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Attacks on ships in the Red Sea are delivering another shock to global trade, coming on top of pandemic-related logjams at ports and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The normal route — three weeks via the Suez Canal — has been shut down by the Houthi attacks. Chief executive Stuart Machin said the Red Sea trouble was “impacting everyone and something we’re very focused on." For Europe, the impact is even bigger: 40% of clothes and 50% of shoes traverse the Red Sea. Norwegian fertilizer giant Yara said it was “only mildly impacted by the transit challenges in the Red Sea."

Persons: What’s, Ryan Petersen, Petersen, It’s, Clifton Broumand, Broumand, —, ”, “, it’s, Tesla, Spencer, Stuart Machin, Steve Lamar, Lamar, Flexport, Katheryn Russ, Davis, Judah Levine, Freightos, it's, Russ, Obama, Carlos Tavares, Stellantis, Jan Hoffmann, Frank Conforti, Conforti, ____ Anderson, Kelvin Chan, Anne D'Innocenzio, Yuri Kageyama, Tom Krisher, David McHugh Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, Hamas, Machine, Volvo, Suzuki Motor Corp, American Apparel & Footwear Association, University of California, U.S . Federal Reserve, BMW, Retailer, Free People, AP Business Locations: Belgium, Germany, British, Maryland, Asia, Ukraine, Yemen, Gaza, Europe, United States, Suez, Africa, “, Panama, Greater Landover , Maryland, Taiwan, China, Los Angeles, Berlin, Swedish, Ghent, Hungary, Japan, U.S, overcapacity, Red, Israel, India, New York, London, Tokyo, Detroit, Frankfurt

☆ Attacks on ships in the Red Sea are disrupting global trade. Here’s how it could affect what you buy
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

Attacks on ships in the Red Sea are delivering another shock to global trade, coming on top of pandemic-related logjams at ports and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The normal route — three weeks via the Suez Canal — has been shut down by the Houthi attacks. Chief executive Stuart Machin said the Red Sea trouble was "impacting everyone and something we're very focused on." For Europe, the impact is even bigger: 40% of clothes and 50% of shoes traverse the Red Sea. Norwegian fertilizer giant Yara said it was "only mildly impacted by the transit challenges in the Red Sea."

Persons: It's, Petersen, Ryan Petersen, Clifton Broumand, Broumand, it's, Tesla, Spencer, Stuart Machin, Steve Lamar, Lamar, Flexport, Katheryn Russ, Davis, Judah Levine, Freightos, Russ, Obama, Carlos Tavares, Stellantis, Jan Hoffmann, Frank Conforti, Conforti Organizations: Galaxy, Houthis Media, Getty, Machine, Hamas, Volvo, Suzuki Motor Corp, American Apparel & Footwear Association, University of California, U.S . Federal Reserve, BMW, Retailer Urban Outfitters, Free People Locations: Iran, Yemen, Anadolu, Greater Landover , Maryland, Taiwan, China, Gaza, Panama, Asia, Europe, United States, Suez, Africa, Ukraine, Belgium, Germany, British, Maryland, Los Angeles, Berlin, Swedish, Ghent, Hungary, Japan, U.S, overcapacity, Red, Israel, India

☆ Everyone makes the same mistake in their dining room, according to an interior designer
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Samantha Grindell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

And according to Brent, many people's dining room rugs aren't right for their spaces. AdvertisementWhen you're decorating your dining room, you likely rely on a few key pieces to make it feel inviting. But getting the right rug for your dining room can be difficult, as designer and YouTuber Kiva Brent recently shared in an Instagram Reel. Advertisement"Stick to washable rugs, layer cowhides that are fairly easy to clean, or forgo the rug in the dining room," Brent said in the same Reel. Whatever you decide, make sure you're getting a rug that actually suits your dining room — not one that doesn't fit your space.

Persons: Kiva Brent, —, Brent, Bilal Rehman Organizations: Service Locations: Brent

Some of our top-rated duffel bags, travel wallets and hardside suitcases are on sale, as well as the travel essentials that Buy Side staffers always pack for smooth trips. AmazonAmong the ton of deals the mega-retailer is offering for Cyber Monday, we found these great sale prices on travel necessities. Dagne DoverDagne Dover’s neoprene travel gear has made it onto our lists of the best gym bags and fanny packs and travel must-haves, and for good reason. MonosMonos’ sleek luggage, including rolling bags, duffels and backpacks, is on sale for Cyber Monday—you can save up to 40% sitewide. Also shop this versatile luggage set and large spinner if you’re in the market for hardside travel gear.

Persons: Madeline Diamond, Bellamy Richardson, Béis, Cuyana, Sons Lo, you’ve, We’ve, it’s, You’ll, Now’s Organizations: Sons, Catalina, luxe Locations: Calpak

Tommy John is one of our favorite places to buy basics. Right now, the Tommy John Cyber Monday sale includes 30% off everything. We reviewed nearly every Tommy John style and were super impressed by just how soft, comfortable, and washable everything is. I've also purchased Tommy John underwear as gifts to make other people believers." Best Cyber Monday deals at Tommy JohnCyber Monday Tommy John deals FAQsWhat is Tommy John's Return Policy?

Persons: Tommy John, Tommy John Cyber, Tommy John's, Amir Ismael, I've, We've

☆ The 29 Best Holiday Gifts to Shop This Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Buy Side Staff | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +15 min

To help you shop for nice prices, we limited our list to our favorites that are on sale now for Black Friday. One thing I have my eye on is this Nyx Butter Gloss Holiday Gifts Set with 14 full-size lip glosses in a variety of colors. She loves color, but she also has a goth streak, so I wasn’t surprised she asked for black nail polish. It would make a great gift for a college student, new grad or really anyone who could use a travel gear upgrade. It’s a great set to update your kitchen or give as a gift this holiday season.” —Emily Welsh, VP and general manager

Persons: We’ve, I’ll, Harry Potter, ” — Aly J, Barbie Dreamhouse, I’d, Barbie, Don’t, Emily Welsh, ”, Emily Schwartzberg, Matte Black, Matte White, Madeline Diamond, Tween, Olive, Jessica Woodbury, cocotte, Staub, Astrid Stawiarz, Nick Guy, ” — Ian Salisbury, Cashmere, I’ve, PJs, ” — Emily Welsh, Charming, Mario, ‘, Cozy, it’s, Susan “, Susan, Anaya, There’s, ” — Leslie Yazel, we’ll, Philip Asquith, It’s, ” — Bellamy Richardson, I’m, Buddy, nutcrackers, Luxe, Augustinus Bader, Rich Cream, ” — Irma Sahinovic, they’re, Brittany Nguyen Organizations: Side, Black, Yale, Bluetooth, Apple, Mario Kart, PlayStation, Target, Saks, Olive Oil, Amazon, Chic Locations: Ulta, Pima, Los Angeles, Olive, Ojai , Calif, Europe, The

☆ The Holiday Gifts Buy Side Staffers Are Buying This Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Buy Side Staff | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +12 min

By Buy Side StaffThe Buy Side staff shops for a living, which also means we spend an inordinate amount of time scrutinizing gift options. To help you shop for nice prices, we limited our list to our favorites that are on sale now for Black Friday. She asked for compression socks, so I’m buying her these pretty ones in blue chevron to help her with recovery. It would make a great gift for a college student, new grad or really anyone who could use a travel gear upgrade. It’s a great set to update your kitchen or give as a gift this holiday season.” —Emily Welsh, VP and general manager

Persons: We’ve, cocotte, Staub, ”, Astrid Stawiarz, Nick Guy, ” — Ian Salisbury, Cashmere hoodie, I’ve, Jessica Woodbury, PJs, ” — Emily Welsh, Charming, Madeline Diamond, ‘ Broom ’, I’ll, Samantha Sharf, Mario, ‘, Cozy, she’s, ” — Leslie Yazel, it’s, Susan “, Susan, Anaya, There’s, we’ll, Philip Asquith, It’s, ” — Bellamy Richardson, Buddy, I’m, nutcrackers, ” — Aly J, they’re, Brittany Nguyen Organizations: Side, Black, Bluetooth, Apple, PlayStation, Mario Kart, New, Olive Oil, Amazon, Yale, Walmart Locations: Naadam, New York City, Los Angeles, Olive, Ojai , Calif, Europe, The

☆ I Tried Meta’s Ad-Free Instagram Subscription. This Is What It Was Like.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Nicole Nguyen | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Earlier this year, I visited a washable rug’s website and decided it wasn’t for me. Then its relentless pursuit of me began—especially on Instagram. So when an option popped up to get rid of all ads on the social network, I jumped at the chance to try it. I paid a fee, about $14 in the app, eager to see a feed unencumbered by lurking rugs and other junk ads.

☆ I Paid $14 for a Month of Ad-Free Instagram—Was It Worth It?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Nicole Nguyen | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

☆ The 20 Best Gifts for Your In-Laws—Including the Hard to Impress
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Karen I. Chen | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +11 min

“There is an unspoken pressure on nailing the perfect gift,” says Kristin Fisher, the Collegeville, Penn.-based founder of custom gift box company Bocu. Leah Inman, a Dallas-based gifting consultant, recommends ordering a custom house portrait for mothers-in-law, in particular. They likely already know about red light therapy, so this petite wand makes the perfect gift, according to Fisher. That’s why he recommends gift cards, such as one from Massage Envy, which has more than 1,100 locations in the U.S. and offers both massage and facials, as well as stretch therapy. Inman recommends gifting this compact jewelry organizer for your jetsetting sister- or mother-in-law.

Persons: Karen I, Chen, ”, Kristin Fisher, we’ve, Leah Inman, Tami Claytor, Fisher, “, won’t, ” Fisher, Carver, Patrick Kucharson, Inman, they’re, Eden Delaune, Sonoma, Kucharson, ” Kucharson, Delaune, ” It’s Organizations: Homes, Watercolor, Amazon Locations: Penn, Dallas, New York City, Cleveland , Ohio, Eden, Fort Worth , Texas, cardigan, U.S

☆ A 24-year-old spent her summer renovating a rundown cabin on a remote island in Canada. Take a look.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Bri Macdonald spent her summer renovating a cabin on an island in Ontario, Canada. AdvertisementBri Macdonald spent the summer on a remote island on a lake in Ontario. Bri MacdonaldMacdonald said getting to the cabin was an 'adventure'The cabin Macdonald renovated was the only building on the secluded island. But she was working on the cabin project by herself. Bri Macdonald working on the cabin in Ontario, Canada.

Persons: Bri Macdonald, Macdonald, —, Bri Macdonald Macdonald, Barbie, I've, Macdonald couldn't, she'll Organizations: Service, Barbies Locations: Ontario, Canada, TikTok, Georgian

☆ The U.S. government is investing $22 million into developing surveillance clothing that includes shirts, pants, and underwear that can record video and audio
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The federal government has a $22 million surveillance clothing program, according to The Intercept. The initiative will develop shirts, pants, socks, and underwear that can record audio and video. In other words, funding moonshots like underwear that's as stretchable and washable as normal underwear, but can also record your every move. Some are worried, though, that the SMART ePANTS program could lay the groundwork for more invasive forms of surveillance. She added, "now suppose SMART ePANTS detects a chemical on your skin — imagine where that can lead."

Persons: Dawson Cagle, Cagle, Annie Jacobsen, they're, IARPA Organizations: Apple, Oura, Textile Systems, SMART, Intercept, Smart, National Intelligence, Intelligence, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, SMART ePANTS, United, TSA

If you're part of the many facing the summer heat without an HVAC system installed, portable air conditioners are cheaper alternatives that can help you stay cool and comfortable. This Whynter 14,000-BTU portable air conditioner does just that for a comparably affordable price, even more so with $100 off at Amazon, dropping the price of what we consider the best portable air conditioner for large rooms to $499. This portable air conditioner is cheap compared to HVACsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Deal Whynter ARC-14S Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner The Whynter ARC-14S Dual Hose Portable Air Conditioner may be big and not as portable as other units, but it did the best job of cooling a 550-square-foot room in Insider tests. $499.00 from Amazon Originally $599.99 Save 17%Heat waves don't require thousand-dollar solutionsDesigned to keep large rooms cool and comfortable, the Whynter ARC-14S portable air conditioner can service rooms up to 550 square feet and was the best at cooling large rooms in our tests.

Organizations: ARC, Amazon

Limited-Time Deal Amazon Music Unlimited (Prime Member Plan) Amazon Music Unlimited lets you stream more than 90 million songs ad-free and millions of podcasts. $16.99 from Amazon Originally $29.99 Save 43%Prime Day deals: AudioDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. Deal Amazon Echo Buds (2023) If you need a new pair of wireless earbuds with decent sound, try the newest Echo Buds. $279.99 from Amazon Originally $499.99 Save 44%Prime Day deals: BeautyDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt. $145.00 from Amazon Originally $210.00 Save 31%More Prime Day dealsDeal icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Persons: We're, we've, Amazon’s, eero, AirPods, Price, it's, Price Roku, Dolby, you've, Max, Price Casper, Casper, It's, Coop, Rich, wicks, Price Bowflex, Garmin Venu, Venu, you’ve, Riley C.E.O, Sunday Riley, It’s, it’s, Murad Retinol, Kit Burt's, Kit, you'll, LaCroix, seltzer, Foodi, Fryer, fryer, they're, Price Arlo, Dyson, Collar, You'll, Gray Organizations: Amazon, Alexa, Amazon's, Echo Studio, Music, Prime, Price Apple, Samsung, Apple, LG, Amazon Prime, Walmart, Casper, Health, Fitness, Price Garmin, Garmin, Optimum, Theragun's, Sunbeam, Sunday, Panasonic, Amazon Deal, Energy, AA, Black, Steam, Quart, Deal LG, Fire, Price LG, PlayStation, Google, MacBook Air, Asus, Mobile, Lenovo, ASUS, Monitor, Seagate, Deal Samsung Galaxy, Galaxy, Fujifilm, TSA Locations: Siena, Birch, Sol, it's, sharpener

☆ I Walk Everywhere in These Stylish Flats (and They’re Machine Washable)
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Sunshine Flint | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +4 min

Usually breaking in a pair of flats or sandals meant getting raw blisters on the back of my ankles, even after religiously applying blister stick. So thank you to the algorithm gods that kept serving up pretty images of the Allbirds Tree Breezers flats in my social feeds. Can you really pop out the wool or Tencel insoles and throw the shoes in the washing machine? Allbirds Tree Breezer Point Shoe $110 at AllbirdsI brought both pairs to Greece and wore them to dress up my business casual outfits and for evening dinners out. Comfortable flats?

Persons: I’ve, insoles, they’ve, Allbirds, they’re, she’d Organizations: bros, Acropolis Locations: New York, San Francisco, Athens, Allbirds, Greece, London, Brooklyn

☆ The Most Comfortable Pillows for Back Sleepers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +14 min

Best overall pillow for back sleepersSaatva Latex Pillow $165 at Saatva Saatva’s shredded latex pillow balances plush comfort with a solid amount of neck support. Best memory foam pillow for back sleepersTempur-pedic TEMPUR-Cloud Ultimate Pillow $89 at Tempur-pedic The Tempur-Cloud Ultimate Pillow is a responsive memory foam model that adapts to your body for plush comfort and pressure point relief. But within a day, it plumped up nicely to make a medium-loft memory foam option that would work for different size sleepers. I’ve written extensively about sleep and sleep hygiene in particular, including reviews for Buy Side of pillows for side sleepers, pillows for stomach sleepers and the best mattress toppers. Temperature regulation: For a comfortable night’s sleep, pillows should keep the microclimate—the area between the sleeper and the bedding—from feeling warm.

Persons: Lisa Lombardi, ”, Rahul Shah, you’re, We’ve, “, Shah, Coop, it’s, Nolah’s, I’ve, Heather Swain, D.P.T, Robin Zachary, University of Toledo Robin Zachary Organizations: NASA, Health, University of Toledo Locations: M.D, Vineland , N.J, —, Tempur, Toledo , Ohio, New York City

One pillow that meets every sleeper's needs seemed like a pipe dream — until I tested the Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow. Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow The Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow offers thoughtful features like adjustable fill, a washable pillow cover, and an unparalleled 100-night trial that make it the best choice for most people. Shop at Amazon Shop at Walmart Shop at Coop Sleep Goods What we like Check mark icon A check mark. With the Coop pillow, the encasement acts as a barrier between your pillowcase and the inner pillow. Finally, while I think a good pillow is worth investing in, it's hard to find one at as good a price as the Coop Sleep Goods Original Pillow.

Persons: I've, I'm, Ellen Hoffman, Lauren Savoie, Lisa Sabatini, Coop, There's, it's Organizations: Business, Shop, Walmart, Coop, Branch Locations: hypoallergenic, CertiPUR, Boll

☆ These Are the Best Pillows for Stomach Sleepers
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +16 min

By Lisa LombardiIf you’re a stomach sleeper, you’ve likely shopped for squishy, soft pillows in the past. That’s why finding the ideal pillow for stomach sleepers can prove to be difficult. It cushioned my head without allowing it to collapse into the mattress, like some other soft pillows do. Best upgrade pillow for stomach sleepersCozy Earth Silk Pillow $224 at Cozy Earth $ 299 Save $ 75 Silk-filled with a breathable bamboo cover, this pillow is a luxe pick for stomach sleepers who tend to overheat while they sleep. This flexibility proves particularly helpful for stomach sleepers, since getting the right loft is important to avoiding neck discomfort.

19 of our favorite Amazon Pet Day dealsAmazon#1 Yaheetech Cat Tree - $66 $51 (with coupon)Wow, that's a lot of cat tree for your money. In our testing for the best dog beds, this was easily our favorite calming bed. Amazon#6 AirTag Breakaway Cat Collar - $12.99 $7.98If you fancy picking up some AirTags from the deal below, these affordable collars are a decent match as they have a disc slot for Apple's tracking device. ), be sure to head on over to our best cat collar guide. We named it the best dog harness because it's suitable for dogs that walk nicely on leash as well as vigorous pullers.

☆ Wayfair’s Way Day Sale: What to Buy, According to Expert Shoppers
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +7 min

By Buy Side StaffWayfair’s Way Day Sale is happening now, which means tons of furniture, decor, cookware and more home essentials are deeply discounted. All-Season ComforterIf you’re ready to upgrade your comforter, these two are part of the Way Day sale. Right now the light grey color is down to $700, well below the $1,250 price we’ve tracked in the past. And during Way Day the white version is marked down to $124, nearly 40% less than it was during Wayfair’s last big sale. Large, understated mirrorA strategically placed mirror is a great way to make your space feel larger, and this Ivy Bronx model is a great way to do so without drawing attention to the mirror itself thanks to the simple frame.

☆ The Best Pillows for Side Sleepers, According to Experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +13 min

Best memory foam pillow for side sleepersSaatva Graphite Memory Foam Pillow $165 at Saatva This responsive and well-cushioned pillow is also cooling, thanks to its graphite-infused memory foam. (It’s technically made with shredded memory foam around a latex core.) More than other memory foam pillows we tested, the Saatva takes the shape of your head and neck—as in, you can see your form in the pillow. Another plus: It feels cool to the touch, which we found isn’t always the case with memory foam pillows we’ve tried. The company uses both graphite and gel in its memory foam to carry heat away from your body.

☆ 15 Best Dress Shirts for Men, According to Style Experts
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +10 min

Since dress shirts are a closet staple, there are also hundreds to pick from, making a trusted recommendation invaluable. “Hands down, it’s my top selling button-up dress shirt,” she says. Though it has the appearance of a traditional dress shirt, it’s actually made of a sweat-wicking cotton-polyester blend with four-way stretch. “Without a doubt, this is a favorite of each client that tries it,” Alexander says of the dress shirt he recommends most often. Soft silk pickAs an alternative to cotton or synthetic blends, silk is a luxurious option that’s lightweight and soft on the skin.

☆ Huge Ukrainian flag painted on road outside Russian Embassy in London
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Feb 23 (Reuters) - A group of activists poured hundreds of litres of yellow and blue paint onto the road outside the Russian Embassy in London on Thursday to create an enormous Ukrainian flag ahead of the one year anniversary of Moscow's invasion. The campaign group "Led By Donkeys" halted traffic before spreading more than 300 litres of paint across the road using wheelbarrows and brushes to make the 500 square metre (5382 square feet) flag. "The existence of a massive Ukrainian flag outside (Russian President Vladimir Putin's) embassy in London will serve to remind him of that." [1/10] A cyclist rides on a painted road, after Protest group 'Led by Donkeys' spread paint in the colours of the Ukrainian flag on the road, ahead of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, outside the Russian Embassy in London, Britain February 23, 2023. The group said the non-toxic, solvent-free and fast-dry edible paint was washable and designed for road art.

☆ Neiman Marcus and The RealReal are the latest to cut jobs as layoffs creep into the retail world. Here's the full list of major retailers that have laid off workers in 2023.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Avery Hartmans | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Still, few retailers are laying off store employees as the "labor hoarding" trend continues in 2023. Since the start of 2023, major retailers ranging from department stores to direct-to-consumer brands have cut staff, the latest swing in a sector that's been hit hard by labor challenges and inflation. Most of the cuts so far have impacted corporate retail employees. At a store level, many retailers are actually holding tighter to workers than usual, even seasonal employees, in a practice economists call "labor hoarding." Here are the retailers who have announced layoffs in 2023:The RealReal, founded in 2011, sells secondhand luxury clothing.

☆ Sonos, Therabody and Dyson: Best online sales right now
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-07 | by ( Caroline Curran | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

No matter which model you choose, you’ll save on a device perfect for athletes and anyone else who appreciates at-home relaxation. Right now you can save up to $170 at Therabody, including savings on the Theragun Pro and Mini. Sonos Home Theater Sale Sonos Arc Sonos In the world of premium speakers, Sonos is always a top contender — and now through Feb. 12, you can score up to $280 off select home theater speakers. Tocess Claw Clips $19 $8 at Amazon Amazon Keep your hair out of the way with a chic claw clip. • Save on our favorite affordable headphones right now — the over-ear Soundcore Anker Life are just $45 right now.

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