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Zero waste lifestyle: 10 practical tips to get started

Can India's 5,000-year-old disposable clay teacups compete with single-use plastic?

Eat right, exercise, get adequate sleep, manage your stress, avoid smoking and limit alcohol — these are some of the recommendations men receive to maintain a healthy <keyword id="20687206" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sperm-count" source="keywords">sperm count</keyword>. But what if, even after following all this advice, the sperm count gets affected due to the nature of the world we live in? A new study has discovered <keyword id="19970180" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="microplastics" source="keywords">microplastics</keyword> in <keyword id="21759251" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="human-testicles" source="Orion">human testicles</keyword>, raising concerns about their potential link to <keyword id="21759246" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="declining-sperm-counts" source="keywords">declining sperm counts</keyword> in men. Researchers tested 23 human testes and 47 testes from pet dogs. After dissolving the tissue samples and analysing the plastic remnants, they found <keyword id="21759247" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="microplastic-pollution" source="keywords">microplastic pollution</keyword> in every single sample! The human <keyword id="21742117" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="testicles" source="keywords">testicles</keyword> exhibited a plastic concentration nearly three times higher than that found in dog testes: 330 micrograms per gram of tissue compared to 123 micrograms. Polyethylene, commonly used in plastic bags and bottles, was the most prevalent microplastic found, followed by PVC. PVC is known to release chemicals that interfere with spermatogenesis and contains substances that disrupt the endocrine system, which produces and regulates hormones crucial for numerous bodily functions, including growth, metabolism and reproduction. Furthermore, the human testes analysed were obtained from postmortems conducted in 2016, with the men aged between 16 and 88 at the time of their deaths. Given the increased <keyword id="19970182" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="plastic-pollution" source="keywords">plastic pollution</keyword> since then, researchers are particularly concerned about its impact on younger generations. While the preserved human testicles couldn’t have their sperm counts measured, the dog testes—obtained from veterinary neutering operations—were assessable. Findings showed lower sperm counts in samples with higher PVC contamination. While this shows a correlation, further research is needed to definitively prove that microplastics cause declining sperm counts. In addition to testicles, microplastics have also recently been found in human blood, placentas and breast milk, indicating widespread contamination of human bodies. Laboratory studies have shown that microplastics can damage human cells. Moreover, these particles might lodge in tissues and cause inflammation, while the chemicals in plastics could be harmful as well. In March, doctors warned of life-threatening effects, noting a significantly increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and early death in people with contaminated blood vessels. Microplastics have already polluted the entire planet, from the summit of Mount Everest to the deepest oceans. Therefore, their presence in the innermost parts of the human body, while alarming, is not entirely surprising. The challenge now is to contain this damage and prevent it from worsening, which is easier said than done given the pervasive role of plastic in the modern way of life. The study was published in the journal Toxicological Sciences and can be accessed <a href="https://academic.oup.com/toxsci/advance-article/doi/10.1093/toxsci/kfae060/7673133">here</a>.

Plastic testes: Scientists analyse human testicles, find microplastics in every single one of them!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>My 8-year-old loves Lego blocks and has been asking for years to go to <keyword id="23618278" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Legoland" source="keywords">Legoland</keyword>.</li><li>As a <keyword id="21623863" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="single-mom" source="keywords">single mom</keyword>, finances can be tight, and I needed to figure out how to make it happen.</li></ul>For years, my 8-year-old son has said he wants to be a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lego-master-builders-life-size-sculptures-2016-7">master builder for The Lego Group</a>. So many of our bedtime stories were about Legoland, and I wanted to take him there as badly as he wanted to visit. It reminded me of visiting SeaWorld as a teenager and being inspired to study marine biology. However, as a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/having-cleaning-person-takes-up-budget-but-its-worth-it-2022-4">single mom, finances can be tight</a>, and I knew it would take some strategic planning and scrimping to make the trip happen. Although some parents are willing to go into debt for their dream vacations, I'm not. I've always valued experiences over material things, but not if it breaks the bank. <h2>We created a budget for our trip</h2>In the weeks leading up to our trip, I asked my son to help create our itinerary with one activity per day. The highlight of the weeklong <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/los-angeles-kid-friendly-city-travel-guide-2024-8">vacation would be Legoland</a>, and we put together a list of attractions in the San Diego area that ranged from free options like the beach or low-cost museum visits to the pricier attractions. As I worked on the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-dont-pay-for-accommodations-traveling-trusted-housesitters-review-2024">big-picture budget</a>, I also helped my son create his own. He had been really excited to hear a friend describe how his savings account grew money over time. So when we sold his bike for $80 early in the summer, I set the money aside in my high-yield savings account for his spending money. As for the trip itself, there were a few things I could take advantage of. I was able to cash in a couple of bonds that my grandfather purchased for me decades ago, I had <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-start-collecting-air-miles-2017-9">air miles I could use for the short trip</a> from Oregon to California, and we had access to a family timeshare. Had we not had some help with these expenses, I likely would have shortened the trip or continued saving for another year. I focused on finding deals for the rental car, food, and attractions and saved in those areas by visiting mid-week and buying tickets that included meals. My one splurge was an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/legoland-new-york-resort-hotel-family-review-2023-10">overnight stay at the Legoland hotel</a>, which was completely worth it when I saw my son's smile as we walked into our Ninjago-themed room and played with the Lego bricks in the pool. <h2>We talked about how much money we had to spend each day</h2>We <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/things-new-yorker-found-surprising-about-visiting-california-photos-2021-12">landed in San Diego</a> early Monday afternoon, dropped off our bags, and headed to Trader Joe's to grab snacks and breakfast fixings for the week. My son was amazed by everything he saw — the palm trees, the playground we spotted across the street, and our big studio room. I thought back to the many trips I'd taken over the years while enjoying seeing the city through his eyes. My son had a nice sum to spend during the week. He'd been saving his allowance, and I matched the proceeds from the sale of his bike. He had earned a meager amount of interest in the savings account, and we talked about how, had the money stayed in the account longer, he would have earned more. He wanted a $150 Lego set at Legoland, so he knew he had limited funds to spend elsewhere. At the start of each day, we discussed how much he had to spend, and then he carefully made a decision at each attraction. Despite this, there were some additional requests for me to buy things, and although I stayed firm on most, I did give in to some, like Ninjago pajamas, which he needed anyway. He loved wearing them around the park the next day. Every place we went had souvenir penny machines. I've collected these since I was a kid and was excited when Noah asked to get them, happily contributing the 50 cents or a dollar it took for the little memento. I stood behind him and thought about which imprint I'd choose as he carefully picked his own, like the Komodo dragon at the San Diego Zoo or the dolphins at SeaWorld. <h2>We slowed down and enjoyed free things</h2>As our energy decreased in the waning days of our trip, we slowed down. At first, I'd really wanted to maximize our time and take in all that we could, hoping to "get our money's worth," but by Friday, we needed a break. A late start wouldn't hurt our visit to SeaWorld, which was open until 8 p.m. We hung out in our studio, eating breakfast and lunch there before heading out. It was a nice reminder that vacation doesn't always have to be about seeing and doing everything; it can also be about relaxing. We spent our last day with friends, enjoying a hike overlooking La Jolla and eventually moving closer to the beach to watch the waves and sea lions. Our activity that day was another beautiful reminder that nature is free and entertaining in its own right. In the days following the trip, I felt exhausted by the daily money decisions yet relieved and satisfied that I navigated them. Creating meaningful moments doesn't require going into debt; instead, it can be about intention and focus on what's important. My son will never know how much I spent on that trip. What he'll remember is seeing the panda at the San Diego Zoo and driving the cars at Legoland. And that's exactly what I want him to remember. Deborah Goldstein is a philanthropy advisor focused on supporting philanthropists on their giving journey. In her spare time she's working on a memoir about the meaningful moments of life.

As a single mom, finances can be tight. Taking my son to Legoland was a good way to teach him about money.  

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A jury found Nevada official Michele Fiore guilty of misusing $70,000 meant for a memorial.</li><li>The statue was to honor a Las Vegas police officer killed in the line of duty.</li></ul>A former Nevada official was found guilty on Thursday of using over $70,000 of funds raised for erecting a statue of a slain police officer for her own personal use, spending the money on rent, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/recession-indicator-plastic-surgery-pandemic-us-economy-outlook-consumer-spending-2023-9">plastic surgery</a>, and her daughter's wedding.A jury found Michele Fiore, who was a Las Vegas councilwoman at the time, up until 2022, guilty of six counts of federal <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-score/wire-fraud">wire fraud</a> and one count of conspiracy to commit fire fraud.Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.The jury returned the verdict within a few hours.Fiore's attorney told <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.8newsnow.com/investigators/michele-fiore-convicted-by-jury-in-wire-fraud-case/">KLAS-TV</a> that he intends to appeal the verdict, criticizing the jury for reaching a decision so quickly and suggesting they had "already made up their minds before the closing arguments."Fiore, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/las-vegas/as-council-reacts-to-history-fiore-calls-trump-one-of-our-greatest-2260493/">a supporter of former President Donald Trump</a>, had previously run for Nevada's third congressional district in the Republican primary, losing the race, and most recently served as a justice of the peace for Nye County.Prosecutors found that Fiore raised thousands of dollars through a charity, her campaign, and a PAC for a statue of Officer Alyn Beck, who was killed in the line of duty.The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officer, along with fellow officer Igor Soldo, was shot and killed "execution-style" while eating lunch in June 2014, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.odmp.org/officer/printview/22100-police-officer-alyn-ronnie-beck">according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.</a>In an indictment document filed in July, prosecutors alleged that instead of using the funds for the commemorative statue, Fiore and a relative drained her charity and PAC accounts for personal use.Prosecutors cited bank records to accuse Fiore of transferring the money to her personal accounts, to her daughter, withdrawing cash from ATMs, as well as purchasing cashiers' checks.In a search warrant affidavit, an FBI agent wrote that Fiore had put the money toward monthly <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/mortgages/cost-of-living-comparison-buy-rent">rent payments</a>, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/car-loan-vehicle-shoppers-denied-what-to-do-2023-7">car loan payments</a>, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/high-credit-card-interest-rates-americans-debt-bills-fees-spending-2024-10">credit card charges,</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/only-take-kids-on-luxurious-trips-worried-ruin-future-travel-2024-10">luxury trips</a>.The FBI agent also wrote that Fiore had used cash to pay for her daughter's wedding.In another search warrant affidavit, an FBI agent wrote that donor money was spent on a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/caribbean-mistakes-to-avoid-from-frequent-traveler-2024-5">vacation to the Caribbean,</a> <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/cruises">fares on a cruise line</a>, a trip to California, and toward a Church of Scientology religious retreat on a cruise ship.An exhibit list showed that FBI agents also seized invoice documents for a Las Vegas plastic surgery practice.According to KLAS-TV, at the trial, federal prosecutor Dahoud Askar said: "Michele Fiore used a tragedy to line her pockets."Fiore's sentencing is scheduled to take place on January 6 next year.Her attorney, Michael Sanft, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

A Nevada official was found guilty of using $70K meant for a statue of a slain police officer for plastic surgery, her daughter's wedding, and rent

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A few states and some countries are passing laws to combat plastic waste.</li><li><keyword id="11892889" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="california" source="Orion">California</keyword> is the fourth US state that will make companies pay for packaging waste.</li></ul>The first half of 2022 has seen a wave of new policies cracking down on <keyword id="12318689" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="plastic-pollution" source="Orion">plastic pollution</keyword> in the US and countries like <keyword id="6356687" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="canada" source="Orion">Canada</keyword> and <keyword id="11892747" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>. In recent weeks, California became the fourth state that will force companies to pay for cleaning up packaging waste, while Canada and India have banned the production and import of certain <keyword id="14446315" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="single-use-plastic" source="Orion">single-use plastic</keyword> products. Advocates say the momentum feels like a turning point in the global fight to eliminate the eight million metric tons of plastic waste <a href="https://www.unep.org/interactives/beat-plastic-pollution/">that flows into oceans each year</a>. According to the United Nations, this is the equivalent of dumping a garbage truck every minute. The vast majority of plastic never gets recycled and ends up in landfills, in incinerators, or as litter on land and in waterways. The US <a href="https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/26132/chapter/1">is the world's largest contributor</a> to the problem despite representing <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/us-population/">less than 5% of the global population</a>."The public is increasingly making the connection between plastic and so many other issues, which is expanding the coalition of groups and individuals who care deeply about this," Anja Brandon, a US plastics-policy analyst at the nonprofit Ocean Conservancy, said. "That, in turn, is expanding the number of policymakers who recognize plastic pollution as critically important." Brandon said those connections include how plastic is made from the fossil fuels that drive the climate crisis. Local governments in the US often build plastic-manufacturing plants, landfills, and incinerators <a href="https://blogs.newschool.edu/news/2022/05/tishman-environment-and-design-centers-work-reveals-most-incinerators-pollute-low-income-and-communities-of-color-and-worsen-climate-change/">in marginalized communities</a>, which then disproportionately expose these communities to pollution. Researchers are also discovering tiny particles of plastic — known as microplastics — <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/microplastics-detected-in-human-blood-180979826/">in human blood</a> and stool, raising questions about potential health effects.The <keyword id="11896309" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="sustainability" source="Orion">sustainability</keyword> push has led some big brands and plastic makers to promise to make more recyclable or compostable packaging and to channel money toward local infrastructure so producers can get their materials back and reuse them. "We're investing in new technology to make sure the percent of recycled content in packaging increases and designing things to be lighter," Jen Ronk, the senior sustainability manager at Dow North America Packaging &amp; Specialty Plastics, said. The company <a href="http://www.businessfor2030.org/dow">also pledged to spend more than $1 billion</a> on efforts to manage plastic waste. Here's a rundown of the latest action: <h2>California</h2>On June 30, California Gov. Gavin Newsom <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220SB54">signed the most aggressive restrictions</a> on plastic in the country into law. By 2032, producers must use 25% less plastic in packaging for items like shampoo, food containers, and cups. Ocean Conservancy estimates that this provision alone will <a href="https://oceanconservancy.org/news/sb54-california-righting-ship-leading-u-s-ocean-plastic-pollution-crisis/">reduce plastic production by 23 million tons</a>, or 26 times the weight of the Golden Gate Bridge. By the same date, at least 65% of plastic must be recycled, a major jump from the <a href="https://sd26.senate.ca.gov/index.php/news/press-release/senator-allen-introduces-bill-phase-out-unsustainable-single-use-plastics">less than 15% that is recycled today</a>. "We know that to reduce the plastic-pollution crisis, we have to make less in the first place and reuse more through a circular economy," Brandon said, adding that the <keyword id="14446313" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="california-law" source="Orion">California law</keyword> is the first to address both sides of that equation. Plastic makers will pay $5 billion into a state fund to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of pollution from their products, as well. The industry will pay for collecting, sorting, and recycling waste through a fee on packaging, which will shift the burden away from taxpayers who now fund municipal-waste management. That policy, known as extended-producer responsibility, has picked up steam over the last year as Maine, Oregon, and most recently <keyword id="11918419" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="colorado" source="Orion">Colorado</keyword>, passed similar legislation. <h2>Colorado </h2>In June, the state passed its own extended-producer responsibility law that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/colorado-to-tax-bottles-and-packaging-for-recycling-2022-6">slaps a fee on packaging such as bottles, food wrappers, and cardboard</a> to help fund recycling and keep waste out of landfills. Colorado's statewide <a href="https://cdphe.colorado.gov/colorado-recycling-totals">recycling rate for all materials is 15%</a>, less than half the national average of 32%. The law itself doesn't set mandatory recycling targets, but brands and packaging makers have to develop some for 2030 after they form a nonprofit to run the new recycling program.The law got rare public endorsements from big business, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Walmart. They joined forces with environmental groups like Recycle Colorado, the World Wildlife Fund, and the Sierra Club. <h2>Canada</h2><a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/managing-reducing-waste/reduce-plastic-waste/single-use-plastic-guidance.html">On June 22, the government announced</a> it would ban companies from making and importing certain single-use plastics by the end of the year as part of a sweeping effort to fight pollution and the climate crisis.Most plastic grocery bags, silverware, and straws fall under the ban, with a few exceptions for medical needs. According to the government, Canadians throw away more than 3 million tons of plastic waste every year and the country only recycles about 9% of it. "Companies don't make Canada-specific packaging or US-state specific packaging," Brandon said. "They are trying to maximize efficiency in a globalized supply chain, so these policies will have far-reaching ripple effects."<h2>India </h2>On July 1, India's government announced a ban on single-use plastics covering 19 items that are most likely to wind up as litter, such as straws, cups, and some disposable bags. The ban makes it illegal to make or import these products.According to <a href="https://www.npr.org/2022/07/01/1109476072/india-plastics-ban-begins">the Associated Press</a>, thousands of other plastic items aren't covered, though the federal government has set recycling targets for manufacturers. According to its federal pollution watchdog, India generated more than 4.1 million metric tons of plastic waste in 2020. This decade the country is also trying to reduce the amount of greenhouse-gas emissions per unit of gross domestic product — known as carbon intensity — by 45%. Curbing plastic manufacturing can help India meet that target, said advocates of the ban.

Fighting our plastic problem: Bans and recycling mandates gain steam in the US and abroad

The offers and details on this page may have updated or changed since the time of publication. See our article on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cheaper-flights-with-vpn-2024-11" target="_blank">Business Insider</a> for current information.Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/our-partners" class="not-content-link" target="_blank">advertiser disclosure with our list of partners</a> for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/how-we-rate-credit-cards" class="not-content-link" target="_blank">how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews</a>.<ul class="summary-list"><li>A virtual private network (VPN) protects your online privacy and security through a secure server.</li><li>Some people also believe flights can be cheaper if you use a VPN. Here's what our research found.</li></ul>There are countless rumors on social media about the best ways to book flights for less. With the winter holidays approaching in the Northern Hemisphere, you can be sure that the more persistent among them will pop up in your feeds.In particular, someone may tell you that the trick to finding cheap airfare is to use <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/what-is-vpn">a VPN</a> when you book. On the face of it, this makes sense. A VPN, or virtual private network, encrypts your data and masks your IP address, which ties your internet connection to a specific location. By using a VPN, you can appear to be in a different country from where you actually are. <h3>Why and when should you use a VPN?</h3>A VPN is great for eluding government censors, keeping safe from eavesdroppers, and viewing or streaming content from locations where it would be blocked. But would appearing to be in a different country result in cheaper airfare?We tested the premise against five of the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/deals/best-vpn-deals">best VPNs</a>, and the results are pretty unequivocal: Flights aren't cheaper when you shop through a VPN.<h2>How we checked flight prices with a VPN</h2>We picked two popular routes in the United States at two popular travel times, using Google Flights to look up prices. We first searched flight prices via a regular connection to an Internet service provider in the US. Then we switched to a VPN, using five of the most popular services, and repeated the searches while appearing to be in a different country. The routes and times we picked were: <ul><li>Chicago to Seattle, around the Thanksgiving holiday, departing Tuesday, November 26, and returning Saturday, November 30</li><li>Nashville to New York City, for a long weekend just before Christmas, departing Thursday, December 12, and returning Monday, December 16</li></ul>Here's what we found for each VPN provider.<h2>ExpressVPN</h2><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/expressvpn-review">Express VPN</a> has proven its worth with its ease of use, clean interface, and straightforward installation on multiple devices. We've used it on the road, without a hitch, in dozens of different countries including China, where it bypassed the Great Firewall easily. Original flight price, Chicago to Seattle: $361ExpressVPN price: $361 Original flight price, Nashville to New York: $99ExpressVPN price: $99 The prices were the same, with or without VPN.Learn more at the <a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/p9e974312255" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Express VPN website</a>.<h2>NordVPN</h2><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/nordvpn-review">NordVPN</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/nordvpn-review"> stands out for the number of servers around the world it can use, and for its speed and reliability when streaming and gaming. </a>But when it came to flight booking, using NordVPN yielded the exact same prices for our sample flights as using a regular connection: Original flight price, Chicago to Seattle: $361NordVPN price: $361 Original flight price, Nashville to New York: $99NordVPN price: $99 Learn more at the <a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/s3d20bcf4593" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NordVPN website</a>.<h2>Surfshark</h2><a href="https://get.surfshark.net/aff_c?offer_id=1391&amp;aff_id=23760" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Surfshark</a> can use more than 3,200 servers across 100 countries, and has a wider selection of servers based in Africa than most competitors. But when it came to finding low fares for our sample flights, using Surfshark did not produce different results from other VPNs: the prices were the exact same.Original flight price, Chicago to Seattle: $361Surfshark VPN price: $361 Original flight price, Nashville to New York: $99Surfshark VPN price: $99 Learn more at the <a href="https://secure.money.com/pr/xd2b84ad818c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Surfshark website</a>.<h2>Cyberghost</h2><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/cyberghost-vpn-review">Cyberghost</a> offers 24/7 live chat support and an especially good list of servers optimized for streaming, at relatively low prices. But when it comes to airfare? You guessed it: on Cyberghost's VPN, we found identical prices to a U.S.-based connection. Original flight price, Chicago to Seattle: $361Cyberghost VPN price: $361 Original flight price, Nashville to New York: $99Cyberghost VPN price: $99 Learn more at the Cyberghost website.<h2>PIA VPN</h2><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/private-internet-access-pia-vpn-review">Private Internet Access (PIA)</a> is a VPN with servers in 90 countries and the ability to block ads, trackers, and malware.Using it to look up our sample itineraries on Google Flights, though, found the same prices as searching from the US:Original flight price, Chicago to Seattle: $361PIA VPN price: $361 Original flight price, Nashville to New York: $99PIA VPN price: $99 Learn more at the <a href="https://www.privateinternetaccess.com/offer/insider_v2egnky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PIA website</a>.<h2>Are flights cheaper with a VPN? </h2>The results are straightforward: No, flights are not cheaper with a VPN. Using several VPNs did not result in a single cent of difference in our test. But that does not mean that there aren't ways to find cheaper airfare. It just takes some flexibility. <h2>Travel hacks for cheaper flights</h2><h3>Travel mid-week</h3>For example, you can look for flights in the middle of the week, when fewer businesspeople travel and demand is often lower. Studies show the cheapest day to fly is Wednesday, and the most expensive Sunday. <h3>Avoid last-minute travel</h3>Booking in advance is a good idea, although you don't have to buy tickets months before flying.Try to book at least 21 days before departure; prices rarely go down after that window. <h3>Consider traveling from a different airport</h3>If you are based somewhere with access to multiple airports, you can also expand your search to more than one airport. Google Flights makes this easy by allowing you to search for flights from a given city rather than a single airport. If you look up flights from New York City, for example, the site will show results including all three main airports — JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark. Prices can differ significantly among them. <h2>What influences the price of flights?</h2>There are still misconceptions about some other hacks that can get you cheaper airfare. Unfortunately, they don't work, and here's why. <h3>Using your browser in incognito mode</h3>Websites track your online habits, so why wouldn't airlines tailor their prices to what they know about you? Airfare indeed fluctuates, but it does so according to factors that have nothing to do with your digital identity. Pricing is determined by algorithms based largely on demand. You won't defeat those algorithms by masking your identity with incognito mode, any more than you would by masking your location with a VPN. <h3>Booking on Tuesdays </h3>There's an old adage that booking on a Tuesday gives you lower prices. This may have been true when airlines loaded prices manually onto electronic systems, but pricing changes in real time these days. what day you fly, not on what day you book. Google Flights recently reported on the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cheapest-time-to-book-flights-thanksgiving-christmas-holidays-2024-10">cheapest time to book flights for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays</a>. While flights really are cheapest on Tuesdays, according to historical data, they have only been 1.3% cheaper than tickets booked on Sundays — the most expensive day of the week for buying airfare. <h3>Some websites offer special rates or "secret" deals </h3>Online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia and its several competitors can sometimes find cheaper flights than you'll find directly from the airline, but you can see all of these rates via Google Flights. If an OTA has a lower price than the airline's own, it will be displayed in the search results. <h2>VPNs: When they're useful</h2>While a VPN can't reliably help you book cheaper flights, having one can protect your digital privacy and security, especially when you travel. VPNs allow you to get online through a private, secure server connection that makes your internet activity far more difficult to trace. They can also allow you to stream shows from other countries and access international websites from anywhere in the world.You can often find the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/deals/best-vpn-deals">best VPN deals</a> on longer-term plans, typically by subscribing for a year or longer. Many companies also offer free trials so you can test out the service before you commit.

A popular TikTok travel hack recommends using VPNs to find cheaper flights, but other strategies work better

New Delhi: Markets regulator <keyword id="19901201" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sebi" source="keywords">Sebi</keyword> has proposed allowing Real Estate Investment Trusts (<keyword id="20186402" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="REITs" source="keywords">REITs</keyword>), Small and Medium REITs (SM REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (<keyword id="20186403" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="InvITs" source="keywords">InvITs</keyword>) to use <keyword id="21737868" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="interest-rate-derivatives" source="keywords">interest rate derivatives</keyword> for <keyword id="23778373" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hedging-risk" source="keywords">hedging risk</keyword>. Also, the regulator has suggested approving locked-in units for REITs and InvITs to be transferred among sponsors and their groups, similar to rules for promoters in listed companies, to help sponsors manage their holdings without compromising "skin in the game". Additionally, Sebi has suggested permitting fixed deposits to be considered as cash equivalents when calculating leverage for REITs and InvITs, clarifying credit rating requirements for REIT and InvIT borrowings, and setting a timeline for filling vacancies on their boards and expanding the asset base for REITs and SM REITs. The regulator has also proposed to permit REITs to invest in liquid mutual funds. It has suggested measures to facilitate ease of doing business for REITs and InvITs, along with investors' protection. According to its consultation paper, Sebi is considering allowing REITs and InvITs to hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using derivatives like interest rate swaps. This could help stabilise cash flows, reduce risks, and protect unitholder interests, especially for long-term infrastructure projects. It is also proposed to define "Common Infrastructure" for REIT regulations. To enhance business flexibility for REITs, it has been proposed to clarify that facilities like power plants, heating/cooling systems, water treatment, and waste treatment plants -- serving one or more REIT assets -- will qualify as "common infrastructure" under REIT rules. This applies even if these facilities are not located within a single project due to their technical requirements. These facilities should supply and be used exclusively by REIT assets. For power plants, however, any excess power can be sold to the state utility/grid as per regulations, with any credits or payments going towards the benefit of REIT assets. To improve transparency, it has been proposed to amend the governance norms for quarterly reporting of InvITs. Currently, quarterly results for the investment manager and its business segments are presented to the investment manager's board, but there is no direct requirement for InvITs to report their performance. The proposed amendment would clarify that quarterly results should specifically reflect the performance of the InvITs themselves, not just the investment managers. This change aligns InvIT regulations with REIT regulations, where the focus is on the quarterly results of the REIT itself. Also, it has been suggested to align the composition of NRCs in REIT and InvIT managers with listed companies under the LODR regulations. Currently, all NRC members for REITs and InvITs must be independent directors. The proposal allows a mix of independent and non-executive directors, similar to listed companies. To enhance investors' protection, Sebi has suggested reviewing conditions for InvITs to borrow beyond the 49 per cent limit, assessing REIT investments in unlisted equity shares and outlining the roles and responsibilities of trustees for REITs, InvITs, and SM REITs. In a separate consultation paper, the regulator has proposed a regulatory framework for "restricted return InvITs" to provide infrastructure investors with predictable returns by setting limits on both upside gains and downside protection. The proposed framework for restricted return InvITs is designed to provide investors with structured returns, capped at both minimum and maximum levels to offer stability. Restricted return InvITs would include downside protection -- a minimum assured return -- and/or an upside restriction, a cap on returns -- depending on the arrangement. These investments would be limited to sophisticated investors who meet high minimum investment thresholds, with each unit priced at a minimum of Rs 500 crore and total InvIT assets of at least Rs 50,000 crore. Investors would be required to sign a waiver and undertaking form, acknowledging their understanding of the structured returns and risks involved, including the transfer of any excess returns to the sponsors. This waiver should be submitted before purchase in both primary and secondary markets, with compliance overseen by merchant bankers or brokers. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has sought public comments on both consultation papers by November 13.

Sebi proposes to allow InvITs, REITs, SM REITs to use interest rate derivatives for hedging risk

<ul><li><keyword id="19899648" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="iOS-18" source="keywords">iOS 18</keyword> will be available for general public in September</li><li>Not all iPhones will be getting the new OS</li><li>Here is the list of all <keyword id="22976885" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="compatible-devices" source="keywords">compatible devices</keyword></li></ul> During the WWDC held in June this year, <keyword id="19894961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Apple" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Apple">Apple</keyword> announced the launch of <keyword id="19899648" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="iOS-18" source="keywords">iOS 18</keyword> and an array of exciting new <keyword id="20064314" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="features" source="keywords">features</keyword> along with it. Since then, <keyword id="19894961" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Apple" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Apple">Apple</keyword> users have been eagerly waiting to try out the new OS that powers their <keyword id="19912026" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iphone" source="keywords">iPhone</keyword>s. Right after the WWDC announcement, a developer beta version of the OS was released that offered early access to the new <keyword id="20064314" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="features" source="keywords">features</keyword>. Now, the OS will be rolling out for the general public next month, at the time of the launch of the <keyword id="19912026" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iphone" source="keywords">iPhone</keyword> 16 lineup. <h2>iOS 18 list of <keyword id="22976885" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="compatible-devices" source="keywords">compatible devices</keyword></h2>However, not all <keyword id="19919904" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iPhone-users" source="keywords">iPhone users</keyword> will get to experience the new OS. Read on to know the list of devices that are compatible with the iOS 18. <ul><li>iPhone 15</li><li>iPhone 15 Plus</li><li>iPhone 15 Pro</li><li>iPhone 15 Pro Max</li><li>iPhone 14</li><li>iPhone 14 Plus</li><li>iPhone 14 Pro</li><li>iPhone 14 Pro Max</li><li>iPhone 13</li><li>iPhone 13 mini</li><li>iPhone 13 Pro</li><li>iPhone 13 Pro Max</li><li>iPhone 12</li><li>iPhone 12 mini</li><li>iPhone 12 Pro</li><li>iPhone 12 Pro Max</li><li>iPhone 11</li><li>iPhone 11 Pro</li><li>iPhone 11 Pro Max</li><li>iPhone XS</li><li>iPhone XS Max</li><li>iPhone XR</li><li>iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)</li></ul><div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112910018" title="Apple is cutting in on Microsoft's dance with OpenAI" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <h2>iOS 18 upcoming features</h2>Apple's forthcoming iOS 18 promises a wave of enhancements designed to elevate user experience through some innovative features. The iOS 18 will introduce a fresh approach to personalising the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Control Center, offering users greater flexibility. iOS 18 will allow for the free placement of app icons and widgets in any available space, even extending above the dock. Additionally, users will be able to apply visual effects such as dark or tinted themes, providing a more personalised aesthetic. One of the most notable changes is the complete overhaul of the Photos app. The redesigned interface unifies photo libraries into a single, streamlined view, featuring new collections and a carousel that showcases daily highlights. This revamp aims to simplify photo management and enhance the user’s ability to revisit cherished memories. The Control Center also sees significant upgrades, offering faster access to commonly used controls and introducing the ability to integrate third-party apps. This enhancement is set to streamline interactions and provide a more tailored user experience. In a leap towards greater connectivity, iOS 18 incorporates satellite messaging within the Messages app, enabling communication even in the absence of cellular or Wi-Fi signals. Alongside this, iMessage receives a boost with new text effects, formatting options, and message scheduling capabilities, enriching the messaging experience. A standout feature of iOS 18 is <keyword id="21976092" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Apple-Intelligence" source="keywords">Apple Intelligence</keyword>. This cutting-edge integration utilises generative models combined with personal context to refine tasks such as language understanding and image creation. The result is a more intuitive and relevant user experience, designed to anticipate and meet user needs with greater precision. With these updates, iOS 18 not only enhances personalisation and functionality but also reinforces Apple’s commitment to delivering a more dynamic and responsive user experience. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/apple-iphone-16-to-be-launched-on-september-9-heres-everything-we-know-so-far/articleshow/112828818.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Apple iPhone 16 to be launched on September 9 – here’s everything we know so far</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/author_articles_all.cms?query=479257346&amp;author=sourabh%20jain=&amp;page=1" class="artishow_author"></a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/product-is-king-a-look-back-at-the-steve-jobs-way-at-apple/articleshow/112885604.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Product is King — A look back at the Steve Jobs way at Apple</a>

Apple's iOS 18 is coming soon: List of compatible devices, key features

If you have ever scoured <keyword id="-1109" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="job-listings" source="Orion">job listings</keyword> on platforms like LinkedIn, you have surely come across posts seeking “ambitious and self-reliant” candidates who can “think outside the box” and “develop creative solutions”. While these buzzwords sound appealing, they may actually attract the wrong kind of candidates—those that display narcissistic tendencies and are more likely to bend the rules than follow them! A forthcoming study in Management Science, available on the SSRN server, has found that such enticing keywords signify that firms are searching for “rule benders” rather than “rule followers”. Ultimately, this language ends up disproportionately attracting narcissistic applicants, who are more prone to unethical or fraudulent behaviour. For this study, Nick Seybert, Associate Professor of Accounting at UMD's Robert H. Smith School of Business, along with co-authors Scott Jackson from the University of South Carolina and Jonathan Gay from the University of Mississippi, zeroed in on the accounting field. They chose this sector because narcissists and rule benders in this area can have an immediate and damaging impact. The study involved testing online participants (college graduates recruited via a research crowdsourcing platform) for narcissism levels and their attraction to rule-bender terms in <keyword id="22374125" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="job-descriptions" source="keywords">job descriptions</keyword>. A similar study was conducted with experienced accounting managers, and factors influencing professional <keyword id="22374122" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="recruiters-language-choices" source="keywords">recruiters' language choices</keyword> were also examined. The findings revealed that narcissists are more drawn to <keyword id="22374121" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rule-bender-language" source="keywords">rule-bender language</keyword> in <keyword id="21494790" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="job-postings" source="keywords">job postings</keyword>, both for general positions and specifically for accounting roles. Seybert explains that even before a single job seeker clicks 'apply,' the language in a job posting can be too tempting for narcissists to ignore, increasing the likelihood of attracting unethical candidates. While recruiters often consume advice on how to avoid hiring narcissists, they unwittingly attract them by using such language in job postings, Seybert notes. Furthermore, the intent behind the recruiters’ language choice can be irrelevant—such job descriptions can even unintentionally attract rule-bending narcissists to firms. Additionally, the research shows that <keyword id="22374126" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="professional-recruiters" source="keywords">professional recruiters</keyword> are more likely to use such rule-bender language in job postings for innovative, high-growth companies, as well as firms that might benefit from manipulating their earnings. The key takeaway is that 'rule-bender' language can slip into job postings both intentionally and unintentionally, resulting in a much larger percentage of <keyword id="22374120" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narcissistic-candidates" source="keywords">narcissistic candidates</keyword> in the applicant pool, Seybert concludes. The findings were recently published on SSRN and can be accessed <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4866862">here</a>.

Hiring “self-reliant” candidates who “think outside the box”? Beware, your job post might be attracting rule-bending narcissists!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Amazon said nearly all deliveries in North America no longer have plastic air pillows inside.</li><li>This change avoids 15 billion air pillows a year, Amazon's biggest plastic reduction effort yet.</li></ul>Nearly all Amazon deliveries in North America no longer include plastic air pillows, the e-commerce giant said on Thursday.Amazon said the change would avoid some 15 billion air pillows — the company's largest reduction in plastic packaging to date. Instead, Amazon is using a paper filler made from 100% recycled material that customers can recycle at home as part of a broader effort to eventually eliminate all plastic packaging from North American fulfillment centers. Amazon already met that goal in Europe this year.The switch to recycled paper comes as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-global-plastic-pollution-treaty-under-scrutiny-2024-4">companies and governments are under pressure</a> to phase out single-use plastics that are piling up in landfills and contributing to the climate crisis. The vast majority of plastics are made from oil and gas, can't be recycled, and degrade into tiny particles that leach into the air and environment. Scientists have found those microplastics in human blood along with organs including the liver, heart, lungs, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/microplastics-found-in-human-testicles-what-to-do-2024-5">most recently testicles</a>, but the effects on our health are still being studied.For years, Oceana, a nonprofit that advocates for protecting oceans, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/amazons-plastic-air-packets-boxes-circle-the-planet-2022-12">has criticized Amazon's ballooning plastic</a> footprint as the company ships billions of packages around the world. Matt Littlejohn, Oceana's senior vice president, told Business Insider that eliminating air pillows indicated Amazon was serious about its plastic-reduction efforts in North America and that it was welcome news for oceans. Plastic air pillows are made with a film <a target="_blank" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=bi-auto-70463-20&amp;h=c38415b31a84dfb5aa56a438e162cc317827951d6b626391c4e894a25633a2fd&amp;postID=66736386b38735ca9df50ca4&amp;postSlug=amazon-cutting-single-use-plastic-shipping-packaging-paper-recycling-2024-6&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs41893-021-00720-8">that's commonly found littering marine areas</a>.Oceana recently <a target="_blank" href="https://oceana.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/04/Amazons-United-States-of-Plastic-Oceana-Report-April-2024_reducedsize-1.pdf">estimated that Amazon generated</a> more than 94,000 metric tons of plastic-packaging waste in the US alone in 2022, a 9.6% increase over the previous year. That's enough to circle the Earth more than 200 times in the form of air pillows, Oceana said.Amazon disputes Oceana's figures and <a target="_blank" href="https://sustainability.aboutamazon.com/2022-sustainability-report.pdf">reported a lower amount of plastic packaging across</a> its global operations in 2022: Nearly 86,000 metric tons, an 11.6% decrease from the previous year.Oceana said its estimates were higher than Amazon's because the company hadn't accounted for orders sent by third-party sellers. Those independent sellers account for <a target="_blank" href="https://sell.amazon.com/sell?ld=SEUSSOAGOOG-sitelink-guide-D&amp;tag=googhydr-20&amp;hvadid=664128654868&amp;hvpos=&amp;hvexid=&amp;hvnetw=g&amp;hvrand=11107216929719429337&amp;hvpone=&amp;hvptwo=&amp;hvqmt=e&amp;hvdev=c&amp;hvdvcmdl=&amp;hvlocint=&amp;hvlocphy=9007526&amp;hvtargid=kwd-297084214751&amp;ref=pd_sl_2vge9q2e84_b&amp;ld=SEUSSOAGOOG-BFBA12122B-CLK-D&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjw4MSzBhC8ARIsAPFOuyXwoFqkDpXAG0SpyouCS4LjcgY7qHDkeWaOK2XItdtbw5ohJv0188UaAtm2EALw_wcB%5C">more than 60% of Amazon's sales</a>. Amazon's plastic-packaging data reflects orders shipped through its own fulfillment centers — which some independent sellers opt for — and through its grocery business. The data also isn't broken down by country."The first thing for us is to really test and learn and then scale what we can control within our own facilities," Pat Linder, Amazon's vice president of mechatronics and sustainable packaging, told BI. "That's been our focus."Linder pointed to an Amazon fulfillment center in Cleveland that last year became the first to eliminate plastic delivery packaging and replace it with paper that's curbside recyclable. The effort involved rebuilding existing machines that were using plastic to package products. Additionally, As well as being more sustainable, the recyclable paper is better at protecting orders from damage, Linder said.He added that Amazon would disclose the impact of these changes on the company's plastic use in a future sustainability report.That report is also set to detail Amazon's broader climate strategy. The company aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 while boosting sales and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-data-energy-centers-water-energy-land-2023-10">building more data centers</a> that demand vast amounts of electricity.In 2022, Amazon's carbon footprint dropped by 0.4% from the previous year, although it was still higher than in 2019, the first year Amazon reported its emissions.

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