuber on the planet by handing cash to strangers, so it's little wonder he's experimenting with universal basic income, known as UBI.

Jimmy Donaldson, who goes by MrBeast and has around 288 million subscribers to his flagship channel, has partnered with GiveDirectly to help people living in extreme poverty in Uganda.

Between them, they delivered $1,000 to around 300 households. Beast Philanthropy donated $200,000, and GiveDirectly covered the rest, including operational costs. The program gave the households roughly a year's worth of income.

1. Together, we delivered ~$1,000 to over 300 households, so ~$300k in cash transfers total. Beast Philanthropy gave $200k and GiveDirectly covered the rest, including operational costs.

MrBeast also announced a joint fundraiser with GiveDirectly to gather enough cash to give $1,000 to every household in a neighboring village. It has raised over $37,000 of its $150,000 target as of Tuesday.

From absurd stunts to fighting poverty

MrBeast helped pioneer a genre of YouTube videos that centers on giving large sums of money to strangers and filming their reactions.

He often challenges people to compete in silly competitions, such as remaining in a circle or not letting go of an object for as long as possible.

In recent months, he has pivoted toward funding philanthropic pursuits such as building wells in Africa, donating food and clothes to the needy, and providing cataract surgeries and hearing aids to blind and deaf people who couldn't afford them.

GiveDirectly is a nonprofit that, in 2017, said it was conducting the world's largest test of UBI. It involved 20,000 recipients in Kenya and lasted 12 years.

Universal basic income typically refers to a recurring cash payment made to all adult members of a population, regardless of their wealth or employment, and with no restrictions on how they spend the money.

Early findings from GiveDirectly's trial suggest that direct cash handouts boost household and business savings and support the financing of bigger projects. Upfront money also trumps regular payments as it allows people to make transformative changes to their lives such as starting a business.

Turning cash into change

It's a natural extension of MrBeast's brand to go from giving briefcases of cash to deserving strangers to handing money to people living on $1 or $2 a day.

"This is $1,000 in cash and if you suddenly came across this kind of money, no strings attached, what would you spend it on?" MrBeast teases at the start of the Uganda video.

But the social media star also addressed questions about whether direct cash payments would be spent wisely. He noted that flooding a community with money could be viewed as "extremely irresponsible," and that he and his team were "somewhat skeptical about the idea of direct cash" before GiveDirectly showed them the benefits of the approach.

MrBeast shared three anecdotes about the villagers in Karamoja, Uganda, who received the money. Ruth used her cash to open a store and buy food and medicine for her children. Auma built a school that hosts seven teachers and more than 200 students.

Similarly, two residents named Tiyan and Lokure could buy land to grow their crops, purchase a grain mill to serve other locals, and open a store in their home and a refueling station in the village.

The examples suggest those who received MrBeast's cash used it to not only provide basics for their families, but also to start businesses, invest in their local community, and establish revenue streams that could help them escape abject poverty for good.

To some, helping villagers will never be as entertaining as concocting absurd scenarios and watching random people navigate them in the hope of winning a life-changing amount of money. But it's fascinating to see MrBeast's evolution from a real-life Willy Wonka to a UBI believer.

• My husband and I moved to a new community early in 2020 and I felt lonely.
• I decided to take charge of making new friends.
• To meet new people, I stayed active and pursued my goals, but I also didn't force it. 

Two weeks after my husband and I moved to North Carolina, I ran down our front steps and landed in the driveway with a broken ankle. It was March 2020, and the world was shutting down due to the pandemic. Locked down and unable to meet neighbors or join community activities, I was now relegated to the couch in a cast.

My husband and I were both still working, so our days were filled with Zoom calls and not much else. I missed seeing colleagues on a regular basis in the office, where some of the day's most important social interaction happened while zapping lunch in a communal kitchen.

This isolation led to extreme loneliness.

An insular retirement community is great for some, but not all

While many boomers — and younger retirees — are embracing active lifestyles offered within their neighborhoods, there are those of us who move to new places at or near retirement age who find that culture quite insular.

Finding my place in a new community took time, especially during the solitary days early on in the pandemic. Not content to stay lonely, I took action to forge new friendships and build a fresh social circle.

How I took charge of making new friends

Before we moved, we had a large group of friends of all ages. I sought out ways to recreate that kind of camaraderie among new friends. I always liked yoga but found that, besides the community classes not meshing with my part-time work schedule, I didn't want to limit myself to meeting only people in my age demographic.

By venturing outside my neighborhood's clubhouse and signing up at a couple of local studios, I was able to expand my horizons — and my friendship pool. Sure, my community sessions are either free or less expensive, but being out in the world is worth more to me.

I found friends while doing things I cared about

I love books, and searching for opportunities to help my wider community led me to our local literacy council. While representing the council at local events and giving free books to adults and children, I connected with many readers and other volunteers.

I stayed active and found friends who were staying active, too

After my ankle healed, I discovered a local gym offering a 30-minute daily workout. My husband and I are there at least four — and sometimes more — mornings a week. It's good for our bodies, and with the many new friendships we've made there, it has been good for our souls, too.

I made sure to keep pursuing my goals

I began to take writing classes and submit my work for publication in pursuit of my dream of becoming published. Now, as a member of a monthly online writing group formed after a recent class I took, I've gotten to know other writers from the US and Canada. There's even someone who joins us from Spain!

I didn't force it

Instead of signing up for every activity my community offered, I was choosy. I'm not competitive, so tournament-level pickleball is not for me. I'm a novice in crafts and the fiber arts, so I'd rather keep my rudimentary skills to myself. Now, I play a very relaxed form of Mah Jongg with a group once a month — it's mentally stimulating and something I have always wanted to learn.

Be patient

Humans have an innate hunger to forge bonds with others. Because much of our experience of loneliness is more about the quality of connections rather than the number of people we know, choosing events and activities strategically is an important element when battling isolation. Don't rush the work of making new friends. By giving myself permission to go slowly, I found my place.

• My parents sent me to summer camp from the ages of 7 to 17. 
• At first I struggled with sleep away camp, but as I got older I got to enjoy it more. 
• It help me develop independence and make new friends. 

From the ages of 7 to 17, my parents sent me to sleep-away camp for weeks. Starting at two weeks and quickly building up to six, I spent my summers away from home in Shelby, Michigan, on the sand dunes of Camp Miniwanca.

Camp Miniwanca was a traditional sleepaway camp, helping campers find balance in their lives mentally, physically, socially, and religiously or spiritually. The campers enjoyed crafting, sailing, swimming, dancing, reflection, and games — it was a haven for us all and a beautiful place to spend summers.

At first it was hard

I will admit, as a young child, the first few summers at camp weren't easy. I was constantly homesick, always thinking about what my parents were up to back at home. I would write letters daily and pore over the ones my mom and dad sent back, hooked on every tidbit they shared, no matter how mundane. My parents would share updates on their weekend plans, what my mom cooked for dinner, and their Fourth of July parties — nothing out of the ordinary, but I would read and reread the letters, wishing I could have been there too.

But when those early summers ended, and my mom picked me up from camp, I felt proud. I had made it. Six full weeks without my mom tucking me in at night, my familiar neighborhood, the security of my normal routine. I stretched, I grew, and I was less dependent than I was at the start of the camp session.

As I got older, into my middle school and high school years, the homesickness began to fade until it disappeared completely, and camp became my surrogate home for those weeks. I couldn't wait for June to come so I could spend time on the sand dunes and reconnect with my camp friends, girls whom I continued to see every summer and kept in touch with during the school year, too.

I was myself at camp

I was able to be myself completely at camp. I never had to worry about being judged by my camp friends and was able to grow in many ways, slowly becoming more confident, more curious, and more spirited.

But no matter how old I got, I would always tear up when my mom dropped me off and when I would see her again on the last day. The space away from both home and my parents made me miss them and love them in a different way. Being away from my parents for an extended period of time broke up the monotonous school drop-offs, sports practices, and piano lessons and gave me a fresh appreciation for them.

I don't have kids now, but if I do in the future, I will definitely send them to sleepaway camp. My mom grew up spending her summers at Miniwanca as well and knew then, too, that she would want to send her future children there.

I made lifelong friends

While I didn't see it as a child, I see now how I grew every summer in a very different way than I would have if I were spending summers at home. Maybe the time away from my school friends, who spent most of their summers together back home, made me miss out on new inside jokes and memories, but I wouldn't trade my experience for anything.

Besides my growth, I gained lifelong friends thanks to our summers together at Miniwanca. These girls provided a shoulder to cry on while I was young and homesick, a friend to laugh with on the beach, and a support system when we spent time outside camp on excursions biking, hiking, or kayaking. Throughout the school year, my camp friends and I exchanged letters, phone calls, texts, and even planned winter reunions annually because we couldn't bear the thought of waiting a full year to see each other again.

We still feel like this: this past April, we spent a long weekend in Washington, DC, and will reunite again this October at one of my camp friend's weddings. Our group chat is updated constantly, filled with book recommendations, job changes, and new relationship statuses. We know each other's families well — and after nearly 20 years of being friends, we are practically family now, too.

I feel immensely lucky to have made such special friends who have supported me unconditionally through dark middle school days, first relationships and breakups, college decisions, and now major life milestones like marriage and moving across the country.

I feel lucky that my parents were able to send me to camp every year, a place that quickly became a sanctuary.

I feel lucky to have spent time away from home every summer, gaining my independence and bits of myself. Summer camp molded me into the girl I was and the woman I've become — independent, curious, and always searching for the next adventure.

• Sam C. Wilson played Blood in "House of the Dragon" season two.
• He told Business Insider he was "totally up for" Blood experiencing "epic amounts of torture" like in the book.
• The first episode of the season shocked fans as Blood and his partner Cheese murdered a child.

"House of the Dragon" actor Sam C. Wilson told Business Insider that he was "totally up for" his character Blood experiencing "epic amounts of torture" like he does in the book the show is based on.

The second season of the "Game of Thrones" prequel whipped fans into a frenzy with what's been dubbed the "Blood and Cheese" moment in the premiere.

The final sequence of the episode sees two mercenaries, Blood (Wilson) and Cheese (Mark Stobbart) sneak into the Red Keep in King's Landing and brutally murder a Targaryen child.

It's the type of controversial violence that "Game of Thrones" became infamous for in its early seasons. However, some fans were disappointed that the scene was not as violent as it is in George R. R. Martin's book "Fire and Blood," which "House of the Dragon" is based on.

It's a testament to "Game of Thrones," which is one of the biggest shows of all time, that fans are fiercely protective of the prequel series and have a strong attachment to the book.

Blood is caught trying to flee the city in the second episode, and King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) kills him with a mace to get revenge for his son's death.

That scene plays out a little differently in the source material, as Blood gets tortured for 13 days before dying.

Wilson said: "I think Blood's awful, just a horrible guy. It's all make-believe and I have my own feelings about him, but I would've been totally up for epic amounts of torture.

"They could have done whatever they liked to me. I would've been really up for that."

The British actor explained that violent roles like Blood are often challenging.

"I must admit, I definitely find it harder to come to terms with doing horrible things in make-believe land," Wilson said. "I find it harder to do them than I do have them done to me. So I would've been totally fine with a massive load of torture. I think Blood absolutely deserved it."

Wilson also wasn't disappointed that his role didn't last for longer than two episodes.

"They maced me, which is great, and I was excited to get my comeuppance when I was watching the episode. There's literally zero ego or dignity around Blood. He's awful. He's a bastard. He needed to go," he said.

• Filipino soldiers involved in a clash last week with Chinese coast guard have been awarded medals.
• Their vessels came under attack last week while delivering supplies in the disputed South China Sea.
• The award ceremony is unlikely to ease tensions with China in the contested region.

Filipino soldiers who reportedly used their bare hands to fight off Chinese coast guards armed with swords and knives were awarded medals by the Philippines for de-escalating tensions, according to the Manila Bulletin.

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. bestowed the Order of Lapu-Lapu on 80 soldiers on Sunday, per the outlet.

"I salute the 80 officers and troops who sailed the waters and exercised the greatest restraint amidst intense provocation," he said, adding: "You demonstrated to the world that the Filipino spirit is one that is brave, determined, and yet is compassionate."

Seventy-nine Filipino soldiers received the Kamagi Medal, per the outlet, with Seaman First Class Underwater Operator Jeffrey Facundo receiving the Kampilan Medal, an award given to individuals who are "seriously" wounded or injured.

On June 17, Chinese coast guard personnel rammed their boats into Filipino vessels and boarded and attacked them, according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, which shared photos of the confrontation.

Two days after the incident, the Philippines also released a video that it said showed China Coast Guard personnel wielding an ax, flinging rocks, and slashing boats with "bladed and pointed weapons."

General Romeo Brawner, the Philippines' top military commander, criticized China for what he described as "reckless and aggressive" behavior, which he said happened while the Philippines navy and coast guard were delivering supplies to soldiers in the disputed South China Sea.

He said that the clash resulted in injuries and one soldier losing a thumb.

Brawner described the incident as "a blatant violation of international maritime law, Philippine sovereignty, and sovereign rights."

But China has defended the move, with China's foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian saying it acted in accordance with the law.

The incident is being seen as the latest aggressive act from Beijing in the South China Sea, with others involving lasers, water cannons, maritime militias, and even the alleged poisoning of fishing waters.

However, this latest move by the Philippines is unlikely to calm tensions in the contested waters, and is likely to be seen as a further provocation by China.

"As we award these medals, we remember that on June 17th, we made a conscious and deliberate choice to remain in the path of peace," Marcos Jr. said when bestowing the medals, per the Manila Bulletin.

China has claimed sovereignty over the South China Sea for decades, a claim that was roundly rejected in the Hague in 2016.

On June 15, China enacted a law allowing its Coast Guard to detain foreign vessels and people in waters under China's jurisdiction for up to 60 days, according to a paper by the US Indo-Pacific Command.

Sari Arho Havrén, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute specializing in China's foreign relations, told BI last week that China wants to change the status quo in the waters "by force" and aims to "exhaust" neighboring countries into giving in to its territorial claims.

• This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.
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Hi! The housing market is rough, but you can get a three-bedroom home in pricey San Francisco for $488,000. Just be prepared to wait 30 years to move in.

Also, our sale on a Business Insider subscription ends Thursday. More details here.

In today's big story, Amazon is finally throwing its hat into the AI-assistant ring.

What's on deck:

• Markets: Don't sweat the dip; Nvidia's stock can keep climbing.
• Tech: The fastest-growing career in the US might blow you away.
• Business: The terrifying reality of how young people consume information online.

But first, better late than never.

If this was forwarded to you, sign up here.

The big story

Amazon's got an AI assistant (again)

Amazon is working on an AI-powered assistant to compete with the incumbent in the space.

Before you get any further, you haven't traveled back in time. It's not 2014, and I'm not referring to Amazon's Alexa competing with Siri.

This time, Amazon has its eyes on OpenAI's ChatGPT with a project codenamed "Metis." Business Insider's Eugene Kim has all the details on the new AI assistant based on an internal document he obtained and conversations with people familiar with the project.

The plan is for Metis to offer tech- and image-based answers conversationally and share links to how it sources answers.

In short, it sounds a lot like the AI chatbots you're already familiar with. And that's part of the potential problem.

Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI have all had their AI assistants available for a while. And they're already making big moves.

AI agents (tools that can automate and perform complex tasks based on existing data) were a heavy focus of Google's annual developer conference. Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant tool is a part of the tech giant's strategy to start seeing a return on its AI bets. And ChatGPT was tapped by Apple as a key piece of Apple Intelligence, its version of AI.

Meanwhile, Amazon is showing up noticeably late to the AI-assistant party.

Metis isn't scheduled to launch until September, according to Eugene's reporting, leaving time for its rivals to continue honing their chatbots.

(Apple Intelligence is also launching in the fall, but it's not starting from scratch, thanks to OpenAI. It also has a built-in potential user base of iPhone users.)

Playing from behind has been the name of the game for Amazon with generative AI. The company that's spent the past decade-plus sitting on top was left noticeably behind with the launch of ChatGPT back in 2022.

As disappointing as it might be for Amazon to trail its peers, there are some benefits to not being first. Amazon can see what's worked and what's gone horribly wrong for others.

One potential differentiator for Metis is its plans to offer more up-to-date responses, like the latest stock prices.

But will that be enough to get people to switch allegiances from their favored chatbot? Only time will tell, and that might not be something Amazon can afford.

3 things in markets

1. Bitcoin is approaching an ominous drop-off. The cryptocurrency, which has been falling for the past month, is close to dipping below a dangerous threshold. That doesn't bode well for the token's near future, and it could also signal a downturn for the broader stock market.
2. Moelis banker resigns following viral video. Jonathan Kaye, who ran the investment bank's global business services franchise, has left Moelis after a video circulated online appearing to show him punching a woman at a Brooklyn Pride event. Kaye was placed on leave shortly after the video made the rounds earlier this month.
3. Nvidia's endless ceiling. The AI chipmaker took a dip Monday, dropping more than 6%, but one research firm thinks it has plenty of room to run. Constellation Research said Nvidia shares could rise 65% over the next year, thanks to its CEO and industry with a high barrier to entry. Here are five other reasons Nvidia's business is protected.

3 things in tech

1. Wanted: Apple's next big product. The public's lackluster response to Apple's Vision Pro release in February has led the company to reflect on its next big product. According to Bloomberg, it has its sights set on smart glasses and a more affordable Vision Pro.
2. China's tech bosses are taking efficiency to the extreme. Inspired by Silicon Valley, Chinese tech companies are turning up the pressure on their workers. The increased intensity is in response to the country's top five tech companies losing around $1.3 trillion in market value since 2021.
3. Clean energy for the win(d). Wind power is the fastest growing career in the US, thanks to the country's clean energy transition. The number of wind power jobs is expected to increase 45% between 2022 and 2032, and the average salary listed on Indeed sits around $80,100.

3 things in business

1. Gen Z flocks to the comment section. Instead of trying to fact-check online news, Gen Z tends to rely on other users' opinions to inform their own. In the age of influencers and cancel culture, they're taking cues from their peers rather than traditional forms of authority.
2. BuzzFeed really needs a "Hot Ones" deal, but the market thinks the price is too spicy. BuzzFeed has had a hard time trying to sell "Hot Ones," its viral show. Doing so would help the outlet pay off some of its $119 million debt, putting it in a better position to make a deal with Vivek Ramaswamy, who's been scooping up shares of the digital publisher.
3. A recruiting shakeup has sent young bankers into a panic. A handful of leading private-equity firms, including Apollo and KKR, kicked off recruiting for lucrative positions that won't start for two more years, BI has learned. It marked buyside recruiting's earliest start date on record — and left most candidates with virtually no work experience.

In other news

• Killer of dismembered tech CEO found guilty of murder.
• A top Spotter exec breaks down how AI is changing the creator economy — and why short-form video could be a casualty.
• Groundbreaking study shows why drinking from plastic bottles may increase your risk of type 2 diabetes.
• London VC fund and Depop-backer Octopus Ventures lays off 8 of its investment staff.
• Amazon Outlet is the retailer's best-kept secret. I've saved hundreds of dollars buying name-brand products for over 50% off.

What's happening today

• SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket launches, carrying a NASA weather satellite.
• Arraignment of former Alaska Airlines pilot accused of trying to shut down plane's engine mid-flight.

The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Annie Smith, associate producer, in London. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.

• China's lunar probe returned to Earth with the first-ever samples from the moon's far side. 
• The samples could answer crucial questions about how planets form.
• China is gearing up it's bid to be the new dominant power in space. 

China just took a huge leap forward in its plans to dominate space.

On Tuesday, its Chang'e-6 lunar probe successfully returned to Earth carrying the first-ever samples from the moon's far side. 

A video showed an official triumphantly planting a Chinese flag near the capsule in Mongolia after it glided back to our planet by parachute.

The samples, which include 2.5 million-year-old volcanic rock, could answer crucial questions about how planets form, as well as the moon's history.

But they are significant for another reason too.

They signify China's growing prowess in orbit, as well as its potential to someday leapfrog the US in the race to dominate space.

The moon's far side

The moon's far side is considered particularly challenging to explore because of its craters and the difficulty of maintaining communications with vehicles landing there.

China is the only country to have landed in this tricky terrain and returned with samples. The latest mission, which launched on May 3, is China's second successful landing on the moon's far side, with the first launched in 2019.

Overall, it has soft-landed on the moon four times.

The US, meanwhile, has had less luck. In January, Astrobiotic launched a lander into space, with the aim of it being the first American spacecraft to soft land on the moon since the Apollo era.

But its hopes were quickly dashed after a fuel leak caused a failure in the spacecraft's propellant system.

In February, Intuitive Machines, in collaboration with NASA, achieved a first: landing a US commercial spacecraft on the moon without crashing.

But that had complications. As previously reported by Business Insider, when the spacecraft touched down on the moon, it stopped communicating with mission control.

The recent moon-landing scoreboard is "4 to 0.5" in favor of China, Simone Dell'Agnello, a researcher who collaborated with Chang'e 6, told The Wall Street Journal. "The first difference is that China has missions landing on the fucking moon."

The space race heats up

China is now rivaling the US and Russia as a leading space power. It has its own manned space station, Tiangong, and in 2022 became the second country after the US to land a robotic vehicle on the surface of Mars.

Analysts believe that China's leader, Xi Jinping, sees huge economic and military opportunities in space. China is planning to send a crewed flight to the moon by 2030 and build a base at the lunar south pole.

The US is gearing up for its own space exploration missions and has rival plans to land a crewed flight on the moon and build a base.

The head of NASA, Bill Nelson, has said that the US and China are involved in a new "space race" and that China's research missions are being used for covert military activity.

He said that China seems to be accelerating its plans to send a crewed flight to the moon.

"It is incumbent on us to get there first," told Congress in April.

At stake are water supplies scientists believe may be on the moon's far side, which China could claim. These supplies would be vital for establishing a moon base or for further space exploration.

Pentagon officials have warned that China is seeking to potentially disable US satellites if a war breaks out between them.

China has insisted its space program is for the benefit of humanity.

But it's also a race for control of economic resources and military power in the intensifying rivalry between the US and China.