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☆ They celebrated their 25th anniversary with a trip to Paris and ended up buying a stone house in the countryside for $100,000. Now, they're dreaming of retiring there.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Michael and April Meyer bought a stone house in France for about $108,000 in 2022. "It was like our Tour de France," Michael said. Michael and April Meyer/@FrenchStoneHouseLifeThey made the offer in July last year when they were only a third through their planned six-week trip, Michael said. Embracing French cultureThe couple is also committed to immersing themselves in the French way of life — they're even taking French language classes back in the US. Michael and April Meyer/@FrenchStoneHouseLifeTheir French stone house is a vacation home at the moment, but the couple is toying with the idea of possibly retiring there in the future.

Persons: Michael, Meyer, —, April Meyer, @FrenchStoneHouseLife, Michael said, — they're, They've, That's, it's, Bernice, it'd, you've Organizations: Service, de France, Social, Social Security Administration, YouTube Locations: France, California, Europe, Hawaii, Paris, Sacramento, Michael, zipping, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Loire, Limoge, America, agoh@businessinsider.com

☆ Adidas is banning the number '44' on German soccer team jerseys over concerns that the design looks like the Nazi SS flag
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-02 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

People say it looks like a lightning bolt from the SS, a Nazi unit in World War II. Adidas said it's blocked fans from making jerseys with the "44," and an alternative design is being developed. AdvertisementAdidas has removed the option for fans to customize their soccer jerseys with the number "44" amid concerns that a design for the German national team resembles a Nazi symbol. Known widely as the SS, this unit was responsible for many of the war crimes and atrocities committed by Nazi Germany in World War II. DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty ImagesAdidas told the BBC that the jerseys were designed by the German Football Association and weren't intentionally made to look like the SS logo.

Persons: it's, —, Adolf Hitler, Michael König, DAMIEN MEYER, weren't Organizations: German, soccer, SS, Nazi, Adidas, Service, German Football Association, Schutzstaffel, Getty, BBC, Union of European Football Associations, Nike, Business Locations: Nazi Germany, Germany, Nazi SS, Ploeuc, Saint, France, Herzogenaurach

☆ Part scary, part exciting: How artists are using AI in their work
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-01 | by ( Lucy Handley | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

But they also said they were excited about what generative AI might bring. Installation artist Rubem Robierb was "shocked" when he first saw what generative AI could do, he told CNBC by phone. "In its infancy, [generative] AI can create more images in a second [than] the human brain can even process. As it exists right now, [generative] AI sources from known images, known artwork, and known artists to complete a task. Generative artUsing generative AI in an ethical manner is a key consideration for London gallery the Serpentine, which has developed AI projects with artists since 2014, according to its CEO Bettina Korek.

Persons: Refik, Hugo Glendinning, OpenAI's DALL, Rubem Robierb, Robierb, Dandara dos Santos, Rubem, Bettina Korek, Refik Anadol, Korek, Anadol, Julian Espagnon, Danilo S, Shane Guffogg, Carlucci, Holly Herndon, Mat Dryhurst, Jordan Meyer, Guffogg, I'm Organizations: CNBC, Celebrity Cruises for Edge, Smithsonian Institution, Economic, United Arab, & Systems, gallery's Arts Technologies Locations: London, New York City, Fortaleza, Brazil, New York, Miami, Europe, Serpentine, Davos, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, Herndon, Venice, Italy, California

☆ Walmart, Chipotle are splitting the wealth of a record stock market in a way they haven't in decades
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Cheryl Winokur Munk | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

For Chipotle, it's the first stock split in the company's 30-year history, and its announcement echoed Walmart's. Both are hoping, through the availability of an employee stock purchase plan and financial education, they'll get more workers to invest. Chipotle, even further out on the market chart, has shares nearing $3,000 — its stock split is to be effective June 26. ESPP versus fractional sharesEven without a stock split, employees could have already purchased shares of their company, or at least fractional shares, through a brokerage account. Company stock and financial educationSplitting a stock and having a generous ESPP can only go so far when it comes to encouraging employees to buy the company stock.

Persons: they'll, Michael Kestenbaum, Chipotle, Dan Kapinos, Clemens Kownatzki, Aalap Shah, Pearl Meyer, SoFi, Kownatzki, Larry Fink, Kestenbaum Organizations: Walmart, Companies, West Coast, Google, Pepperdine Graziadio Business, Khan Academy, Lyra Health Partners, Bank of America, Employees Locations: Aon

☆ I tried 30 of Trader Joe's seasonal spring products, and there are only a few I wouldn't buy again
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-25 | by ( Savanna Swain-Wilson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +44 min

AdvertisementOther candy makers should take notes because Trader Joe's clearly knows what it's doing when it comes to chocolate. I fell in love with the lemon-and-ricotta ravioli's tasty fillingThis lemon-and-ricotta option is my new favorite Trader Joe's ravioli. These blueberry-and-lemon hand pies are the perfect pastry for the spring seasonThe blueberry-and-lemon hand pies from Trader Joe's look homemade. Trader Joe's Portuguese custard tarts totally lived up to the hypeTrader Joe's Portuguese custard tarts blew me away. If someone told me Trader Joe's lemon sheet cake came from a fancy bakery, I wouldn't question it for a second.

Persons: —, I've, Wilson, Joe's, they're, Savanna, I'm, seitan, pico, gallo, there's, Joe's didn't, Parmesan, Almond, Wilson I'm, graham, They'd, Meyer, munch, Wilson I've, Ina Garten, They're, madeleines, Florentine, Joe, Wilson It's, frosting, pasteis, nata, I'd, pretzels, Joe's dulce, dulce de Organizations: Service, Business, Wilson Locations: Savanna, Eastern Europe, Parmesan, Portugal

☆ 'America's greatest gift to Israel'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( David Kushner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +35 min

As the country's founder and first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, once declared, "America's greatest gift to Israel was Al Schwimmer." Joining the Haganah, Schwimmer discovered, wasn't as easy as just strolling through the door. "He felt he had to do his part in creating a Jewish state, so this could never happen again," Schwimmer recalled. Rather than melt down the surplus weapons for scrap, Liff told Greenspun to take as much as he wanted — free of charge. In 2001, at the urging of Brian Greenspun, Schwimmer received a presidential pardon from Bill Clinton.

Persons: Danny Schwimmer, They'd, Rina, Al —, David Ben, Gurion, Al Schwimmer, Schwimmer, Bugsy Siegel's, Meyer Lansky, Frank Sinatra, Sinatra, —, Boaz Dvir, Israel —, Danny, Al, I've, Hank Greenspun, Greenspun, Brian, Adolph, Dick Tracy, " Schwimmer, Wing Walker, America, Yehuda Arazi, Arazi, they'd, Schwimmer's, Sam Lewis, Leo Gardner, Milton, Milt, Rubenfeld, Paul Reubens, Herman, Reubens, Bugsy Siegel, Siegel, — Schwimmer, Nathan Liff, Liff, PhotoQuest, Bernarr McFadden, Pat, Ptacek, Rafael Trujillo, Teddy Kollek, Erwin Johnson, Bill Gerson, Gerson, Bud King, Gerson's, Ben, Joel Kimmel, Lewis, Lansky, hadn't, Tommy, Messerschmitts, David, Milt Rubenfeld, Israel, Charlie Winters, Winters, weren't, aren't, America's, Joseph McCarthy, John F, Kennedy, Brian Greenspun, Golda Meir, Bill Clinton Organizations: Israeli Air Force, TWA, Haganah, United Nations, Lockheed Air, Los Angeles Examiner, USC, Getty, US Naval, Schwimmer Aviation, FBI, UN, Customs Service, Palestine . Volunteers, Embassy, Israel, Service Airways, State Department, BI, Pepsi, Zionist, Nazi, Star, American, Avia, Messerschmitt, Pennsylvania State University who's, Las, Sun, Israel Aerospace Industries, IAI, they're, Israeli Locations: Tel Aviv, Israel, Connecticut, Palestine, New York, Copacabana, United States, Hungary, Auschwitz, storages, Arizona, Bridgeport, Rome, Burbank , California, Burbank, Las Vegas, Hawaii, Oahu, Santa Claus, California, Washington, Burbank ., Acapulco, Mexico, it's, Mexico City, Central, South America, Dominican Republic, China, America, Mexican, Panama, Panamanian, Corsica, Oklahoma, Detroit, Suriname, Brazil, Senegal, Casablanca, Sicily, Catania, Europe, Czechoslovakia, Czech, Egypt, Cairo, Los Angeles, American, Gaza, Iran

☆ An Arms Smugger, a Daring Heist, and the Birth of Israel
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-24 | by ( David Kushner | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +35 min

Joining the Haganah, Schwimmer discovered, wasn't as easy as just strolling through the door. "He felt he had to do his part in creating a Jewish state, so this could never happen again," Schwimmer recalled. Rather than melt down the surplus weapons for scrap, Liff told Greenspun to take as much as he wanted — free of charge. "It went against the grain to buck the same government we had fought to preserve only a few years before," Hank Greenspun recalled. In 2001, at the urging of Brian Greenspun, Schwimmer received a presidential pardon from Bill Clinton.

☆ Hannah Waddingham's 'intense' first meeting with Tom Cruise involved being stuck on a fighter carrier for 5 days sitting inches away from his face — and it was "lovely"
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Caralynn Matassa | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Hannah Waddingham had an intense but lovely first meeting with Tom Cruise on "Mission: Impossible 8." Waddingham was also stuck in a confined space with Ryan Gosling and Aaron Taylor-Johnson filming "The Fall Guy." AdvertisementHannah Waddingham got up close and personal with Tom Cruise when they first met — literally. On top of making her debut in the long-running franchise, she's also in "The Fall Guy." "The Fall Guy" hits theaters on May 3.

Persons: Hannah Waddingham, Tom Cruise, Waddingham, Ryan Gosling, Aaron Taylor, Johnson, Guy, —, Cruise, George H, I've, Ted Lasso, Christopher McQuarrie, she's, David Leitch, Colt Seavers, who's, Coke, Gail Meyer, Tom Ryder, Jody's, Emily Blunt, costars Gosling, Taylor, Ryan, Aaron Organizations: Service, SXSW, TV, Bush, Cruise Locations: Bakery, California, Instagram

☆ A California superbloom is springing to life and the best is yet to come
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-17 | by ( Mary Gilbert | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —California will soon be decorated with a rainbow of wildflowers after drenching winter rain set the stage for a spectacular spring superbloom. The phenomenon isn’t unique to California; wildflowers can paint parched desert landscapes, mountains and grasslands in Arizona and Nevada, too, but some of the most dense and therefore spectacular displays are found in Southern California. David McNew/Getty Images/FileBut there’s hope for another brilliant superbloom following the wet winter, Meyer said. Desert sand verbena and dune evening primrose wildflowers bloom in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park's Coyote Canyon on Thursday, March 14. “We don’t know as of yet if it’s going to be a good year for the poppies, given the rain,” Turner cautioned.

Persons: ”, Evan Meyer, Theodore Payne, Meyer, “, ” Meyer, David McNew, Callista Turner, Danny L, ” Turner, Turner, – Organizations: CNN, Theodore Payne Foundation, Natural Reserve, Poppy, California State Parks Locations: California, Southern California, Southern, Meyer, Arizona, Nevada, Carrizo, McKittrick , California, Anza, Desert, Palm Springs, Chino Hills, Anaheim, Elk, Santa Barbara, Antelope, Death, Los Angeles

☆ Live updates: 3 killed in Pennsylvania shooting, suspect barricaded in New Jersey with hostages, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Adrienne Vogt | Matt Meyer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Authorities say Gordon, who was driving a stolen vehicle, fatally shot two people who lived at the residence. Following the shooting, Gordon then went to Edgewood Lane, where he fatally shot another individual, according to officials. Officials say Gordon knew all the shooting victims. Police say Gordon was last seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt. Police say Gordon is considered extremely dangerous, and anyone who sees him should be asked to contact the authorities.

Persons: JD Mullane, Andre Gordon, Gordon Organizations: USA, Network Pennsylvania, Police, Middletown Township Police Locations: Falls Township, Falls, Levittown, Edgewood Lane, Bristol Pike, Morrisville, Pennsylvania, Trenton , New Jersey, Middletown Township

☆ We moved from California to Iowa and thought it would be way cheaper. We stayed less than 2 years before returning to California's sunny weather.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Wendy and Kurt Meyer moved from Mission Viejo, California, to Washington, Iowa, in 2021. The couple moved back to Mission Viejo in December 2023 and they never want to leave again. They stayed 20 months before moving back to Mission Viejo in December 2022. My parents were from Iowa and moved me to Iowa when I was in high school. We lived in Mission Viejo in Orange County.

Persons: Wendy, Kurt Meyer, Hawkeye, —, I'm, Kurt, We'll, grandkids, Wendy Meyer, Wendy Meyer Kurt, They're, It's, We've Organizations: Service, That's, Air Force, The University of Iowa Hospital, Wendy, Gas, Costco Locations: Mission Viejo , California, Washington , Iowa, Mission Viejo, Los Angeles, Iowa, California, Germany, Long Beach, Orange County, She's, Iowa City

☆ Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer invests $20 million in indoor golf experience company Five Iron
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Ian Thomas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

That led Meyer to take a lesson with a golf pro on an indoor simulator, an experience that eventually led him and his investment firm, Enlighted Hospitality Investments, to make a $20 million minority investment in Five Iron Golf, an indoor golf and entertainment company. Five Iron Golf, founded in 2017, has grown as it has looked to appeal to several types of golfers, according to CEO Jared Solomon. "The core of Five Iron Golf is to be the best place for the serious golfer as well as the entertainment-type person," Solomon said. But the amount of people who are only playing golf on courses is decreasing, down 9% from the previous year. In fact, there are more players now playing at golf entertainment venues like Topgolf , standalone driving ranges, and businesses like Five Iron Golf with simulator and screen golf setups than there are players playing on a course, according to the NGF data.

Persons: Danny Meyer, hasn't, Meyer, we've, Jared Solomon, Solomon Organizations: Shake, Enlighted Hospitality Investments, National Golf Foundation Locations: U.S

☆ Some advertisers are doubling their Amazon spends at the expense of Meta and Google. Here's what's driving the change.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Lauren Johnson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewAmazon's push to grow its $47 billion ad business beyond its core search ads is starting to gain steam with advertisers. About 70% to 80% of advertisers' Amazon budgets go to search ads that drive sales, said Laura Meyer, founder and CEO of Amazon agency Envision Horizons. But Amazon is increasingly investing in adtech to grow its ad business beyond search placements and better compete with giants like Meta and Google. AdvertisementPower said that brands often spend 8% of Amazon sales on ads — mostly search ads that drive sales. He said clients are now increasing budgets to represent 12% to 15% of Amazon sales, with the incremental dollars going toward Amazon's adtech formats.

Persons: —, Laura Meyer, Patrick Miller, Mark Power, Power, Horizon's Meyer, it's, Ross Walker, They've Organizations: Service, Amazon, Meta, Google, Business, Trade Locations: Acadia

☆ To get $9 million in pandemic aid, Lil Wayne pledged to operate a 'drug-free workplace.' The feds believed him.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Jack Newsham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Lil Wayne loves weed. But in 2021, Lil Wayne — whose real name Dwayne Carter — told the government that his touring company was a "drug-free" workplace. No one at the Small Business Administration appeared to question it, and the government cut a $8.9 million check to Lil Wayne's company Young Money Touring Inc. Representatives for Beach House didn't respond to a request for comment, nor did press contacts for Lil Wayne or Post Malone. The feds could claw the money backThe SBA told grant applicants that they could be sued or even prosecuted for lying.

Persons: Malone, Lil Wayne, —, Lil Wayne —, Dwayne Carter —, Lil Wayne's, Post Malone, Post, Joe Rogan's, they're, Carter, , Harold Pollack, Josh Schiller, Schiller, Dan Meyer, Andrew Preble, should've, Day Organizations: Service, Small Business Administration, Inc, Austin Post, Post, SBA, Touring Inc, University of Chicago, Elon, SpaceX, Beach House, NME, Beach Locations: people's, San Francisco, Angeles, New Orleans

☆ Florida condo owners are stuck in a 'train wreck' as prices drop and mounting insurance rates scare away buyers
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewThe Florida condo market is caught in a storm. By contrast, median condo prices nationally rose 8% over the same period, to around $340,000. A deepening insurance crisis for Florida homeownersThe rising cost of insurance has been a long-simmering problem in Florida. Recently, he walked away from buying a $300,000 condo in North Palm Beach that would have come with a $4,500 annual insurance bill. On his own single-family home in Palm Beach Gardens, Forina added, his annual insurance premium, which was $2,600 in 2017, jumped to $8,200 in 2024.

Persons: —, It's, Joe Humphfner, rusk, Florida homeownership, Holly Meyer Lucas, Meyer Lucas, Anthony Forina, Forina, Humphfner Organizations: Service, Business, Sunshine State, Farmers Insurance, Bankers Insurance, Homeowners, Wall Street Journal, Condo, Humphfner Locations: Florida, Jupiter, West Palm, Jacksonville, Miami, Coral, Florida's, South Florida, North Palm, Palm Beach

☆ Where Old Vegas is still alive today
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Matt Villano | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

MuseumsMuseums are obvious celebrations of the past, and in Las Vegas, these two museums have direct links to the Vegas of old. At the Neon Museum, Old Vegas is showcased in the form of neon signs. Other attractionsSeveral other sights and destinations around Las Vegas keep the city’s past alive in this modern age. At one point every casino in Las Vegas had a machine like this one; today this is the only coin-operated iteration left. Finally, the most recognizable throwback to Old Vegas might be the neon “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign at the south end of the Las Vegas Strip near Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino.

Persons: upstage Travis, Taylor, Usher, Jackie Gaughan, Kenny Epstein, Epstein, Gaughan, “, ”, you’ve, Bugsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky, La Concha, Caesar, Chris Welsch, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Sinatra, Hugo’s, El Cortez, Barbara Streisand’s, Bauer, Griffin, Vegas Vickie, Vickie, Derek Stevens, Vic, Betty Willis, YESCO Organizations: CNN, Sin, Bellagio, Vegas, Eiffel, El, Fremont Street, National Register of Historic Places, Casino, Hotel, Museums, Mob Museum, National Museum of, US Post Office, Commerce, Neon Museum, Las, Virgin Hotels, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Italian American, Four Queens Casino, Las Vegas, Sigma Derby, Fremont Locations: Sin City, Las Vegas, Paris, Vegas, Hotel Nevada, Fremont Street, America, Old Vegas, Sahara, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Las, Fremont, Mandalay

☆ My parents had me in their late 40s. As older parents, they didn't seem interested in me, and I didn't feel wanted.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( John Meyer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

So, I grew up with older parents, but we struggled to connect as a family. AdvertisementMy parents were stuck in their old waysI never really noticed that my parents were considered old until my first day at elementary school. And in all honesty, my parents really were more like grandparents, while my much older siblings were more like uncles and aunts. Other parents helped their kids with homework; Mom and Dad said, "This is why we're sending you to a school." Now I'm older than my parents were when they first brought me into the world, and I don't have any children.

Persons: —, Mom, Dad Organizations: Service, Business

☆ The Absurd Problem of New York City Trash
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Emily Badger | Larry Buchanan | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +30 min

In New York City, trash has no dedicated space all its own. The Absurd Problem of New York City Trash And the Trade-Offs Required to Fix ItConsider the ubiquitous New York trash bag. The prospect has prompted much snickering: New York’s big idea to clean up trash is to … put it in trash bins? New York City Municipal Archives1913: A century in the past, but the same problems as today. New York City Municipal ArchivesBut those cans overflowed to horrifying effect during the 10-day strike:When New York streets resembled landfills.

Persons: …, that’s, ” Anthony Crispino, “, ” Cole Stallard, Stallard, Gerard Koeppel, Oscar, Neal Boenzi, New York Times Garbage, Larry C, Morris, Meyer Liebowitz, Rudy Giuliani, ‘, ”, Norman Steisel, Eric Adams, Jessica Tisch, Tisch, Hiroko Masuike, Ms, there’s, It’s, ” Harry Nespoli, workarounds, Martin Melosi, Clare Miflin, Miflin, don’t, Benjamin Miller, Martin Robertson, ” Mr, Robertson Organizations: Sanitation Department, New York City Municipal, New York Times, York’s Sanitation Department, Department, York City Municipal, District of Columbia Department of Public, New York, New York Public, The New York Times, City Hall, Avenue, West 22nd, West, Eighth, 21st, West 21st, Bronx Manhattan Queens, Financial, Center, Zero Locations: New York City, stairwells, York, New York, York City, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Washington, Houston, what’s, Chelsea, Erie, Manhattan, ”, New Yorkers, Staten Island, New, East, Bronx, Bronx Manhattan Queens Brooklyn Staten Island, European, Harlem, New York . New York, Relatedly, Brooklyn

☆ Brit Awards 2024: See who won
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Dan Heching | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

English singer-songwriter RAYE leads the contenders and has the most nominations ever at the Brits, with seven. RAYE also already won the songwriter of the year award ahead of the ceremony. In the best new artist category, RAYE is joined by Mahalia, Olivia Dean, PinkPantheress and Yussef Dayes. Frank Hoensch/Redferns/Getty ImagesThe Brit Awards event, taking place at the O2 Arena in London, is being hosted by Maya Jama, Roman Kemp and Clara Amfo. Announced performers set to take the stage include Dua Lipa, Kylie Minogue, RAYE, Tate McRae, Jungle and more.

Persons: RAYE, Blues ”, Arlo Parks, Jessie Ware, Little Simz, Olivia Dean, PinkPantheress, Dayes, Rachel Agatha Keen, Frank Hoensch, Maya Jama, Roman Kemp, Clara Amfo, Kylie Minogue, Tate McRae, Minogue, Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding, “, ” Cassio, Raye, Central, Ed Sheeran, Hus, Drake, Kenya Grace, ” Lewis Capaldi, ” RAYE, Rudimental, Charlotte Plank, Debbie, Ella Henderson, Goddard, Darren ” J Hus, Mahalia Olivia Dean PinkPantheress RAYE, Yussef Dayes, Damien Meyer, J Hus Jessie Ware Little, Olivia Dean RAYE, Helle Arensbak, Ritzau Scanpix, Barry Can’t, Becky Hill Calvin Harris, Fred, Romy R, Cleo Sol Jorja Smith Mahalia RAYE, Calvin Harris Charli, Olivia Dean RAYE Hip, Cee Dave J Hus, Simz Calvin Harris, David Becker, Caroline Polachek CMAT Kylie Minogue Lana Del Rey Miley Cyrus Olivia Rodrigo SZA, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, ” David Kushner, ” Meghan Trainor, Miley Cyrus, Noah Kahan, Oliver Tree, Robin Schulz, Olivia Rodrigo, Peggy Gou, Bill ” Tate McCrae, Baser Sekou Organizations: CNN, Blues, Dua, Mahalia, O2, “ Prada, “, Getty, Arlo, Cee, Olivia Dean RAYE Group, Young, International Group, Foo, Pop Locations: United Kingdom, London, Dua Lipa, Dua, Kenya, France, Cee Dua, Aarhus, Denmark, AFP

☆ A certified financial planner shares 4 things new real-estate investors should do before they buy their first property — including 2 budgeting strategies for building up savings
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Getting into real-estate investing for the first time can be a scary thing. But according to Kyle Mast, a certified financial planner, preparation can help mitigate fear when buying your first property. Establish a visionThe first is to develop a vision and a goal for where you want to go with real-estate investing and what you hope to achieve with it. The bigger this number is, the better position you are in to both secure a lower mortgage rate and weather any real-estate investing storms. "I would say one of the best things you can do is if you know somebody that does real-estate investing, buy them coffee, and just talk to them about it and see what they did."

Persons: Kyle Mast, Mast, you've, Dave Meyer, It's

☆ Why readers are falling for romantasy stories
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Scottie Andrew | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

But when it comes to the literary flavor that’s dominating readers’ attention in 2024, it’s clear: “Romantasy” reigns supreme. When romantasy protagonists (such as dragon-riders, fairies and fallen angels) aren’t busy saving their worlds, they’re falling deeply in love — often with someone they formerly considered an adversary (the “enemies-to-lovers” trope does big numbers with romantasy readers). Romantasy is breaking through among readers who previously didn’t browse the fantasy aisle — and delighting readers who’ve loved it for years. We talk to authors, experts, longtime fans and recent converts about why readers are flocking to romantasy stories, in which treacherous quests are punctuated by steamy trysts. It’s what bookseller and romantasy fan Gideon Ariel calls “Swiss Army lit” — a subgenre that all readers can enjoy, from longtime fantasy nerds to newcomers.

Persons: Romantasy, aren’t, —, ”, Sarah J, Maas, Rebecca Yarros ’, who’ve, steamy trysts, Taylor Su, CNN Romantasy, Frankie Diane Mallis, Yarros ’, Violet Sorrengail, Gideon Ariel, “, Ariel, romantasy, Diana Gabaldon, Nalini Singh, who’s, couldn’t, Stephanie Meyer’s, ’, Jennifer L, Armentrout, Mallis, TikTok, Patti McConville, I’ve, Gemma Todd, Jayashree Kamblé, ” Kamblé, ” Ariel, Beth Gabriel, ” Mallis, Yarros, Todd, “ Harry Potter ”, ” Todd, Gabriel, She’s, Tracy Deonn, ” Sarah J, ” Rebecca Yarros, ” Travis, ” Silvia Moreno, Garcia, ” Scarlett St, Clair, ” Jennifer L, Ash, ” Rebecca Ross, ” Tracy Deonn, ” Frankie Diane Mallis, ” Nalini Singh Organizations: CNN, New York Times, Arcadia University, Army, Guardian, Bloomsbury, LaGuardia Community College, International Association for, Milwaukee Public Library Locations: bibliophiles, Madison , Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Crescent, Yarros, Wisconsin

☆ A Wrecking Ball From China Is Heading Toward the Big 3 Automakers - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-27 | by ( Robinson Meyer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Over the past few months, America’s Big Three automakers — Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, the oddly named company that owns Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep — landed in big trouble. Ford, General Motors and Stellantis made billions in profit last year, even after a lengthy strike by autoworkers, and all three companies are forecasting a big 2024. The biggest threat to the Big Three comes from a new crop of Chinese automakers, especially BYD, which specialize in producing plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles. BYD’s growth is astounding: It sold three million electrified vehicles last year, more than any other company, and it now has enough production capacity in China to manufacture four million cars a year. A deluge of electric vehicles is coming.

Persons: —, Stellantis, autoworkers, America Organizations: — Ford, General Motors, Dodge, Chrysler Locations: U.S, China, Brazil, Thailand, Hungary, Uzbekistan, Indonesia, Mexico

☆ Can Buffett’s Berkshire make the $1 trillion milestone? Analysts weigh in
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Wall Street analysts have a cautious view on Berkshire Hathaway , though they praised a solid earnings report over the weekend from Warren Buffett 's conglomerate. Berkshire also said its cash rose to a record $167.6 billion, topping its prior high of $157.2 billion held in the previous quarter. Berkshire's stock initally rose in trading on Monday, with both classes hitting all-time highs intraday, and bringing the conglomerate closer to a $1 trillion valuation. BRK.A YTD mountain Berkshire Hathaway Class A However, many Wall Street analysts are wary on Berkshire, with many expecting that the stock is fairly valued as much of the strength is already priced into the stock. Berkshire's solid earnings reflected outperformance in auto insurer Geico, but the results were dinged by lower earnings in utilities and energy.

Persons: Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett, FactSet, Edward Jones, James Shanahan, Keefe, Woods, Meyer Shields, Shields, Brian Meredith, CFRA's Catherine Seifert, Buffett, Michael Bloom Organizations: Berkshire Hathaway, Wall, UBS Locations: Berkshire, Omaha

☆ US government sues to block largest supermarket merger in history
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-26 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —The Federal Trade Commission on Monday sued to block the $25 billion deal between Kroger and Albertsons, alleging the largest supermarket merger in US history would lead to higher prices for consumers. The merger, announced in 2022, sought to combine the fifth and tenth largest retailers in the country. “This supermarket mega merger comes as American consumers have seen the cost of groceries rise steadily over the past few years. With the FTC’s blessing, Haggen, a small supermarket chain in the Northwest with just 18 locations, bought 146 of the former Albertsons and Safeway stores. She criticized the FTC’s handling of Albertsons’ deal with Safeway, pointing to it as a prime example of the limitations of divestitures.

Persons: Harris Teeter, Fred Meyer, Kroger, Rodney McMullen, Henry Liu, Piggly, Khan, Lina Khan, Haggen, ” Khan, “ Organizations: New, New York CNN, Federal Trade Commission, Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Bureau of Labor Statistics, FTC, Walmart, Amazon, Costco, Competition, S Wholesale Grocers, Democrats, Republicans, Capitol Locations: New York, United States, Aldi, FTC’s, Northwest

☆ MLS Season Pass: The world is obsessed with soccer. Can Apple make Americans love it too?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Jordan Valinsky | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A centerpiece of that plan is “MLS Season Pass,” a sleekly designed streaming package that ditches the fragmentation other sports suffer from and lets fans stream globally every game — without blackouts — in the Apple TV app. The package costs $14.99 per month or $99 for the season and slightly less ($12.99 per month or $79 for the year) for existing Apple TV+ subscribers. “Once people tuned into the product, they were watching longer than our linear versions in past years,” Camilo Durana, executive vice president of MLS’ Apple partnership, properties and events, told CNN. On Wednesday, Apple released a new Sports app that shows live MLS scores and pushes people to watch them on “MLS Season Pass” on the Apple TV app. That matches a third-party report from analytics firm Antenna showing that “MLS Season Pass” was getting 6,000 new signups a day before Messi arrived but soared to 110,000 signups a day after he signed.

Persons: ” Sacha Kljestan, ” Kljestan, Kevin Egan, Andrew Wiebe, Kaylyn Kyle, Bradley Wright, Phillips, “, ” Camilo Durana, Maddie Meyer, Apple, Lionel Messi, Dre, Durana, Messi, It’s, Santosh Rao, ” Rao Organizations: New, New York CNN — Football, Major League Soccer, Apple, MLS, CNN, NFL, NBC, CBS, FOX, US, TSN, Columbus Crew, Inter Miami, Apple Music, Sports Business, Mobile, Manhattan Venture Partners, doesn’t Locations: New York, Spanish, Canada, Apple’s

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