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Recently, the world bid farewell to Maria Branyas Morera, who, at 116 years old, held the title of the world’s oldest living person. Her passing marks the end of an era, but it also sparks a certain curiosity: what habits allowed her and others like her to reach such incredible ages? To answer this question, let's take a short tour. From the sunny shores of Okinawa to the quiet towns of Sardinia, certain communities are known for producing an unusual number of <keyword id="20806686" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="centenarians" source="keywords">centenarians</keyword> — people who live to be 100 years old or more. These "<keyword id="22878860" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Blue-Zones" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Blue Zones" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Blue Zones">Blue Zones</keyword>" hold the secrets to a longer, healthier life, distilled into what Emmy-award winning researcher Dan Buettner calls the "Power 9." Let’s dive into these nine habits that could be your ticket to living a life that’s not just long, but full of vitality. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">1. You Gotta Move It, Move It</h3>Forget the gym membership or the marathon training. The world’s oldest people have never heard of CrossFit, and yet, they move constantly. How? By integrating movement into their daily routines. Whether it’s gardening, walking to the market, or dancing to their favourite tunes, these centenarians keep their bodies in motion without ever stepping foot on a treadmill. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">2. Know Your “Why”</h3>In Okinawa, they call it “ikigai”; in Nicoya, Costa Rica, it’s “plan de vida.” These terms translate to something more profound than just a job or a daily grind — they represent a deep-seated purpose that gets you out of bed every morning. Whether it’s taking care of family, volunteering, or simply enjoying life’s small pleasures, knowing your "why" could add years to your life. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112705068" title="World’s oldest person Maria Branyas Morera passes away at 117; Japan’s 116-year-old Tomiko Itooka now oldest" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h2>3. Relax, It’s Happy Hour Somewhere</h2>Stress is inevitable, but chronic stress is not. The longest-living people in the world have all figured out how to downshift — whether it’s through daily naps, a moment of prayer, or a glass of wine at sunset. These simple rituals are as effective as they are enjoyable, helping to reduce inflammation and stave off age-related diseases. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">4. Eat Until You’re Almost Full</h3>In a world of supersized meals and never-ending buffets, the 80% rule stands out like a beacon of common sense. Known as “hara hachi bu” in Okinawa, this practice involves stopping eating when you’re about 80% full. It’s a simple way to prevent overeating and maintain a healthy weight — two factors that are key to <keyword id="20186177" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="longevity" source="keywords">longevity</keyword>. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">5. Beans, Greens, and Everything in Between</h3>If you want to live long, it might be time to rethink your relationship with meat. In Blue Zones, the diet is predominantly plant-based, with beans, lentils, and vegetables forming the cornerstone of most meals. Meat, when it is consumed, is more of a side note than the main event. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">6. Drink to Your Health — Literally</h3>Yes, even wine makes the list. But before you pop that cork, remember that moderation is key. The world’s oldest people drink one to two glasses a day, often in the company of friends or with a meal. This isn’t about getting tipsy; it’s about enjoying the moment and reaping the benefits of a little bit of red wine on your heart. However, it may be important to know that scientific consensus still remains mixed on the matter. Some researchers assert that drinking in moderation can help with overall well-being, while others (and the World Health Organization) vehement that there is no “safe amount” to drink everyday. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112589784" title="How to invest 3% of your day in exercise to live longer, according to an expert in healthy aging" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">7. Find Your Tribe</h3>There’s a reason why social media can’t replace face-to-face interaction. In Blue Zones, Dan explains that being part of a faith-based or community group is common in these parts, alleging that research has shown that attending services or gatherings regularly can add up to 14 years to your life. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">8. Family Matters</h3>Family is not just about who you’re related to by blood. In Blue Zones, centenarians often live with or near their families, taking care of one another in a way that strengthens emotional bonds and lowers disease rates. They commit to life partners and invest time in their children and grandchildren, ensuring that love and care flow both ways. <h3 style="line-height:1.2;margin-top:14pt;margin-bottom:4pt;">9. You Are the Company You Keep</h3>Ever heard the saying that you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with? It’s especially true when it comes to longevity. In places like Okinawa, people form lifelong bonds with a close-knit group of friends — these relationships provide emotional support and encourage healthy behaviours, making them a key ingredient in the recipe for a <keyword id="22490492" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="long-life" source="keywords">long life</keyword>.

What habits do the world's oldest people have that help them live so long and healthily?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Donald Trump courted bitcoin lovers by branding himself the "crypto president."</li><li>The industry hopes his second term will bring regulatory changes and give bitcoin a role in the economy.</li></ul>Donald Trump flipped from <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/currencies/btc-usd?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">bitcoin</a> cynic to <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/trump-bitcoin-cryptocurrency-election-outlook-crypto-funding-regulation-biden-novogratz-2024-7?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">"crypto president"</a> and it paid off big.Trump <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/currencies/news/trump-bitcoin-commentary-seems-like-scam-against-the-us-dollar-2021-6-1030500598?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets">disparaged digital assets</a> as recently as just a few years ago, describing bitcoin as a scam, and yet his latest electoral win was fueled in no small part by crypto-friendly pledges that unlocked millions in campaign funding.With Trump headed back to the White House, it's now the industry's turn to see if its bets on a second term paid off. Here's what they're want to see. <h2 id="1009b70b-3c95-4408-9e2d-ef2b16069f01">Regulatory overhaul</h2>One of the root themes of Trump's crypto platform is a promise to sweep aside regulatory restrictions that have hung over the industry in recent years.Criticism has been loud over the Biden administration's handling of the sector, characterized by heated confrontations between the Securities and Exchange Commission and major crypto players."Those guys, I mean, they just put so much uncertainty in this entire industry. It was unbelievable. There was no clear guidance, no regulations," said Tim Kravchunovsky, CEO of Chirp, a decentralized telecommunications company.Speaking with Business Insider, he added that regulatory conflict has pushed crypto business out of the US, costing Washington its competitive edge. Matt Mena, crypto research strategist at 21Shares, agreed with that sentiment. "By creating a more welcoming regulatory environment, this approach could draw back projects and founders who have left the country due to regulatory uncertainty, generating thousands of new jobs and millions in tax revenue, bolstering the economy while advancing the crypto sector," he told BI over email.To this end, the industry anticipates that Trump will replace regulatory heads with more crypto-friendly people. The president-elect is already surrounded by such figures, Mena said, such as Elon Musk, JD Vance, Robert F. Kennedy, and Howard Lutnick.Meanwhile, to make Trump's plan of turning the US into a "crypto hub" possible,Kravchunovsky suggested that Washington could provide incentives such as federal grants and tax cuts.<h2 id="b1a4e172-d8a3-4ea3-b022-1a29b3897ab5">Crypto bills</h2>On the legislative front, crypto players will also be watching for the repeal of SAB 121 and the passage of several key bills,SAB 121, an SEC policy document <a target="_blank" href="https://content.next.westlaw.com/practical-law/document/Idfd9dfac273211ef8921fbef1a541940/President-Biden-Vetoes-Legislation-Rescinding-SEC-Staff-Accounting-Bulletin-121-SAB-121-on-Crypto-Custody?viewType=FullText&amp;transitionType=Default&amp;contextData=(sc.Default)">kept in place by the Biden administration</a>, discourages US lenders from acting as crypto custiodians, given that it requires them to hold an equivalent amount of cash against their crypto holdings. It's removal would free institutional investors to further adopt digital assets.Mena also cited anticipation around FIT21, an act aiming to clarify the regulatory roles around digital assets. Consumer protections would also strengthen under this bill, he said.Meanwhile, Trump's administration could accelerate progress on three meaningful pieces of stablecoin legislation, which aim to set up guardrails around future stablecoin issuance. These dollar-pegged crypto assets are increasingly used for purposes similar to traditional finance, Standard Chartered said in a note on Friday.<h2 id="eae31105-86db-4e91-9d15-cfc75e92738f">A bitcoin reserve?</h2>Since Trump's victory, speculation has jumped that a strategic bitcoin reserve could be in on the way. Though the President-elect has not specifically voiced such a plan, the idea that his administration would buy bitcoin as a reserve asset has created enthusiasm among crypto bulls."We're already seeing that that [crypto's] gaining trust, and it's gaining trust within institutions and countries. More and more countries are adopting it. So I don't think it's a matter of years. I think it's a matter of months," Kravchunovsky said.Mena sees the price of bitcoin soaring to $1 million "almost overnight," if a strategic reserve were to be established. The scenario would prompt other nations to build up their own reserves, pushing bitcoin's total market cap 13 times higher. Meanwhile, Standard Chartered head of FX research Geoff Kendrick considers a bitcoin reserve fund as a high-impact development with a low probability of happening for now. Investors should instead pay attention to Trump's separate promise to cease all sales of government bitcoin. If this happens, that could mean a sizeable upswing in the price of the token, he wrote.<h2 id="6a25764b-b3fc-4a7c-a689-ece320390cd4">Crypto's time to shine</h2>In whatever way the industry changes under Trump, one thing feels certain: the election has cemented the crypto markets place in the mainstream."Crypto is now essentially legal in the U.S., marking a major turning point for the industry," Mena wrote.According to Kendrick, crypto-friendly adjustments have the potential to drive the total market value of the cryptocurrency market to $10 trillion by the end of 2026, a major jump from the current $2.5 trillion level.He reiterated his expectation that bitcoin will hit $200,000 by the next year's end.

What the crypto market actually wants from a Trump presidency

New Delhi: After a wave of initial public offerings (IPOs) in recent weeks, the primary market will experience a brief slowdown, with only two new public issues scheduled for the next week, aiming to raise Rs 365 crore. There were 12 IPOs in the mainboard segment and 40 in the SME (small and medium enterprise) segment in September. IPOs scheduled for next week, beginning October 7, are <keyword id="22922418" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Garuda-Construction" source="keywords">Garuda Construction</keyword> and Engineering on the main board and <keyword id="23436926" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shiv-Texchem" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Shiv Texchem" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Shiv Texchem">Shiv Texchem</keyword> on the SME segment. Garuda Construction is seeking to raise Rs 264 crore, and Shiv Texchem is aiming for over Rs 101 crore through their respective IPOs available for public subscription during October 8-10. The stock market has seen a significant correction in the <keyword id="19911354" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="equity-market" source="keywords">equity market</keyword> since the start of October amid intensifying conflict between Israel and Iran. Despite the temporary slowdown, overall, the outlook for the <keyword id="19926041" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="IPO-market" source="keywords">IPO market</keyword> is promising, with 26 firms proposing to raise Rs 72,000 crore presently holding Sebi's approval while another 55 companies looking to garner about Rs 89,000 crore are awaiting the regulator's clearance, according to the Primedatabase. This month will see <keyword id="19908548" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hyundai-Motor-India" source="keywords">Hyundai Motor India</keyword> Ltd, the Indian arm of South Korean automaker Hyundai, hitting the primary market to raise around Rs 25,000 crore. The company's IPO is likely to be launched on October 14, according to sources. If the offering proceeds as planned, it will surpass Life Insurance Corporation's (LIC) public offering of Rs 21,000 crore, becoming the largest IPO in India's history. Moreover, 63 companies have already mobilised around Rs 64,000 crore via mainboard, marking a 29 per cent increase from Rs 49,436 crore collected by 57 firms through the route in 2023. The strong momentum in IPO markets is being driven by several key macroeconomic, sector-specific factors and the willingness of funds to look at new ideas. In particular, strong inflows into domestic mutual funds and robust capital formation across corporate India are playing key roles, experts said. Garuda Construction and Engineering's IPO is a mix of fresh issue of 1.83 crore equity shares and an offer of sale (OFS) of 95 lakh equity shares by promoter PKH Ventures. The price band has been fixed at Rs 92 to Rs 95 per share. About Rs 100 crore from its fresh issuance proceeds will be utilised for working capital requirements and the balance towards general corporate purposes, including unidentified inorganic acquisitions. Shiv Texchem's IPO is a completely new offering of over 61 lakh shares and is a book-built issue of Rs 101.35 crore. It has set a price band of Rs 158 to Rs 166 per equity share for the IPO. Further, the SME IPO of Khyati Global Ventures, which opened for public subscription on October 4, will close on October 8. Additionally, six companies from the SME segment are set to list in the coming week. HVAX Technologies and Saj Hotels will debut on October 7, followed by Subam Papers and Paramount Dye Tec on October 8. NeoPolitan Pizza and Foods will begin trading on October 9, with Khyati Global Ventures to follow on October 11.

IPO market braces for brief slowdown, 2 new issues targeting Rs 365 crore next week

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Waymo unveiled its latest robotaxi, which is manufactured by Chinese Tesla rival Zeekr.</li><li>The Google-backed company is expanding rapidly and now provides about 100,000 trips a week.</li></ul>Waymo is steadily <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/waymo-self-driving-taxis-chipotle-robots-future-of-service-2024-8">taking over the streets of San Francisco</a> — and just unveiled its newest robotaxi.The Google-backed self-driving car startup previewed its sixth-generation Waymo Driver this week. Its first purpose-built robotaxi is a dramatic departure from the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/waymo-jaguar-all-electric-self-driving-cars-i-pace-2018-3">modified Jaguar i-Pace vehicles</a> being used by Waymo.<div type="image" title="Waymo robotaxi" height="1667" width="2500" msid="112682499" hostid="261" sizebytes="302526"></div>Waymo says the latest iteration of its driverless robotaxi has fewer sensors, making it cheaper to run, and can operate in extreme heat, rain, hail, and fog — something that has <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/waymo-vehicles-pull-over-california-due-fog-2023-04-12/">caused difficulties</a> thus far.The new vehicle is made by China's Zeekr, which is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ev-electric-vehicle-china-brands-byd-nio-wuling-zeekr-geely-2023-5">challenging Tesla</a> in China's red-hot EV market.<div type="image" title="Waymo Robotaxi" height="933" width="1400" msid="112682501" hostid="261" sizebytes="96546"></div>Waymo's robotaxi might eventually come up against a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tesla">Tesla</a> rival in the US, too. Elon Musk's company plans to reveal its <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-says-tesla-robotaxi-event-delay-due-to-redesign-2024-7">own robotaxi</a> in October.Tesla has a fair amount of ground to make up on Waymo, which has expanded rapidly in recent years, although its vehicles have been subject to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/waymo-issues-recall-two-cars-crashed-into-same-pickup-truck-2024-2">regulatory scrutiny</a> — and occasional bouts of <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mystery-solved-midnight-honking-san-francisco-waymo-robotaxi-driverless-cars-2024-8">late-night honking</a>.The company said on Tuesday that it now provides <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/TechTekedra/status/1825910695311114384">100,000 rides a week</a>, up from <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/Waymo/status/1788693361047515522">50,000 weekly paid trips</a> as recently as May.It may be a while before you can ride in one of Waymo's next-generation robotaxis, however.<div type="image" title="Waymo robotaxi" height="1667" width="2500" msid="112682505" hostid="261" sizebytes="199288"></div>Waymo has not said when the new robotaxi will become available. It could also be embroiled in geopolitical tensions, with the Biden administration planning new <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/white-house-joe-biden-hikes-tariffs-on-chinese-made-evs-2024-5">tariffs and regulations on Chinese-made EVs</a> and autonomous driving software.A Waymo spokesperson previously told The Verge the company is closely monitoring potential tariffs, and said no element of its self-driving software originated in China.<div type="image" title="A fleet of Waymo self-driving vehicles — featuring 360-degree cameras on the roofs — sit in parking spots at an EVgo charging station." height="1333" width="2000" msid="112682503" hostid="261" sizebytes="104800"></div>

Take a look at Waymo's new purpose-built robotaxi that's made by a Chinese Tesla rival

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Nithin Hassan moved from California to Bengaluru in 2023 to launch his startup.</li><li>Hassan left a high-paying job at Meta to address urban greenery issues in India.</li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nithin Hassan, who moved from California to Bengaluru, India, in 2023 to launch his startup. It has been edited for length and clarity. Business Insider has verified his employment history.I grew up in and around Bengaluru, India, in the late 1990s and 2000s.I moved to the US in 2006 for a master's in computer science. After graduating, I worked at AT&amp;T, Cisco, Amazon, and Microsoft for the next 13 years. In 2021, I switched to Meta, where I helped build data centers for the company.I got married in 2013, and my wife also worked in Big Tech in the US. We really enjoyed life in the Bay Area — we had bought our own house and had a strong friend circle I saw as my family outside India. We also had two daughters, who are now six and two.My wife and I were growing in our careers and making about $1 million in compensation together. I didn't feel like my career or learning had stagnated, and I managed to find time for personal projects like writing books about business.But around the pandemic, something felt missing. I felt like I had not yet found my purpose.<h2 id="f9732e74-d386-406d-8231-01e19d270367">Golden handcuffs</h2>I knew I wanted to give back to my hometown in some way, and I had spotted a problem I could build solutions for. I was also tired of missing out on things back home — I wanted to be close to my family while my parents were still healthy.I realized that a well-paying job in the US was my golden handcuff — it kept me from moving back home and filling both those gaps.Giving up our <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/worked-in-big-tech-before-launching-my-own-startup-engineer-2024-9">life in the US and my job</a> was a tough decision for my family, but I wanted to follow a minimum-regret mindset.When I told my colleagues at Meta about my plan, they thought I was crazy. We had just gone through a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/layoff-angst-meta-employees-face-tough-reviews-reorgs-2024-3">big 30% layoff</a>, and I was among those that got to stay. The company even offered to move me closer to India, but I went ahead with my resignation.I <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/i-moved-back-to-india-after-living-abroad-for-decade-2024-9">decided to return to India</a> in December last year after nearly two decades in the US.<h2 id="02520e95-090c-46ff-a038-c1e4035f6155">A startup to marry two passions</h2>I took a monthlong break to sort my ideas and came up with a plan.I had been noticing how temperatures in my hometown, Bengaluru, had risen drastically in the last 10 years. Even the monsoon months, which are supposed to be pleasant, started feeling like summer because of all the urban development.It worried me that there weren't any major government or private initiatives looking to improve things — even the tech giants I worked at were looking at climate solutions indirectly. I came up with the idea of building an e-commerce platform that aims to improve urban greenery. It gave me an opportunity to combine two things I love, technology and gardening, which was always my escape when things got busy.I launched my startup in January and have been working on scaling it up since. I have also built a mentorship and job readiness platform to help those looking for career guidance.Both my ventures are bootstrapped and I only plan to bring on any partners if they are a strategic fit. I don't want the pressure of an investor pushing me to make decisions that only have a financial benefit, because I don't want to lose sight of my original purpose.<h2 id="70f8cf9f-715a-43fd-b16e-96db0ba61193">Bureaucracy and big commutes</h2>I love being back home, but there are challenges. India is still not among the highest-ranked countries for the ease of doing business, and I have faced bureaucracy when setting up my startups.We've had to make sacrifices as a family too. My wife is still working at a Big Tech company and spends much more time commuting than she did back in the US. I have two daughters, and inequality in Indian workplaces and concerns for their safety also weigh on me.But there is a different joy in building solutions for India and the problems that I grew up around, like improving local greenery and better access to mentorship.Another big advantage is that the Indian market is chaotic. Even long-established players are still trying to figure it out, which makes it easier for new entrants. The market size has also been encouraging. One of our first orders came from the opposite end of the country, which was surprising because we had not even begun marketing or search engine optimization campaigns.But most importantly, I feel like I have found what was missing.Growing up, I heard my parents talking about their regrets and things they wanted to do. I didn't want any regrets when telling my kids about my life.I tell myself: I'll explore my own venture for five to 10 years and go back to a corporate job if things don't work out. I'll have a bigger experience and a better story to tell.Did you leave Big Tech to pursue a career in a completely different field? Please reach out to this reporter: shubhangigoel@insider.com

My wife and I gave up $1 million in Big Tech pay to move from California back to India. I couldn't find purpose in the US.

<keyword id="20762025" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="silver-prices" source="keywords">Silver prices</keyword> have reached a significant milestone on Monday, touching Rs 1,00,000 on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) for the March contract. According to the experts, this surge is being driven by escalating <keyword id="19955176" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="geopolitical-tensions" source="keywords">geopolitical tensions</keyword> in the Middle East, actions by China, and uncertainties related to the upcoming U.S. elections. These global risks are pushing silver prices to fresh all-time highs, as investors seek <keyword id="21286754" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="safe-haven-assets" source="keywords">safe-haven assets</keyword> amidst the growing instability. "Silver prices have aligned with expectations, and we anticipate a potential rally towards the usd 40 mark in the next six months. <keyword id="23623786" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="MCX-March-contract" source="keywords">MCX March contract</keyword> silver tested Rs 1 lakh, as geopolitical tensions are expected to continue supporting its safe-haven appeal. Additionally, high ETF investments and China's economic support contribute to a positive outlook. With <keyword id="23623788" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold-silver-ratio" source="keywords">GOLD SILVER RATIO</keyword> dropping towards the 80 level, it is likely to outperform gold. We expect silver to reach Rs 1.3 lakh by March 2025" said Ajay Kedia, Director of <keyword id="23623787" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kedia-Advisory" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Kedia Advisory" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Kedia Advisory">Kedia Advisory</keyword>. Silver remains strong in the market, with industrial demand expected to further boost prices. Analysts predict that silver could soon approach the USD 40 mark, as demand continues to rise. The metal plays a key role in industries such as electronics, solar energy, and manufacturing, making it highly sought after for both investment and practical purposes. In the commodity markets, contracts refer to agreements to buy or sell a specific quantity of a commodity at a predetermined price on a future date. These contracts are standardized and traded on exchanges like MCX. Traders use them to hedge against price fluctuations or to speculate on price movements. For instance, in the case of silver, the March contract represents an agreement to trade silver at a fixed price in March, allowing traders to lock in prices now to avoid future volatility. The ongoing geopolitical tensions and global risks are driving the prices of commodities like silver, as investors look for stability in uncertain times. The surge in silver prices reflects both the increasing demand for industrial use and its value as a safe-haven asset. With the global outlook remaining uncertain, silver could see further gains in the coming months.

Silver touches Rs 1 lakh mark on MCX march contract

<ul class="summary-list"><li>This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.</li></ul>Hello there! Prime Day is officially here, and we've got a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/deals/best-prime-day-deals-big-deal-days-2024-10">rundown on all the deals worth checking out</a>.In today's big story, another hurricane <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-milton-category-five-threatens-florida-fema-funding-2024-10">is set to hit Florida this week</a>, threatening a real-estate market already on edge.What's on deck:<ul><li>Markets: China's <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-stock-markets-csi300-golden-week-reopening-bazooka-stimulus-outlook-2024-10">stock rally fizzles</a> as lack of fresh fiscal stimulus disappoints investors.</li><li>Tech: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-robotaxi-day-tesla-robotics-ai-2024-10">Elon Musk's robotaxi pitch</a> this week could decide Tesla's future.</li><li>Business: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-jeff-smith-starboard-value-hedge-fund-investor-pfizer-2024-10">Meet Jeff Smith</a>, the hedge-fund investor taking on Pfizer.</li></ul>But first, when it rains, it pours.If this was forwarded to you, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today">sign up here.</a><h3 id="7fa5f018-5b05-4a37-a8dc-d3f89138bcb3">The big story</h3><h2 id="5fd547b9-ec52-41fc-8e08-4f4b27dd8097">Hurricane (part 2)</h2><div type="image" title="Hurricane Helene" height="1334" width="2000" msid="114050793" hostid="261" sizebytes="123164"></div>Another hurricane is expected to hit Florida as the state continues recovering from Hurricane Helene.Hurricane Milton, a Category 4 storm (it weakened from a Category 5, but remains "extremely dangerous"), is on track <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-milton-category-five-threatens-florida-fema-funding-2024-10">to make landfall near Tampa Bay by Wednesday</a>. It's the latest hurdle for the state's volatile real-estate market.Milton's peak wind speeds hit 160 mph on Monday. Heavy rain is expected before the storm arrives, and flooding is anticipated throughout the region. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued a state of emergency for 51 counties, and mandatory evacuations have begun in some areas. The mayor of Tampa, Jane Castor, has also issued a stark warning that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-milton-tampa-mayor-castor-evacuation-orders-die-warning-helene-2024-10">anyone who remains in the city as Milton approaches will "die."</a>It's never a good time for a hurricane to hit, but preparing for a powerful storm while you recover from another makes the situation even more challenging.Helene caused over 220 deaths and as much as $34 billion in damage, according to an estimate from Moody's Analytics. Meanwhile, federal agencies meant to provide emergency assistance, like FEMA and the Small Business Administration, face their own cash crises.<div type="image" title="Hurricane Helene" height="1334" width="2000" msid="114050795" hostid="261" sizebytes="707320"></div>Back-to-back hurricanes represent the latest problem for a real-estate market facing buyer's remorse.The threat and cost that hurricanes pose mean Florida homeowners have some reevaluating to do <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-real-estate-worth-it-home-prices-insurance-hurricane-helene-2024-10">if they want to remain in the state</a>, write Business Insider's Jordan Pandy, Dan Latu, and Madeline Berg.One homeowner told BI she pays $7,000 a year in flood and hazard insurance for her 1,400-square-foot bungalow just south of Tampa. (The policies paid off, her home was deemed uninhabitable after Helene, and she still wants to live there after it's repaired.)But those high costs, coupled with the annual fear of potentially losing your home every fall, have other residents throwing in the towel. Even a few insurers have <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-condo-owners-prices-drop-insurance-hoa-taxes-increase-2023-3">called it quits on the state</a>, while others could increase their prices by over 300% in the coming years.It's representative of the extremes the Sunshine State's real-estate market has faced in recent years. One of the pandemic's hottest markets, some people are now souring on Florida over its <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/florida-housing-market-sales-weather-climate-change-retirement-pandemic-costs-2024-9">climate, costs, and overcrowding</a>. (It's not alone in its post-pandemic comedown, as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/texas-housing-market-home-prices-falling-austin-dallas-moving-trends-2024-10">Texas is facing a similar fate</a>.)But as much as people want to get out of the state, there will always be those looking to get in. More than 8,000 miles of coastline will do that.One Florida resident whose home sustained almost three feet of water damage from Helene cut their listing price by 40%. Within hours, their real-estate agent received 25 calls from investors interested in the property.<h3 id="77f31a4c-8462-4e3d-a71f-838cb79493fb">News brief</h3><h2 id="1fcd294b-3f53-425f-9f20-4093e8623b59">Top headlines</h2><ul><li>Harris hits '60 Minutes' without Trump. Political scientists weigh in on<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/kamala-harris-sixty-minutes-interview-donald-trump-why-explained-2024-10"> whether the interview matters</a>.</li><li>Google <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-app-store-android-third-party-epic-games-judge-2024-10">must allow third-party app stores on Android</a>, Epic Games judge rules.</li><li>The job market is in the 'Twilight Zone,' <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/job-market-outlook-claudia-sahm-layoffs-hiring-economy-twilight-zone-2024-10">top economist Claudia Sahm says</a>.</li><li>The Russian arms dealer who was exchanged for Brittney Griner is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-arms-dealer-viktor-bout-sell-weapons-to-houthis-wsj-2024-10">trying to sell weapons to the Houthis: report</a>.</li><li>This $9 billion hedge fund just joined the raid on big-bank commodity-index traders <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/alphadyne-hires-jpmorgan-commodity-index-head-byuen-2024-10">with a senior JPMorgan hire</a>.</li></ul><h2 id="8120060b-ae66-48dc-b149-f0489a30ffa2">3 things in markets</h2><div type="image" title="Xi Jinping" height="1500" width="2000" msid="114050791" hostid="261" sizebytes="856940"></div><ol><li>Jittery investors are keeping a lid on China's stock market rally. Stocks surged on Tuesday thanks to pent-up demand from a weeklong trading break — but lost steam after Beijing <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-stock-markets-csi300-golden-week-reopening-bazooka-stimulus-outlook-2024-10">failed to announce more stimulus measures</a>.</li><li>What recession? Goldman Sachs cut the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/recession-outlook-economy-goldman-unemployment-jobs-report-nonfarm-payrolls-rates-2024-10">probability of a recession in the next year to 15%</a>, largely thanks to a strong jobs report. But the jobs report might have lowered the chances of something else: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/interest-rate-cuts-fed-outlook-recession-economy-stocks-ed-yardeni-2024-10">more rate cuts this year</a>.</li><li>Greenlight's dispute with its alleged former head of macro keeps getting messier. James Fishback is asking to be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/greenlight-former-macro-analyst-sues-david-einhorn-2024-10">awarded at least $5 million from Greenlight's David Einhorn</a>, claiming age discrimination. According to the filing, Einhorn dismissed Fishback's compensation concerns, saying he was being paid "a lot of money for a kid."</li></ol><h2 id="f4b54806-7f81-450c-ba32-92560d4fae9b">3 things in tech</h2><div type="image" title="Elon Musk." height="2400" width="3600" msid="114050797" hostid="261" sizebytes="493076"></div><ol><li>Elon Musk's next big pitch. The billionaire will have to convince investors that Tesla is more than just a car company at Thursday's Robotaxi Day, when he'll share updates on his plan for a driverless fleet. The event is part of Musk's master plan to position Tesla as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-robotaxi-day-tesla-robotics-ai-2024-10">tech company first, car company second</a> — and comes as Tesla's revenues have dipped.</li><li>Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang keeps talking about "sovereign AI." Here's what that means. A sovereign cloud guarantees data is stored locally, only used for intended purposes, and not transferred outside national borders. BI spoke with Vultr, a cloud-service provider, about why <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sovereign-clouds-explained-data-center-ai-national-security-vultr-2024-10">the phrase is all the rage</a>.</li><li>Reading the tea leaves of the adtech exodus. Adtech execs keep leaving, a sign of a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/adtech-leadership-changes-signal-new-phase-amid-investor-pressure-2024-10">new era marked by Big Tech dominance</a>. With Google, Meta, and Amazon looming large, independent adtech companies are forced to compete over scraps. Case in point: Adtech company <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/adtech-company-pubmatic-layoffs-staff-reductions-2024-10">Pubmatic laid off 1% of its staff</a> last week as it reorients business toward growth areas.</li></ol><h2 id="9260fa45-d397-4b3c-b4f8-4bb193976216">3 things in business</h2><div type="image" title="A woman drinks a tropical cocktail on a beach with an MRI scan in the background." height="900" width="1200" msid="114050788" hostid="261" sizebytes="137494"></div><ol><li>Mojitos and an MRI. Millions of American "medical tourists" save between 40% and 90% on medical services by getting health screenings abroad. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/medical-tourists-health-screenings-tests-exams-on-vacation-mexico-turkey-2024-10">That's a bad sign for the US healthcare system</a>.</li><li>The hedge-fund investor taking on Pfizer has a formidable reputation. Pfizer got a wake-up call on Sunday when one of the most feared activist investors on Wall Street revealed a stake in the company. Since 2011, Starboard Value's Jeff Smith has extracted board seats and profits from corporate America — <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/meet-jeff-smith-starboard-value-hedge-fund-investor-pfizer-2024-10">by force if necessary</a>.</li><li>How to reach potential voters: Porn and podcasts. They may not agree on much, but both Harris and Trump know that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/podcaster-new-politics-power-broker-harris-and-trump-know-it-2024-10">podcasts are the new way to reach voters</a>, with each appearing on ultra-popular shows. Elsewhere on the internet, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/porn-website-advertisement-project2025-male-harris-trump-2024-10">porn sites have become a battleground for male voters</a>. A $100,000 campaign is aiming to tie Trump to Project 2025's efforts to ban porn and imprison its producers.</li></ol><h2 id="9f5d80ac-3466-429f-a50a-2ffbb70c65ff">What's happening today</h2><ul><li>Pepsico reports Q3 earnings, Samsung issues Q3 pre-earnings guidance, and Boeing announces Q3 deliveries.</li><li>Donald Trump participates in Univision News town hall with undecided Hispanic voters.</li><li>Kamala Harris has a full day of interviews: She'll appear on "The View" on ABC, "The Howard Stern Show" on SiriusXM, and "Late Night with Stephen Colbert" on CBS.</li></ul>The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Jordan Parker Erb, editor, in New York. Hallam Bullock, senior editor, in London. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York. Milan Sehmbi, fellow, in London.

Florida's real-estate market is on edge amid back-to-back hurricanes

<div type="image" title="For the unversed, trading in futures and options can be akin to setting their hard-earned money on fire" height="900" width="1200" msid="114064202" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;For the unversed, trading in futures and options can be akin to setting their hard-earned money on fire&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Once upon a time, there thrived a wild, wild land. Here, it was all about super high monetary stakes, lightning-fast trade deals, and bucketloads of money shifting hands every single second. This wilderness lured millions of individuals with the promise of super duper high returns. But, at what cost? Welcome to the unforgiving, ultra-risky wild west of <keyword id="19991165" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-equity-markets" source="keywords">Indian equity markets</keyword> called the <keyword id="145718" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Futures-and-Options" source="Orion">futures and options</keyword>. Here, everyone seems to just fly right through the bright red-flagged warnings of financial risks to earn even a fraction of these promised returns. Most burn themselves in the process, but carry on nevertheless, as if nothing ever happened. <h2>Chasing the cloudy profits</h2>The data conclusively proves that every 9 out of 10 individuals only lost their hard-earned money in this land. But hey, what do the numbers know? Some hide their losses out of shame, some out of fear. The proponents, meanwhile, proudly boast unusually high returns on their investments, some open social media channels while others encourage their friends and family to take the plunge. Naturally, news of this unstoppable and humongous en-masse migration to the F&amp;O (futures and options) town has reached sheriff <keyword id="19901201" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SEBI" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="SEBI" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="SEBI">SEBI</keyword>, galvanising them into action. After all, it was time to put a leash on this madness and save the common man. The inhabitants of this town doubled in the last 2 years, from 51 lakh in FY22 to 96 lakh in FY24—99.8% of whom were small and mid-income traders. But profits? Well, that's a different, rather completely absent story. <h2>Que Sera Sera, much?</h2>A recent report by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) that studied profits and losses made by traders in the equity derivatives segment between FY22-24 exposed the mad mania of futures and options trading in India, especially since the pandemic. Per the report, 91.1% of individual traders, or about 73 lakh traders had only lost money trading in futures and options in FY24. Between FY 22-24, over 1 crore traders, or about 92.8% of individual traders, had lost Rs 2 lakh each. But once bitten, twice shy? Well, not in this case. More than 75% of individuals, who had only made losses trading in F&amp;O in FY22 and FY23, continued to trade vigorously in FY24 as well, without any changes in the bottom line, which remained deep in red and negative. So, then all these traders must be uber-rich, with tons of cash and not much care to spare? Nope. 76% of traders in the F&amp;O space in FY24 had an annual income of less than Rs 5 lakh. 2 years ago, their share stood at 71%. And their choice of poison? Options! In FY24, 60% of traders made losses trading in futures, but a whopping 91.5% burnt their funds trading in options. Mind you, futures are riskier than options. With futures, which require significant capital investment, the buyer and seller both are contractually bound to adhere to the pre-determined strike price of the futures or options contract, irrespective of whether the prevailing prices are higher or lower (and thus, resulting in losses for either the buyer or seller). With options, since this adherence ain't necessary, individuals end up taking debt to take highly leveraged positions while trading here. <h2>Scale of the explosion</h2>Anyone who trades even infrequently will tell you that a demat account is the mitochondria or powerhouse of the trading cell. As of August 2024, India had over 17.1 crore <keyword id="20957284" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="demat-accounts" source="keywords">demat accounts</keyword>, which are a prerequisite for trading in the markets. India is the 9th biggest country in the world, in terms of total demat accounts. Did you know that our demat accounts are at par with the entire population of Bangladesh? Talk about scale! Just 4 years ago, in March 2020, this number was a mere 4 crore. Naturally, the total F&amp;O turnover on both <keyword id="20004725" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NSE" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="NSE" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="NSE">NSE</keyword> and BSE has hit the roof, and also broken it. As of October 4, 2024, the total futures and options turnover on NSE stood at a massive Rs 4,78,27,27,750.30 crore. Good luck counting the thousands! <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Year </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Total Turnover (Both Futures and Options) (In Rs Crore) </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2020-21 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">64,36,03,951.51 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2021-22 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1,69,52,33,134.47 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2022-23 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3,82,23,26,468.06 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2023-24 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">7,99,27,67,152.43 </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody></table>Source : NSE Another metric that underlines the meteoric growth of trading in India is the collection of STT or <keyword id="20930760" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Securities-Transaction-Tax" source="keywords">Securities Transaction Tax</keyword>. As of September 2024, India's STT mop-up had gone past Rs 26,000 crore. Traders have to pay STT whenever they buy or sell any security in the market. So, more trading brings in more STT, and hence, more revenue for the government, so they're not really complaining. After all, this is certainly what they'd call enviable growth. As of August 2023, our STT collection stood at about Rs 21,599 crores. And in FY20-21, India's STT collection had been Rs 16,000 crore. If only our salaries also managed to grow at this rate! <h2>So, what's happening?</h2>Two things. One, it's the big bulls who are raking in all the moolah. And it's the younger lot (those aged under 30) who are propping them up for this. In FY24, 43% of individual traders in the market were less than 30 years of age. In just one year, this number has swelled by 12 percentage points from just 31% of individual traders. But who says ageing is bad? Wrinkles and silver hair seemingly have a propensity of incurring lesser losses in the market. In FY24, only 79% of traders aged above 60 years made losses, as compared to 93% of those aged below 30. Small and mid-income traders, which make up 98% of the total trader base, witnessed average losses per person of Rs 65,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh in FY24 in futures and options, respectively. The winner here? Clearly, the big bulls, who declared an annual income of over Rs 1 crore, ended up with average profits of Rs 96,000 per person this year. <h2>What’s the sheriff up to?</h2>The government has finally swung into action, hiking the STT rate for F&amp;O during this year’s budget. Effective October 1, 2024, the STT on futures stands at 0.02%, up from 0.0125%. For options, it was upped to 0.1% versus 0.0625% previously. Small margins, but huge impact oncoming. Says Puneet Sharma- CEO and Fund Manager at Whitespace Alpha, “SEBI aims to enhance market stability while safeguarding investor interests, reflecting the regulator's intent to balance risk management with market participation”. But this might come with its own share of challenges, too. “Stricter norms around leverage, transparency, and capital adequacy could limit the ability of investors to determine their own risk appetite, thereby stifling innovation in trading strategies. Over-regulation in an environment that thrives on strategic flexibility and creativity could dampen the market’s dynamism, affecting India's competitiveness in the global derivatives landscape”, he observes. SEBI recently came out with a set of guidelines that aim to thwart <keyword id="19972907" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="retail-investors" source="keywords">retail investors</keyword>' participation in futures and options and hinder them from taking undue risks. Here's a quick recap of what's to come for the residents of the F&amp;O town Margin Requirements: To battle the high volatility and chaos which is generally seen on expiry days(i.e the last mandated date, post which an option becomes invalid), SEBI will put in place an extreme loss margin (ELM) of 2% for all open short options on the day of expiry. Translation? Traders will need to pony up more cash upfront, leaving them with fewer funds to take on risky bets. It ain't a choice: No more of one expiry every single day! Going ahead, an exchange like BSE or NSE will just be able to offer weekly expiries, that too, only on one benchmark index, as opposed to an entire buffet it currently offers. At present, NSE offers weekly options contracts for its financial index, bank and midcap indices. But say goodbye to this, and hello to derivatives on only 1 index per exchange. Raising the bar: Effective November 30, 2024, the minimum contract value for index derivatives will be upped to Rs 15 lakh, from the present Rs 5-10 lakh. The hope is that by making it ultra-expensive to enter these trades, investors will be dissuaded from taking on risky trades. Pay upfront: Starting February 2025, those trading in options will have to pay the entire options premium upfront, even before their trades are executed. This is because options generally carry very high leverage, and paying a significant sum upfront can force traders to think twice. Invigilation Pro Max: Starting April 1 2025, to make sure that the number of positions for equity index derivatives does not slyly slip over the mandated limit, especially on expiry days when trade volumes are huge, the exchanges will have to take a minimum of 4 position snapshots randomly. The question is, will these injections of sobriety be enough to calm down the steroid-fed bull of the futures and options market in India? Well, only time and market turnover will tell! For more insights into the financial markets and business news, stay tuned to our site and social media handles. And don’t forget to subscribe to Business Insider India’s newsletters for your weekly dose of Simply Put! Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

SIMPLY PUT: SEBI is on a mission to take on the wild, wild west of futures and options in India. Here’s why, what, and how

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="21332514" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kristin-breuss" source="keywords">Kristin Breuss</keyword>, from the Midwest, worked at <keyword id="19906485" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Goldman-Sachs" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Goldman Sachs" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Goldman Sachs">Goldman Sachs</keyword> in New York and London for 20 years. </li><li>In 2009, she left to spend more time with her family and find a <keyword id="21332515" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sense-of-purpose" source="keywords">sense of purpose</keyword>. </li></ul>This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kristin Breuss, a 55-year-old <keyword id="20262865" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pastor" source="keywords">pastor</keyword> based in London. The following has been edited for length and clarity. I joined <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-the-latest-drama-goldman-sachs-mark-sorrell-stephan-feldgoise-2024-2">Goldman Sachs</a> in 1990 as an investment banking analyst at the age of 22. Almost two decades later, I left to become a pastor. My first two years at Goldman Sachs were ridiculously intense, and I was lucky to get a day off, including Sundays. But it really was a great place to be. I learned a lot, they treated me well, and invested a lot in me. When I was at college, I did an internship with a politician in London and loved it. So in 1999, I pitched the idea of Goldman Sachs basing their global training for investment banking in London, and they said yes. My husband and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millennial-moved-to-london-stressful-lonely-now-moving-to-portugal-2024-3">I moved from New York to London</a> shortly after, and 24 years later, we're still here. Every 18 months to two years, I found myself in a new role, from banking to marketing to HR. They allowed me to move abroad and cut down on my hours when I had kids, so there was never really any reason to leave. I kept getting bigger and bigger jobs and in 2007, I got promoted to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/teen-mom-working-sales-managing-director-before-30-2023-12">managing director</a>, which was kind of a big deal in the HR space. As a girl from the Midwest who never went anywhere further than Michigan until I was 16, I loved having a global role and traveling around the world. I never thought I would experience what I now have. As surprising as it may sound now, I truly believed the work I was doing was making the world a better place. I loved opening new markets and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ultimate-guide-how-to-become-better-boss-30-days-2019-4">making people better managers</a>. It was classic capitalist thinking. <div type="image" title="Photo of Kristin Breuss and information about her education in print." height="470" width="1492" msid="109289065" hostid="261"></div><h2>In 2008 I started to lose my sense of purpose</h2>For a long time, the job, alongside my marriage and raising my three kids, gave me a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/blue-zones-dan-buettner-optimized-longevity-lifestyle-2024-1">sense of purpose</a>. But around 2008, that started to change. Being in that role was a lot of fun but I started to feel like it wasn't what I was supposed to be doing. It wasn't fulfilling me day-to-day. I went on vacation with my family over Christmas that year and felt like I had been missing out on time with them, too. By 2009 I started feeling like I was just making rich people richer. And while I don't think that's the full picture, I did feel like a lot of my day was spent talking to people who were complaining about how much more money they should be making. Suddenly, I felt like I had been climbing a ladder that was leaning against the wrong wall. Much to everybody's surprise, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/quitting-job-states-highest-resignation-rates-labor-market-2024-3">I resigned</a> four months later. When I told my boss I wanted to spend more time with my family she said, "but we're your family." That really confirmed to me that I'd made the right decision. I realized that the job had become tied to my <keyword id="19916730" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="identity" source="keywords">identity</keyword> and I didn't want to be somebody who needed a title and status to feel good. <h2>Adjusting to a new life after 20 years at Goldman Sachs was hard</h2>When I left I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life and adjusting was a struggle emotionally. Almost 20 years of being constantly busy meant I'd pushed down unprocessed feelings that were now coming up. After a few months I started working with a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/habits-i-see-in-leaders-as-an-executive-coach-2023-10">corporate coach</a>, who ended up being a godsend. I did a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/jobseekers-can-use-the-myers-briggs-personality-test-2013-3">vocational Myers-Briggs</a> test with her and one of the results was working in a religious institution. It really stood out to me because I was already getting more involved in my church. I had always believed in God and been a member of a church. I was wrestling with some theological questions at the time, namely around LQBTQ+ issues and the role of women in the church, which led me to study at a theological college. I started to preach more, do bible studies, and get involved in community festivals and social work like volunteering at a homeless shelter. And I really thought, "Okay, except for the fact that I feel completely unqualified and unworthy I really would like to do this professionally." So I took the plunge and in June 2014, at the age of 45, got ordained at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/st-pauls-cathedral-free-tour-online-2016-3">St. Paul's Cathedral</a> in London — just down the street from my old office. <div type="image" title="Kristin Breuss being ordained." height="683" width="1024" msid="109289182" hostid="261"></div><h2>Life as a pastor taught me the importance of rest</h2>Stepping away from corporate life and leaning into my <keyword id="19969363" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="faith" source="keywords">faith</keyword> over these last ten years has taught me the importance of rest. At Goldman Sachs, you had to get back to someone within 24 hours, that was the rule. And so this idea of rest, it was like, "Are you kidding?" You might lose your job if you rest. After the first year or so of my new life, I learned to set boundaries at work, which has enabled me to manage work around my family and have time for myself. It's taught me that we're valued in our being, not in our doing. My identity isn't tied to what I do. Currently, I'm an associate vicar at St Mary's London church in central London. My weeks are filled with variety, which suits me. I lead online prayer groups, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/career-change-gen-z-gay-training-ordained-priest-church-2023-10">I preach on Sundays</a>, I attend events, and work at our food bank, among other things that I'm drawn to. I feel a lot of joy and a strong sense of purpose, particularly being so close to the pain and need in the world. <div type="image" title="A class of priests on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral." height="540" width="1024" msid="109289185" hostid="261"></div>St Mary's is a modern church that's open to the LGBTQ+ community, which is important to me. One day I hope to lead a charismatic, inclusive church that's more rock band than choir, but not at the expense of my personal values or identity. I get paid very little, although financially, I'm in a fortunate position because my husband earns enough to support us both. But knowing that I'm not doing this for the money, I'm doing it for just a higher purpose, is really freeing. Overall I feel so good about my decision, and there's no way I'd go back. Correction: April 15, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misspelled Breuss’s first name and misstated her current age. It’s Kristin, not Kristen, and she’s 55, not 45.

I left Goldman Sachs after 20 years to become a pastor after I lost my sense of purpose. I get paid next to nothing but I cherish my freedom. 

A couple of days back, tickets for iconic band Coldplay's concert went up for sale on <keyword id="20215809" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="BookMyShow" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="BookMyShow" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="BookMyShow">BookMyShow</keyword>. However, the tickets were sold out within a few minutes of being listed and a lot of people took to social media to share their experiences. While some managed to get the tickets to one of the most-anticipated concerts in India, others were disappointed. Shortly after this, there were reports of tickets being bought and sold in black, for much higher prices. Social media was then rife with discussions about scalpers, and how they are hoarding tickets to sell them at higher prices. Now, BookMyShow has filed an FIR for black marketing of Coldplay's tickets. According to an ANI report, the company has taken legal action against unknown scalpers involved in the reselling of tickets for Coldplay's "<keyword id="23232180" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Music-Of-The-Spheres-World-Tour" source="keywords">Music Of The Spheres World Tour</keyword> " in India. The online ticket platform filed an FIR with the <keyword id="19906039" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mumbai-Police" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Mumbai Police" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Mumbai Police">Mumbai Police</keyword> on October 2, accusing scalpers of black market activity surrounding tickets for the band's highly anticipated shows in January 2025 at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The FIR was registered at Vile Parle Police Station, with the Mumbai Police charging the accused under sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), as well as section 66(C) of the Information Technology Act. Investigations are currently underway to identify those involved in the unauthorised resale of concert tickets. The issue arose when BookMyShow, which opened ticket sales for the concert on September 22, received emails from two people who claimed to have secured tickets for others in exchange for money. Several WhatsApp messages were also sent to BookMyShow requesting additional tickets, which the platform ignored. BookMyShow had clearly warned buyers against purchasing tickets from third-party sources, yet scalping activities persisted. In response to these concerns, the ticketing company lodged a complaint with the police on September 23, well before the formal FIR was filed. BookMyShow's spokesperson said the company remains committed to combating ticket reselling and is cooperating with the authorities to investigate all instances of illegal sales, including those on social media platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp, as well as digital reselling platforms like Viagogo and Stubhub. "In its ongoing fight against <keyword id="23311384" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ticket-scalping" source="keywords">ticket scalping</keyword> and black marketing of tickets for Coldplay's Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India, BookMyShow has lodged a formal FIR (First Information Report) on October 2, 2024. This action follows our initial complaint filed proactively with the Mumbai Police on September 23, 2024, addressing these concerns much before any formal complaint was raised against us. BookMyShow's FIR filed with the Mumbai police also urges authorities to investigate the unauthorised resale of tickets by individuals and platforms. "We have provided details of all resellers that have come to our attention, including independent individuals reselling tickets for this tour across social media platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp and beyond, as also digital platforms such as Viagogo, Stubhub Holdings and more, to aid authorities in a thorough investigation," a statement from the company read. The platform is also reportedly considering cancelling tickets that have been sold through unauthorised channels and reiterated its strong opposition to illegal ticket resale. "Our stance remains clear and unchanged - BookMyShow vehemently condemns and opposes ticket reselling which is deemed illegal and is punishable by law in India. BookMyShow has no association with any such unauthorised ticket selling/reselling platforms and/or any third party individuals/platforms for the purpose of reselling Coldplay's Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India," a company spokesperson said as per ANI. BookMyShow had also posted a statement on Instagram last month, saying that scalping of tickets is punishable by law in India and that people should stay safe from scammers. "Scalping is strictly condemned and punishable by law in India. We have filed a complaint with the police authorities and will provide complete support to them in investigation of this matter. We urge you not to fall victim to these scams. Any tickets bought from unauthorised sources will be at risk of consumer and can turn out to be fake tickets. Beware of such scammers," the statement had read. Coldplay is set to perform three shows in Navi Mumbai on January 18, 19, and 20, 2025, as part of their world tour.

Coldplay India 2025 concert: BookMyShow might cancel tickets sold through unauthorised channels, files FIR

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Luckin Coffee, which has put up a strong fight against Starbucks in Asia, is looking to the US.</li><li>The Chinese coffee brand, known for its heavy discounts, reported a strong third quarter.</li></ul>Luckin Coffee is <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/luckin-coffee-chinese-chain-making-starbucks-nervous-singapore-2023-11">putting up a strong fight against Starbucks</a> in Asia. Now, it's planning to bring that rivalry into the US.Here's the state of play: Starbucks is trying to pull itself out of a rut. In its quarter ending September 29, Starbucks reported a 7% decline in sales worldwide. In China, the company's sales slid by 14% compared to the same period last year, to $783.7 million.In August, it appointed Brian Niccol as its new CEO. Niccol has said <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-ceo-to-lay-out-strategy-to-fix-coffee-chain-2024-10">his plan</a> to turn around the coffee chain involves faster orders, adding a human touch to the ordering process, and positioning the brand's outlets as "third spaces."Luckin reported a strong third quarter. Its sales rose 41.4% year over year, and its quarterly revenue was $1.452 billion. The chain is known for its aggressive deals, unusual flavors like a Big Cheese coffee drink, and mobile ordering.Both brands are well established in Singapore, with multiple outlets in the city-state's Central Business District. On a recent weekday around lunchtime, I stopped by both a Luckin and a Starbucks to see how they compare in price, menu options, and vibe.<h2 id="efd5eecf-2a86-4a4e-b481-4b74f8bf8a7d">Luckin versus Starbucks</h2>I started at Luckin Coffee.When I walked in, I found people waiting around the collection counter for their drinks. Others were sitting around at tables drinking coffee.But most customers seemed to be in a rush, ready to grab their drinks and go.To order any menu item at Luckin, customers have to download the brand's app and place their order digitally. Staff members at the counter don't take orders.The app was easy to use, though it hit me with numerous pop-ups for discount vouchers. Because I was a new user, every drink on the menu was half off for me.<div type="image" title="A Luckin Coffee outlet in Singapore's Central Business District." height="3024" width="4032" msid="115040697" hostid="261" sizebytes="788852"></div>The most expensive drink on the menu was an Iced Oat Shakerato listed for 8 Singapore dollars, or $6. With the discount, it cost me SG$4.There were at least five orders waiting for collection before me. Still, my drink was ready in under five minutes, ready to be collected as soon as I scanned the QR code on my app. I didn't have to speak to a single person throughout the process.<div type="image" title="Luckin's ordering process was entirely digital, requiring no communication with the staff." height="768" width="1024" msid="115040695" hostid="261" sizebytes="75736"></div>After that, I walked about 100 feet to the nearest Starbucks, which had a large seating area. Some people in business clothes were taking lunch meetings there, while others hung around working on laptops.<div type="image" title="The interior of a Starbucks outlet in Singapore's business district." height="2835" width="3780" msid="115040693" hostid="261" sizebytes="737442"></div>The barista was friendly when I asked about the most expensive drink on their menu. It turned out to be one of their seasonal holiday drinks.I chose the Salted Pretzel Cocoa Oatmilk Latte, which came out to SG$10.20.Unlike Luckin, there was no one in line. I was out with my coffee, a venti-sized drink topped with crushed pretzels, in under three minutes, slightly faster than at Luckin.Overall, Starbucks' most expensive drink was more expensive than Luckin's. Luckin had more customers, so the wait time was slightly longer than in Starbucks.<h2 id="e3e55b2a-ebe2-4754-a009-07c30921fd35">The battle for coffee domination</h2>Luckin Coffee was founded in Beijing in October 2017. It filed for bankruptcy in the US in 2021 after the fallout of an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/luckin-coffee-fabricated-310-million-in-sales-investigation-2020-4">accounting fraud scandal</a>, in which it was revealed that it had faked nearly half of its roughly $732 million sales from 2019.Today, it has 21,343 stores globally.Luckin launched its first international stores in Singapore in March 2023, and the city-state now has more than 40 outlets. Now, it's eyeing the US market for expansion opportunities."We are also actively evaluating opportunities in the United States and other markets," Luckin wrote in its Q3 earnings report.Representatives for Luckin Coffee didn't respond to a request for comment from BI for this story.Starbucks has 40,199 outlets globally — nearly twice as many as Luckin does. Of that count, 7,596 stores are in China, an increase from the 6,806 it had a year ago.When asked for comment, a Starbucks representative in China directed BI to the remarks made by Niccol and the brand's finance chief, Rachel Ruggeri, in its Q4 earnings call.In the call, Ruggeri said sales in China were "weighed down by intensified competition and a soft macro environment that impacted consumer spending."Luckin isn't Starbucks' only rising competition in the US. It's also contending with the likes of Dutch Bros. and 7 Brew."There are concerns about speed of service and operational complexity, and new menu innovation has been lacking," R.J. Hottovy, the head of analytical research at Placer.ai, told BI about Starbucks."Starbucks' decline in visits also comes at a time when other coffee and beverage chains are seeing year-over-year visit increases, reinforcing that new product innovations aren't connecting with consumers," he added.<h2 id="998c3bea-c071-471c-a5fb-74f3f2be2403">Analysts say Starbucks should be worried about Luckin Coffee</h2>Luckin's pricing and focus on technology gives it an edge over Starbucks, consumer analysts say.David Yu, a finance professor from NYU, told BI Luckin is "all about technology." By comparison, he said Starbucks' use of technology, such as ordering on its app, is "pretty weak."Yaling Jiang, a China consumer research expert behind the newsletter "Following the Yuan," published an article on Monday about Starbucks' performance in China. In it, Jiang said Starbucks has continually failed to "meet Chinese consumers' changing perception about product price."Nirgunan Tiruchelvam, a consumer and equity analyst at Aletheia Capital in Singapore, told BI that he thinks Luckin "has an edge over Starbucks at the moment" because of its novelty.However, he said Luckin may still be in an uphill battle in the US."Luckin Coffee's plans in the US may not go as smoothly as one would expect because the US is a very complex market, where Starbucks is much better entrenched than in Asia," said Tiruchelvam.He said it's also cheaper to set up outlets in Asian markets than in the US."The expansion costs, in terms of the cost of rolling out an outlet versus the payback from it, are actually far more challenging in the US than in Asia," Tiruchelvam added.Yu echoed those sentiments, saying aggressive discounting is not a sustainable approach for Luckin."I always say discounting is never a great long-term strategy. It could be used effectively for short-term purposes," he said.However, Starbucks' increasingly expensive price tag has created an "opening" for Luckin, Yu said."So I think that's good timing for Luckin's perspective if they're willing to go and discount and price aggressively under to gain customers," Yu added.

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