Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<ul class="summary-list"><li>OpenAI CEO <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-chatgpt-openai-ceo-career-net-worth-ycombinator-prepper-2023-1">Sam Altman</a> discussed his experience with psychedelics in a new podcast interview.</li><li>He said he used to be a "very anxious, unhappy person" and psychedelics helped him become "calm."</li></ul>Sam Altman, the tech CEO behind <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-chat-gpt-2023-1">ChatGPT</a>, is also a big supporter of psychedelics.OpenAI cofounder shared some personal anecdotes in a recent appearance on the podcast "Life in Seven Songs," saying that doing psychedelics was one of the most transformative experiences of his life. Altman said psychedelic experiences can be "totally incredible," and for him, they've been life-altering.It may come as a surprise that the billionaire, who has <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-high-school-teacher-hoped-he-wouldnt-enter-tech-2024-6">been described as highly confident and charming</a>, used to consider himself a "very anxious, unhappy person.""If you had told me that, like, one weekend-long retreat in Mexico was going to significantly change that, I would have said absolutely not," Altman said. "And it really did."The CEO didn't specify which psychedelics he used, but he said the experience changed him in a lot of ways. One of the biggest was that he now feels like a "calm person" and the shift improved his quality of life and also helped him work on hard things.While the CEO said he has also dabbled in psychedelics at Burning Man, he said the "life-changing" experiences for him have been those where he travels and goes through the experience with a guide. The Burning Man version, he said, has been less altering and a rare occurrence.It's not the first time the tech mogul has <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/sama/status/1512130132315496448">spoken</a> publicly about psychedelics.In addition to various health startups the billionaire has invested in, Altman has <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://apn.com/press/apn-journey-colab/">served</a> as the board chairman of a startup called Journey Colab that aims to help people suffering from addiction with the development and application of clinical psychedelic drugs for therapy. It's not clear if he remains in the position, and Journey Colab did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment on his involvement with the company.Altman also posted on X about psychedelics in 2022, evoking a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1591850617462738946">response</a> from Elon Musk, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-psychedelics-burning-man-journeys-mdma-mushrooms-report-2022-10">who is also vocal about support for psychedelics</a>, about how "Amphetamines negatively affect empathy" and "psychedelics do the opposite." The trend of tech moguls experimenting with psychedelics isn't new. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/steve-jobs-lsd-meditation-zen-quest-2015-1#:~:text=%22Taking%20LSD%20was%20a%20profound,off%2C%20but%20you%20know%20it.">Steve Jobs famously used LSD</a>. More recently, PayPal Mafia member Peter Thiel funded a psychedelic therapies startup.A significant number of people in the US have experimented with psychedelics as well, with 28% of American adults surveyed by <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://today.yougov.com/society/articles/43267-one-in-four-americans-have-tried-psychedelic-drugs">YouGov in 2022</a> saying they had used a psychedelic at least once in their lifetime.In 2020, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/oregon-first-ever-state-to-legalize-psilocybin-for-therapeutic-use-2020-11">Oregan became the first-ever US state to legalize psilocybin</a>, the psychedelic compound in so-called magic mushrooms, for therapeutic use. Denver, Colorado, and Oakland, California, decriminalized magic mushrooms in recent years.Demand for <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/photos-see-inside-luxury-psilocybin-magic-mushroom-retreat-2022-9">luxury psychedelic retreats has also been growing</a>. Some professionals have also turned to psychedelics and other substances like ketamine in an effort to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/psychedelics-work-microdosing-lsd-psilocybin-ketamine-retreats-elon-musk-2024-3">enhance their work performance.</a>

Sam Altman says doing psychedelics during a weekend retreat in Mexico changed his life

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Some guests at Saudi Arabia's annual investment conference will have the chance to visit part of Neom.</li><li>A group of visitors will be taken to Sindalah, an island retreat in the Red Sea, Bloomberg reports.</li></ul>As guests descend upon Saudi Arabia for a major annual investment conference, some will have the opportunity to see the country's futuristic megacity, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/neom">Neom</a>, firsthand.The Future of Investment Initiative will take place in Riyadh, the country's capital, from October 29 to 31. Each year, it attracts world leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, and major business figures.BlackRock's Larry Fink, Goldman Sachs' David Solomon, Citigroup's Jane Fraser, the London Stock Exchange's Julia Hoggett, and Citadel's Ken Griffin are among the CEOs set to speak at the conference, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://fii-institute.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FII8-Plenary-Program-1025.pdf">a program of events on its website shows.</a>Days before the conference begins, a select group of guests has been invited to visit Sindalah Island, per <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-10-24/saudi-arabia-fii-mbs-beach-party-looks-to-show-neom-dream-is-real">Bloomberg</a>. Sindalah is a luxury island complex in the Red Sea off Saudi Arabia's west coast designed as a "unique escape" for visitors to Neom.Sindalah will feature three luxury hotels, yacht clubs, golf courses, and pristine beaches, Neom's website says.Showing off Sindalah will be the first time outsiders have been invited to Neom. It is unclear who will visit the island, but the group is made up of "financiers, entertainers and influencers," Bloomberg reports.Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman first started work on the megacity in 2017, and clear details about the multibillion-dollar plan since then have remained relatively scarce, with glossy computer-generated images and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/influencer-posts-life-saudi-city-neom-not-glamorous-2024-9">social media content from workers</a> giving the best insights into what it will look like.Neom is one of the crown jewels of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/vision-2030-saudi-arabia-plan-future-proof-oil-economy-2023-8">the Saudi Vision 2030 project</a>, which aims to reduce emissions from food production, diversify the economy away from fossil fuels, and transform the country into a luxury tourism destination and innovation hub.The Line, Neom's high-tech centerpiece, is expected to house <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-arabia-neom-plans-financial-pressure-foreign-investment-the-line-2024-5">more robots than people</a>, while Neom will also have a year-round ski resort featuring artificial snow and theme parks that combine virtual and physical worlds.Estimates for Neom's overall cost have reached as high as $1.5 trillion, while the official one is $500 billion.Neom has come under international scrutiny for a number of alleged human rights abuses.Malcolm Aw, the CEO and founder of Solar Water, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/malcolm-aw-canceled-100m-neom-contract-human-rights-abuse-saudi-2024-5">pulled out of a $100 million contract</a> when he discovered that Saudi Arabia had bulldozed villages to make way for the desert megacity.In May 2023, UN experts expressed alarm at the risk of execution of three members of the Huwaitat tribe for reportedly opposing the project.Neom did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Saudi Arabia will reportedly give a select group of visitors a first glimpse of Neom, showing them Sindalah — a luxury island retreat in the Red Sea

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A work retreat turned perilous last week after a Colorado worker was reportedly left stranded on a mountain.</li><li>His colleagues left him to try to summit alone and he got lost coming down, his rescuers say.</li></ul>A Colorado man was rescued after getting stranded overnight on a 14,230-foot mountain during a work retreat, according to local authorities.The man — who was not named — was left to summit Colorado's Mount Shavano by himself last week after around 14 of his colleagues made their way back down the mountain without him, the southern division of Chaffee County Search and Rescue <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.facebook.com/ChaffeeCountySearchAndRescueSouth/posts/1027238839191059/">wrote in a Facebook post</a>."In what might cause some awkward encounters at the office in the coming days and weeks, one member of their party was left to complete his final summit push alone," the group said."We see it all the time of, you know, someone's a little faster, someone's a little slower, especially on the fourteeners," the rescue group's president, Danny Andres, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/hiker-on-work-retreat-gets-lost-alone-on-mount-shavano/73-43e2c683-a3c9-438f-a6af-c35065855f71">told local outlet 9News</a>.A fourteener is a mountain over 14,000 feet high, at which the air is thinner than at sea level.Business Insider was unable to reach out to the company, which was not named.According to the rescuers' Facebook post, the man reached the peak of the mountain at 11.30 a.m. but became disorientated as he made his way back down.His colleagues had removed items they had left along the trail as markers, and he found himself on a steep boulder and scree field, the post added.The man then sent a pin to his colleagues — who told him he'd gone wrong and that he'd have to retrace his steps to find the right trail, it said.Around 3:30 p.m. he sent another pin, messaging to say he'd reached the ridge he needed, it added, but soon after that "a strong storm passed through the area with freezing rain and high winds, and he again became disoriented, losing cell phone signal as well."By 9 p.m., Chaffee County Search and Rescue South said it had been alerted and activated two teams, a drone pilot, and a helicopter.<div type="image" title="A group of mountain rescue specialists stand in the car park of Chaffee County Search and Rescue South, in Colorado, on August 24, 2024." height="750" width="1000" msid="112897985" hostid="261" sizebytes="91938"></div>Weather conditions on the mountain made it hard, the group said, and the helicopter, "despite flying several search patterns throughout the area did not detect any sources of artificial light apart from search teams anywhere on the mountain."By 9 a.m. the next morning they had found nothing, and a call went out to nine further search and rescue groups statewide.<div type="image" title="A view over the shoulder of a Chaffee County Search and Rescue South search and rescue drone operator in August 2024, the screen glowing in the dark, as they search for a lost worker." height="750" width="1000" msid="112897982" hostid="261" sizebytes="29434"></div>But just as those groups set out, the man regained cell service and managed to make a 911 call, Chaffee County Search and Rescue South wrote.The man was in bad shape, saying he'd fallen more than 20 times and had ended up in a gully, unable to get up. But the call allowed the group to locate him and perform a complex rescue, they said."This hiker was phenomenally lucky to have regained cell service when he did, and to still have enough consciousness and wherewithal to call 911," the post said.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/corporate-retreats-injuries-mishaps-increasingly-common-2022-6">In recent years, company retreats have come under increasing scrutiny</a> for overzealous team-building exercises, some of which have pushed the limits and, at times, undermined their own purpose.There have also been notable injuries, like when employees <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/corporate-retreats-injuries-mishaps-increasingly-common-2022-6">walked over hot coals</a> during a 2022 retreat, and hedonistic excess, as <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/employees-inside-adam-neumanns-wework-reveal-a-wild-culture-2019-9">multiple former WeWork staffers told Business Insider</a> in 2019.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-plan-corporate-retreat-successful-inspiring-team-building-2024-1">Industry experts recommend</a> planning a mix of group activities combined with downtime and work-related sessions.

A man was left stranded on a mountain by his colleagues in a work retreat gone badly wrong

Virgin Atlantic turned its nicest business seats into a 'Retreat Suite' &mdash; see inside

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at Donald Trump on Saturday during a rally in Pennsylvania.</li><li>A local officer encountered Crooks on the roof before the shooting but retreated, WaPo reported. </li></ul>A municipal police officer at <a target="_blank" class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-butler-pennsylvania-rally-secret-service-2024-7">Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania</a> encountered the shooter before the assassination attempt but retreated, according to <a target="_blank" class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/14/trump-shooting-news-thomas-matthew-crooks-investigation/#link-VWV4QVCNUNCTBP2AGWHJUJMPAE">The Washington Post</a>.Butler County Sheriff Michael T. Slupe told the outlet that the officer inspected the roof after an unnamed law enforcement agency requested identification of a "suspicious individual" at the rally, the Post reported.After the officer pulled himself up high enough to see onto the roof of a building near the rally, the shooter, now identified as <a target="_blank" class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-was-thomas-matthew-crooks-the-trump-rally-shooter-2024-7">Thomas Matthew Crooks</a>, turned around and aimed his gun at the officer, prompting him to drop back to the ground, the outlet said.Slupe said the officer did not have a gun in his hand at the time because he was holding onto the roof's ledge."He lets go because he doesn't want to get killed," Slupe told the outlet.Crooks then shot at Trump. Secret Service agents quickly surrounded the president, who later confirmed in a Truth Social post that a <a target="_blank" class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-speaks-out-after-shooting-thanks-secret-service-condolences-victim-2024-7">bullet struck his ear</a>. A <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ex-secret-service-agents-how-trump-assassin-could-fire-shots-2024-7">Secret Service sniper</a> fatally shot Crooks.The Butler County Sheriff's Office did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.Law enforcement officials and <a target="_blank" class="editor-rtfLink" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/secret-service-scrutiny-shooting-donald-trump-pennsylvania-rally-2024-7">the Secret Service are facing criticism</a> following the incident.A former intelligence officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency told BI said it's "mind-boggling" that Crooks managed to reach the rooftop and have a clear shot at Trump.An AP analysis of the footage found that Crooks managed to get "astonishingly close" to the stage. According to the outlet, the roof was less than 164 yards from where Trump stood onstage.President Joe Biden ordered an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/biden-orders-investigation-trump-security-assassination-attempt-2024-7">independent probe of Trump's rally security</a> on Sunday in the shooting's aftermath."I've directed an independent review of the national security of yesterday's rally, and we will share the results of that independent review as well," Biden said.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mike-johnson-trump-rally-shooting-political-rhetoric-election-2024-7">GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson</a> said the House would investigate events at the rally. On Saturday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced it assumed the lead role in the investigation in a post on X.Trump will speak at the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-suggests-will-speak-rnc-wisconsin-following-attempted-assassination-2024-7">Republican National Convention</a> in Milwaukee this week."In this moment, it is more important than ever that we stand United, and show our True Character as Americans, remaining Strong and Determined, and not allowing Evil to Win," he said in a Truth Social post.

Local officer encountered Trump rally gunman on roof moments before shooting but retreated: report 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>After studying in Japan, <keyword id="21565853" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Xian-Jie-Lee" source="keywords">Xian Jie Lee</keyword> moved to a village called Ryujinmura in the mountains.</li><li>He rented a farmhouse and renovated it to live in then purchased the house next door to list on Airbnb.</li></ul>Singaporean Xian Jie Lee, 33, moved to Japan in 2012 to study political science. He loved the country so much that he decided to stay, and he started a desk job at an IT company. Within a few months, Lee realized he was unfulfilled and quit to start a tour guide company with a friend called Craft Tabby. While running that in Kyoto, Lee met 72-year-old tea master Shu at a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/kitchen/best-tea">tea festival</a>. Shu served Lee some wild tea he'd picked in the Wakayama mountains and Lee was amazed by how good it tasted. "It was so full of energy," Lee told Business Insider. Shu suggested Lee visit Wayakama. When he visited, Lee was blown away by the forests of cedar trees, waterfalls, and steep hillsides that were draped with mist. When the pandemic struck, Lee knew exactly where he wanted to go. <div type="image" title="a man picking tea leaves while wearing a hat" height="4000" width="5333" msid="109400275" hostid="261"></div>Shu told Lee that he could rent a farmhouse in a village called Ryujinmura. He would need to renovate it himself to live in it, but Lee knew the cost of the rent and <keyword id="20360658" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="renovation" source="keywords">renovation</keyword> would be similar to what he paid to rent his apartment in Kyoto. In December 2020, Lee moved and became one of the youngest residents in the village. <h2>Renovating the rental</h2>Lee loved the farmhouse with its thatched roof and sliding wooden doors, but he soon learned the renovation would be more challenging than he first thought. "I removed the tatami (traditional straw floor covering) in the inner room and fell through the floor," Lee said. As Shu grew up in the area, he knew of a carpenter who'd once worked with his father. The carpenter was delighted that Lee wanted to return the farmhouse to its former glory, so while he said he'd charge for his son's labor, he worked for free. The carpenters helped demolish and remove the old wood and redo the entire floor. Lee lived in the irori (hearth room) for three weeks while the wooden floors were installed. Then he switched rooms and they renovated the kitchen and bathroom. <h2>It was Lee's home, but it became a <keyword id="21565855" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="community-project" source="keywords">community project</keyword></h2>Shu introduced Lee to the local charcoal maker, who provided charcoal for his fire, and the paper maker, who made all the traditional washi from mulberry trees for the shoji screens. Once the house was finished, Lee started to clear the overgrown land. He replanted the rice fields, cleared the tea bushes of weeds, and started to grow corn and tomatoes. While the neighbors shared tips on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/salicrop-ag-tech-startup-grow-crops-salt-water-2024-3">how to grow the crops</a>, Lee still had a few learning curves. Holes in his fence allowed wild deer to help themselves to the heirloom rice plants, and when he tried to fix the pipes that fed the rice fields with mountain water, an error meant he had to hike up the steep hillside to fix them a second time. Lee was a fast learner, and some of his neighbors asked if he could also manage their rice fields. Lee's friends from Singapore would often visit to help. He also started posting on YouTube, and some people who watched the videos volunteered to help him, too. <div type="image" title="two men holding plants together" height="3000" width="4000" msid="109400278" hostid="261"></div><h2>Creating a new life and business in the mountains</h2>Lee thought he'd split his time between the mountains and Kyoto. "I started liking this place more and more and these days, I seldom return to Kyoto," Lee said. He knew that if he were going to stay, he'd need to expand the tour business. "I thought that if I had a guesthouse, I could run tours from here," Lee said. The owner of the empty 120-year-old farmhouse next door to Lee's rental agreed to sell it to Lee and two of his friends. The second house also needed repair, and its purchase and renovations cost $25,000 in total. <div type="image" title="the interior of a farmhouse under construction" height="4000" width="6000" msid="109400279" hostid="261"></div>Lee paid for a craftsman to reinstall a sunken hearth in the floor at the center of the house, while another craftsman created handmade shoji screens. Since they intended to use it as a guesthouse for up to five people, they decided to install a wooden floor rather than tatami mats. <h2>Lee and his guests both enjoy unique experiences</h2> <div type="image" title="the exterior of a farmhouse in the mountains" height="3744" width="4992" msid="109400283" hostid="261"></div>While renovating the guesthouse, Lee turned his own home into a café three days a week to earn extra income. He served dishes to hikers who had been enjoying the trails. "It was quite tough because I was dealing with the renovations and planting rice while running the café," Lee said. When Lee listed the farmhouse on Airbnb in August 2023, he closed the café, but then reopened it and now serves food once again to visitors. Guests renting the two-bedroom guesthouse for $190 a night can meet the resident goats and Ryujin chickens, borrow a paddleboard, or swim down the Hidakagawa River in front of the farmhouse. <div type="image" title="the interior of a farmhouse in Japan" height="3939" width="5252" msid="109400284" hostid="261"></div>Lee also offers tours to his guests priced from $40 to $270 where you can hike to six secluded waterfalls, take a traditional washi paper-making class, or participate in a tea-making workshop. <div type="image" title="a bed in a wooden room next to a lamp" height="1680" width="2240" msid="109400288" hostid="261"></div>Lee has also been able to participate in unique experiences himself. He and some of the volunteers were recently invited to take part in the lion dance at the local harvest festival. "We didn't know what we were doing, but the neighbors helped show us what to do," Lee said. The villagers were thrilled they'd taken part. "The most surprising thing for me was how open everyone was to have us involved," Lee said. "Then also when they told us how happy it made them." Correction: April 25, 2024 — Lee lived in the hearth room for three weeks during renovations, not three months. He has also reopened the café.

A 33-year-old man turned a Japanese farmhouse into a mountainside Airbnb retreat for $25,000 — here's how he did it

Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, Manali stands as a quintessential destination for travelers seeking solace amidst the Himalayas. With its snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, gushing rivers, and serene ambiance, Manali offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and adventure. As we step into 2024, let's explore some of the top places to visit in Manali that promise unforgettable experiences: Rohtang Pass Rohtang Pass, situated at an altitude of 3,978 meters, remains one of the most iconic destinations in Manali. Offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers, Rohtang Pass is a paradise for adventure enthusiasts. Whether you're indulging in snow activities during the winter months or embarking on thrilling treks during the summer, Rohtang Pass never fails to mesmerize travelers with its awe-inspiring beauty. Old Manali Stepping into the charming lanes of Old Manali feels like entering a different world altogether. This quaint part of town exudes a bohemian vibe, with its cozy cafes, vibrant markets, and laid-back ambiance. Take a leisurely stroll along the cobblestone streets, browse through the eclectic shops selling handmade crafts and clothing, or simply soak in the serene atmosphere while sipping on a cup of locally brewed coffee. Hadimba Devi Temple Dedicated to the goddess Hadimba, the Hadimba Devi Temple is a testament to Manali's rich cultural heritage. Set amidst a cedar forest, this ancient wooden temple boasts exquisite architecture and intricate carvings. Pay homage to the deity, admire the temple's unique design, and take a moment to appreciate the tranquil surroundings that envelop this sacred site. Jogini Falls Tucked away in the lush greenery of the Jogini Valley, Jogini Falls offers a refreshing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Embark on a scenic trek through the forest, following the trail that leads to this magnificent waterfall. Feel the cool mist on your face as you stand in awe of the cascading waters, surrounded by the raw beauty of nature. Manu Temple Perched atop a hill overlooking the Beas River, the Manu Temple holds immense significance in Hindu mythology. Dedicated to the sage Manu, who is believed to be the progenitor of mankind, this sacred site attracts devotees and travelers alike. Take in the panoramic views of Manali town and the surrounding valleys from the temple complex, and immerse yourself in the spiritual aura that permeates this serene destination. Naggar Castle A testament to Manali's rich history and architectural heritage, Naggar Castle stands as a magnificent reminder of a bygone era. Built in the traditional Himalayan style, this ancient castle offers panoramic views of the Kullu Valley and the Beas River. Explore the castle's intricately carved wooden interiors, stroll through its lush gardens, and marvel at the majestic beauty of the surrounding landscapes. Vashisht Hot Water Springs Rejuvenate your body and soul at the Vashisht Hot Water Springs, renowned for their therapeutic properties. Nestled in the quaint village of Vashisht, these natural springs offer a tranquil retreat where you can unwind amidst serene surroundings. Soak in the warm waters, believed to have healing powers, and let go of all your stress and worries as you bask in the lap of nature. Manali beckons travelers with its unmatched beauty, rich culture, and plethora of experiences waiting to be explored. Whether you're seeking adventure in the mountains, spiritual solace in ancient temples, or simply a peaceful retreat amidst nature, Manali has something to offer for everyone. As you plan your visit to this Himalayan paradise in 2024, make sure to include these top destinations in your itinerary for an unforgettable journey filled with memories that will last a lifetime. Note: The article is based on content generated by AI models like Bard and Chatgpt.

Top Places to Visit in Manali in 2024

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Russia has pulled its last Black Sea Fleet warship from Crimea, per a Ukrainian navy spokesperson.</li><li>The retreat exposes the emptiness of Russia's red lines and nuclear threats, a Ukraine expert said.</li></ul>The Russian Black Sea Fleet's "humiliating" retreat from Crimea has exposed the emptiness of the country's red lines, according to a military observer.Peter Dickinson, the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/expert/peter-dickinson/">editor</a> of the Atlantic Council's UkraineAlert online publication and chief editor of Business Ukraine Magazine, made the analysis in an Atlantic Council <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/russias-retreat-from-crimea-makes-a-mockery-of-the-wests-escalation-fears/">blog post</a> on Tuesday."The Russian Navy's readiness to retreat from its supposedly sacred home ports in Crimea has made a mockery of Moscow's so-called red lines and exposed the emptiness of Putin's nuclear threats," he said.Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and has used its Sevastopol Naval Base as the primary headquarters for the Black Sea Fleet.But Dmitry Pletenchuk, a spokesperson for the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said in a Facebook <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" class="" href="https://www.facebook.com/Taclbery/posts/pfbid02gdpvawQzXe73Cz6GYext2iGR1GwJ4onn7ULhDYcffsH19SjW7xQ6mSEhyueECvasl">post</a> earlier this week that Russia had pulled its last Black Sea Fleet warship out of Crimea."Remember this day," he wrote.The Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also said in a Telegram <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" class="" href="https://t.me/ukrainian_navy/7490">post</a> on Tuesday that there were no longer any Russian naval ships left in the waters.Ukraine has heavily targeted Russia's Black Sea Fleet, using aerial drones, <a target="_blank" rel="" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sea-drones-change-naval-warfare-give-smaller-navies-edge-expert-2024-7">sea drones</a>, and anti-ship missiles.Earlier this year, Ukraine's military <a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-may-finally-take-black-sea-fleet-losses-seriously-ukraine-2024-3">claimed</a> to have destroyed a third of the fleet, and in March, the UK's Ministry of Defence <a target="_blank" rel="" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-black-sea-fleet-functionally-inactive-after-ukraine-strikes-uk-2024-3">declared</a> the Black Sea Fleet "functionally inactive."According to Dickinson, Russia's reaction to the "mounting setbacks" in the Black Sea challenges the Western narrative that a "cornered and beaten" President Vladimir Putin could resort to the "most extreme measures," including the use of nuclear weapons."In fact, he has responded to the humiliating defeat of the Black Sea Fleet by quietly ordering his remaining warships to retreat," Dickinson wrote.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/polish-fm-us-will-destroy-russian-targets-ukraine-nukes-used-2024-5">Some in the West</a> have voiced concerns that Russia could escalate the conflict beyond Ukraine's borders, or even use <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/xi-personally-warned-putin-against-nuclear-strikes-drawing-red-line-2023-7">nuclear weapons</a> on the battlefield, if its <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-boasts-of-russias-hypersonic-missiles-in-warning-to-nato-over-ukraine-2021-11">red</a> <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dmitry-medvedev-threatens-nuclear-attacks-western-capitals-nato-troops-ukraine-2024-5">lines were </a><a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-ukraine-f16-nuclear-capable-soviet-planes-su24-mig29-2024-5">crossed.</a>It's a concern that has played a central role in how much and what kind of military aid is being given to Ukraine.Recently, there have been <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-ukraine-use-american-weapons-russia-red-line-putin-nyt-2024-5">worries</a> among some Ukrainian allies about how Russia could respond to them lifting restrictions on weapons they've supplied being used to hit targets inside Russia itself.But Dickinson said the overwhelming evidence from what has happened in the Black Sea confirms that "when confronted by resolute opposition, Putin is far more likely to back down than escalate.""The West's fear of escalation is Putin's most effective weapon," he added. "It allows him to limit the military aid reaching Kyiv, while also preventing Ukraine from striking back against Russia."This, he said, "is slowly but surely setting the stage for inevitable Russian victory in a long war of attrition."

The 'humiliating' retreat of Russia's fleet from Crimea proves its threats don't mean anything, expert says

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Five Below says it's cutting back on self-checkout.</li><li>Some stores have switched to an associate-assisted checkout format, where staff scan the items.</li></ul>Discount retailer <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/five-below-holiday-shopping-affordable-review-2023-12f">Five Below</a> is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/some-walmart-stores-limiting-self-checkout-spark-app-users-2024-3">cutting back on self-checkout</a>, with plans to eliminate them entirely from some stores, CEO Joel Anderson told investors at the company's earnings call on Wednesday.The measure is intended to combat a rise in shrink — the industry term for missing inventory — which Anderson said had been higher than expected at Five Below.Anderson said that in late 2023 the company had tested "many" initiatives to reduce shrink, the industry term for missing stock.From January, Five Below's stores all switched to what he called an "associate-assisted checkout," he said. He said that at these checkouts, staff would scan the items and then the customer would finish the transaction by paying using cash or card."That is what we believe is a nice balance between we're ensuring everything is being scanned," Anderson said."We expect to have 75% of our transactions chain-wide assisted by an associate with a goal of 100% in our highest-shrink, highest-risk stores to be fully transacted by an associate," he added.Anderson said that at Five Below's stores with the highest shrink levels, staff is checking receipts, and more security guards are present.Earlier this month, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dollar-general-replacing-some-self-checkouts-because-of-theft-shrink-2024-3">Dollar General also rolled back on self-checkout</a>. The company said it would remove this service from 300 locations and add assisted checkout to 9,000 stores.Retailers have been rethinking their self-checkout strategies over concerns that they're <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/self-checkout-theft-is-a-bigger-problem-than-retailers-thought-2023-12">facilitating theft</a>. Some customers use self-checkouts to avoid scanning some items or <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/home-depot-self-checkouts-florida-thieves-stole-roof-sealer-crime-2024-2">putting expensive products through as lower-cost items</a>.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/target-self-checkout-limit-10-items-less-twice-as-fast-2024-3">Target</a> is limiting self-checkout to 10 items or fewer at most of its stores and is letting store leadership choose to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/target-self-checkout-closes-early-8-pm-some-stores-2024-2">restrict the hours</a> that self-checkouts are in operation.

Five Below is the latest chain to retreat from self-checkout

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="21425487" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="superyacht-sales" source="Orion">Superyacht sales</keyword> fell 17% in 2023, but still stayed above pre-COVID levels.</li><li>Sanctions imposed on <keyword id="21271141" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Russian-oligarchs" source="keywords">Russian oligarchs</keyword> dented the market, but America helped split the difference.</li></ul>Both new and used <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-the-secretive-world-of-superyachts-2023-8">superyacht</a> sales of vessels longer than 100 feet fell again 2023 — in part due to sanctions imposed on Russian <keyword id="967282" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="oligarchs" source="Orion">oligarchs</keyword>. But steady sales in America are helping to split at least some of the difference. A total of 203 <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/billionaire-superyachts-luxury-cost-size-status-symbol-2024-3">superyachts</a> were sold globally in 2023 — a 17% drop from the 245 sold last year, according to the <keyword id="20245157" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="superyacht" source="keywords">SuperYacht</keyword> Times' annual <a target="_blank" href="https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/the-state-of-yachting-2024">State of Yachting report</a>. That's down from 2021's peak of 313 superyacht sales — though the report notes the market still remains high above its pre-COVID levels, and that "any number over 200 is historically still a high number." Sales for superyachts over 200 feet slowed more than their smaller counterparts due to high pricing and longer build times, according to the report. And the fallout from Russian sanctions will likely impact the market for years to come, especially with respect to the larger ships that <keyword id="1645850" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="russians" source="Orion">Russians</keyword> have purchased in the past. "Russian buyers remain largely absent from the newbuild market, which has an impact on the market for large newbuilds in particular," according to the report. That said, SuperYacht Times' head of intelligence, Ralph Dazert, told Business Insider that sales in America are helping to fill some of the void. "The strength of the US economy just continues to defy expectations, and Florida (where most of the US owners base their boats) has been doing particularly well," Dazert said. "The top end of the market has been hit by the Russian pullout, but it is beginning to bounce back, with mainly inquiries from the US again." The US share of overall superyacht ownership stayed steady at 23.6% from 2023 to 2024, according to the report, while Russian ownership continued to decline from 8.1% to 7.8% over the same period. And while <keyword id="30790" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="americans" source="Orion">Americans</keyword> have tended to buy slightly smaller yachts than Russians in the past, Dazert said they are gradually moving up in size. For new superyachts longer than 130 feet, Russia's share (now at 6%) has declined over the past decade, while the US share (29%) has continued to increase, the report found. The report concludes that the superyacht market could see "further slowdown" in 2024, citing the conflict in the Middle East and the US presidential election — an event that's sometimes thought to impact sales.

Superyacht sales surge thanks to wealthy Americans amid Russian oligarchs' retreat

<ul class="summary-list"><li>WeWork is closing down some of its coworking spaces, including a site in London.</li><li>The office space giant is also reportedly preparing to file for bankruptcy.</li></ul>WeWork has started to close some of its coworking spaces as it reportedly prepares to file for bankruptcy.The company <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wework.com/newsroom/a-letter-from-weworks-ceo-on-the-next-phase-of-wework">previously said</a> in September that it planned to renegotiate all its leases and exit any "unfit or underperforming" locations. Some of these closures are now underway. A spokesperson for WeWork confirmed to Insider Thursday that it is ending the tenancy of its New Kings Beam House location in Central London. WeWork members at the impacted building <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-67291902">told the BBC</a> that the company had emailed them to say it was closing along with other "unprofitable" sites.WeWork said that the closure was part of a preplanned strategy to "improve liquidity and strengthen our balance sheet." The spokesperson did not confirm how many sites in the UK it would be closing, but stressed that the region remained a key market for the company.Once valued at $47 billion, WeWork is now reportedly<a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/wework-stock-market-crash-spac-ipo-bankruptcy-rumors-adam-neumann-2023-11"> on the verge of bankruptcy</a> after years of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/jan/06/wework-survive-covid-crisis-rapid-expansion-shared-office-losses-lease">chaotic expansion and financial struggles</a>. Its share price has dropped almost <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/wework-stock-market-crash-spac-ipo-bankruptcy-rumors-adam-neumann-2023-11">99% since it went public</a> in 2021. As of Thursday morning, its shares were trading at $1.22.The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/wework-plans-to-file-for-bankruptcy-as-early-as-next-week-1fdcb6a5">Wall Street Journal</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/wework-plans-file-bankruptcy-early-next-week-wsj-2023-10-31/">Reuters</a> both reported on Tuesday that WeWork could file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the coming days. It comes after the company warned that there was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wework-has-substantial-doubt-about-continue-to-operate-going-concern-2023-8">"substantial doubt"</a> about its ability to stay in business back in August.<h2>A company that planned to 'change the world'</h2>Once the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/weworks-nightmare-ipo?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;_gl=1*pj8ib0*_ga*MTIxNzk5NDYxOS4xNjkyODY0NjU0*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTY5ODkxNDMyMi4xMjAuMS4xNjk4OTE3MzQ0LjQzLjAuMA..">US's most valuable tech startup</a>, WeWork has seen a dramatic fall from grace. Backed by Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son's "Vision Fund" and generating a huge amount of buzz in Silicon Valley and beyond, WeWork founder Adam Neumann declared that the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/weworks-nightmare-ipo?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;_gl=1*pj8ib0*_ga*MTIxNzk5NDYxOS4xNjkyODY0NjU0*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTY5ODkxNDMyMi4xMjAuMS4xNjk4OTE3MzQ0LjQzLjAuMA">company would "change the world."</a>However, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/weworks-answers-to-its-5-biggest-questions-left-analysts-concerned-2019-8">analysts were skeptical</a>, pointing to a lack of a clear business model and uncertainty over whether the company was a tech or real estate firm, with investors tending to pay a steeper premium and be more forgiving of losses for the former.They warned that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wework-new-york-city-real-estate-threat-adam-neumann-ceo-2019-9">WeWork's business model</a> traded long-term liabilities against short-term income steams and risked damaging the wider real-estate industry, with the company responsible for leasing millions of square feet of office space in major city centers.Years later, WeWork's financial woes could have <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/wework-doubt-warning-commercial-real-estate-offices-economy-credit-rates-2023-8">dire consequences for commercial real estate</a>. In June, Columbia Business School professor Stijn Van Nieuwerburgh warned that the collapse of WeWork could be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/12/business/wework-softbank-sandeep-mathrani.html?">a "systematic shock"</a> to commercial real estate in many American cities.The company has failed to recover from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/weworks-nightmare-ipo?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;_gl=1*pj8ib0*_ga*MTIxNzk5NDYxOS4xNjkyODY0NjU0*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTY5ODkxNDMyMi4xMjAuMS4xNjk4OTE3MzQ0LjQzLjAuMA..">its disastrous 2019 IPO launch</a>, which was ultimately delayed and which saw WeWork's valuation plunge by 70% in the space of about a month. Neumann also stepped down after details emerged about the company's huge losses and behind-the-scenes chaos.As well as a corporate culture that included <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/employees-inside-adam-neumanns-wework-reveal-a-wild-culture-2019-9">tequila shots in meetings and sex-filled company retreats</a>, the real estate startup raised eyebrows by creating its own metric for measuring earnings in the run-up to its doomed IPO.At the time, critics warned that its use of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wework-financials-community-adjusted-ebitda-reminds-experts-of-tech-bubble-2019-5">"community-adjusted EBITDA"</a> (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) appeared to leave out some operating costs, with some comparing it to "spurious valuation" metrics used by firms at the peak of the dot-com bubble.After stepping down from WeWork in 2019, Adam Neumann has gone on to found <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/adam-neumann-tenants-flow-apartments-plunge-toilets-owners-2023-2">a new company called Flow</a>, a rental-housing company that bears <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wework-adam-neumann-apartment-startup-investment-silicon-valley-vc-apocalypse-2022-8">some similarities to his former venture</a>.Neumann has been vague about what Flow's business model actually is, but that hasn't stopped VC firm Andreessen Horowitz from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/adam-neumann-cashes-a16zs-biggest-check-ever-2022-8">investing $350 million in the firm</a>.

You Searched For "retreat" and got 11 results

Sam Altman says doing psychedelics during a weekend retreat in Mexico changed his life

Ana Altchek

Saudi Arabia will reportedly give a select group of visitors a first glimpse of Neom, showing them Sindalah — a luxury island retreat in the Red Sea

Nora Redmond

A man was left stranded on a mountain by his colleagues in a work retreat gone badly wrong

Mia Jankowicz

Virgin Atlantic turned its nicest business seats into a 'Retreat Suite' see inside

Taylor Rains,Pete Syme

Local officer encountered Trump rally gunman on roof moments before shooting but retreated: report

Lauren Edmonds,Lakshmi Varana…

A 33-year-old man turned a Japanese farmhouse into a mountainside Airbnb retreat for $25,000 — here's how he did it

Claire Turrell

Top Places to Visit in Manali in 2024

BI India Bureau

The 'humiliating' retreat of Russia's fleet from Crimea proves its threats don't mean anything, expert says

Thibault Spirlet

Five Below is the latest chain to retreat from self-checkout

Grace Dean

Superyacht sales surge thanks to wealthy Americans amid Russian oligarchs' retreat

Geoff Weiss

WeWork's inevitable retreat is here

Tom Carter

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides