Tag: News

• As someone born and raised just a few miles away, I love the Scottish Highlands.
• I've seen many people plan trips here — and make a lot of common first-time mistakes.
• If you're visiting, I recommend packing bug spray and being mindful of how you drive.

For most of my life, I've lived just a few miles away from the southern edge of the Scottish Highlands — so I know firsthand that the region is one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland.

Located in the northwest of the country, the area is geologically distinct from the Lowlands, being home to all 282 of Scotland's Munros, which are mountains taller than 3,000 feet.

Impressive peaks aren't the only draw of the Highlands, though. The region is replete with tranquil lochs, lush forests, historic castles, and whiskey distilleries.

I believe that any trip to the Highlands, regardless of your itinerary or the weather, is sure to be unforgettable. That said, there are five mistakes that first-time visitors often make.

People don't take advantage of all the wildlife to see here.

Highland cows are deeply ingrained in Scottish iconography, so it doesn't surprise me that many tourists come here hoping to see them.

I won't deny that they're very cute with their shaggy ginger coats, but they aren't the only wildlife worth seeking out.

There are plenty of animals to see in the Highlands, from seals in the seaside town of Oban to puffins at Dunnet Head. My personal favorites are the reindeer — the Cairngorm Mountains are home to the UK's only free-ranging reindeer herd.

I love taking a guided hill trip, which typically involves a 20- or 30-minute walk up a mountain, to hand-feed the gentle animals.

A waterproof coat and boots are essential for any kind of wildlife excursion, since the weather here can get wet year-round. In my opinion, though, the experience of feeding and learning about reindeer is well worth any potential rain.

Many tourists visit Loch Ness, but there are other lakes that are just as scenic — and less crowded.

Scotland is home to more than 30,000 lochs (the Scottish word for lakes).

Although Loch Ness is one of the most popular — in part thanks to tales of a monster known as Nessie lurking in its depths — there are many other lesser-known, yet no less scenic, lochs worth visiting.

Loch Awe, to the east of Oban, is Scotland's longest freshwater loch at 25 miles long. The striking ruins of Kilchurn Castle stand at the loch's northern end, meaning you can get a photo of a castle, a loch, and mountains all in one go.

There's also Loch Shiel, which isn't far from Scotland's tallest mountain, Ben Nevis. Climbing a small hill at the head of this loch offers an incredible view of not just the water, but also of Glenfinnan Monument — a memorial to the Highlanders who fought during the Jacobite Rising of 1745.

If you turn around, you can see the impressive Glenfinnan Viaduct, which was crossed by the Hogwarts Express in the "Harry Potter" films.

I've seen people remember to dress for the rain … but not for the wind.

It's pretty well-known that it rains year-round in Scotland, and many travelers come prepared with a waterproof coat. What not everyone accounts for, though, is how windy it can get, especially on the coast and in the mountains.

If it's a particularly blustery day, a thin, waterproof jacket won't cut it. I recommend dressing in layers and making sure to pack a sturdy waterproof windbreaker.

In colder months, such as December, January, and February, a warm, padded raincoat is essential.

As a local, I've noticed that tourists drive too slowly on rural roads.

Some Highland roads are not for the faint-hearted. Not only are there many single-lane roads, but some streets through the mountains feature alarmingly steep drop-offs.

First-time visitors often drive with a little too much caution on these roads, and the slow speeds can be frustrating for locals.

If you notice a queue forming behind you, then it's considered good etiquette to pull over — always in a designated parking area or lay-by — to let cars pass.

The roadside scenery is often so picturesque, you'll likely want to stop to admire the view anyway.

First-time visitors are often unprepared for midges.

While in Scotland, beware of the many midges, whose bites cause small, itchy bumps.

These tiny flies are most common in the warmer months, and very prevalent around lochs and in marshlands and forests.

Midges are most active around dusk and dawn, so if you plan to be out in nature around those times, you'll need lots of bug spray.

• Black Friday is one of the best times of the year to get a streaming subscription.
• US streaming sign-ups on Black Friday deals surged last year.
• While these sales are a proven way to add customers, streamers risk hurting their profits.

Streaming services may have a problem: their Black Friday deals are wildly popular.

The Friday after Thanksgiving has long been known for its blockbuster sales, marking the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Streamers have spent the last few years celebrating in style, with massive markdowns of more than 70%, in some cases.

These steep discounts are highly successful at bringing in new subscribers, according to new data from Antenna, which was shared exclusively with Business Insider ahead of its release.

About 8.3 million people in the US took advantage of Black Friday promotions for streaming services in 2024, up more than 31% from the 6.3 million who scored such deals in 2023, Antenna found.

In 2024, more than a quarter of all US streaming signups in the last two months of the year came in the week or so between Thanksgiving and early December. That percentage was about 23% in 2023. And those who snag these offers cancel at slightly lower rates than other customers, Antenna found.

Customers now expect Black Friday firesales

However, these generous deals aren't all gravy for streamers. Not only are these customers paying far less than full price, but they may be conditioned to expect heavy promotions.

"Customers aren't stupid," a Disney streaming employee said. "If they want to sign up in September, they might wait until Black Friday in November."

Disney's streamers are among the most popular on Black Friday. Hulu brought in an industry-high 2.4 million subscribers in the Black Friday window last year, up 51% from 2023. Disney+ was third behind Paramount+ with 1.4 million sign-ups, thanks in part to a deal that gave customers both Disney+ and Hulu for 70% off at $3 a month for 12 months.

Only HBO Max, which at the time was called Max, reeled in fewer subscribers last Black Friday than the year prior. Its sign-ups fell 14% to 900,000 for its offer, which was $3 a month for its ad plan for six months. HBO Max seems to have stepped up its sale this year by offering that same price for a full year instead, even after raising its typical price by $1.

Media companies hope these eye-catching promos will draw in those who've never tried their services, and then they can hook subscribers on their content, build habits, and keep them.

While customers on these deals pay less, streamers have determined it's worth the risk to land them in a highly competitive landscape.

Two other Disney streaming employees said its holiday promotions are chiefly about getting people in its Disney+ and Hulu bundle, betting that customers who sample it will stay. Package deals have "really strong retention," one employee said, including the Disney bundle with HBO Max.

The days of streamers adding subscribers at any cost may be over, as media companies raise prices and focus on growing engagement and profitability. But this Black Friday is again showing consumers that there are some streaming deals to be had.

• In 2021, my husband and I moved from the United States to Scotland.
• I've loved living in Edinburgh and exploring popular tourist destinations, like Arthur's Seat.
• But over the years, I've curated a list of underrated recommendations, too, like Cramond Island.

When I first moved from the US to Edinburgh in 2021, I knew little about the city beyond its striking medieval architecture, whisky distilleries, and supposedly dreary weather.

Four years — and far more sunshine than expected — later, I've fallen in love with Scotland's capital and all it has to offer.

Although popular spots like the Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat, and Edinburgh Castle are worth seeing, here are six places I think are just as worthy of a visit.

In addition to Arthur's Seat, I recommend hiking the nearby Pentland Hills and Blackford Hill.

Arthur's Seat, an ancient, extinct volcano, is a defining landmark of Edinburgh's skyline and often tops lists of must-see attractions.

Although I love its ridge walk and summit hikes, I think it tends to overshadow its equally striking and lesser-known neighbors: the Pentland Hills and Blackford Hill.

I gravitate toward the Pentlands, which offer about a 62-mile network of trails for a range of abilities, less than an hour from the city center.

Blackford Hill also presents itself as a less-crowded but equally scenic alternative to Arthur's Seat, complete with wooded walking trails through a nature reserve and sweeping views, all about 20 minutes from downtown.

I love walking across the sea to Cramond Island.

One of my favorite parts of living in Edinburgh is how easy it is to access nature, and Cramond Island serves as a peaceful coastal escape from the bustle of the city.

Just northwest of the city center, Cramond Island is connected to the shore of Edinburgh via a tidal causeway, allowing individuals to walk across the Firth of Forth to this island during low tide.

I always recommend this unique experience, and think it's a great opportunity to explore Cramond's rugged terrain and scattered wartime bunkers while basking in the picturesque views.

Just make sure to check the tide chart beforehand to ensure you have enough time to return to the mainland.

If you're tired of whisky, I think it's worth touring the capital's acclaimed gin distilleries.

Although whisky might be Scotland's most famous drink, fewer people may know that the country is also a major gin producer, responsible for about 70% of the UK's gin.

Two of my favorite local distilleries are Edinburgh Gin and Lind & Lime, which both offer beautifully designed and immersive tours and tastings.

I especially enjoy Edinburgh Gin's rhubarb and ginger liqueur and appreciate Lind & Lime's emphasis on sustainability and organic ingredients in crafting their signature London Dry.

Stockbridge is one of my favorite parts of town.

Although Stockbridge has become a popular neighborhood in northern Edinburgh thanks to its charming village feel and selection of shops and boutiques, as a local, I think there's much more to this area than travelers may realize.

For example, I love how easy it is to access nature — whether it's taking in skyline views from Inverleith Park, strolling through the Royal Botanic Garden, or trail running along the Water of Leith, a 22-mile river that winds through the city.

One of my favorite weekend routines is visiting the Stockbridge Market on Sundays to stock up on fresh flowers, artisanal goods, and produce from local vendors.

And while you're in the area, I also think it's worth exploring the plethora of art galleries, such as the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, which showcases some of the best contemporary Scottish art in the city, in my opinion.

I think the Leith neighborhood showcases some of the finest modern Scottish cuisine.

When people think of Scottish cuisine, traditional dishes like haggis, fish and chips, and sticky toffee pudding may come to mind.

Although these classics are arguably delicious, I think Edinburgh's food scene has evolved far beyond them, with the buzzy neighborhood of Leith helping to lead the way.

I always recommend dining at Eleanore, a family-run restaurant known for its innovative, artfully presented small plates, as well as its sister restaurants, Ardfern and The Little Chartroom.

My favorite 2025 opening, Barry Fish, is nestled along Leith's Shore and boasts sublime seafood. From their signature pastrami to a lobster and smoked fish agnolotti, I think every dish is outstanding.

And for quicker bites, I always stop by Alby's — an Edinburgh institution beloved by locals and visitors alike — for its flavorful focaccia sandwiches.

I recommend wandering through Old Town's ancient closes and underground vaults to better understand the city's haunted history.

Many visitors don't realize that Edinburgh has a hidden "underground city," a maze of vaults beneath Old Town that dates back centuries.

Originally used for storage, the vaults were later associated with disease, crime, and ghostly lore — all of which contribute to Edinburgh's reputation as one of the most haunted cities in the world.

The city is also home to more than 250 narrow medieval alleyways, or "closes," most of which are located off the Royal Mile. Some notable ones include Advocate's, Bakehouse, Old Fishmarket, and The Real Mary King's Close, each of which carries its own history.

The history of both the vaults and closes offers a haunting glimpse into Edinburgh's layered and often overlooked past — one I believe is worth exploring.

• Penn professor Ioana Marinescu said AI may already be near the upward peak of its pay curve.
• Her Brookings model shows wages could dip once about 37% of intelligence tasks are automated.
• But she said the downturn isn't inevitable if AI and physical-sector investment grow in tandem.

Artificial intelligence may be driving a surge in productivity and pay — but that growth could soon slow.

That's according to Ioana Marinescu, an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy & Practice and coauthor of a new Brookings Institution paper on what she and colleague Konrad Kording call "intelligence saturation."

Their model suggests that as automation spreads, wages are likely to follow a hump-shaped trajectory — initially rising, then flattening, and eventually declining as machines take over more of the cognitive work that humans once performed.

However, that downturn isn't inevitable.

Where we are on the curve

Marinescu estimates that more than 14% of "intelligence" tasks are already automated — a figure based on research showing that routine cognitive jobs have declined from 49% in the late 1970s and 1980s to 35% in 2018.

"This is closer to a potential decline in wages than no automation," she told Business Insider.

In the baseline Brookings simulation, wages begin to fall when about 37% of intelligence tasks are automated — a threshold that could arrive sooner than many expect if AI adoption continues to accelerate.

So far, there's no broad sign of that shift.

"It's too early to tell," Marinescu said.

Still, she pointed to "suggestive evidence" that less-experienced workers in AI-exposed jobs are already being displaced, citing a recent study by Stanford.

The study found that early-career workers, ages 22 to 25, in AI-exposed occupations such as software development and customer service have experienced a 13% decline in employment since the rise of generative AI, whereas employment for older and less-exposed workers has remained stable or increased.

Yet, Marinescu added, the real warning sign would be "a noticeable reduction in the overall share of intelligence jobs" across the economy — the moment the labor market begins to reallocate toward more physical work.

Why a wage downturn isn't inevitable

Marinescu said that the outcome depends on how society manages the transition between the "physical" and the "intelligence" sectors.

"We think the two [sectors] are complements, like labor and capital — i.e., you need some of both to produce," she said. "Automation is more likely to yield steady wage increases with complementarity; at the same time, the long-run gains from adding more AI in the economy saturate under complementarity."

In other words, AI and human labor can raise productivity together — but only if automation is paired with real-world investment that keeps workers essential to the production process.

The Brookings paper said that the economy's physical side — the factories, hospitals, construction, and infrastructure that AI still can't automate — must keep pace with intelligence-sector innovation.

To prevent a wage collapse, the authors propose slowing the pace of automation and boosting investment in physical capital, ensuring that embodied work remains productive.

They also suggest taxing virtual labor to encourage companies to maintain a healthy balance between machine and human production — a proposal similar to Sen. Bernie Sanders' call for imposing a "robot tax" on companies that adopt AI to replace jobs.

The real uncertainty, Marinescu added, lies in how substitutable AI and human output become.

If AI ultimately replaces most intelligence work, wage growth is likely to flatten.

However, if humans and machines remain complementary — each amplifying the other's output — the economy could continue to expand without leaving workers behind.

• Last year, my son decided not to come home from college for Thanksgiving.
• This year, he's staying on campus again because finals are too close.
• I'm not mad because my husband and I now fly out to California to visit him for Thanksgiving.

This is my son's sophomore year at a university more than 1,000 miles from our home. While it was initially a tough transition to send our only child away, the empty nest pangs are not nearly as bad now. I only misted up a tad during drop-off this August, instead choosing to focus on how happy he is — and on all of his academic and personal growth.

Maybe that's why I didn't mind much when my son told me he didn't want to come home for Thanksgiving last year — and when he told me he wanted to skip the holiday again this year.

His decision actually makes perfect sense and gave our family an opportunity to try something new.

Growing up, my son enjoyed traditional family Thanksgivings

When he was younger, our Thanksgivings looked exactly as one might expect. Our extended family held massive dinners to mark the holiday, with turkey, ham, and every imaginable trimming.

It was a time he got to connect with his cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. We never missed one of those special celebrations. From extended post-dinner board games to turkey trot jogs and touch football games when the weather permitted, we had a lot of fun.

I know our son made special and strong memories during those yearly feasts and play sessions centered on giving thanks.

As a freshman, he had to make adjustments to Thanksgiving

During his freshman year, my son balanced his newfound independence with a larger, more difficult class load than he'd ever had in high school. With finals right around the corner, he was feeling the stress and knew he needed to buckle down. I understood that school is now his priority.

He was the one to first float the idea of staying on campus for the Thanksgiving break, instead of packing up and coming home for such a short amount of time.

Instead of being upset, my husband and I appreciated his rationale. Everything else that year had been turned upside-down because of his college departure. Why not shake up Thanksgiving, too?

His dad and I immediately bought our plane tickets, booked a hotel room near our son's campus, and prepared to hit the road for the holiday. We would still be together for Thanksgiving, but it would just be our little family of three.

When we explained to our son's grandparents, aunts, and uncles that we wouldn't be attending the big family bash, they were a little disappointed at first. Ultimately, they understood and respected our decision. After all, they'd see him just a few weeks later. We assured them the winter break was non-negotiable: He would absolutely be home for Christmas.

We had Thanksgiving in California for the first time last year

We packed our bags and traded the Midwestern chill for SoCal's palm trees and balmy weather.

We spent as much time with our son as we could during the long weekend, and had a lovely time on campus, the nearby beach, and exploring the area's hotspots. It was a perfect gathering, just right for the three of us.

Truth be told, the relative peace of our alternative celebration was a striking contrast to the hustle and bustle, and yes, the pressure of Thanksgivings past. It was also a sunshine-filled breather before the craziness of December back home.

We're all in on our non-traditional Thanksgiving for the second year

My husband and I head out to the West Coast on Thursday morning. We'll land, check in, pick up our kid, and might hit In-N-Out for a no-frills, no-fuss dinner that evening.

As for the rest of the weekend? We'll just go with the flow and see where it takes us. It doesn't have to look a certain way. It doesn't have to be perfect. We don't have to be anywhere at any definite time. There's something quite freeing about all of that.

Would this arrangement work for everyone? Probably not. For some, skipping town for Thanksgiving might cause deep hurt or resentment, as I know full well, family dynamics are quite different for each individual. Fortunately, this option has turned out to be better than we imagined, and I'm more than OK with it. I'm grateful for it.

• Russia added rear-view cameras to some of its Shahed-type drones to see Ukrainian interceptors.
• Interceptor drones, which chase Russian drones, have become one of Ukraine's top defensive tools.
• A senior Ukrainian defense official said that Russia has been modifying its Shaheds.

Russia has been adding rear-view cameras to some of its Shahed-type drones, allowing operators to see Ukrainian interceptors approaching from behind and take evasive action, a senior defense official told Business Insider.

Lt. Col. Yurii Myronenko, Ukraine's deputy minister of defense for innovation, said Russia is "constantly testing" new deep-strike weapons, including modifying its Shahed-type drones and fielding new models.

"Some Shaheds have already been equipped with rear-view cameras to detect and respond to our interceptors," said Myronenko, a former drone unit commander.

Ukrainian forces have previously discovered rear-facing cameras on Russian decoy and reconnaissance drones. The comments from Myronenko underscore how Moscow is continuing to adapt to one of Kyiv's newest — and most-sought-after — air defense tools: interceptor drones.

Russia has been investing heavily in its drone operations over the past year. Its defense industry is producing thousands of drones modeled after the notorious Iranian-designed Shahed every month, and Moscow routinely launches hundreds of them at Ukraine in nighttime attacks.

Facing a worsening threat situation, Ukraine has turned to interceptor drones as a solution. The drones, designed to be low-cost, are made to hunt the cheap Shaheds, which carry an explosive warhead that can be highly destructive if it reaches its target, often in civilian areas.

Interceptor drones have eased the burden carried by Ukraine's other air defenses, and Kyiv is now producing hundreds a day. Meanwhile, NATO militaries and some Western companies have been eyeing the technology as an opportunity for investment.

Western forces have also taken note of the Russian camera additions. US Army Sgt. Riley Hiner told Business Insider at a NATO event in Poland last week that Moscow has equipped its Shaheds with thermal seekers on the rear, allowing them to detect interceptor drones approaching from behind.

"Sometimes they'll maneuver," said Hiner, who has been involved in training NATO forces to use an interceptor drone that has logged extensive combat experience in Ukraine. It's now being deployed to Poland and Romania following a string of Russian airspace violations in September.

When the threats maneuver, interceptor drone pilots have to adjust their speed and course, Hiner said.

The deployment of interceptor drones and Russia's subsequent installation of cameras is a clear demonstration of what officials have described as a cycle of action and reaction in Ukraine, where one side develops a capability, and the other side learns to counter it. A common phenomenon in war, this cycle is progressing very rapidly in Ukraine.

"Technological warfare is a cat-and-mouse game," Myronenko shared of the situation in Ukraine today. "Each new technology grants one side an advantage for a certain period — typically three to four months — until the other side develops a countermeasure."

For instance, he said, the Shahed drones that Russia used earlier in the war were equipped with a four-channel antenna. Ukraine quickly learned to jam them with electronic warfare, so Moscow adapted. Now, Shaheds fly with a 16-channel antenna.

"This game continues nonstop," Myronenko said.

The cat-and-mouse cycle of action and reaction, evolution and response, has extended well beyond the Shaheds to other weapons and areas of the battlefield.

Earlier in this war, the small first-person-view (FPV) quadcopter drones were exclusively controlled by radio frequencies. Eventually, both sides learned how to use electronic warfare to jam the drones, rendering them less effective.

Now, Ukraine and Russia are increasingly relying on long spools of fiber-optic cables to connect operators to their FPV drones. This technology is jam-resistant, making the drones far more dangerous on the battlefield.

Meanwhile, in the Black Sea, Ukraine built naval drones to attack Russian ships. When Moscow responded to the growing threat to its warships by increasing air patrols over the waterway, Kyiv gave its drone boats surface-to-air missile launchers to threaten the Russian jets and helicopters. It's a constant cycle of innovation.

• Elon Musk said Tesla's robotaxi fleet in Austin should roughly double by next month.
• Tesla fans have complained about long wait times and high demand, with one calling the service "essentially unusable."
• Musk said last month that Tesla aims to have 500 robotaxis on the road in Austin by the end of the year.

Elon Musk says Tesla is hitting the accelerator on its robotaxi rollout in Austin.

The billionaire wrote in a post on X late on Tuesday that Tesla aims to "roughly double" the size of its robotaxi fleet in Austin next month, after some fans complained that soaring demand from new users had left the service almost unusable.

It comes as Tesla races to expand its robotaxi operations and meet Musk's ambitious timelines.

The Tesla CEO told investors last month that he wants self-driving taxis on the road in eight to 10 US metro areas by the end of the year.

Tesla launched its robotaxi service in Austin in June and opened a ride-hailing operation in San Francisco a month later.

The company's vehicles in Austin have human safety monitors in the passenger seat, while regulatory hurdles mean Tesla's Bay Area service operates with drivers ready to take the wheel.

Speaking on the "All-In" podcast last month, Musk said that Tesla would aim to increase its robotaxi fleet size to 500 cars in Austin and 1,000 in the Bay Area by the end of the year.

Tesla has not disclosed how many robotaxis it has on the road in Austin right now. A community tracker run by Austin-based robotaxi watcher Ethan McKenna estimates that the company has around 29 distinct vehicles serving autonomous rides in the city.

Earlier this month, Tesla removed its waitlist for the robotaxi app and fully opened the service to the public. Since then, a number of Tesla fans have complained on X about increased wait times and shortages of available vehicles due to a deluge of new users.

Despite hitting speed bumps in Austin, Tesla is continuing its robotaxi expansion at pace. The company recently cleared key regulatory hurdles in Nevada and Arizona, and is going on a hiring spree as it races to meet Musk's end-of-year deadline.

Tesla did not respond to a request for comment, sent outside normal working hours.

• This post originally appeared in the Business Insider Today newsletter.
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This week is all about giving thanks, but one thing people aren't grateful for is having to travel.

Thanksgiving week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, both on the road and at airports. This year, Thanksgiving air travel is set to break records as 31 million people are expected to fly.

My best piece of advice would be to avoid traveling altogether — that's what I'm doing — but I realize that's not helpful at this stage in the game.

So I called on a real expert, my fantastic colleague and BI's senior aviation reporter, Taylor Rains, to offer some last-minute advice.

Dan: It looks like Mother Nature might cause some issues this year. Portions of the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and the entire East Coast are expecting inclement weather today. How bad could that make things not just for those areas, but the rest of the country?

Taylor: Thunderstorms around Dallas/Fort Worth already caused hundreds of delays at the city's two main airports on Monday. And these local disruptions can ripple through an airline's entire network, displacing aircraft, pilots, and flight attendants (the crew can "time out" after prolonged delays and become legally unable to fly). So even if it's sunny in Los Angeles, your flight could be three hours late due to thunderstorms in Texas.

It gets even trickier if you're flying out of a smaller airport, like Key West or White Plains, where it's harder for airlines to quickly find replacement aircraft or crew when things get out of sync — and sometimes they can't at all.

Dan: Yikes! So if you find yourself facing serious delays, what's the best thing a beleaguered traveler can do?

Taylor: First, don't panic — you have options. During a delay or cancellation, the fastest route is usually your airline's app or website, where you can rebook online on an earlier flight, a later one, or even the next day. This is typically quicker than waiting in long airport lines or clogged phone queues. You can also try combining both: wait in line while simultaneously rebooking online to boost your chances of resolving things quickly.

Dan: Got it. Let's ratchet things up and say no rebooking options exist. Then what?

Taylor: It depends on who's at fault. For overnight delays caused by the airline, such as maintenance or crew staffing issues, most carriers will provide complimentary accommodations, transportation, and meals. You can verify policies through the government's Airline Customer Service Dashboard.

If the disruption is beyond the airline's control, such as weather, compensation is less guaranteed. Some airlines may offer meal vouchers as a goodwill gesture, but they aren't required to. Still, it's worth asking. You may also be able to recoup costs through travel insurance built into the credit card you used to book — the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, for example, has reimbursed me multiple times.

Finally, remember: you are entitled to a full refund for any canceled flight, regardless of reason, as long as you don't rebook.

Dan: Ok, I saved the most important question for last: Window or aisle?

Taylor: I used to be a window seat fan, but I'll always pay up for an aisle now! I didn't stop flying when I was pregnant, so I think having easy access to the bathroom or to stretch converted me.

• Michael Burry said Nvidia made "straw man arguments" in a private memo addressing his critiques.
• The investor of "The Big Short" fame said he owns bearish put options on Nvidia and Palantir.
• Burry wrote on his Substack that AI companies may be exaggerating the lifespan of Nvidia chips.

Michael Burry has doubled down on his critique of Nvidia and other AI giants, and revealed he's betting against both it and Palantir.

In a Tuesday post on his new Substack, the investor of "The Big Short" fame called out Nvidia's recent memo to Wall Street analysts, saying it was responding to claims he didn't make.

Burry, in a post titled "Unicorns and Cockroaches: Blessed Fraud," wrote that he couldn't believe Nvidia's responses had come from the world's most valuable public company. He said the document contained "one straw man after another" and the memo "almost reads like a hoax."

The market veteran, who recently closed his hedge fund to outside cash and turned his focus to writing, said he'd never suggested Nvidia was dragging out the depreciation of its property, plant, and equipment (PP&E), as it's primarily a chip designer with minimal capital expenditures, not a manufacturer.

"No one cares about Nvidia's own depreciation," he said. "One straw man burnt."

Burry also dismissed Nvidia's argument that its older-generation chips are still being used, saying his concern is that newer chips could become functionally obsolete between 2026 and 2028.

"I am looking forward because I see problems that are relevant to investors today," he wrote. "A second straw man burnt."

Burry added that Nvidia's rebuttal to him was "disingenuous on the face, and disappointing."

He disclosed in his latest post that he's placed wagers against the chipmaker and another AI darling: "I continue to own puts on Palantir and Nvidia, both of which will be discussed at another time."

Nvidia didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on Burry's latest post.

The depreciation question

One of Burry's chief concerns is AI companies' depreciation accounting, or how quickly they're projecting their assets will decline in value and how much they'll be worth at the end of their useful life.

Companies can increase their short-term profits and the stated value of their assets by spreading those costs over five or six years, rather than three. But that could pave the way for hefty writedowns in the future, Burry wrote on Substack.

He also highlighted a recent interview with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, in which Nadella said he had slowed the company's data center buildout earlier this year because he was wary of overbuilding infrastructure to serve one generation of AI chips, as the next generation will have different power and cooling requirements.

"The hyperscalers have been systematically increasing the useful lives of chips and servers, for depreciation purposes, as they invest hundreds of billions of dollars in graphics chips with accelerating planned obsolescence," Burry wrote.

He hinted that between the memo and wider market reaction, his depreciation comments have sparked a bigger reaction than he anticipated: "I have been drawn into something much bigger than me."

Nvidia shares have slumped 14% from their November 3 high, as investors have grown more concerned that AI companies are overspending and overvalued.

Burry shot to fame after his massive bet against the US housing bubble was immortalized in the book and movie "The Big Short. Known for his dire warnings about crashes and recessions, he returned to X after a two-year break in late October, making the case that AI stocks are in a bubble.

His Scion Asset Management firm first revealed on November 3 that it held bearish put options on Nvidia and Palantir at the end of September. The bets had a combined notional value of $1.1 billion, but Burry wrote in his latest post that they only cost him around $10 million each.

• Thanksgiving air travel is set to break records as 31 million people are expected to fly.
• With the government reopened, it's unlikely lingering shutdown chaos will affect flights.
• Here's some tips in case your flight schedule is disrupted.

Hopefully, the only thing stuffed this Thanksgiving is your turkey, not your flight schedule.

Airlines for America, the main lobbying group for major US carriers, is predicting a record-breaking year for holiday travel as an estimated 31 million people fly between November 21 and December 1.

That's about 2.8 million passengers a day queuing at check-in and security and vying for lounge space. The demand requires about 45,000 more daily seats, with the Sunday and Monday after Thanksgiving being the busiest days to fly.

United Airlines said in its holiday forecast to the media that it expects 6.6 million customers — its busiest Thanksgiving to date. It said Orlando, Las Vegas, and Boston are its top destinations.

American Airlines said it plans to operate nearly 81,000 flights over the Thanksgiving holiday and has added late-night flights to Phoenix and Chicago to meet demand.

More seats booked mean a greater chance for your flight to be delayed or canceled.

Air traffic control facilities are staffed again after the weekslong government shutdown, but the workforce remains about 3,000 controllers short and still utilizes outdated technology.

This caused mass disruptions at airports like Newark and Washington, DC, before the shutdown led to even greater chaos.

Because Thanksgiving is notoriously busy compared to a normal day, it's not uncommon for bottlenecks to develop and spread throughout the system.

Winter weather is the main threat this year. The weather forecasting company AccuWeather warned that strong thunder, snow, and wind storms could impact flights across the country. The Dallas/Fort Worth area experienced hundreds of delays on Monday after thunderstorms hit the city.

During the 2024 Thanksgiving week, a snowstorm caused thousands of flight disruptions. Still, volume-related problems were largely absent from last year's Thanksgiving travel period — and airlines and customers are hoping for a similarly tame week.

However, it's good to know your passenger rights and your options when things don't go according to plan.

Know your rights as a passenger

If your flight is canceled and you choose not to rebook, the airline is legally required to provide you with a cash refund — not a voucher or credit.

However, things are different for delays. The Trump Administration recently killed a proposal that would have required airlines to compensate passengers for long delays, so flyers largely have to rely on airline goodwill or their credit cards to get anything for the inconvenience.

Some airlines have committed to providing accommodations, transportation, and food during a controllable overnight delay or cancellation, as outlined in the Airline Customer Service Dashboard.

Controllable disruptions include issues such as maintenance or crew staffing. Frontier Airlines is the only carrier that does not offer accommodations in the event of a controllable overnight delay or cancellation, but it will provide a meal voucher.

It still doesn't hurt to ask for a meal or hotel voucher during a non-controllable issue, such as the weather. The worst they can say is no.

Use your airline's mobile app to change or cancel your flight

During disruptions, airlines often allow you to make changes via their mobile app or website, rather than having to wait on clogged phone lines or in long customer service lines.

If this isn't an option, try an online chat. Carriers like Delta Air Lines allow you to text a representative for help.

You can put yourself in the virtual queue and wait in line at the airport, potentially upping your chances of speaking with an agent sooner.

Here are the phone numbers for each airline:

• Alaska: 1-800-252-7522 or text 82008
• Allegiant: 1-702-505-8888
• American: 1-800-433-7300
• Avelo: 1-346-616-9500
• Breeze: No phone number to call, but you can text the airline at 501-273-3931.
• Delta: 1-800-221-1212
• Frontier: No phone number. The best way to contact Frontier is via online chat or email.
• JetBlue: 1-800-538-2583
• Southwest: 1-800-435-9792
• Spirit: 1-855-728-3555
• Sun Country: 1-651-905-2737
• United: 1-800-864-8331

Check if you have travel insurance through your credit card

Travel credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the American Express Platinum, offer built-in insurance that reimburses travelers for hotel, meal, and transportation expenses incurred during certain flight disruptions.

Weather is typically a covered event. For this to work, the traveler would have needed to book their flight with that travel card.

If your credit card doesn't provide travel insurance, it can be worthwhile to buy a separate trip insurance policy before traveling. This type of insurance can help reimburse costs you might lose due to flight problems, such as prepaid hotel stays or cruise bookings.

However, you must purchase this insurance before any travel disruptions occur — once you know a flight might be affected, it's likely too late.