According to new polling from Gallup, just 46% of Republicans say that marriages between same-sex couples should be recognized as legally valid.
That's down from 49% last year. Support for same-sex marriage peaked at 55% among Republicans in 2021 and 2022.
Just 40% of Republicans said that same-sex marriage is morally acceptable. That's a minor change from last year, but represents a steep drop from 2022, when 56% of Republicans answered in the affirmative.
Overall support for the legality of same-sex marriage in America has hovered around 70%, largely plateauing after years of steady increase.
In many ways, 2022 was a high watermark for GOP support of same-sex marriage.
That year, 12 Republican senators and 39 House Republicans voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill to protect same-sex marriage amid concerns about the practice's standing after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Justice Clarence Thomas had written in a concurring opinion that he believed the precedent should be revisited.
Since then, Republicans have waged an ongoing culture war against portions of the LGBTQ movement, focusing in particular on access to gender-affirming care for transgender people.
At times, that movement has spilled over into broader attacks on Pride Month and gay people in general.
"I think people are conflating same-sex rights with transgender rights, and they are very different issues," Sen. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, one of the Republicans who voted for the same-sex marriage bill, told Business Insider last year.
Yet Johnson hasn't taken aim at same-sex marriage in his new position, and over the weekend, he campaigned for a gay Republican candidate in a New York swing seat.
Ukrainian sea drones are laying mines to damage Russian ships in the Black Sea, the WSJ reported.
Four ships, including missile corvette Samum and patrol ship Pavel Derzhavin, have been hit.
Laying mines by naval drone is part of Ukraine's unconventional warfare program.
Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels are laying undersea mines that have already damaged several Russian warships in the Black Sea, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Brig Gen Ivan Lukashevych, of Ukraine's SBU security service, described to the Journal the development of a specialized Sea Baby drone capable of laying Western-supplied bottom mines — small, 400-pound mines that sit under the sea bed.
According to Lukashevych, once in place the mines can detect a ship's sounds and electromagnetic signals and explode when one is nearby.
The paper reported that the mines have damaged four Russian warships to date, including the missile corvette Samum and the patrol ship Pavel Derzhavin.
While successful attacks on Russian ships using sea drones packed with explosives have been well documented, the use of drones to lay mines has not received the same attention.
But after Russia boosted its defenses at the Crimean port of Sevastopol, making explosive naval drone attacks much more difficult, mines came into play, the Journal reported.
After carefully mapping routes used by both civilian and military vessels last summer, Lukashevych's team sent drones out to lay mines, according to the outlet.
The Samum triggered one of the mines in September, the paper reported. At the time, intelligence sources briefed Reuters and Ukrainan media that it had been struck by a Sea Baby drone.
A month later, the Pavel Derzhavin was damaged by an explosion, attributed to a Sea Baby by unnamed SBU sources.
Two days later, the vessel headed out of Sevastopol for repairs — only to be struck again, this time by one of Lukashevych's mines, the Journal reported.
The tugboat that was sent to rescue it also hit a mine, according to the outlet.
Lukashevych also told the Journal that Ukraine's naval drone operators are now being trained to work in small squads of 10-20 drones, which collectively could replicate the role of a warship.
Despite having no conventional navy, Ukraine continues to punch above its weight in the Black Sea.
Ukraine claims to have damaged or destroyed at least a third of Russia's Black Sea Fleet since the start of the full-scale invasion, a feat that has seen Russia relocate much of its naval operations from its headquarters at Sevastopol to Novorossiysk.
Like turkeys setting the table for Thanksgiving dinner, VCs are backing tech that might lead to their demise.
The generative AI boom was a welcome change for a venture industry looking for a new trend to back (and hopefully profit from).
But the transformative technology could greatly impact the people bankrolling it. The result could be a reduction of roles and changes to how the job is done, writes Business Insider's Ben Bergman.
Some of the adjustments aren't novel to the VC industry. Back-office roles everywhere are ripe for automation from AI, and venture capital is no different.
But things get really interesting when it comes to actual investing. Finding and assessing new startups — often key responsibilities of junior employees — is the type of work large-language models could do more efficiently at a large scale.
VCs won't get entirely automated away by AI — after all, how could they still justify all those fees if they only relied on AI? But a human-AI hybrid approach seems like the future, according to some insiders Ben spoke to.
However, balancing between man and machine for investment decisions isn't easy. Just ask hedge funds.
Long before the generative AI boom, funds dreamed of combining the best of machine-based quantitative strategies and human-led fundamental approaches. The concept — known as "quantamental" — struggled to find success as the two cultures often clashed.
Now consider venture investing, where ultimately, a singular decision needs to be made: invest or don't. When push comes to shove, does man or machine reign supreme?
Scott Stanford, ACME Capital's cofounder, believes major changes are coming for the venture-capital industry.
ACME Capital; Getty Images, Chelsea Jia Feng/BI
The VC industry might be doomed with or without AI.
Stanford's theory is pretty simple: There are too many VCs and not enough exit opportunities. And this isn't a knee-jerk reaction to how chilly the IPO market has been the past few years.
VCs' explosive growth over the past few decades created an "overcrowded, overcapitalized, and overvalued market," Stanford and ACME's cofounder Hany Nada told investors in a recent letter shared with BI.
But if anyone can fix things, maybe it's… VCs? After all, venture investors tout themselves as disruptors who pride themselves on finding and helping to grow solutions for big problems.
Now, VCs might have their toughest task yet: Saving themselves.
News Brief
Your Monday headline catchup
A quick recap of the top news from over the weekend:
Jared Siskin/Getty Images for Madison Square Park Conservancy
A top Jain Global executive explains how the firm will stand out on the eve of its massive launch. Bobby Jain's hedge fund launch has been the talk of Wall Street. Jonathan Barton, Jain Global's chief operating officer, spoke to BI about how the fund is built to quickly grow once it starts trading on July 1.
The end of a US-Saudi deal could dent dollar dominance. Saudi Arabia chose not to renew the landmark "petrodollar" deal that ensured the use of US dollars in the oil trade. That's bad news for the dollar's supremacy. The move is part of the kingdom's grand plan to diversify trade and expand beyond US and European partners.
There is a light at the end of the interest-rate tunnel. A July rate cut, while still a longshot, could be on the table, according to one economist. Jobless claims and housing data show an economic slowdown, which could lead the Fed to finally offer some relief next month.
OpenAI's GPT Store developers are finding new ways to get paid. OpenAI has yet to widely roll out plans to pay developers making applications for its GPT Store — so some are getting creative. They're turning to ads, affiliate links, and "freemium" models to get paid.
Apple accused of breaching EU rules. The European Commission has accused Apple of stifling competition with its App Store. Regulators said the company breached new tech rules by preventing app developers from steering customers to alternatives.
3 things in business
Elif Ozturk/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI
Jeff Bezos' plan to revamp The Washington Post is imploding. Incoming newsroom editor Robert Winnett pulled out of the job Friday morning after a slew of revelations about his past as a writer in London. Meanwhile, Will Lewis, the Washington Post's publisher, has also come under fire. That's bad news for Bezos, who needed the two men to breathe new life into the newsroom.
The American dream of home ownership is becoming an American fantasy. A recent Harvard study found monthly payments for a median-priced home after taxes and insurance have hit about $3,100. That's the highest level it's been in more than three decades. That payment requires a household income of at least $120,000 a year, which only 6% of renters have.
The silver lining of sports betting scandals. The series of high-profile gambling scandals that recently rocked the sports world thrust the long-overlooked issue into the spotlight. Leagues are now focusing on educating athletes who may be betting-prone, and the industry's gotten a lot better at catching bad actors.
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. Grace Lett, associate editor, in Chicago. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York.
Last year, he earned about$110,000 across his two jobs, according to documents viewed by Business Insider.Thanks to this overemployment, he believes he'll be in a financial position to retire in the next five to 10 years and move somewhere abroad with a lower cost of living than the US.
But by the time Adrian's contract for his second job came to an end in March, a big part of him was relieved, he said. He has little desire to be overemployed again.
"I did make a lot more money than I've ever made before, I think it was a smart idea, and it was kind of fun to tell friends about — but life is better now," said Adrian. His identity is known to BI, but he asked to use a pseudonym because of his fear of professional repercussions.
Adrian is among the Americans who have worked multiple jobs — often in secret — to boost their incomes. BI has interviewed roughly 20 of these job jugglers, many of whom work in the IT and tech industries and use the extra money to pay off student debt, save for retirement, and afford vacations and weight-loss drugs. While some companies may be OK with their workers having a second job, doing so without approval could have negative repercussions.
Recently, however, intense competition for remote roles, return-to-office mandates, and burnout have made the overemployment lifestyle unsustainable.
Adrian shared how and why he first became overemployed, his top advice for making it work, and why he's happy to be back to only one job.
Last year, when a recruiter messaged him on LinkedIn about a remote, full-time, contract role, he decided to hear them out.
As he went through the interview process, Adrian realized he might be able to balance both roles. He asked for the highest end of the new job's pay range: $70 an hour.
"If I was going to take something on the side I wanted to be sure it would be worth it," he said.
A few years ago, Adrian would never have made a career decision that was so focused on maximizing his income.
He always believed, "If you love your job, you'll never work a day in your life." He never worried much about his financial future or how much money he was making. It's this philosophy that led him to pursue an "amazingly enjoyable" job — one in an entirely different industry than his current role — that he said paid less than $40,000 a year.
"I didn't really care about making money because I never really thought about retirement," he said. "I just kind of assumed that you work until you're old, then you retire, and it somehow just works out."
But a few years ago, Adrian said he experienced a personal "transformation" that led him to begin prioritizing his financial health and future.
"I would never actually be able to retire by working my old job," he said. "But I never really thought about that, and I did love the life I was living."
He started by looking for a different career path. He went to graduate school, and after a roughly yearlong job search that nearly exhausted his savings, he landed the job he still has now.
Next, he started saving whatever money he could. He and his wife took up house and pet-sitting for a year, which he said allowed him to avoid paying rent as they bounced from home to home every month or so. He also began maxing out his 401(k) and Roth IRA, investing in low-cost index funds, and trying to live in low-cost-of-living areas while keeping his "high-cost-of-living area salaries."
When the opportunity to work multiple jobs came last year, it was just another way he could improve his finances.
What to look for in a second job — and why he's happy to no longer be overemployed
Adrian said that his second employer knew he had a primary job but "didn't care," in part because they were happy with the quality of his work. He never told his primary employer that he took on a second gig, but he doesn't think they would have cared either because he was a "top performer."
Adrian said that before taking on a second job, one should be "very comfortable" with one's main role.
"You need to be comfortable enough with your first job that you feel like you actually have extra time to accomplish other work," he said. He added that it's helpful if both jobs are flexible, independent, and don't have many meetings.
It's also important to make sure you're prepared to have your personal life impacted by your extra workload, he said. This is perhaps the biggest part of job juggling he wasn't fully prepared for — and why he hasn't looked to replace his second job ever since his contract came to an end in March.
While his workload varied, Adrian said he often worked more than 40 hours a week across the two jobs, including on some evenings and weekends. It was manageable, but it began to take a toll.
"Too stressful, too much time away from my partner, can't get outside or go to yoga — not worth it," he said of his overemployment. "I made a bunch of money this past year, but my goals for 2024 are not to maximize my income."
Instead, Adrian said he wants to prioritize his health, social ties, his partner, and "having fun." While he's still much more focused on his finances than he used to be, he said working a second job eventually proved to be a bridge too far.
Even without the extra income coming in, Adrian said he's still in the position to potentially retire before age 50. While he wouldn't rule out pursuing a second job again someday, he said the workload would have to be quite low. For now, he's happy to just have one job again.
"The reduction in stress and time commitments is well worth it," he said.
Are you working multiple remote jobs at the same time and willing to provide details about your pay and schedule? Are you a manager who has experience with overemployed employees? If so, reach out to this reporter at jzinkula@businessinsider.com.
Mark Zuckerberg is becoming more like a style influencer in 2024.
Chris Unger
Mark Zuckerberg isn't style icon by any means, but he's working on it.
After spending years wearing the same thing, the billionaire is changing up his fashion.
The internet is clearly loving Zuckerberg's new expression of himself through clothes.
Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is known more for his accomplishments in the tech industry than his personal style, but it looks like the billionaire is finally taking steps (albeit small ones) toward becoming a fashion icon.
Zuckerberg — who's now worth $177 billion, per Forbes — burst onto the tech scene as a young coding prodigy responsible for the popular social media platform Facebook. All eyes were on him even in his early 20s, and the public quickly noted his laid-back style that consisted mostly of gray t-shirts.
Today, as a 40-year-old father and the head of a tech company that has expanded far beyond friend requests and pokes, Zuckerberg's look is again a topic of conversation.
In April, he debuted a chain necklace with his outfits, and the internet ate it up. Zuckerberg got the meme treatment and comments from his nearly 14 million followers complimenting him on his "drip," or style.
From lavish weddings and a big birthday bash in May to sitting ringside at UFC fights, his Instagram photos seem a little like those of an influencer.
Here's a look at Zuckerberg's style over the years.
Zuckerberg's style as Facebook took off was pretty normal for a twenty-something in the early aughts.
A 23-year-old Zuckerberg dressed a lot like a college student in 2007.
Paul Sakuma/AP
He dropped out of Harvard University to work on Facebook full-time in 2005, and his look at the time was that of a college student heading to class.
In the picture above, he paired his quarter-zip pullover with a pair of blue jeans — jeans which would become a recurring theme in Zuckerberg's life as a public figure.
The subdued outfit didn't really match the feisty attitude Zuckerberg had during the early days of Facebook. He infamously carried business cards that read, "I'm CEO, Bitch."
He's one of the tech execs who influenced the casual dress code of the industry.
Even when addressing his entire company in 2010, Zuck kept it very casual.
Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
Eventually, Zuckerberg became known for his gray t-shirts and hoodies.
The jeans might have ranged from light to dark washes, but he almost always paired them with a hoodie and a comfortable pair of sneakers—he's wearing Brooks tennis shoes in the photo above.
"I really want to clear my life to make it so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community," Zuckerberg said in a 2014 Q&A. "I feel like I'm not doing my job if I spend any of my energy on things that are silly or frivolous about my life."
Zuckerberg spent years wearing essentially the same outfit everyday.
His style didn't change very much from 2010 (left) to 2014 (right).
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, said during an appearance on "The Colin and Samir Show" that Zuckerberg spent many years "not wasting any energy on deciding what to wear."
Instead, he just wore "the same thing every day for a long time as a lot of tech execs have done," according to Mosseri.
"First day back after paternity leave. What should I wear?" he captioned a Facebook post that showed a rack full of the same gray shirts and dark gray hoodies in 2016.
As the years passed, Zuck found ways to elevate the "tech bro" uniform.
The shift in Zuckerberg's style becomes evident in 2019.
Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Around 2018, Zuckerberg's style shifted, perhaps with his fashion meant to reflect his increasing wealth. According to Forbes, he was worth about $71 billion that year.
Instead of a basic shirt and hoodie, the Meta CEO started wearing expensive-looking cashmere sweaters and paired them with better-fitting jeans.
More recently, it appears he's gotten more comfortable with switching up his clothing choices.
He might be a CEO, but Zuckerberg will always find ways to keep it casual like this outfit in 2021.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
The pandemic blurred the lines of what exactly makes an outfit appropriate for work.
Returning to the office post-lockdown has spurred a new conversation about dress code, but when you're the boss, those rules are likely a bit looser.
Zuckerberg is pictured above with Facebook's then-chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, and the former White House Office of National Drug Control Policy advisor Kevin Sabet in 2021.
The trio had just left a session at the Sun Valley Conference, but Zuck looked especially casual next to his peers. He ditched the blue jeans for shorts and completed the outfit with slip-on sandals.
He appears to take more style risks when he's traveling abroad.
Zuckerberg uploaded photos and videos of his trip to Japan on his Instagram and Facebook profiles.
@zuck via Instagram
Zuckerberg and Chan took a trip to Japan in February, and his vacation attire made major waves.
Months before his chain went viral, the shearling jacket he wore while in Japan caught the public's attention. When he was out and about, his Instagram followers saw more of his off-duty style.
Again, it included a neutral top, fitted jeans, and a pair of sneakers — this time white Nike shoes.
The new jacket, a departure from his old hoodies, made for an iconic "jersey swap" picture, with Zuckerberg trading tops with another iconic figure in tech, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
Occasionally, he swaps his casual clothes for a classic suit.
Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan attended the pre-wedding celebrations of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in March.
Reliance Industries via Reuters
Some events call for more formal dress, and Zuckerberg isn't too proud to push back on that.
For court appearances, luxurious weddings, and fancy ceremonies, he typically pulls out a classic black suit.
But for the March pre-wedding celebrations for members of India's richest family, the Ambanis, Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan wore all black, embellished with gold accents. He had a dragonfly on his lapel.
In 2024, Zuckerberg is going viral every few weeks for his new look.
Zuckerberg celebrated his 40th birthday on May 14, 2024.
@zuck via Instagram
The outfit he wore to his 40th birthday party in May cemented Zuckerberg's new era in fashion. He wore a gold chain and a black T-shirt, but unlike his past shirt choices, it had a message.
The top reads "Carthago delenda est," which translates to "Carthage must be destroyed," a phrase famously attributed to Roman historian Cato the Elder. As Business Insider previously reported, it was a rallying cry within Facebook in 2016 when it was competing with Google.
He also previously explained that the new chains are a part of his "process" of designing a "long-term" chain engraved with a prayer he reads to his daughters.
His motive is endearing, and the internet's obsession with the necklaces makes for a lot of viral content and positive attention.
"I love it so much," Mosseri said in June.
Zuckerberg was recently spotted wearing this $1,150 shirt while vacationing in Ibiza.
Zuckerberg wore this Balmain t-shirt during a vacation in Ibiza, Spain.
Balmain
Zuckerberg continued his exploration into designer shirts going during his and Chan's vacation in Ibiza, Spain, People reported. He was spotted wearing this white knit Balmain shirt with the brand's logo highlighted on the chest.
In spite of the hefty price tag, the Meta CEO surprisingly manages to keep this hypebeast shirt in line with his usual simple style. He accessorized with a pair of reflective glasses but kept the luxurious outfit casual with white sneakers and blue shorts.
China's tech workers are facing growing pressure to boost performance from their bosses.
CFOTO/Getty Images
China's tech bosses are pushing their workers as competition intensifies, the FT reported.
They are following a playbook from Silicon Valley, where bosses cranked up the pressure and laid people off.
Don't expect the pressure to lessen as China's economy struggles.
Silicon Valley bosses responded to times of crisis by turning the screw on workers. Now, China's tech bosses seem ready to do the same.
Mark Zuckerberg, Andy Jassy, and other CEOs have resorted to layoffs, return-to-office mandates, and other policies prioritizing "efficiency"in the past two years to combat a sell-off among investors who grew concerned that tech companies became over-bloated and distracted with "fake work" during the pandemic. They planned to show the market that their companies could still deliver out-sized returns and form a central part of the economy — with leaner operations.
Chinese tech companies seem willing to take Silicon Valley's efficiency mantra even further.
That's according to a new report from the Financial Times, which notes that bosses in China are upping the pressure on workers after the country's top five tech companies lost around $1.3 trillion in market value since 2021.
For instance, Richard Liu, the veteran business leader at the helm of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, recently told staff over a video call that employees who "prefer to enjoy life" are "not our brother" and that "we should not be working together," the Financial Times reported Monday.
It's not the first time Liu, whose company's share price fell by roughly half in 2023, has talked tough to employees about the company's direction. In an internal memo in December, the tech boss told employees that "we need to change, or there's no way out for our company," Bloomberg reported.
A key reason this tone has emerged is competition.
Big names on China's tech scene, like JD.com and Jack Ma's Alibaba, have faced a threat from fast-growing newcomers like Pinduoduo, the sister company of online marketplace Temu. Pinduoduo has also been called out for a culture of "extreme overtime" by the likes of the China Labor Watch, a nonprofit organization focused on labor rights in China.
Jack Ma, cofounder of tech giant Alibaba.
Wang HE/Getty Images
As the FT report noted, workers are increasingly using the term "neijuan," which translates roughly to "involution," to describe extreme pressure to outdo competitors, while having smaller and smaller teams to work with. Ma's Alibaba, for instance, cut around 20,000 workers last year.
Chinese tech workers have been no strangers to aggressive work policies over the years.
During their growth in the 2010s, several tech companies in China adopted a so-called "996" working system that demanded 12-hour days from 9 a.m., six days a week.
This policy was once advocated by Chinese business titans such as Ma. Though this brutal working pattern has faced a regulatory crackdown from Beijing, business leaders aren't giving up in their bid to find new ways to pressure workers during a new period of crisis.
Last month, videos posted to Chinese social media showed Qu Jing, public relations lead at internet giant Baidu, setting out expectations of workers, such as being prepared to travel for 50 straight days on business.
"I only care about results," she said in one video.
Qu left Baidu after her comments were made public, but the ferocity of what China's tech workers are hearing isn't abating.
As long as China's economy continues to stutter and competitors claw for consumers, those who want to work in its tech sector may have to keep bending to their bosses' diktats.
Business Insider's reporter stayed at the Phoenician in Scottsdale (L) and the Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, Arizona, offer luxury travel experiences.
The vast majority of hotel rooms in both Phoenix suburbs are upscale.
I stayed in the area's top-rated hotels, the Phoenician and the Hermosa Inn. They epitomized luxury.
Secret exits, private outdoor spaces, high-tech golf carts, dramatic chandeliers, award-winning restaurants, and cowboy artifacts — I saw them all during my trip to Scottsdale without leaving my hotel.
Scottsdale, in particular, draws affluent travelers with its health and wellness scene, upscale dining experiences, and top-tier golf courses. So, it's no wonder the area caters to high-end travel.
Scottsdale has more luxurious hotel rooms than standard ones — 80% of the city's 12,500 rooms are classified as luxury level or higher (upscale and upper upscale), according to a Scottsdale tourism report published in 2022 in partnership with Experience Scottsdale, a travel company that has helped establish the city's luxe tourism reputation.
The only place in the area with a higher concentration of luxury accommodations than Scottsdale — 90% of rooms — is Paradise Valley, the wealthier suburb between Phoenix and Scottsdale.
But tourists see Paradise Valley as a part of Scottsdale, according to the report — probably because the towns are close together and offer comparable pampering experiences and jaw-dropping views.
I recently spent two nights in Arizona and booked one night in each suburb's top luxury hotel.
These similar superlatives made me think the Phoenician and the Hermosa Inn would provide comparable luxury experiences. In reality, the two hotels were completely different.
Still, both showed me why these Phoenix suburbs are hot spots for wealthy travelers.
In Scottsdale, I stayed at the Phoenician — an upscale mega-resort.
The entrance to the Phoenician, a luxury hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
The multimillion-dollar luxury Marriott Hotel opened in 1988 and has been renovated several times to amp up its upscale offerings — most recently in 2018.
The Phoenician has 645 rooms on its 600-acre property at the base of Camelback Mountain. The gated hotel grounds are full of activities ranging from sports to relaxation. It's the kind of hotel with so much to do that guests could spend their whole vacation on the property.
In Paradise Valley, I stayed at the Hermosa Inn, a boutique hotel with a completely different vibe.
The lobby entrance at the Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
The vast majority of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley hotels have more than 50 rooms, making the wealthier suburb's 43-room Hermosa Inn a unique option for those seeking seclusion.
The Hermosa Inn isn't luxurious in a glitzy sense. Instead, it marvels guests by making them feel like they traveled to the 20th-century Western era.
Its roots as a 1930s cowboy's home and studio are evident upon arrival with adobe bricks, beehive fireplaces, historic artwork from paintings to silk, and artifacts like worn saddles and Stetson hats.
I thought the Hermosa Inn was ideal for travelers craving privacy and a personal touch.
The Hermosa Inn has secluded casitas and secret exits.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
The Hermosa Inn's 43 stand-alone casitas are secluded accommodations situated next to discrete exits. Guest service agent Tami Norton told Business Insider that the hotel often hosts celebrities and executives in the public eye, and its small size allows it to accommodate special, personalized requests.
For example, Norton noted a recent guest in town to perform.
"The hours they keep are quite different; they arrive back on the property late at night and need to sleep in during the day," she said of performers. "So that particular guest needed the room totally blacked out before they came. We blacked out everything from the skylight down to the glow of the thermostat."
Norton told BI that actors often have strict dietary restrictions that the kitchen accommodates by ordering special ingredients and portioning them out with a scale. She added that guests can also request small appliances in their rooms for protein shakes and other quick meals.
Both hotels had upscale rooms with king-sized beds, large bathrooms, and private outdoor spaces.
Inside the deluxe room at the Phoenician.
The Phoenician
My deluxe room at the Phoenician was filled with modern furniture with Southwestern accents. From the comfy bed and oversized tub to the balcony, the room epitomized 21st-century luxury.
While the Phoenician room was modern, the Hermosa Inn casita had a more traditional luxury brand.
Inside the author's casita at the Hermosa Inn.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
At the Hermosa Inn, I slept in what was essentially a small house. It was easily the biggest hotel room I've stayed in.
Unlike the Phoenician, the Hermosa Inn's room didn't feel modern at all. The Southwestern vibe was all-encompassing, from the furniture to the decor. It felt more unique than the room at the Phoenician while boasting the same amenities, including a large tub and bed.
The Hermosa Inn room also had a beehive fireplace and a skylight. Rather than a balcony, the one-story accommodation had a private patio.
Both hotels housed renowned dining hot spots.
Award-winning restaurants at the Phoenician (L) and the Hermosa Inn (R).
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
The high-quality dining at each hotel attracts more than just hotel guests with buzzy, award-winning restaurants.
Three of the Phoenician's eight dining venues and bars — Mowry & Cotton, J&G Steakhouse, and Thirsty Camel — have received kudos from Forbes Travel Guide, Open Table, and Trip Advisor, according to the hotel's website.
LON's, the Hermosa Inn's only restaurant and bar, is known by Food & Wine for its romantic vibe. It offers outdoor seating surrounded by vibrant gardens and beehive fireplaces. Open Table has included LON's in its roundup of the best brunch menus in the country for four years running.
The Hermosa Inn's restaurant added a wine cellar 20 years ago for ultra-VIP dining.
Inside the wine cellar at the Hermosa Inn.
The Hermosa Inn
In its 2003 renovations, LON's upgraded its VIP offerings, adding a small dining room in an underground wine cellar and an exclusive tasting menu.
The Phoenician has also gotten several upgrades, including an award-winning, three-story spa with two pools.
The Phoenician is ideal for a rejuvenating trip thanks to its award-winning, three-story spa renovated in 2018.
The dramatic entryway greets patrons with an artistic chandelier and golden details throughout the spa. In addition to massage and facial treatment rooms, a sauna, and a meditation room, the facility has two pools — one on the rooftop — a nail salon, and a dry bar for hair styling.
There's also a fitness room where guests can work with a personal trainer.
The same hotel has five more outdoor pools, including one made of pearl tiles imported from Italy.
The Mother-of-Pearl pool at the Phoenician resort.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
The massive Phoenician pool complex includes a splash pad and an adults-only pool.
But the most luxurious of the five is the serenity pool made of Italian Mother-of-Pearl tiles that cost $1 million, according to the company's website. The hand-placed tiles give the pool an iridescent shine similar to the inside of a sea shell.
The Phoenician Golf Club takes the upscale sport to another level.
A view of the Phoenician golf course from the top level of the clubhouse.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
I'm no golfer, but it's easy to see why those who play would stay at the Phoenician.
The 18-hole course and club, renovated in 2018, wowed me with views and high-tech features. Players rode around the pristine course lined with gardens and fountains against a mountain backdrop in golf carts with GPS screens that stream news and entertainment.
Whether you're looking for a private vacation or one where you don't have to leave the hotel, Scottsdale has it all.
Wide views of the Arizona resorts, the Phoenician (L), and the Hermosa Inn (R).
Joey Hadden/Business Insider, Hermosa Inn
After staying at both resorts, there was undoubtedly more to do at the Phoenician. I could see why travelers craving a mega-resort vacation where they don't have to navigate the city to have a good time would pick the Phoenician for their luxury vacation.
But the Hermosa Inn is a better choice for those desiring a unique and exclusive stay with large, private accommodations and plenty of personal attention.
If you stay at both, as I did, luxury travelers can have it all in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. That's why I think so many wealthy vacationers choose the Arizona hot spot for their getaways.
The vast majority (88%) of people who develop cancer are over 50, and survival rates have improved in recent decades, according to the American Cancer Society. But the number of cancer cases in people under the age of 50 rose by nearly 80% between 1990 and 2019, according to a 2023 study published in BMJ Oncology, up from 1.82 million to 3.26 million globally.
But for many other cancers, researchers aren't exactly sure why rates have gone up in young people, Dr. Daniel Landau, an oncologist specializing in genitourinary cancers and a medical reviewer for Asbestos.com, a resource on mesothelioma, told Business Insider.
Landau said that one of the most prominent theories is that modern lifestyle factors, specifically people leading more sedentary lives and eating more saturated fats, may have contributed to the rise in cancer rates.
Here's how Landau tries to lower his own risk.
Eats a Mediterranean-ish diet
Landau eats a mostly Mediterranean diet.
MEDITERRANEAN/Getty Images
Landau doesn't follow a strict diet, maintaining an "everything in moderation approach."
But he does try to stick to the principles of the Mediterranean diet, which includeslots of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and low-fat protein such as fish. It also features limited amounts of red meat, alcohol, and processed foods.
He does both weight training and cardiovascular exercise because he believes that both are beneficial for cancer prevention "as long as we raise our resting heart rates."
Just 30 minutes of muscle-strengthening weight training exercises can reduce the risk of dying from cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, a 2022 study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found.
Meanwhile, researchers at the University of Gothenburg suggested in a 2023 study that having a good level of cardio fitness when young could lower the risk of developing certain cancers later in life by up to 42%.
Doesn't rely on supplements
A few studies have suggested that turmeric, green teas, and vitamin D may be beneficial for cancer prevention, Landau said, but more research needs to be done to definitely prove that any supplements can prevent cancer.
Taking supplements can also come with side effects. That was shown in a study where women who took vitamin D and calcium supplements were suggested to have a 7% lower risk of dying from breast cancer — but a 6% increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases,potentially because of a build-up of calcium in the coronary arteries.
Landau doesn't take supplements apart from protein powder after a "tough workout."
"I do believe that the best source of nutrition remains to be the food we eat rather than the supplements we take," Landau said.
Doesn't smoke
"There is a strong link between smoking and developing lung or bladder cancer," Landau said.
Nine out of 10 deaths from lung cancer are caused by smoking cigarettes or secondhand smoke exposure, and smoking can also prevent the body from killing cancer cells, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dressing for work can be challenging for younger generations who are new to working in an office.
Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images
Gen Z is still figuring out what to wear for in-person work in an office.
Dressing inappropriately at work can have career consequences.
Fashion designer Christian Siriano advises saving your best outfits for occasions outside of work.
As corporate offices become more populated with in-person workers, a new generation of employees is figuring out what to wear. Gen Z employees are even turning to TikTok for workwear inspiration.
Corporate stylist Maree Ellard previously told Business Insider that exposing too much skin is one of the biggest professional style mistakes she sees Gen Z make. Dressing inappropriately for work is more than just a fashion faux pas — it can also have career consequences when it comes to performance evaluations and promotions.
Christian Siriano, whose designs are beloved by A-list celebrities and first ladies alike, believes it's possible to balance fashion and function when it comes to dressing for the office.
Christian Siriano.
Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SCAD
"The young generation, obviously, always will push forward cool trends that are interesting," he told Business Insider while promoting his partnership with Persil laundry detergent. "They follow their favorite music artist and she's wearing that cool crop top and a big baggy pant or whatever it is. But I do think for work and certain things, there are ways to be in the moment but also feel respectful."
When it comes to dressing for success, Siriano's workwear advice is practical — at the end of the day, work is work. Play it safe and save the daring looks you love for more meaningful settings.
"Don't waste your best outfit in the office," Siriano said. "What, you want to impress your colleagues every day? I think it's more fun to save your best looks for the people that you love being with and hanging out with. If you're going out to dinner, going on a date — that's, for me, where you really save the moment."
My mom and I have had the Portuguese capital on our travel bucket lists for a while and wanted to see everything it had to offer. We flew seven hours from New York to Madrid before hopping on a short hour-and-a-half flight to Lisbon.
We explored different neighborhoods, like Bairro Alto and Chiado, and visited sites such as the Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery.
These were some of the biggest surprises during my first trip to Lisbon.
Editor's Note: The writer took this trip in February 2022.
The first thing I noticed was how much smaller Lisbon felt compared to the other European cities I've visited.
The Bélem Tower is one of the most popular sites in Lisbon.
Rachel Dube
When I visited other European cities, it sometimes took me a while to find my bearings and figure out how to get around. However, Lisbon felt much smaller and easier to navigate.
Even though Lisbon is almost as big as Paris, it felt smaller since everything was so close together.
Almost all of the destinations on our itinerary were within walking distance from where we stayed or just a short ride away from our hotel. The furthest spot we visited in Lisbon was a 25-minute drive away.
Each neighborhood had a distinct feel, and I couldn't believe how easy it was to tell them apart.
We took time to admire the city's pastel-colored buildings.
Rachel Dube
Lisbon is divided into several different neighborhoods, and I had no trouble telling each one apart.
Baixa is a central neighborhood that's home to popular attractions like Restauradores Square, Praça do Comércio, and Rossio; Bairro Alto has some of the city's best nightlife spots; and Chiado is the go-to area for great shopping and beautiful public squares. All of them were worth a visit.
In addition to the above neighborhoods, my other favorites were Alfama and Belém. Tourists should visit each area to take in its unique beauty and ambiance. I found it super interesting to compare their similarities and differences.
Overall, Lisbon didn't feel like New York in the slightest, especially without all the honking and other noises. But I adored the European city's colorful buildings and the way its neighborhoods all intertwined.
I could walk almost everywhere I wanted to go in the city — but it was very hilly.
The view from my balcony at the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz.
Rachel Dube
Before you decide where to stay in Lisbon, it's important to research the city's different neighborhoods, especially if you plan on walking everywhere.
I chose the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz in the Marquês de Pombal neighborhood because it was within walking distance of Baixa and Chiado. Plus, my room had a gorgeous view of the city.
Places were even closer than they seemed on the map. On our first day in Lisbon, the hotel concierge told us to take a taxi to Chiado and Rossio. However, we decided to walk and ended up arriving in less than 30 minutes.
As someone who's always on their feet in New York, this journey was a breeze compared to the daily walks I take with my dog. However, the city is hilly, and walking for too long can be brutal. There's no shame in taking a car back.
Also, Lisbon has a prominent nightlife scene. So if you don't plan on going out or don't want to hear music blasting all night long, you might want to stay in a quieter area.
I'm so glad I visited during the off-season. The temperature was mild, and there were fewer crowds.
When I visited Lisbon in the winter, I was comfortable walking outside with a light jacket.
Rachel Dube
We visited in February, which is considered Lisbon's winter and offseason. It was the perfect time to go.
The city was less crowded than it would've been during the summer season, but the weather was still warm enough on several days of our trip that we could wear light jackets or short-sleeve shirts.
The food, transportation, and souvenirs were more affordable in Lisbon than I expected.
To be fair, prices may have dipped since I visited during the offseason, but I budgeted a lot more for the trip than I ended up spending.
When my mom and I went out to dinner, I spent between $25 and $35 on both meals, which included appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Our most expensive meal in Lisbon was around $45, and we ordered a lot of food.
Prices vary depending on the restaurant. I didn't go to any Michelin-starred eateries during my trip, but I did go to upscale restaurants.
Additionally, the priciest Uber I took in Lisbon was $15, and it went all the way to the other side of the city.
In some other European cities, I spent a lot more money on transportation and dining (many restaurants charged over $50 for an appetizer, two main courses, and a dessert), so the prices in Lisbon were a pleasant surprise.
The famous Pastéis de Bélem were worth all of the hype.
I tried a Pastel de Bélem in Lisbon and talked about the delicious pastry for the rest of my trip.
Rachel Dube
Lisbon is famous for its Pastéis de Bélem, a sweet pastry with custard filling, and they were worth the hype.
Pastéis de Bélem originated at a shop in Bélem with the same name. The rest of the country calls the sweets "Pastéis de Nata," but Pastéis de Bélem come from this specific shop in Lisbon, which has used the same secret recipe to make them since 1837.
When I tried my first Pastel de Bélem, it was heavenly. I completely understood why people raved about them. Not only was the treat delicious, but it was affordable too. Each one cost around $1.34.
Our tour guide said Pastéis de Bélem has crazy lines during Lisbon's busy summer season from June to August, and the shop sells thousands of its pastries each day.
Thankfully, I visited during off-hours in the winter, so I only had to wait a few minutes. But I talked about the pastry for the rest of our trip.
I felt like I only needed a few days to explore the city and regretted not seeing more of Portugal.
We walked by the water in Lisbon, which was very relaxing.
Rachel Dube
The biggest mistake I made when planning this trip was budgeting an entire week for Lisbon. I didn't expect the city to be as small as it was.
I saw the bulk of the city in four days and then spent the rest of the time relaxing. It was nice, but I wouldn't follow the same itinerary if I visit again.
Portugal is a beautiful country, and I would've liked to see more of it. I wish I'd spent three or four days in Lisbon before exploring another area, like Porto.
Pictures didn't do Lisbon justice, so I recommend seeing the city with your own eyes.
The miradouros were the best places to get great views of the city.
Rachel Dube
After arriving in Lisbon, I was surprised by the city's beauty. Though I wouldn't put the Portuguese capital in the same category as Paris or Rome, I was still very impressed by its pastel-colored buildings, ornate tilework, and picturesque scenery.
I'd seen plenty of photos before I visited, but it was still surreal to see Lisbon in real life.
The miradouros, or viewpoints, were the best places to see the city. I visited as many as possible and was amazed by the incredible view at each one of them.
Overall, I'd recommend a visit to Lisbon. From its beauty to its charming neighborhoods, the city is like a real-life watercolor painting.
This story was originally published on August 31, 2022, and most recently updated on June 24, 2024.