• How 2 issues in a week with the world’s most popular plane spooked Airbus investors

    A Latam Airlines Airbus A320 sits on the tarmac at El Dorado airport in Bogota on November 28, 2025
    The Airbus A320 has faced a software recall and quality issues over the past few days.

    • Airbus has had a turbulent week.
    • It issued a software recall for an issue found after a JetBlue flight suddenly pitched down.
    • Then it confirmed a quality issue with metal panels affecting some planes already in service.

    It's been a bumpy few days for Airbus and its best-selling airliner.

    The planemaker issued a software recall for some 6,000 A320 family jets on Friday, before confirming on Monday that it had identified a quality issue with panels on some planes.

    Markets were spooked when Reuters first reported the quality issue: Airbus shares dipped as much as 11%, their biggest decline since April.

    It pared some losses after the company issued a statement. Investors also appeared somewhat reassured when shares rose 4% on Wednesday, even as Airbus cut its 2025 delivery target.

    Even with that rise, Airbus' share price remains down by around 8% over the past month.

    However, hundreds of A320s need to be inspected, including some that have already been delivered to airlines.

    This episode began on October 30, when a JetBlue A320 suddenly pitched downward during a flight from Cancún to Newark. At least 15 people were injured, and the plane diverted to Tampa, Florida.

    Europe's aviation safety agency then issued an emergency airworthiness directive on November 28.

    It said Airbus found the JetBlue incident was due to a malfunctioning computer system called the ELAC, which controls the plane's pitch and roll.

    Airbus said that "intense solar radiation may corrupt data critical to the functioning of flight controls." A preliminary report into the incident is yet to be published.

    Thousands of planes required software fixes over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Although many airlines were able to roll this out overnight with minimal disruption. Fewer than 100 A320s were still grounded by Monday.

    Airbus A320 Neo test at Toulouse Blagnac airport, in Toulouse on 05th December 2022
    The Airbus A320 is the world's most popular commercial plane.

    Another issue rears its head

    Following a Reuters report, Airbus confirmed a quality issue with metal panels on some A320 aircraft, the firm's best-selling plane and the main competitor to the Boeing 737.

    An Airbus spokesperson told Business Insider that a supplier's production process resulted in panels being either too thick or too thin.

    Citing a leaked presentation, Reuters and Bloomberg reported that up to 628 planes were affected, with over 100 already delivered to airlines.

    Airbus declined to comment on the precise figures, but confirmed that planes potentially affected include both those in production and those in service.

    The spokesperson said up to five panels per aircraft could be affected, located behind the cockpit and on both sides of the two forward doors. They also said it was not a safety issue.

    "As it always does when faced with quality issues in its supply chain, Airbus is taking a conservative approach and is inspecting all aircraft potentially impacted — knowing that only a portion of them will need further action to be taken," they added.

    Airbus was previously targeting 820 commercial aircraft deliveries this year, but has now reduced that to 790.

    This month typically sees a big push in production as manufacturers try to reach their annual targets.

    Deliveries are a key metric for financial analysts, and the target reduction reassured some investors. Airbus also maintained its financial guidance for the year.

    It's due to report November's delivery figures on Friday.

    The European planemaker's share price is still up nearly 24% this year. However, the past few days serve as a reminder of how things can suddenly change in aviation.

    Airbus' A320 overtook the Boeing 737 as the most popular commercial airliner this year, following safety concerns at the American manufacturer.

    But Boeing has been turning around, with the latest evidence coming on Tuesday. Its share price jumped 8% after its chief financial officers told a UBS conference that deliveries were expected to increase next year, and it is up nearly 30% since December 2024.

    Have something to share? Contact this reporter via email at psyme@businessinsider.com or Signal at syme.99

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Is Warren Buffett sending a quiet warning to investors? Here’s what you need to know.

    Legendary share market investing expert, and owner of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    Key Points

    • Berkshire Hathaway is holding an enormous amount in cash and short-term investments as of the third quarter of 2025.
    • Some investors worry that this implies a significant market downturn could be coming.
    • However, the situation is not as dire as some people may think.

    There are few names in the investing world that have as much of an impact as Warren Buffett, so when the stock market mogul speaks, it often pays to listen.

    Some investors have noted that Buffett’s holding company, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)(NYSE: BRK.B), has been stockpiling cash in recent years. In fact, in the third quarter of 2025, the company’s cash holdings reached a record high of nearly $382 billion. That figure has ballooned over the last year, leading some investors to worry that Buffett is predicting a market crash.

    Should investors exit the market now? Or is it safe to keep investing? Here’s what you need to know. 

    Why is Buffett stockpiling cash right now?

    On the surface, Berkshire’s significant cash holdings may seem to suggest that the market is overvalued. Some investors may take it a step further and assume that a serious market downturn is looming. But there are many reasons why a company may hold a substantial amount in cash.

    BRK.B Cash and Short Term Investments (Quarterly) data by YCharts

    The market as a whole has earned record-breaking returns over the last few years, and it’s not uncommon for investors to rebalance their portfolio or engage in some profit-taking by selling a portion of their shares at these high prices — leading to greater cash holdings.

    At the same time, there’s a good chance that Berkshire is simply waiting for the right investment. Buffett has famously rigid standards when making investment decisions, so stockpiling cash likely has less to do with general market uncertainty and more to do with the fact that there are fewer appealing investment options available right now.

    “The one problem with the investment business is that things don’t come along in an orderly fashion, and they never will,” Buffett noted in Berkshire’s 2025 annual meeting when asked about the company’s cash stockpile. “We’d spend $100 billion, and those decisions are not tough to make, if something is offered that makes sense to us and that we understand and offers good value.”

    What does this mean for you?

    Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Buffett’s investing strategy is to focus less on how the market will impact your portfolio and more on being choosy about where you buy.

    There’s never a wrong time to invest in the stock market as long as you’re investing in the right places. If a company has solid fundamentals, offers value, and has room for growth, now can be a fantastic time to buy — no matter what the market does in the coming weeks or months. Those stocks are always out there; it’s just a matter of finding them.

    This approach is more important now than ever. Many stocks may be overvalued at the moment, and sometimes, even weak companies can see their stock prices soar when the market is surging. Those investments may look appealing on paper, but if they don’t have healthy foundations, they’re likely to stumble hard during the next correction or bear market.

    “[F]ears regarding the long-term prosperity of the nation’s many sound companies make no sense. These businesses will indeed suffer earnings hiccups, as they always have. But most major companies will be setting new profit records 5, 10 and 20 years from now.” — Warren Buffett, The New York Times, 2008

    Strong companies will very likely bounce back from whatever the market throws at them, going on to experience long-term growth. The more of these stocks you own, the less you’ll need to worry about the next market downturn.

    Berkshire Hathaway’s enormous cash pile may be worrying to investors concerned about a stock market crash, but Buffett himself is not sounding any alarms. Rather, his timeless advice to invest only in companies that provide value and have potential for long-term growth can make it easier to navigate these uncertain times. 

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    The post Is Warren Buffett sending a quiet warning to investors? Here’s what you need to know. appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. right now?

    Before you buy Berkshire Hathaway Inc. shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Berkshire Hathaway Inc. wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 18 November 2025

    .custom-cta-button p { margin-bottom: 0 !important; }

    This article was originally published on Fool.com. All figures quoted in US dollars unless otherwise stated.

    More reading

    Katie Brockman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Berkshire Hathaway. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • OpenAI’s chief researcher says Mark Zuckerberg ‘hand-delivered soup’ to an employee in a recruiting effort

    Sam Altman; Mark Zuckerberg
    Stories have floated about Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally delivering soup to poach employees at Sam Altman's OpenAI, according to OpenAI chief research officer Mark Chen.

    • OpenAI has been raided for some of its talent in recent years by rivals like Meta.
    • OpenAI's chief research officer Mark Chen said Meta went after "half" of his direct reports.
    • Chen said his colleagues declined, but Meta has successfully recruited some OpenAI talent.

    It's been said that the way to one's heart is through their stomach. It sounds like Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg wanted to see if the AI talent war, or at least one skirmish, could be won the same way.

    Mark Chen, chief research officer at OpenAI, recently said that Zuckerberg personally delivered homemade soup to an OpenAI employee as part of a campaign to recruit the unnamed worker to Meta.

    "It's been kind of interesting and fun to see it escalate over time. You know, some interesting stories here are Zuck actually went and hand-delivered soup to people that he was trying to recruit from us," Chen told Ashlee Vance on the author's "Core Memory" podcast.

    Chen said Zuckerberg's move was "shocking to me at the time" but since then, he said he's returned the favor.

    "I've also delivered soup to people we've been recruiting from Meta," Chen said, laughing.

    The poaching efforts focused on OpenAI's researchers and engineers underscores the company's position in the AI race, Chen said.

    "We're always under attack," Chen told Vance. "This is how I know we're in the lead, right? Any company starts, where do they try to recruit from? It's OpenAI. They want the expertise, they want our vision, our philosophy of the world. And we've made so many star researchers, right? I think OpenAI, more than anywhere else, has been a place that makes names in AI today."

    Arguably, no other rival tech company has been as aggressive in the so-called AI talent wars against OpenAI as Zuckerberg's Meta.

    In June, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said that Meta tried to lure some of his engineers with $100 million signing bonuses. The CEO said at the time that none of his top talent was poached, but ChatGPT co-creator Shengjia Zhao later joined Meta's Superintelligence Lab.

    Chen said that Meta tried to recruit "half" of Chen's direct reports unsuccessfully, but that OpenAI has been "fairly good" at retaining top talent. A Meta spokesperson declined to comment.

    Top AI researchers have become a hot commodity in the AI race, as it's generally believed that there is a relatively small number of researchers and engineers capable of achieving breakthroughs or building new LLMs from the ground up.

    "It's like looking for LeBron James," Databricks' vice president of AI, Naveen Rao, told The Verge's Command Line newsletter last year. "There are just not very many humans who are capable of that."

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • I’m 47 and quit my job without having anything else lined up. I didn’t want to live a life with regrets.

    Professor in class
    The author quit her teaching job without another job lined up.

    • I quit my job as a business school professor, and it took years of courage and planning.
    • Even though people close to me advised me against quitting, I am excited to pursue meaningful work.
    • Change can be scary, but I'm excited to reinvent myself.

    For years, I had wanted to resign from my job as a business school professor at a small private university. Yet I didn't have the courage. My salary was decent, my hours were flexible, and I had friendly coworkers.

    From the outside, it made no sense for me to leave my job. I was unhappy, but most people seem dissatisfied with their work.

    I burned out after layoffs

    With recent news stories about quiet quitting, job-hugging, and significant organizational layoffs, coupled with increased daily living expenses, I knew I should be grateful for employment. As someone who teaches Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change, I knew it was not advisable to leave a job without filling a gap in my résumé by securing another position.

    Yet I was unhappy and unfulfilled in my role. When a large round of layoffs occurred over a year ago, many of my peers and friends left the organization, leaving me with an unreasonable workload for one person. In addition, my family had unexpected health issues, and I needed to be more at home.

    I got burned out. My work was out of alignment, and my personal values did not align with those of the organization.

    I dreamed of flying to another universe on the magical, luck-bringing dragon-like creature from the 1980s movie The NeverEnding Story, or purchasing a ticket to Europe or a beach destination and going on an extended vacation.

    I didn't want a life of regrets

    Life is short, and many of us are living on autopilot. We dream of retirement, but for most of us, that is many years away. I did not want to look back on my life and have regrets.

    So, I quit. When I sent off my resignation letter, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders, and it felt so good.

    My husband and I figured out our new budget and made some lifestyle adjustments to allow me to re-energize, spend quality time with my family, and figure out my next professional steps.

    I have seen many stories of people who quit their jobs and travel the world. While this sounds dreamy, being a mom of three active kids, having a husband with a non-remote job, and older parents I want to support, the Eat, Pray, Love lifestyle was not in the cards for me.

    I've been spending more time with my kids

    Since I quit, I have been leaning into work and experiences I enjoy. I am writing my next book, have been teaching as an adjunct, earned a new executive coaching certification, and have done some corporate speaking and consulting. I am relaunching my business and am having fun.

    My kids and I have also been doing some budget-friendly traveling. I have a 4th grader, and we have been using the Every Kid Outdoors program, sponsored by the National Parks, which gives 4th graders and their families free entry to national parks.

    Mom with kids at Yellowstone
    The author has been spending more time with her children.

    We visited family in California, drove to Yellowstone National Park, and did some amazing hikes. We also took a road trip to Yellowstone National Park, where we saw Old Faithful and learned about the geothermal activity.

    I helped my son publish his first children's book, "Tommy the Tap-Dancing T-Rex," which then inspired my older son to finish his book, too.

    I work from our kitchen table

    While I am not yet earning the same amount of money I earned in my salaried job, I am following the energy of what lights me up.

    My new office is at the kitchen table. While my workspace may not be glamorous, I appreciate the flexibility to pick up my kids from school and have my dog by my side.

    Woman working from home
    The author now works from her kitchen table.

    Change can be scary, but sometimes it's the push we need for growth.

    I still struggle with career and identity, juggling both professional and personal identities and supporting my family doing work I enjoy, and being in the role of a parent, daughter, and spouse.

    I hope quitting was the right move and am trusting that the right opportunities will reveal themselves as long as I keep showing up and putting in consistent action.

    We get this one life, so it's up to us to make the most of it. I am redefining my definition of success to include a life well lived, both professionally and personally.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Everyone loves Le Labo — so I tried 6 of the brand’s popular fragrances and ranked them from worst to best

    A sign for the Le Labo store in San Jose, California.
    Le Labo is known for its luxury fragrances, which can cost over $1,000 per bottle.

    • Le Labo, a luxury fragrance brand founded in New York, is known for its attention-getting scents.
    • I tried six of the brand's most popular perfumes and ranked them from worst to best.
    • Santal 33 is overrated, in my opinion, while Lavande 31 deserves more hype.

    It doesn't matter if you're a celebrity, a successful businessman, or an everyday fragrance fanatic. It seems like everyone loves Le Labo.

    The New York City brand was founded by friends Fabrice Penot and Edouard Roschi in 2006 and grew so popular that it was purchased by Estée Lauder Companies in 2014.

    It's known for creating memorable, luxurious scents that smell unlike anything else. Bottles retail between $110 and $1,125.

    I first tried the brand at the end of 2024, testing Santal 33 against a Target dupe. Though I wasn't a fan of that fragrance, I was intrigued. I'd never smelled anything like it before.

    So, I bought a few more samples (.05 fluid-ounce bottles for $7 each) of Le Labo's most popular scents and wore a different one each day over the course of two weeks.

    I took notes on what I liked and disliked, asked friends and family for their thoughts, and watched the clock to see which scents lasted on my skin all day and which evaporated into thin air.

    Here's how I'd rank them from worst to best.

    Santal 33 doesn't deserve the hype it gets — sorry.
    Santal 33 from Le Labo.

    Santal 33 might be Le Labo's most famous fragrance, but it was also my least favorite of the scents I tried.

    It had a strong, earthy scent with a heavy spice that, unfortunately, smelled like pickle juice to me. Many Le Labo fans and critics have also made this comparison.

    After four short hours on the skin, the fragrance quickly went from overpowering to almost nonexistent, making it tough to justify the expensive price.

    For those reasons, I'm not sure I'll ever understand the appeal of Santal 33's cult following.

    Another 13 was nearly perfect, but not quite.
    Another 13 from Le Labo.
    Another 13 from Le Labo.

    Whenever Santal 33 is mentioned, someone is bound to argue that Another 13 is better.

    The fragrance was created in collaboration with An0ther Magazine and is now one of the brand's core scents. Le Labo describes it as a hypnotizing and "addictive dirty potion."

    I'm not entirely sure what that means, but I'd say it feels accurate. Every time I sniffed Another 13, I wanted more. It faded into a blend that smelled like jasmine, citrus, vanilla, and musk — which I loved.

    So, I wish I could say that the fragrance made my top three.

    Unfortunately, when first sprayed, the fragrance smelled strongly of alcohol. Sometimes, it took nearly an hour to fade into the latter scent that I preferred. Other fragrance fans said they couldn't smell anything else, no matter how much time passed.

    It's also not the strongest fragrance I've tried from Le Labo's roster. After two hours or so, I almost forgot I was wearing it.

    Rose 31 had a classic scent but ultimately didn't stand out.
    Rose 31 from Le Labo.
    Rose 31 from Le Labo.

    With a name like Rose 31, I figured this perfume would be straightforward.

    It started with strong whiffs of grass and spice, initially distracting from the rose. Once the main note took over, however, I smelled of florals and powder, which reminded me of a classic French perfume.

    I can absolutely see why people might enjoy this perfume, and I did, too.

    Ultimately, though, it was a little too simple for me. If I'm buying Le Labo, I want something that stands out.

    Thé Noir 29 was captivating and masculine, yet anyone could wear it.
    Thé Noir 29 from Le Labo.
    Thé Noir 29 from Le Labo.

    Thé Noir 29 is the Le Labo fragrance that surprised me the most.

    I expected a musky cologne but got a masculine-leaning scent that smelled like black licorice. There was also a subtle trace of tobacco as it settled and a consistent note of cedarwood.

    One of my favorite elements was that the scent lasted all day without being too strong.

    My only gripe — a small one — was that it only felt appropriate to wear in the evening. I couldn't see myself wearing this during the day.

    Everyone should have Lavande 31 in their fragrance rotation.
    Lavande 31 from Le Labo.
    Lavande 31 from Le Labo.

    After being underwhelmed by Rose 31, I worried I might feel the same about Lavande 31.

    However, Le Labo says on its website that this fragrance "knocks all preconceived notions of lavender on its head" — and I completely agree.

    The fragrance smelled refreshing and sophisticated, with a mix of lavender, moss, musk, and even a citrus zest. I could easily see this becoming my signature scent, especially in the spring and summer.

    What I really loved, though, was the product's concept. Sometimes, you just want a perfume full of your favorite classic notes but with an interesting twist.

    Lavande 31 fit that bill and exceeded expectations.

    Thé Matcha 26 is probably the best and most underrated of Le Labo's popular scents.
    Thé Matcha 26 from Le Labo.
    Thé Matcha 26 from Le Labo.

    I was most excited to try Thé Matcha 26 for two reasons. First, I enjoy the scent of the drink this fragrance is named after.

    Second, Le Labo's description of the perfume caught my attention. It's said to be "introverted and deep by nature" and is meant to be smelled only by "those individuals lucky enough to be very close to the wearer."

    Not only was that an accurate description, but the perfume's notes were also phenomenal, in my opinion. It's scented with fig, vetiver, and orange, which creates a soft, alluring, and calm fragrance.

    If I were only going to buy one Le Labo product, it would be a bottle of Thé Matcha 26, without question.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • Every tool an Air Force survival specialist takes into the wilderness

    Air Force SERE specialists — that's Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape — are the military's survival experts trained to endure the harshest conditions on Earth and teach others to do the same. They prepare airmen, pilots, and special operators to survive alone behind enemy lines, resist captivity, and return home safely.

    Senior Airman Aeryk Denniston unpacks every piece of gear he carries into the wilderness when training military members for long-term survival and evasion in hostile environments.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • My parents are boomers and always encouraged me to feel my feelings. All my friends wanted to hang out at my house.

    The author with her son and parents.
    The author's parents are boomers, and they gave her unconditional support.

    • My parents are boomers, and they were different from my friends' parents.
    • They encouraged me to feel my feelings, and most of my friends wanted to spend time at my house.
    • I'm parenting after their example.

    Walking through the grocery store, I heard it, the dreaded phrase: "OK, boomer." The woman behind me was talking loudly on her phone, relaying some sort of lousy experience. My stomach tensed as I passed by her with my shopping cart.

    It was hard to hear her intense aggravation because, technically, my parents are boomers. However, they've never lived up to the stereotype. While my friends' parents were avoiding emotions or burying them deep down, my parents were supporting me in feeling all of mine.

    My parents weren't like my friends' parents

    When I was growing up, I assumed all families functioned the same way — you know, where the parents ask their kids how they feel and then take the time to listen and empathize. As far back as first grade, I can remember sitting on our couch, talking to my mom while I watched the crease between her eyebrows deepen.

    "But how are you feeling now?" she asked, reaching for my hand.

    I was crying so hard I gave myself the hiccups. The friend drama at school was real, and my mom listened to every word, riding out my emotions with me — never rushing me through so she could continue her evening, or telling me to get over it. She whispered she understood, and asked questions — more for me to grasp the situation than for her. Instances like these built an emotional confidence where I felt safe being myself and not shamed for it.

    Most of my friends preferred to spend time at my house

    This unconditional support wasn't only reserved for me, but for my friends, too. "Why don't we meet at your house?" my high school BFF always asked. In fact, most of my friends preferred hanging out at my house.

    My besties confided in me that it was "easier for them to be themselves" with my parents, but I didn't understand why until I spent time with their families. There was an underlying tension I couldn't quite place, and twinges of guilt would sink into my stomach when I watched my friends hide parts of themselves from their parents. My home was decidedly different.

    My friend group would sit casually at our kitchen table discussing school, relationships, or their opinions on a favorite movie. My mom and dad were there for it all. There were no dismissive tones, nor did my parents ever bring out the boomer classic: "Stop being so sensitive." Perhaps it was their focus on connection rather than control, but we felt comfortable embracing all aspects of ourselves.

    These memories, and the cozy feelings they bring up, play as I pass the woman on her phone. It's not the first time I've heard people refer to my parents' generation negatively, and, sure, everyone's experience is different. Even my social media feed is full of the sentiment that boomers lack compassion and can often make for judgmental grandparents. Now that I'm a parent, I can't help but be super grateful I was supported in a way that supported me.

    I'm now parenting after the example set for me

    "But how are you feeling now?" My words echo my mom's as my 12-year-old son and I talk.

    I sit with him while he tells me about a teacher who's stressing him out, and I wait for him to finish his thoughts and feel all his feels. My parents' emotional vulnerability directly informs my parenting — and I'm OK with it.

    The good news is their support didn't end once I grew up or when they became grandparents. They're just as encouraging with my son as they were (and are) with me. My parents were gentle parenting before it even had a name, and I love passing this on to my son.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • I got my kids, all 7 and under, a landline. They invited friends over on a snow day without my help, and I was thrilled.

    Kids playing the snow
    The author's kids invited a bunch of friends over during a snow day.

    • I got my kids a landline, hoping it would spark independence.
    • During the first snow day of the school year, the phone rang nonstop all morning.
    • By the afternoon, they had invited friends and neighbors to play in our yard, without my involvement.

    While my kids are still young and in elementary school, my husband and I have been talking about how we can foster more independence in all three.

    We both long for the type of childhood we had, without cellphones, iPads, and social media.

    Earlier this year, we decided to buy an old-school phone and set up a landline for our 7, 5, and 5-year-olds to be able to interact with their friends without needing our supervision.

    Yesterday showed me what a great idea that was.

    There was an initial lift from my end

    After getting the phone and setting it up, which we chose to do through TinCan, there was a bit of lift from my end to collect phone numbers from friends and neighbors. It was a collective effort since I had to also nudge others to get a landline for themselves.

    At first, we had to explain to the kids how calling on a landline works. They practiced (and failed often) dialing phone numbers, asking to speak to their friends, and learned general etiquette about being on the phone. The conversations were short and led nowhere.

    Landline
    The author got a TinCan for her kids.

    With time, though, they all began to become more confident. On Halloween, my oldest called our neighbors and asked what time they'd be ready to meet to go trick-or-treating together. I was starting to see signals of what I had envisioned — setting up playdates without me needing to text another parent.

    I was hopeful we were on the right track.

    We had a snow day, and the phone rang nonstop

    Recently, we had our first snow day of the school year, and by 9 a.m., our phone had been ringing nonstop.

    By mid-morning, my kids had invited about a dozen friends to come over and play in the snow with them. This triggered texts from other parents asking if it was OK. Given that they are all so young, they still require some parental assistance, especially since some had to be driven over.

    By lunchtime, we had seven kids squealing together, playing in the snow, and having a great time. They required little parental supervision, so my husband did chores outside while they all took turns shoveling snow and riding snowboards.

    Everyone got picked up by dinnertime, and my kids shared how this had been the best snow day ever. My cellphone was also full of texts from parents thanking me for taking their kids so they could work.

    The landline was a success, and when I posted about it online, it resonated with others — it seems my family isn't the only one that's been missing them. Not only is it starting to give my kids the type of 90s childhood I want to recreate for them, but it is also allowing me to provide that longed-for village parents nowadays need.

    Next up, I'm gifting my kids my old Game Boy.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • There’s one holiday tradition my 6 kids look forward to every year, and it doesn’t involve gifts

    The author with her family.
    The author (second from right) poses with her family and Santa while participating in her family's favorite holiday tradition.

    • As a mom of six, the holiday season can be a very chaotic time of year.
    • Over the years, I've realized that they all enjoy visiting a specific Christmas light display.
    • This simple tradition brings lasting holiday memories and eases the stress of creating perfection.

    As a mom of six, Christmas used to feel like a pressure cooker. Every year, I tried to create the "perfect" holiday — the ideal gifts, the matching pajamas, the Instagram-worthy stockings. I spent December weekends navigating store aisles, scrolling for deals, or stressing that I wasn't doing enough.

    By the time Christmas morning finally came, I was exhausted, financially stretched, and secretly relieved when it was all over.

    But over the years, something kept happening that chipped away at all that pressure. My kids never talked about the gifts. They talked about the lights.

    This simple activity brings us all joy

    Every December, without fail, the one thing they count down to is our annual trip to a local Christmas light display — part drive-thru, part walk-through Santa's Village. We've been going since my oldest was little, and now that I have a wide age range — from teenagers to toddlers — it's somehow become the one tradition that still fits all of us.

    The author's children pose in front of a holiday light display.
    TK

    It's nothing extravagant. We load everyone into our van with blankets, half-finished cups of hot cocoa, and there's at least one missing glove we never find until spring. The kids pile in wearing mismatched hoodies instead of the cute outfits I once tried to coordinate. Someone is always arguing over the "best" seat. And yet the moment we pull into the entrance and the first tunnel of lights appears, the whole car shifts. The bickering fades. The glow of the lights fills the van, and even my older kids — the ones who claim they're "too old for everything" — sit up a little straighter.

    We roll slowly through the display, windows cracked just enough to let in the cold air, watching the lights flicker on marching toy soldiers, snowmen, reindeer, and giant glowing trees. Then comes their favorite part: the walk-through to Santa's Village. We park, bundle everyone up, and step into the crisp night air together.

    There's something magical about moving through the lights instead of just watching them through a window. You can smell the kettle corn, hear kids laughing from all directions, and feel the cold on your cheeks. My kids run ahead and then circle back, tugging on my sleeve to make sure I don't miss their favorite displays. We pause at the fires to warm our hands before grabbing snacks to enjoy throughout the rest of the night.

    We end the night visiting Santa, even though the teenagers pretend they're only there to "help the little ones." We always leave with red noses, sticky fingers, and photos that look more like real life than any holiday card shoot I ever attempted.

    The memories we make are lasting

    One year, after an especially stressful December, I asked my kids what their favorite part of the holiday season had been. I expected them to mention a present or a party. Instead, all six talked over each other about the lights — the cold walk, the tunnel, the stop at Santa's Village. It felt like a gentle tap on the shoulder: This is what they remember.

    Some of the author's children pose with Santa.
    The author said that the memories she and her family make while visiting this holiday light display are lasting.

    That moment changed everything for me. I realized that my kids weren't wanting perfection — I was. They weren't keeping track of how many gifts they got or whether everything matched. They just wanted a moment with all of us together, doing something simple and magical.

    This tradition has helped reshape my own expectations

    Now, instead of trying to cram December full of activities, I let this one tradition anchor us. We still exchange gifts and stockings, and do all of the regular holiday traditions, but I no longer feel like I'm failing if everything isn't picture-perfect. The pressure has eased because I finally understand what my kids had been telling me for years without saying a word: holiday magic doesn't come from what you buy, it comes from what you show up for.

    The author's children enjoy a holiday light display.
    TK

    Our annual Christmas light night is chaotic, imperfect, and sometimes freezing. But it's ours. And year after year, it's the memory they carry with them — long after the gifts are forgotten.

    Read the original article on Business Insider
  • A new combat-proven ballistic missile shield that shot down Iranian threats is now deployed to Europe

    An Arrow system test launch in Alaska in 2019.
    Germany is now operating Arrow 3, Israel's top air defense system.

    • Germany's military is now operating Arrow 3, a top Israeli air defense system.
    • Arrow has intercepted hundreds of Iranian and Houthi ballistic missiles over the past three years.
    • Its deployment to Europe gives the continent a major air defense boost amid growing threats.

    A top Israeli air defense system credited with defeating waves of Iranian ballistic missiles is now, for the first time, in the hands of a foreign military and set to boost European defense.

    The deployment of the Arrow 3 ballistic missile shield to Germany comes as NATO forces look to strengthen their long-range air defenses in the face of growing threats from Russia to the east. The system can intercept missile targets beyond Earth's atmosphere, making it a high-value acquisition.

    Boaz Levy, CEO of the state-run Israel Aerospace Industries, told Business Insider that Arrow 3 is the "perfect solution" for Germany to defend not only its own population but also that of its European neighbors from potential ballistic missile threats.

    Levy, Arrow's chief engineer, said the defensive system has intercepted hundreds of ballistic missiles launched by Iran and its Middle East allies over the past few years, describing Arrow as a "combat-proven" air defense.

    The $3.5 billion sale of Arrow 3 to Germany in September 2023 is considered Israel's largest-ever defense export deal, officials said.

    Israel's defense ministry said on Wednesday that it had handed over the first operational Arrow 3 system to the German military, officially giving Berlin control of the air defense.

    A test launch of the Arrow system in 2019.
    Israel sold the Arrow 3 system to Germany in 2023 for $3.5 billion.

    Proven against deadly missiles

    The Arrow systems are a joint product of IAI and US aerospace giant Boeing. Arrow 2 was deployed in 2000 and can intercept missiles in the upper atmosphere, while the newer Arrow 3 became operational in 2017 and can eliminate targets in space.

    Both Arrow systems use a two-stage solid-fueled interceptor to strike incoming ballistic missiles and have been used in combat in recent years, making up the top level of Israel's vaunted air defense network.

    Israel has used Arrow to shield the country during three confrontations with Iran, which launched some 120 ballistic missiles at the country in April 2024, more than 180 ballistic missiles in October 2024, and over 550 ballistic missiles this past June.

    Arrow, which has also intercepted ballistic missiles launched at Israel by Houthi rebels in Yemen, underwent several upgrades and software tweaks ahead of Israel's most recent clash with Iran — its most serious one yet — to improve the system's performance.

    Levy said that Arrow was challenged many times and faced its toughest tests against the salvos of Iranian missiles, rather than lone Houthi launches. However, he said the air defense system proved itself "in a phenomenal way" with an interception rate of greater than 90%.

    He said that IAI is currently developing an upgraded interceptor, the Arrow 4, that will eventually replace the decades-old Arrow 2 model.

    An Arrow test launch in Alaska in 2019.
    Boaz Levy said Arrow has intercepted hundreds of ballistic missiles launched by Iran and the Houthis.

    A new shield for Europe

    Arrow's deployment to Germany comes as European countries face what Western officials warn is a rising Russian threat along NATO's eastern edge.

    In its ongoing war against Ukraine, the Russian military regularly attacks cities and civilian infrastructure with strike packages consisting of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as hundreds of one-way attack drones. These attacks have pushed NATO countries to deploy additional defenses along the alliance's eastern flank.

    European countries are also purchasing new air defenses. Denmark, for instance, just inked a deal to buy Norway's National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) and is expected to procure the French-Italian SAMP/T system as well. And now, IAI's Arrow 3 is going live in Germany.

    Arrow will augment Germany's existing air defense network, which consists of the domestically produced IRIS-T SLM and the US-made MIM-104 Patriot, among other systems.

    The Patriot, a long-range surface-to-air missile system, is another proven air defense system that has served as the top echelon of Ukraine's air defense network, defending the country from Russian bombardments.

    Read the original article on Business Insider