I've lived in Paris for three years, and I've always wanted to take a boat tour.
Moriah Costa
I took a boat tour that cruised by nearly all the major monuments in Paris and only cost about $20.
It was crowded, and some buildings were difficult to see, but I found the guide informative.
I'd go on the tour again, and I recommend it to anyone visiting Paris.
I'm an American who's lived in Paris for almost three years. After all this time, I still had one thing on my bucket list: Tour the city by boat.
I took advantage of a good summer weather day and went on an hourlong tour with Vedettes de Paris that cost 20 euros, or about $22.
Over 15 million tourists are set to flood the city this month for the Summer Olympics, and I'm not that interested in fighting through crowds on the streets. Luckily, the boat tour sails by several of Paris' most famous landmarks, so I thought it would be a good way to get my fix from a more comfortable distance.
Here's what it was like.
I made sure I had plenty of time to get to the boat.
The boat pulled away from the dock promptly at 6:30 p.m.
Moriah Costa
I chose to sail on a 6:30 p.m. boat tour and booked my ticket the day before to save some time at the docks.
The tour company recommended arriving 20 minutes early — they start letting people on the boats about 15 minutes before. Because of the construction happening around the Paris Olympics, I gave myself plenty of time to get there.
Being early also allowed me to get a seat on the top deck, where I could enjoy the best view.
We left on time, and a few people missed the boat because they had arrived just a few seconds before departure.
I learned a lot in just one hour.
The tour guide shared facts and tidbits about Parisian history.
Moriah Costa
I've hesitated to go on the boat tour in the past because things like this tend to be very touristy. But I was surprised by how many iconic French monuments I saw and learned about in one hour.
Our path started at the Eiffel Tower and went past Notre Dame before turning around after the Arab World Institute. A live guide spoke about nearly all the monuments we passed in English and French — the company's app also provided translations in other languages.
I wasn't expecting to learn much since I've lived in Paris for a few years, but I actually really enjoyed the guide. The tour was very basic but a good starting point for learning more about a city with so much history.
Although some were slightly obscured, I spotted many of the city's major monuments.
I got a great view of the Eiffel Tower.
Moriah Costa
The boat tour started with a history of the Eiffel Tower before passing by the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais. We also passed by the National Assembly, the Louvre Museum, and the French Academy.
Because of the preparations for the Olympics, some areas were slightly obscured by scaffolding. I was barely able to see the obelisk at Place de la Concorde as it was hidden behind stands.
I was also only able to quickly glance at other monuments like the Tour Saint-Jacques before they disappeared behind buildings.
My favorite part was seeing Notre Dame appear after going under a bridge.
Notre Dame looked beautiful from the water.
Moriah Costa
Notre Dame is one of my favorite monuments, and seeing it appear as the boat came out from under a bridge was incredible. The cathedral is set to reopen in December after a damaging fire in 2019, and they've made a lot of progress on the restorations.
As we continued down the river, many people were having picnics and dancing by the Seine — a popular summertime activity in Paris. Our guide also pointed out the nearby La Tour d'Argent, a famous restaurant with a rooftop terrace.
I think I figured out how to make the tour even better next time.
I'm excited to book another boat tour.
Moriah Costa
Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and seeing it by boat felt very special. The boat was a bit crowded, and there were a lot of families and tourists, but that didn't interfere with my experience at all.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the tour. One thing I'd do differently next time is to go around sunset. If you time it right, you'll return as the Eiffel Tower starts sparkling, which happens on the hour after sunset every evening.
Whether you're on a budget or just looking for a good value, the boat tour is worth it. I definitely plan to take any visiting friends and family in the future.
Andreessen Horowitz's founders are supporting Donald Trump's presidential bid.
Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz explained their choice in a podcast released on Monday.
They pointed to Trump's policies on crypto, taxes, and other tech-related areas.
The founders of Andreessen Horowitz say their choice to support Donald Trump's presidential campaign came down to a few issues, including taxes and cryptocurrency regulation.
Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz explained their choice in an episode of "The Ben & Marc Show" released on Monday.
The episode came the same day as a report that Andreessen and Horowitz are preparing to donate to PACs that are supporting Trump's presidential campaign.
Andreessen recounted his decades of support for Democratic presidential candidates, including an endorsement of Barack Obama in 2008 and his support for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
But in the early 2010s, he said, he started noticing criticism of tech billionaires who were donating their wealth through philanthropy instead of paying more in taxes.
Andreessen said that the "final straw" for switching his support to Trump was Biden's plan for taxing unrealized capital gains. The plan would mean that venture capitalists' equity stakes get "whittled down to nothing," he said.
"This makes startups completely implausible, because why on Earth is anybody going to go do this instead of going to work for Google and getting paid a lot of money every year in cash?" Andreessen said.
Trump isn't the first GOP presidential candidate that Andreessen has supported. He donated money to a political action committee, or PAC, to back Mitt Romney's 2012 campaign.
Andreessen also said he isn't happy with the proposals in Washington, largely from Democrats, to regulate cryptocurrencies.
By contrast, he said, he and Horowitz were impressed by the Republican stance on crypto in the party's latest platform. Under the heading "Champion Innovation," the document says that the GOP "will end Democrats' unlawful and unAmerican crypto crackdown and oppose the creation of a Central Bank Digital Currency."
"We will defend the right to mine Bitcoin, and ensure every American has the right to self-custody of their Digital Assets, and transact free from Government Surveillance and Control," it continues.
"It's just like a flat-out blanket endorsement of the entire space, like a complete across-the-board uniform embrace of the entire thing," Andreessen said. "It's an absolute 180 from what we've been experiencing."
The pair said that they haven't been able to meet with President Biden, but they have had dinner with Trump and discussed a variety of topics, from AI to crypto, Horowitz said.
Andreessen and Horowitz are the latest wealthy figures in Silicon Valley to throw their support behind Donald Trump. Elon Musk formally endorsed Trump following the assassination attempt on the former president and has reportedly said he'll give $45 million each month to a pro-Trump PAC.
Silicon Valley executives, venture capitalists, and others have often lent their support to Democratic candidates in the past. But the recent move toward Trump's GOP marks a shift — and a friction point — for the industry.
Horowitz acknowledged that friction in the episode.
"For Little Tech, we think Donald Trump is actually the right choice," he said.
"And sorry, Mom, I know you're going to be mad at me for this, but we had to do it," he added, looking into the camera.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his palace in Lake Valdai, Russia.
Getty Images, Navalny.com
Putin has denied any connection to the property, but an investigation by the now-deceased opposition figure Alexei Navalny alleged presidential ties to the extensive luxury compound in 2021.
The Pantsir-S1 spotted by Radio Liberty is one of at least seven air defense installations placed within reach of the palace, according to the outlet.
It's unclear exactly when they all appeared, but most have been spotted since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Business Insider was unable to independently verify the report.
An analysis by the Institute for the Study of War, which noted the Pantsir site at Valdai, said that Ukraine's ongoing drone strike campaign had pressured Russia into redistributing "limited" air defense assets over high-value locations.
"The Russian military apparently lacks the required conventional air defense systems to protect all critical facilities within western Russia and has even struggled to cover important potential targets in reportedly well-defended areas within Russia," the ISW wrote.
A few days later, the Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU said that western Russia was struggling to find the technical means to fend off small, slow-moving objects like drones.
VChK-OGPU is a widely read channel that claims to have sources within Russia's state security services.
The channel also stated that since the start of the war, almost all of the region's Pantsir-S1s had been deployed to protect what it called a particularly important facility in Valdai.
According to the ISW, the resulting strains have had a knock-on effect on Russian enterprises and civilian regions.
"Continued pressures on Russia's air defense umbrella have led select regional authorities to explicitly state that Russian companies and local authorities cannot rely on federal-level Russian air defenses and need to provide for their own anti-drone capabilities," it said.
This is believed to be a consequence of the near-stalemate on the front lines, with both sides seeking to make deep strikes in place of being able to secure significant territorial gains.
On Tuesday, Spirit filed an 8-K, which warned of a decline in revenue for the second quarter of this year.
It said it expected revenue of $1.28 billion, whereas previous estimates suggested it could be $1.34 billion. Spirit said this was "primarily due to lower-than-expected non-ticket revenue."
Non-ticket revenue refers to all the add-ons that are a mainstay of the budget airline business model.
That includes things like snacks on board, as well as extra fees for checked bags or picking your own seat.
Spirit estimates that it will earn $64 in non-ticket revenue per passenger segment, which is "several dollars lower than anticipated."
Ultra-low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier have recently come under increased scrutiny. In June, United CEO Scott Kirby told "The Air Show" podcast they are "going out of business" because their business model is flawed and "customers hate it."
However, Deutsche Bank analysts pointed to Spirit's decision to remove most of its change and cancellation fees from May, as well as raising the weight limit of checked baggage.
Looking at the airline's website, there are huge ranges for seat pricing.
Spirit says that requesting a regular seat can cost anywhere from $1 to $200, while its Big Front Seats can cost as much as $900.
The upper limits are likely only in rare circumstances, but the upgrade might still not be worth it. In 2022, Business Insider's Taylor Rains paid $35 for a Big Front Seat on top of a $30 ticket fare.
Snacks and drinks also have a broad pricing range, between $1 and $15.
The airline's bag pricing varies, but Spirit's online calculator only displayed error messages on Wednesday morning. BI reported last month that a carry-on bag on a Spirit flight between New York and Orlando cost $50.
In Tuesday's filing, Spirit blamed the decreased revenue on "incremental pressure on ancillary pricing due to changes in the competitive marketplace."
In simple terms: passengers are becoming less willing to spend money on extras.
Spirit did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
All Saints Catholic College has become one of London's most popular high schools.
All Saints Catholic College
A London high school has tried a radical solution to reduce teenagers' reliance on their devices.
All Saints Catholic College has been testing a 12-hour school day.
The experiment has had positive results, with parents and students both welcoming it.
A London high school has come up with a radical new solution to break teenagers' reliance on their ever-present digital devices: a 12-hour day.
All Saints Catholic College is a government-funded school close to Notting Hill, an area in inner west London that's perhaps best known for the huge annual street party called the Notting Hill Carnival. It's also not far from another tourist mecca: Portobello Road.
The school is in a leafy square less than a mile from Grenfell Tower, the apartment building where 72 people died after a fire broke out in 2017. In just seven years, All Saints has gone from being one of the least popular schools in the city to one of the most oversubscribed in the country.
Headteacher Andrew O'Neil attributes the reversal to several radical initiatives. As we dip between a private organ lesson and a design and technology classprinting keyrings with 3D printers, he explains the most recent change: a school day that runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Smartphones have long been banned at All Saints, but the extended schooldays mean students are not going home at 3:30 p.m. to jump on TikTok or YouTube.
O'Neil is slightly exasperated by the media attention on the smartphone ban. He thinks it's not so much about taking devices away — but about giving students something else to do with their time.
All Saints headteacher Andrew O'Neill.
All Saints Catholic College
He says the pandemic fueled a disconnection between some students and the school — he sees smartphones as exacerbating the problems rather than causing them.
"We did this to rebuild the sense of belonging because of the apathy and the disjointedness and the singularity that we were seeing in terms of how kids were behaving post-pandemic," O'Neil says.
"The thing they liked the most was the togetherness. You put kids together, eating or playing, and they just chat, take the mick out of each other, just do all the things that kids like to do — we're just organizing it for them."
Extended schooldays
The premise is the trial is relatively simple: a school day that runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Students opt into the program and are given breakfast and dinner at school. They do an hour of homework club from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., followed by an activity such as pickleball, art class, or cooking before eating dinner with their peers.
Zacariah Pinto in the playground with some of his fellow All Saints students.
All Saints Catholic College
The program costs families a flat fee of just £10 ($13) a week, regardless of how many days they participate.
Mia Benoit, 12, and fellow Year 7 student Zacariah Pinto are surprisingly upbeat about spending more time at school. They say eating breakfast and dinner with their classmates is "relaxing," and the opportunity to get teachers to help with homework makes them feel less stressed.
"I really enjoyed it," Benoit said. "We had a whole hour of being able to get our homework done, but then after that, we had another hour of getting to do sports or different activities."
Benoit says the extended time away from her phone doesn't bother her given her mother restricts usage anyway. "I'm not allowed to use it for more than two and a half hours, so I don't really mind being without it."
For Pinto, the extended day simply meant he was never going home to an empty house after school; instead he spent his afternoons playing with friends and making new ones.
The flexibility is also a plus, says Pinto, who skipped the longer days on Mondays to get home for piano lessons.
Helping an 'Anxious Generation'
All Saints' experiment with an extended school day comes as concern mounts about the impact of smartphones and social media on teenagers. The bestselling book "The Anxious Generation" by Jonathan Haidt added fuel to the fire by arguing that the rise of smartphones was linked with an uptick in mental illness.
The book (which made JPMorgan's annual list of summer reads) advocates for a ban on social media for children under 16, and the need for phone-free schools.
US Surgeon-General Vivek Murthy also recently called for social media to carry cigarette-style warning labels to warn of the health risks. Writing in The New York Times, he said social media increased the risk that children would suffer anxiety and depression.
Zach Rausch, an associate research scientist at NYU-Stern School of Business and lead researcher for Haidt, called the All Saints trial a "phenomenal" example of the "collective action problem."
"It's giving kids childhood back in many ways," he said. "It just speaks to the collective action problem is that these kids don't necessarily want to be on their phone in their bedroom, but if that is what is happening and that's where everyone is — that's what you're going to do."
While the UK has no formal national rules, several schools including elite college Eton, have taken steps to reduce students' smartphone usage.
Practical problems
Rausch added that while All Saints' initiative was interesting, it could prove difficult to scale.
O'Neil says the school plans to bring back the extended day periodically, rather than on a permanent basis. Practical issues such as funding and the risks of sending kids home late on dark winter nights all need to be considered.
However, the extended school day program has produced some noteworthy results.
Rebecca Fuller, the deputy headteacher, said there was an overall 17% decrease in children not completing their homework and a 15% increase in positive behavior logs from those who participated in the scheme. Students who typically had the most negative logs before the extended school program saw the number fall by 60%.
Rausch said his research had shown that constant access to smartphones and social media only increases social inequality.
"There's an idea that this is closing the digital divide by giving everybody a smartphone," he said. "But in fact, what you're doing is sending the kids who have the hardest time with emotional regulation or who don't have the kind of support structures around them off to manage the time that they're spending alone."
"I worry that it's really setting up a lot of kids for failure in a way that will only increase the divides that we see," he added.
'Transformative' program
Jonathan Brenner, the stepfather of 12-year-old Helena, who took part in the trial, said he noticed a marked difference in his daughter during the program.
Before the longer days, Helena would spend two to three hours on her phone every evening.
"She hardly ever even spoke to her friends verbally on the phone — it's all through digital messaging — which means that her phone was glued to her hand from the time she left school until about 8 on 9 p.m," he said.
He added that she previously had trouble sleeping, which Brenner attributed to the amount of time Helena spent on her smartphone.
The extended days were like an "immediate transformation of our daily lives," he said. "I think the fact that she wasn't on her phone for such a long time helped to calm her down."
Her circle of friends is now more secure, Brenner added: "I think she's realized that her phone doesn't mean her life. She's even started eating with us around the table; she's getting used to not being at home on time and is more interested in our conversations."
We've all heard of being ghosted in the hiring process: You apply for a job and go through a few rounds of interviews, only for a prospective employer to disappear in the end.
But what about jobs that weren't actually there to begin with? So-called "ghost jobs" are roles that employers say they're actively hiring for when they're really not.
And they're a pain point for many job seekers: Fifty-five percent of respondents said it's the biggest challenge they face in the job search in a June 2024 survey of 2,000 US professionals conducted by FlexJobs and MyPerfectResume.
Employers may post bogus job listings for several reasons: They may be trying to give the appearance they're growing or create the illusion overworked employees will have some relief soon. Or, companies may be trying to build their talent pool for real job openings in the future.
Regardless of the reason, there are some signs candidates can look for that suggest a position is likely just a ghost job. One big indicator is if a job post has been up for several months.
"If the job has been posted for 30 days or more, that's something that you could put in the back of your mind and say, 'Well, this posting's been open for a while and they haven't hired anybody yet. Maybe they're not in a hurry to hire,'" says FlexJobs lead career expert Toni Frana. "The sooner you can apply to a job in relation to when it was posted, the better."
If you saw the role advertised on a job site like LinkedIn or Indeed, double-check it's still posted and active on the company's own careers page.
"Sometimes if job descriptions are vague and don't provide a lot of detail to explain what the role actually is, then it's possible that someone from the company may have quickly typed something up and posted it to see if candidates will apply and to see the quality of those candidates," said human resources administrator and former recruiter Jackie Cuevas. "So pay close attention to the actual quality of the job description — the more information, the better."
If you make it to an interview, ask about the timeline for filling the position, says Charnay Horton, a career coach and CEO of resume writing firm Resume Addict.
You can say, "Can you tell me more about the interview process, and when the hiring manager is looking to make a decision?" or "Can you provide additional insight regarding why this opportunity is available?"
You could also consider asking, "How does this position contribute to departmental success?" to gauge how important the role is and how urgently it might need to be filled.
If your point of contact is dragging their feet throughout the process, it might be a sign they're not actively trying to fill the position.
"When employers are actively hiring, they move quickly, especially if you are qualified for the role," Horton said. "They want to get you in front of the hiring manager quickly so that they do not lose you mid-process. If you get a sense that the company is lagging with responses, they may not be serious about filling the role."
Ultimately, you want to "be as proactive as you can in your search," said Frana.
"It's not just about reading the job postings and applying," she said. "You can find out a lot of information on a company's website, on social pages like LinkedIn and Twitter, or if you just do a Google search of the company hiring and see what results you get. That is all information-gathering that can be really helpful for you as a candidate, and it's one of those action steps that helps job seekers focus on the things they can control in the process when so much of it is outside of their control."
The seemingly exorbitant prices displayed on the menu by the door have long kept me from heading inside, but it's no secret this 100-year-old Haut Marais hot spot is among the city's most famous bistros.
It's even said to have welcomed famous patrons like Bill Clinton, David Beckham, Francis Ford Coppola, Keanu Reeves, and Brad Pitt.
With such a reputation, it's perhaps not surprising Europe's richest man, LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault, bought a majority stake in the bistro in June. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
In a statement, LVMH (the French luxury-goods conglomerate that owns big names like Louis Vuitton) called Chez L'Ami Louis "a go-to destination for those seeking an authentic culinary experience in the capital."
Either way, I was curious to try Chez L'Ami Louis and form my own impression.
It was easier to make a reservation in person than by phone
Chez L'Ami Louis has its menu posted outside its storefront.
Kasia Dietz
The restaurant only has about 12 tables, so I knew making a reservation was my best bet if I wanted to get dinner here.
Reservations can't be made online, and I tried to make one by calling but was unsuccessful. (After reading many reviews, it seems it can be hard to get someone from the bistro on the phone).
Since I live nearby, I tried my luck visiting in person on a Wednesday morning in late June. Even before the lunch seating, the atmosphere at Chez L'Ami Louis appeared inviting.
As I entered the pre-war space, I was greeted by crates of fresh fruits and vegetables covering the aged wooden tables. Half a dozen staff were bringing the bistro back to life following its two-day repose (it's closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).
I walked to the back counter, where a solemn man asked if he could assist me. I asked for a reservation in French — a table for two, s'il vous plaît.
He studied his notebook and suggested a dinner seating for the following week. I eagerly booked a table for two on Sunday night.
Our reservation almost fell through, but we got lucky
My husband and I arrived atChez L'Ami Louis promptly at 8 p.m. on the night of our dinner date.
The wait staff was in the midst of their nightly plating performance as I slinked past the 12 buzzing tables to let the host know we'd arrived.
After glancing at the reservation list, he looked back up at me and shook his head. He asked if I'd called yesterday to confirm my table, and my heart sank.
I'd misunderstood when I made my reservation: I had been expecting a confirmation call from them, as is the standard practice by many top restaurants.
Maybe the maître d' was moved by the dumbfounded, desperate look on my face, or we just got lucky. He told us to come back at 9 p.m.
When we returned, all eyes were on us
Chez L'Ami Louis had wood chairs, baskets of fresh fruit, and a busy floor pattern.
Kasia Dietz
After a convivial apéritif in the neighborhood, we returned to the same curious stares from diners who were now onto their next courses. I smiled graciously as a nook was cleared, and we settled into the salmon-cloth-covered table.
Oval mirrors lined the brown lacquered walls, and the trippy black-and-white tiled floor felt like a statement. Near the open kitchen, baskets overflowing with ripe fruit looked prepped for a royal banquet.
A server in a white button-down and black tie brought us menus, and asked if we preferred still or sparkling water.
The prices were still a bit tough to swallow
I'd been intimidated by the Chez L'Ami Louis prices before.
Kasia Dietz
I was tempted to order the fish of the day, but the price seemed so high — 150 euros (about $163) — that I'm not sure I would've been able to really enjoy it.
Was the côte de bœuf(rib steak) for two more reasonable at 205 euros? I wasn't sure. I've seen fish and meat dishes cost less at even Michelin-star restaurants.
We settled on the signature dishes of escargot (50 euros) and roast chicken (clearly for two with a price tag of 120 euros), then asked for the wine list.
A leather-bound tome arrived with an extensive selection of wines from around the country.
Chez L'Ami Louis has an extensive wine list.
Kasia Dietz
The bistro's well-stocked cellar apparently has thousands of bottles. With house wine at 25 eurosa glass, we ordered a half bottle of Bordeaux at 65 euros, which felt like a bargain.
An international crew of locals and tourists surrounded us
We sat among people who seemed to be regulars, tourists, and elite diners.
Kasia Dietz
While devouring a sky-high plate of toasted baguette with heavenly demi-sel (slightly salted)butter, I scanned the animated space to discover a room filled with faces both local and foreign.
At a nearby table, I recognized a fashion model used in a campaign by a Parisian brand whose clothing I happened to be wearing. The ladies next to us were from Toronto and eager to share details of their stellar meal.
To our other side sat a group of Frenchmen who appeared to be regulars, engaged in spirited conversation with the person who seemed to be running the bistro.
Our first dish arrived — and every buttery bite of it was sensational
We ate butter, bread, and escargot first.
Kasia Dietz
Our anticipation grew along with our appetites as we observed overflowing trays of grilled beef and roast chicken passing overhead.
At last, our escargot arrived dripping in butter and garlic. We savored every one of our dozen succulent snails.
Our order of escargot came with a dozen snails.
Kasia Dietz
Once the bread and butter were deftly whisked away and the silverware refreshed, the main act began.
I quickly learned why the roast chicken is one of the bistro's famous dishes
Our Chez L'Ami Louis roast chicken was brought out on a silver tray at first.
Kasia Dietz
After a brief acquaintance with our roast chicken, it was returned to us in parts and accompanied by a towering plate of shoestring fries.
With his first bite, my husband announced, "This is the best roast chicken I've ever had."
The fries were particularly delicious when dipped in the juices of the chicken.
Kasia Dietz
With a mouthful of tender, wood-oven-roasted chicken, I nodded in agreement. I also couldn't resist dripping the fries into the rich gravy composed of goose fat and butter.
By the second serving of the chicken (which, in its entirety, I think could've easily fed a family of four), my husband accurately described the meal as "French traditional eating at an excess."
Perhaps it's the excess that makes this restaurant worthy of its elite status.
I wish I'd saved more room for dessert
The chocolate cake at Chez L'Ami Louis was creamy and decadent.
Kasia Dietz
After our meal, we were so full that I understood why the lighter triple serving of seasonal red fruits with freshly whipped cream (26 euros) was a popular dessert choice.
But tempted by chocolate, we ordered the rich gateau au chocolat (25 euros) and were not surprised by the generous portion. It was more than enough for the two of us.
The chocolate cake was creamy, decadent, and very much on the sweet side. It was easy to inhale, and I particularly enjoyed its crunchy bottom layer.
Our meal cost nearly 300 euros, but I left with a smile on my face
I enjoyed my meal at Chez L'Ami Louis.
Kasia Dietz
Without cleaning my dessert plate, we paid the bill totaling 272 euros and left the still-bustling bistro smiling and satiated.
Maybe Arnault was just as charmed by his own Chez L'Ami Louis dining experience — so much so that he felt inspired to add the bistro to his portfolio.
But as for me, I'd definitely recommend Chez L'Ami Louis to those looking for an authentic French bistro experience. Just make sure you confirm your booking, dine with gourmands, and stay open to asking for a doggie bag.
Elon Musk plans to move the headquarters of X and SpaceX to Texas.
Richard Bord/WireImage/Getty Images
Elon Musk is ready to make Texas his home state.
The billionaire wants to move X and SpaceX's headquarters to Texas, where Tesla is already based.
It remains to be seen if others will follow his lead.
When Tesla shareholders took Elon Musk's side in a vote last month to reincorporate the company in Texas, the world's richest person sounded a hopeful tune: "I think we're not just opening a new chapter for Tesla, we're starting a new book."
He'll be hoping his people side with him again on his latest brainwave. Musk said on Tuesday he was ready to shift the headquarters of two of his other companies — X and SpaceX — from California to the Lone Star State.
In a post on X, he claimed the trigger was the passing of a new gender identity law in California on Monday that attacked "both families and companies," though it's clear Musk's exit from the Golden State has been on the cards for some time.
Musk has already undertaken this relocation exercise before, moving Tesla's headquarters from California to Austin in 2021. But by shifting his two other major companies there, he will look to establish Texas as Musk Country.
Musk is betting others will follow suit. In an X post he confidently asserted that "many will follow" him to Texas in response to a post from venture capitalist Jason Calacanis saying he was "done with California" for the same reason Musk cited.
The Tesla chief already knows the shareholder base is very animated about Texas, of course.
More votes poured in from shareholders on the topic of the electric vehicle maker's reincorporation in the state than they did for a decision on Musk's multibillion pay package, per charts he shared on the shareholder resolutions presented at last month's Tesla annual meeting.
Musk seems to have succeeded in rallying others around other causes in recent times, too. Some tech leaders have boosted support for Donald Trump following Musk's loud tirades on X in support of the Republican presidential nominee.
Other tech companies, like Oracle, meanwhile, have decided to do the opposite. The tech giant led by Larry Ellison shifted its headquarters from Redwood City, California to Austin in 2020, but announced in April that it was moving again to Nashville.
Larry Ellison said he was moving Oracle's headquarters away from Texas this year.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Ellison — who's seventh on Bloomberg's list of billionaires worth $158 billion — chose Nashville because it was a "fabulous place to live," raise a family, and have significant exposure to the healthcare industry Oracle is invested in.
Time will tell if Musk follows through on his vow to move X and SpaceX south. Failing to do so would not be the first time he's said one thing and done another, though.
Inflation hasn't slowed the industry down, and costs might not be done rising, either. In December, Carnival CEO David Bernstein told investors the cruise line is "well positioned" to drive its prices up this year.
As a frequent cruiser who's sailed more than 50 times, I've navigated these increases over the past few months and found cruises are still a better deal than trips on land.
Cruise accommodations can be cheaper than hotel rooms, especially in popular destinations
Last summer, my family of three booked a 10-night European cruise to Norway and Iceland on the Norwegian Prima.
Our cruise fare alone amounted to just over $5,000. Although I secured a discounted price by booking during a last-minute sale, this was the most I've ever paid for a cruise.
Before I booked, I priced out hotel rooms throughout Norway and found that even basic stays in most destinations topped $300 a night.
Food costs were equally staggering: A basic medium McDonald's meal in Norway can be nearly $15. Finer fare, similar to what's included on cruise ships, costs even more.
After adding the train tickets, rental cars, and tour buses needed to get around the country to see as many places as we'd see on the cruise, my daily costs jumped even higher.
By comparison, my cruise offered a nearly all-inclusive experience that bundled dining, transportation, and more into one straightforward fare for about $500 a night.
It also included access to Broadway-style shows, pools, water slides, and family-friendly activities as we sailed between our itinerary's seven ports of call. And as a mom, having access to a ship's complimentary kid's club was priceless for getting alone time.
A side-by-side analysis of costs and ease of travel makes cruising a no-brainer
With a cruise, everything is simple. I don't have to waste precious vacation time trying to navigate an unfamiliar country.
Amanda Adler
As I broke down my costs for a potential land-based trip through Norway, it became even more obvious that cruising was the less expensive option for my family.
Estimated costs for a 10-day Norway land-based trip for my family of three:
Hotels: $300 per night = $3,000
Transportation: $150 per day = $1,500
Excursions & Entertainment: $200 per day = $2,000
Dining: $200 per day = $2,000
Total: $8,500
(I excluded airfare, a necessary cost for both land and sea trips.)
Although my cruise's $5,000 initial price tag felt steep, this breakdown showed me it was far cheaper than the alternative.
Plus, I'd save so much hassle by not having to map out logistics myself and keep track of a slew of independently booked activities every day.
Sailing on a cruise can also get you premium ocean-front views at a palatable price
As a Floridian, I live near a major cruise port and don't always have to fly to go on a cruise. However, when comparing the costs of a beachfront hotel close to home and a Caribbean cruise setting sail from a local port, the latter still generally comes out ahead.
An ocean-view room at a nice hotel can cost upwards of $450 a night, and that price doesn't include dining or entertainment. Plus, hotel prices are also on the rise, up 40% to 50% compared to 2019.
Meanwhile, a three-night sailing on the Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, can cost $533 a night. Given newer ships command more premium prices, I could likely snag a sailing on one of its other ships for even less.
At sea, I can enjoy included dining and entertainment, ocean views, and stops at beaches for an overall cost that rivals land-based hotels.
Cruise pricing and demand have changed the way I book, but I'm still sailing
After years of cruising on a whim, I've changed the way I book my trip.s
Amanda Adler
With high demand for cruises, I've found deals are getting harder to come by.
Although I snagged a last-minute booking to Europe last summer, this year's search yielded mostly high prices and sold-out sailings.
But given everything included in these types of vacations, I'm still willing to pay for them, even if they cost me much more than before.
That said, my days of cruising on a whim are over. Travelers need to make reservations early to secure spots on in-demand ships.
I just booked my family on a cruise around New Zealand that's not setting sail until December 2025. It feels strange to book a trip this far out, but at least I have time to save up for the cruise's eye-watering $9,000 price tag.
Former president Donald Trump and his vice president pick, Sen. JD Vance, at the RNC conference in Milwaukee. Vance has suggested US military focus should be on China.
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images
Donald Trump on Monday selected Ohio Sen. JD Vance as his 2024 running mate.
Vance has suggested the US should focus on the threat presented by China, rather than Russia.
But Russia and China are working together against the US, say analysts.
Donald Trump unveiled his vice president pick and likely political heir, Ohio Sen. JD Vance, to a rapturous welcome at the RNC conference in Milwaukee this week.
Vance, like Trump, has long cast doubt on the necessity of the US commitment to NATO, which for decades has been the main bulwark against Russian aggression in Europe.
He has also questioned US support for Ukraine in its battle against the Russian invasion.
A US withdrawal from NATO could pave the way for a Russian victory in Ukraine and, European leaders fear, an attack on NATO itself.
Instead, Vance, in common with other so-called "Asia First" Republicans, wants the US to instead focus on what he views as a far greater challenge to US security: China.
In a Monday interview with Fox News, Vance called China the "biggest threat" to the US, adding that Ukraine was a distraction.
Vance claims that the US needs to counter China's economic might, and has backed an increase in tariffs on China that he claims would help boost US industry.
Supporters of refocusing on the China threat believe that the US needs to pick its battles carefully. They believe Ukraine is draining resources the US might need in a confrontation with China, which has the world's largest military.
"China's rapid military build-up has changed the calculus, especially for the 'Asia First' crowd, who see US allies in Europe as more than capable of carrying a heavier burden when it comes to their own defense," said Graeme Thompson, an analyst with the Eurasia Group.
But there's a major problem with that view, say analysts.
China and Russia are working together
Focus solely on the threat posed by Beijing ignores the extent to which China and Russia are interlinked.
"Retrenchment in the face of Russian aggression in Europe would undermine US strategic competition with China in the Indo-Pacific, not enhance it," wrote Michael Green, an analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Gabriel Scheinmann, the executive director of the Alexander Hamilton Society, in an article in Foreign Policy in the wake of the 2022 Russian invasion.
Far from being isolated threats that the US can separate and prioritize, Russia and China are, in fact, working closely together to topple US global power.
China has provided Russia with diplomatic, economic, and military support in the form of dual-use goods for its war in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin alongside China's leader Xi Jinping in May. Allowing a Russian victory in Ukraine would empower China, analysts say.
Kremlin via Anadolu via Getty Images
In the past month alone, China has held joint military exercises with Belarus, a Russian ally, on NATO's border, and the Chinese and Russian navies have engaged in joint naval exercises.
"Though one could certainly articulate putting a region first in terms of resources and effort, ignoring one of the threats altogether makes little strategic sense," Paul Cormarie, an analyst at the RAND Corporation, told Business Insider, pointing to the close cooperation between the authoritarian powers.
According to critics of Vance's position, by allowing Russia to seize territory and build its military power in Europe, the US would be helping embolden China's aggression.
It's a threat that US allies in East Asia understand clearly, with Japan having provided Ukraine with billions in aid, knowing that a defeat for the European country directly increases the threat it faces from China. Taiwan and South Korea have also provided Ukraine with support.
Will Trump and Vance follow through?
It remains to be seen whether, if elected, Trump and Vance will follow through on their rhetoric, reduce US NATO support, and compel Europe to pay for its own security.
Despite his incendiary claims on the 2016 campaign trail, Trump, while in office, continued to support NATO. Vance himself has said that US allies in Europe should not be entirely abandoned but simply placed lower on the list of US security priorities.
But this time, observers say, Trump likely won't be retrained by figures such as HR McMaster or James Mattis, officials in his administration who acted as "guardrails" diverting the president from acting on rash impulses.
Instead, he'll likely be surrounded by figures such as Vance, who back his hardline brand of nationalism and narrow focus on China.
Indeed, Trump's former national security advisor, John Bolton, believes that Trump would almost certainly seek to withdraw the US from NATO if elected.
A second Trump term could lead to celebrations not just in Moscow, but in Beijing if Trump and Vance act on their declared hostility to NATO and US support for Ukraine.