Grilling season is here. Chefs share tips to make the best burgers.

Welcome back to our Saturday edition! Are you headed to the movie theater this weekend to see Tom Cruise's next big flick, "Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning"? Find out why he's had such staying power. Hint: It rhymes with punts.
On the agenda:
Living in the forest for four years shaved a decade off a researcher's biological age.
Rich Americans are booking fancy vacations. Everyone else is cutting back.
Morgan Wallen is the man of the moment because of his controversies, not in spite of them.
A week on Mexico's "Happy Coast," the hidden getaway of the wealthy.
But first: It's cookout time.
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This week's dispatch
It's time to sizzle and serve
Summer, is that you? :squints:
With Memorial Day on Monday serving as the unofficial kick-off for summer, it's my favorite time of the year — grilling season. Get out the burgers. Get out the hot dogs. And if you'd rather not eat meat, get out the vegetables.
Luckily for you, BI's Lifestyle team has been speaking with various chefs for tips on how to ensure people will be coming back to your grill asking for more.
Chef Alissa Fitzgerald tells BI that a good burger starts with the kind of beef you buy. Try to aim for beef with " 80% meat and 20% fat," allow them to thaw completely, and don't season them too early.
"Right before placing it on the grill, take a large pinch of kosher salt and gently cover the outside of the patty with a thin layer," she suggests. "Add the burger salt-side down on the grill and sprinkle some on the other side."
If you're putting other types of meat on the grill, however, like steaks, you'll want to season them "a few hours before you plan on cooking it and let it sit in the fridge," Chef Marcus Jacobs tells BI.
Meanwhile, when grilling chicken, Jacobs suggests creating a "blend of salt, white and black pepper, paprika, coriander, and several different types of chilies."
No matter how you season or what you're throwing on the grill, check out the chefs' other tips to make sure you're not the talk of the neighborhood for the wrong reason.
Touching grass
David Furman
When David Furman discovered his body was prematurely aging because of stress, he and his family moved to a one-room cabin in the woods to reset. Furman changed what they ate and how he exercised, and scaled back use of electronics.
To his delight, the experiment worked: It dramatically improved his longevity and energy. He continues to reap the benefits now, even after leaving the forest.
Plus, his family loved the lifestyle.
Travel is for the rich now
Almost half of summer travelers this year make over $100,000, according to a Deloitte survey. The wealth gap is growing, and middle-income vacationers are either staying home or opting for more budget-friendly trips.
Even as demand wavers, luxury travel is booming. New accommodations are under construction, and "luxury" short-term rentals are increasing in price faster than other listings.
But the stark divide may not last forever.
Morgan Wallen's country
There's nothing sonically special about Morgan Wallen's music, and he has a habit of attracting controversy. Still, in the wake of scandals involving slurs and disorderly conduct, Wallen is more popular than ever.
That's because Wallen's messiness is a key part of his brand, writes BI's Callie Ahlgrim. Fans see his scandals as proof of his authenticity, and he embodies an idea of freedom.
Why it pays to be the problem.
A Happy Coast hideaway
A 155-mile stretch of Mexico's Pacific coast is a quiet vacation hot spot for the ultrawealthy. Costalegre, Spanish for "Happy Coast," is practically impossible to reach — for those without a private jet, at least.
BI's Monica Humphries spent a week resort-hopping in Costalegre. Each had a different appeal, from the neighborhood feel and star-studded history at Careyes to the ATVs and private beaches at Las Alamandas.
Meet luxury and nature.
What we're watching this weekend
"Sirens": Julianne Moore, "The White Lotus" actor Meghann Fahy, and "House of the Dragon" standout Milly Alcock all star in Netflix's new dark comedy set in a beachside town.
"The Last of Us": Season two of HBO's TV show adaptation of the popular video game series ends this weekend.
"Nine Perfect Strangers": Nicole Kidman returns as a wellness guru in season two of the Hulu series, this time set in the Austrian Alps.
See the full list
Deals we love
Memorial Day savings: Mattresses are almost always on sale, but our deal experts know that Memorial Day is when we see the steepest discounts. Here are the best mattress deals for the holiday weekend.
Business (Insider) casual: Our men's style editors are here to help you look sharp at the office without feeling stiff. Check out our brand-new guide to the best men's business casual clothes for work.
Le Creuset vs. Staub: Our kitchen experts hate to break it to you, but there's a reason the more expensive option is better. Here's why we recommend Le Creuset.
More of this week's top reads:
I stayed at a luxurious resort in Barbados with my young daughter. From the private pool to the stunning beach, our stay was nearly perfect.
Keke Palmer said she didn't feel adequately paid in Hollywood until Jordan Peele's 'Nope' — two decades into her career.
Four sandal trends that are in this summer and four that are out, according to stylists and designers.
The patent behind a $182 cult-favorite skincare product recently expired. So where are all the dupes?
I visited the most expensive city in Utah and spotted five signs of over-the-top wealth and luxury.
Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter's choreographer shares how she gets her clients so fit they can sing and dance — in just 12 weeks.
Five style mistakes a menswear designer wishes you would stop making.
A 56-year-old personal trainer on how to build muscle after 40 — with rucking, body weight exercises, and short workouts.
I visited Universal's new theme park, Epic Universe. I see why some people wouldn't like it, but I'd happily go back.
The BI Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York. Elizabeth Casolo, fellow, in Chicago.

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Newsweek

6 hours ago

• Newsweek

Prince Harry and Meghan's Biggest U.S. Scandals

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were frequent targets of the British press as working royals, but it was only after several years in the United States that they began to face controversy across the pond as well. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have experienced successes since moving to California, but have also faced their fair share of crises. Meghan's mock curtsy, Harry's frostbite, and allegations of staff mistreatment have been just some of the moments fans of the couple might prefer to forget. Meghan's Curtsy to Queen Elizabeth II The duchess used the couple's December 2022 Netflix show, Harry & Meghan, to describe her first-ever curtsy to Queen Elizabeth, but it provoked a backlash for allegedly disrespecting British culture. Meghan re-created the curtsy she said she performed, bowing at the waist and spreading her arms wide in either direction. "I mean, Americans would understand this," she said. "We have Medieval Times Dinner & was like that." She had previously described the meeting to Oprah Winfrey in 2021 without mentioning any issues with her curtsy, and Harry went on to say it was "flawless" in his memoir, Spare. Many came away feeling the mock curtsy had disrespected a long-standing British tradition, and the fact that the queen had died three months earlier no doubt did not help. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada, on February 9, 2025. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle attend the Invictus Games in Vancouver, Canada, on February 9, 2025. Samir Hussein/WireImage Prince Harry Mocked Over Frostbite Harry's book, Spare, was released a month later and led to ridicule after he described in detail applying his mother's favorite Elizabeth Arden lip cream to his frost-bitten private parts. "My penis was oscillating between extremely sensitive and borderline traumatized," he wrote. "The last place I wanted to be was Frostnipistan. "I'd been trying some home remedies, including one recommended by a friend. She'd urged me to apply Elizabeth Arden cream. My mum used that on her lips. 'You want me to put that on my todger?' "'It works, Harry. Trust me.' I found a tube, and the minute I opened it, the smell transported me through time. I felt as if my mother was right there in the room. "Then I took a smidge and applied there. 'Weird' doesn't really do the feeling justice." Suffice it to say, the passage attracted the attention of quite a few late-night U.S. comedy shows. 'F****** Grifters' and the Collapse of Spotify Just months later, the Sussexes' Spotify deal collapsed, and just as their team was reassuring journalists the two had parted ways by mutual consent, up popped an executive at the streaming giant to derail the PR strategy. Bill Simmons used his own podcast to fire a parting shot at the couple: "I wish I had been involved in the Meghan and Harry leave Spotify negotiation. 'The F****** Grifters,' that's the podcast we should have launched with them. "I gotta get drunk one night and tell the story of the Zoom I had with Harry, trying to help him with a podcast idea. It's one of my best stories." Meghan a 'Dictator in High Heels' Meghan had long been fending off allegations that she bullied staff at Kensington Palace as a working royal. The scandal migrated to America in September 2024 with an article from The Hollywood Reporter headlined: "Why Hollywood Keeps Quitting on Harry and Meghan." The article quoted a source who said the couple's U.S. staff were terrified of Meghan and that the royal belittled people. Another source said Meghan marched around "like a dictator in high heels," and has reduced grown men to tears. Meghan's team launched a PR counterattack in the pages of Us Weekly, where several past and present staffers praised her. She has consistently denied the allegations of bullying. Prince Harry's ESPY Award In 2024, Prince Harry was awarded the ESPY's Pat Tillman Award for Service, sparking a major backlash from sports fans. At its peak, Mary Tillman, Pat's mother, told The Mail on Sunday: "I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award. There are recipients that are far more fitting." 'South Park' and the 'Worldwide Privacy Tour' Harry's memoir sparked a collapse in the couple's U.S. approval rating, and in the same way that a picture can tell a thousand words, an episode of South Park ridiculing the duke and duchess appeared to tell the story of a shift in American perceptions. The episode, titled "The Worldwide Privacy Tour," depicted the "Prince and Princess of Canada" campaigning for their privacy in the aftermath of the death of the "Queen of Canada." In one scene, the couple appears on a fictional Canadian morning show, holding "We Want Privacy" placards. The anchor asks the prince: "Let me start with you, sir. You lived a life with the royal family, you had everything handed to you but you say your life has been hard and now you've written all about it in your new book: Waaagh." The princess said: "I was totally like, 'You should write a book 'cause your family's, like, stupid and then so are, like, journalists." The interviewer says, "So you hate journalists? And now you wrote a book that reports on the lives of the royal family? So, you're a journalist." Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on Twitter at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page. Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@ We'd love to hear from you.

New York Post

8 hours ago

• New York Post

Hollywood and Obama should be judged for covering up Joe Biden's frailty

One year ago this month, attendees packed the 7,100 seats inside the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles to watch a parade of A-list celebrities — George Clooney! Julia Roberts! Barbra Streisand! — unite in a common goal: to raise more money for President Biden's re-election campaign than had ever before been tallied for a single fundraising event. By that standard the evening was a smashing success: Over $30 million, a record, was raised. 6 George Clooney, Joe Biden, Julia Roberts and Barack Obama at the Los Angeles fundraiser last June 15th, the beginning of the end of the wide-scale cover-up of Biden's inability to maintain his presidential campaign. X/Chris Jackson 'How important the event was to his re-election bid could be seen,' the Associated Press reported, 'in Biden's decision to fly through the night across nine time zones, from the G7 summit in southern Italy to Southern California, to attend.' Advertisement Nothing was left to chance. Outside the Peacock, riot police ringed the Gaza protesters; inside, the biggest weapon was rolled out. Former President Barack Obama appeared onstage with his old No. 2, the pair of presidents interviewed by the ABC late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. Their recurring theme: A second Trump presidency would ruin America. Obama called the current moment 'a by-product of 2016,' when, he said, 'a whole bunch of folks . . . sat out . . . Hopefully, we have learned our lesson, because these elections matter.' When Roe v. Wade came up, and the audience hissed, Obama scolded them: 'Don't hiss; vote.' 6 Within weeks of the event at the Peacock Theater, Biden would bow out of the campaign, which passed onto Vice President Kamala Harris. AP Still sharp, still charming, the familiar smile still beguiling, the forty-fourth president deployed all his gifts to urge the high rollers at the Peacock — and by extension, all Americans — to support Biden with money and votes: the most precious commodities a civic-minded American can be asked to invest. Advertisement The only problem was: Biden. At the event's end, as he and Obama waved goodbye with Kimmel, the incumbent became catatonic, just as he had five days earlier, at a Juneteenth concert at the White House. His whole body froze, as if immobilized by a science-fiction ray-gun. Obama had to guide his friend, gently but firmly, off the stage. As the Washington Post later reported, the commander-in-chief, keeper of the nuclear option, appeared 'slow . . . frail.' 'Even with Kimmel posing softball questions, and Obama frequently interjecting to provide support,' the story said, 'Biden struggled to explain key parts of his campaign platform, with attendees saying that the president frequently stumbled over his remarks, trailed off or was simply confusing.' 6 Pres. Obama has staked his post-presidential legacy on moral authority, clarity and legitimacy. His role in clouding Biden's health demands that legacy be reconsidered. AP Advertisement By June 27, Biden's disastrous performance in the CNN debate with former President Trump in Atlanta had triggered an open revolt, with leading Democrats and rank-and-file primary voters clamoring for Biden to withdraw from the contest. Throughout the incumbent's long political death-spiral, former President Obama — who had urged Biden against running in 2016 and 2020, worried the older man might 'embarrass himself' — remained silent. In what the Associated Press called 'the most delicate political moment for Democrats since former President Bill Clinton's impeachment,' Obama was seen struggling 'to balance his role as a party elder and an honest broker for Democrats seeking advice while avoiding being seen as betraying his former vice president.' Missing from this depiction was a key group: the American people. In Biden's season of torment, Obama may have deemed it prudent to keep his own counsel; but that doesn't explain his presence at the Peacock Theater in the first place. Could someone as perceptive and politically astute as Obama, a bestselling memoirist and two-time winner of the Electoral College, really have failed to discern Biden's unfitness until the fundraiser? Advertisement 6 Despite being enabled by sycophantic aides — and his Vice President — Biden's deterioration was well-known among much of Washington. Getty Images And even if that were true, why did Obama wait until after the debate, almost two weeks, before taking action to protect the electorate? By July 11, 'Morning Joe' relayed the whispering of top Democrats who believed Obama was 'working behind the scenes to orchestrate' Biden's withdrawal. In short: What took him so long? Barack Obama entered office with a Gallup approval rating of 67% and, after sinking to 40% in 2011, left office with a robust 59%. Polling on former presidents is scant; but Gallup still has Obama at 59%, while a recent YouGov survey lists him at 62%. 6 Following his humiliating defeat to Ronald Reagan in 1980, Jimmy Carter went on to rehabilitate his legacy via ambitious, progressive humanitarian efforts. Getty Images What does it say for a man who, trusted by so many, colluded in a lie to them — that Joe Biden was fit for office — and moreover participated in an enormous transfer of wealth, $30 million in a single evening, to prop up that lie until it became impossible even for the most deluded souls to believe? Rather than use his enduring appeal to force the Democratic Party to do the right thing in mid-2023 — when Biden was still officially mulling whether to seek re-election — Obama held his tongue and hoped for the best. For the winner of the 2017 Profile in Courage Award, the crucible of 2024 was not a Profile in Courage moment. 6 Biden and Obama on that fateful Peacock Theater stage last June, which raised $30 million. AP Advertisement Obama's historical legacy won't rest entirely on the arc and perceptions of his presidency. His actions since 2017 matter, too; and in covering for Biden for so long, Obama displayed a contempt for our democracy, and his own party, unbefitting of a two-term president. Jimmy Carter's post-presidency helped lift his standing in history. For Barack Obama, at least so far, the narrative runs in the other direction. James Rosen is chief Washington correspondent at Newsmax and the author, most recently, of 'Scalia: Rise to Greatness, 1936-1986.'

Business Insider

9 hours ago

• Business Insider

Carrie-Anne Moss is finally having fun

Carrie-Anne Moss has lived many lives. At 30, she got her big break opposite Keanu Reeves as Trinity, the sunglasses-wearing, gun-toting badass who fought the evils of a simulated reality in " The Matrix." In her 40s, she scaled down her workload so she could raise her three kids. Now in her 50s and with her kids off to college, Moss is back on our screens, making a dramatic appearance as a Jedi knight in the "Star Wars" Disney+ series " The Acolyte" and starring opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger in the second season of his Netflix series "FUBAR." But she still holds her breakout role close — so close that she almost turned on "The Matrix" on a recent plane trip to Los Angeles. "I seriously almost watched it, but I didn't want anyone on the plane to think I was watching it to watch myself," Moss told Business Insider. "I just love the story." While she ended up watching her former costar Reeves kick butt in " John Wick" instead, Moss still cherishes the opportunity to revisit the famous Wachowski sisters movie. "'The Matrix' is one of those movies where, as you grow in your thinking, it becomes something different," Moss continued. "There is so much in it that I know I haven't received yet in terms of storytelling." These days, Moss isn't just poring over her old movies in search of new meaning. Returning to acting in earnest now that her children are older has given her a newfound sense of enjoyment for the craft and the experience. That's especially true of her time on "FUBAR." As the East German spy Greta, Moss not only puts on an accent, but gets to play a juicy arc as a villain — one who kisses Schwarzenegger's character in their first meeting. The role was reinvigorating. "I love working and love so many of the jobs that I've done, but that wouldn't be how I would describe them," Moss said. "Having a job for the first time where I can say, 'That was so much fun,' it makes me want to do more." In the latest interview in Business Insider's "Role Play" series, Moss reminisces about about her years as a struggling actor, getting pulled over while nursing her baby, and the moment when the "Memento" script finally clicked. On getting sick immediately after learning she got the part in 'The Matrix' Business Insider: Let's take it back to the '90s. You're landing a few roles, most notably on the "Melrose Place" spinoff series, "Models Inc." What are you doing in that time to just pay the bills, pay the rent, and get by before the big break? Carrie-Anne Moss: I waited tables a little bit when I first came out. I was a model when I was first breaking into acting, so I made a little bit of money doing that. And then I would get little parts that would just make me enough money to get to the next one. I didn't know about paying taxes, so when I got that tax bill, I was like, "Oh, no! What do you mean?" I was in acting class, I was going to the gym, didn't have many friends, I would make friends on the treadmill, just becoming an adult. I was pretty innocent, naive, and very excited about living this dream that I had had my whole life. LA was so amazing then. Tell me about the moment you learned you got the role of Trinity in "The Matrix." I screen tested for it. I did all these different auditions to get to the final screen test, which was with Keanu [Reeves]. And it was on my 30th birthday. I met Keanu that day and felt very comfortable with him. He was very kind. I was very nervous. I mean, there was so much riding on it. You have to sign your contract before you go into the screen test, so you already know that if you get it how much you're going to get paid. So that just builds more pressure. Yeah, and I kind of didn't expect to get it. But at the same time, I had gone through so many times thinking I wasn't going to get to the next level, and then I got to the next level. So I do the screen test, and then they had a week to decide if they are going to book you. I knew the deadline was a Friday, so the whole week, when my phone rang, you're just wondering. The Friday I was supposed to hear from my manager and my lawyer, they called and said, "They've asked for an extension. They've asked for another week." And I was like, "Oh, god!" So by the next Friday, I had totally let it go, to be honest. It wasn't on my mind like it had been the week before. Please help BI improve our Business, Tech, and Innovation coverage by sharing a bit about your role — it will help us tailor content that matters most to people like you. Continue By providing this information, you agree that Business Insider may use this data to improve your site experience and for targeted advertising. By continuing you agree that you accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . They called me, and everyone was on the phone, and they told me I got it, and I remember I instantly got sick. I remember that distinctly — I literally felt a head cold. I think I was holding so much stress, I was crying, and I was so happy, and got sick. I remember getting off the phone with them, and I didn't even know how to tell anyone. It was a surreal moment, almost too much. On the scene that convinced her to do 'Memento' My manager is the one who really wanted me to read that. I was reading it, and I was intrigued, but it does take quite a few reads. And I remember, even after reading it a couple times, I didn't fully get it. But when I got to that scene where Natalie turns on Leonard — I remember the big splurge I did for myself after "The Matrix" was I bought myself a lawn chair so I could lay down and read scripts out in the sun. It was a serious splurge — and I remember lying on it and reading that moment in the script and feeling, "Oh. My. God." I just felt I had to do that scene. I knew right then and there. There are other layers to why I wanted to do the movie, but so many years later, that still stands out. I like these characters and these moments where I would never ever have anything like that in my life. There's such freedom in a character that would do that. You can't play that wrong, really. She is so diabolical in that moment, she's so horrible and so nasty. So to be that manipulative and go in there and do that to him like that. I just felt that would be so incredibly fun to do. On losing her acting ambition while making 'Disturbia' Shia LaBeouf Not so much. I had just had my second baby, and I was not really that open to working at that particular moment. I had a 2-year-old and a new baby. I remember my team at the time going, "We really think you should do this." And very rarely did they do that; they really respected my need for being home. I do feel motherly to younger actors now, but back then, I didn't feel that. I really liked Shia and thought he was really talented and cared a great deal about him, but I didn't feel like that. You were literally feeling motherly to your own child. Was your baby on set with you? Yeah. We shot that in LA. I remember getting pulled over on the freeway, nursing him in his car seat at night while I had someone driving me. He was crying so hard to be fed. I was crying. I was thinking, I can't do this. But you figure it out. I did not get a ticket. I was crying, and the baby was crying. I think the cop was just like, "You need to go home." And I was like, "I know!" After "Disturbia," was that the time when you decided to focus more on being a mother than acting? Oh, yeah. I think I had my first child after doing "The Matrix." I think for the premiere of the second one, I was pregnant. It all changed. I was one of those people who didn't even want anyone else to hold my baby. It was all encompassing. It was feeding me so much that it wasn't like I made any kind of mental decision. I actually, physically, couldn't do the work. And I didn't have a built-in support system, and I didn't want it. So when I worked after I had kids, it was, "Can I get help?" So that was really hard. And it sounds so corny, but I would get offers and think about it, especially when my kids were really young, I just thought, at the end of my life, am I going to care that I did another movie or if I held my baby? It was a no-brainer. I have to say I lost a lot of my ambition for the business. But now that the kids have grown, has the drive returned? Yeah, totally different. I don't know if you have ever seen that movie " Searching for Debra Winger." I watched it again recently, and what Debra Winger said is that there's a season for everything. There's a season to be a struggling actor and eating chips and salsa and a little bit of sushi and having enough money to have a coffee — I mean, that was my life. I wasn't going on vacation. I worked a lot because I never went anywhere. So when everyone went home at Thanksgiving, I would get the job. I couldn't afford a plane ticket home. You have your very focused and driven time of really wanting it and fighting for it, and then, for me, a change happened when I had kids. I remember when I went to do "Jessica Jones," it was very jarring. I went to work in New York, and I was commuting a lot, and I literally felt like I didn't even know how to talk to people. I didn't know how to do Uber. Krysten Ritter had to show me how to do it. I mean, going to set and everyone having phones, that was a real culture shock for me. You're doing a take, and the dolly grip is on his phone. It was like, "When did this happen?" On her death on 'The Acolyte' and showing her kids 'The Matrix' It's great to see you working more. You were fantastic in the brief time you were on "The Acolyte." Was it explained to you, going into taking the role, that you would die in the first six minutes of the first episode? Yes. [Show creator] Leslye [Headland] really pitched that to me that she really wanted me to do this because she wanted it to be believable. Did you like that idea? I didn't really think about it. I think the reaction to it from the fans, I kind of thought, "Wow, how did I not think of that?" All of them have seen "The Matrix" at a certain age. Yeah, it wasn't like, "Hey, I really want to screen a movie for you." They knew it, maybe their friends talked about it. This was by the time they were 12 or 13. All their friends came over, and I made popcorn, and all the moms approved; it was a big thing. I remember when my oldest saw it for the first time, the look of shock on his face because I was the mom who said, "Don't use that stick as a gun, we don't play with guns in this house." [ Laughs.] That made me really laugh. When your kids realize you had a whole life that they have no idea —like, "Who is that person?" — that's how it should be. Your kids should be the center of their own world. I've always been very sensitive to that. Kids who have parents who are actors, it's often their parents are the center of attention, they get a lot of attention when they are out in the world. I always stepped back and didn't want that for them.