If YouTube is not working for you, there are several ways to troubleshoot the problem to get it up and running. Thiago Prudêncio/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images If YouTube is not working for you, there are several ways to troubleshoot the problem to get it up and running. Start by making sure you have a reliable internet connection, and check YouTube's status at DownDetector. You can also close and restart the YouTube app, clear the app cache, and assess your overall internet speed. Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories. There's no question that YouTube is among the most pervasive video streaming services today; while Netflix and Hulu might have more commercial cachet, almost everything on YouTube is free. And though YouTube claims around 2 billion users worldwide, there are times when a site even that large and relied upon experiences problems.How to troubleshoot when YouTube is not workingLike any website that may not be working, it can be hard to know exactly what the problem is - there might be a number of issues with the site, your internet connection, or the device you're trying to connect with. Work through your YouTube issue by trying each of the troubleshooting tips below until you uncover the problem. See if you have a reliable internet connectionDespite myriad problems that might keep you from successfully watching a video on YouTube, the most likely one is also the easiest to troubleshoot: Do you have a reliable internet connection? If you're on your phone, check the status icons at the top of the screen to see if you have Wi-Fi or a cellular connection. If in doubt, open your phone's Settings app and turn the Wi-Fi off, then on again. Check your mobile device to see if you have a Wi-Fi connection, or at least a cellular signal. Dave Johnson A sure-fire way to check for internet access is to try another app that requires a connection. You might check to see if you can start playing a video in the Netflix app, for example, or see if you can send and receive email. Check to see if YouTube is downYouTube is a relatively dependable video streaming service, but the site has occasional outages. If you know your own internet access is solid, then it might be a good idea to see if the service is offline before you waste your time trying other troubleshooting tips. The easiest way to check is to go to YouTube's status page at DownDetector, or just search for "Is YouTube down" in a Google search (DownDetector is typically at the top of the search results). If the site is down, wait a while and try again later. Check DownDetector to see if the service is online. Dave Johnson Close the YouTube app and then restart itIf you're trying to watch YouTube on a mobile device, it's possible the YouTube app is misbehaving. The remedy? Force the app to close and then restart it - here is how to close an app on Android and close an app on iOS. If you were trying to watch YouTube on a smart TV or streaming media player, you can close and restart the app there as well, though the steps vary depending on what device you own. Closing the YouTube app and then restarting it is a fast way to check for a simple software glitch. Dave Johnson If you're trying to watch YouTube in a web browser on your computer, you can close the browser and restart it, but an even better solution is to open a different browser (like switching to Firefox if it's not working in Chrome). If that doesn't solve your problem, restart the entire device (for example, here is how to restart an iPhone). Try it somewhere elseOne of the best ways to troubleshoot a problem that could have a lot of possible causes is to try it on another device. If you're watching YouTube on your phone, check to see if YouTube has the same glitch on a tablet, Roku player, or in a browser on your laptop. If you're on a computer and don't have easy access to other devices, you can try running YouTube in a different browser. Clear the device's app cacheIf YouTube refuses to work properly on your phone or tablet but it seems to be working fine elsewhere, then you might have a problem with the app or its cache. If you're using an iPhone, there's no way to clear YouTube's cache without uninstalling the app, so do that - uninstall YouTube from your iPhone, and then reinstall it from the App Store. If you are using an Android phone or tablet, it's a little easier. The steps might vary slightly depending on which version of Android you are running, but here's the general procedure:1. Start the Settings app.2. Tap Apps & Notifications.3. Go to the list of apps (you might need to tap See all apps) and tap YouTube.4. Tap Storage & cache.5. Tap Clear cache. You might solve a YouTube app glitch by clearing the app cache. Dave Johnson Check to see if your internet connection is fast enoughSometimes the problem isn't that the app won't launch or nothing works at all. If the video lags and stutters or the audio is out of sync, your connection might not be fast enough. You can run an online speed test like Google's Internet Speed Test to see how fast your connection is. You can do this on a phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer. YouTube says your connection needs to be at least 1.1Mbps for a standard-definition 480p video, but the faster the better, and a high-resolution 1080p video will need at least 5Mbps. There are several ways to speed up your internet connection. How to create a YouTube channel for personal use or for your brandHow to verify your YouTube account, so you can upload videos longer than 15 minutes and customize thumbnailsHow to delete your own YouTube videos on a computer or mobile deviceHow to download your own YouTube videos in 3 different waysRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Looking for a great gift? We have the best ideas for every holiday, budget, and type of person in your life. When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. To help you pick thoughtful, unique gifts without the stress, we rounded up all the gift guides we've written over the years. Gilbert Espinoza/Business Insider Giving gifts is supposed to be joyful - a way to show someone you care. We rounded up all the gift guides we've written over the years to make gift shopping less stressful. Bookmark this page for easy access to great gift ideas whenever you need them. Table of Contents: Masthead StickyGifts are normally associated with the holidays, but there are many reasons to give a gift at any time of year. From birthdays to graduation to "just checking in," there are so many moments that call for great gifts.As product experts, we spend a lot of time testing and researching the best gifts for all sorts of occasions. Now, we're making it easy for you to access all of our gift guides in one place, so you always have some ideas up your sleeve. Consider this your ultimate gift-giving cheat sheet We've covered gifts for every occasion, holiday, budget, and just about every person in your life - all organized into different categories, which you can find below.Keep scrolling, or click on a link below to jump directly to the category you're looking for. Be sure to bookmark this page as well, so you can always have it on hand when searching for specific gifting needs.And if you're still stumped after taking a look, check out our list of the all-time best products we've ever tested.Below is a full list of all of our gift guides, plus a few of our favorite gifts of all time: Our favorite gifts Fallen Fir Candle (small)Women's Wool Runners (small)Monthly Subscription Service (small)Custom Map (small)Hiking Socks (small)Carry-On (small)Coffee Club (small)Cakes (small)Personalized Gift Box (small) Gifts under $25 Clever gifts under $25 that won't end up getting regiftedThoughtful Father's Day gifts under $25Inexpensive, but thoughtful Mother's Day gifts under $25Thoughtful Valentine's Day gifts from Target — all under $25Affordable tech gifts under $25Last-minute Secret Santa gifts they'll actually want to keep — all under $25Prime-eligible Mother's Day gifts on Amazon that are all under $25Thoughtful Valentine's Day gifts that aren't 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guitar player in your lifeFun gifts that grown-up Disney and Mickey Mouse fans will loveGifts for the outdoor lover in your lifeFun and unique gifts for tea loversIrresistible food gifts, including lobster rolls, pickle subscriptions, and ice cream flightsCool and unexpected gifts from Urban Outfitters for everyone on your listLast-minute outdoor gifts from REI — for everyone from skiers and snowboarders, to campers and hikersFun and whimsical gifts from The Metropolitan Museum of ArtBeautiful coffee table books to give as giftsBest gifts for travelers, including city stickers, personalized luggage, and useful airport lounge membershipsThoughtful gift ideas from Black-owned businessesGift ideas to show nurses and healthcare workers how much you appreciate themGreat gift ideas for anyone who loves running, from muscle recovery systems to ridiculously comfy socksThe best gifts for vegans, from cookbooks to cruelty-free beauty productsThoughtful gifts for yogis of all skill levelsComforting pregnancy loss gifts to show love and supportGifts anyone who just moved into a new apartment will appreciateCreative and thoughtful host gifts that go beyond the classic fruit basketUnique chocolate gifts that go beyond the traditional box of sweetsFun and useful car gifts auto enthusiasts will love — according to a car collectorMakeup gift sets any beauty lover would be ecstatic to receive for the holidaysGreat gifts to buy for the gamer in your lifeAwesome anime gifts, as recommended by a huge fan of the genre Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

"I just wonder, will I be allowed to run for president again if I move to another country?" Trump said in a statement Wednesday. Trump James Devaney Donald Trump bashed Democrats' proposal to tax billionaires to pay for their social spending bill. This comes after House Finance Chair Richard Neal said the proposal is off the table. But his Senate counterpart and author of the proposal Ron Wyden said the tax is not "dead." Former president Donald Trump assailed the new billionaire tax proposal from Democrats on Wednesday, suggesting he might flee the United States to escape taxation. But he says he'll be sticking around."I just wonder, will I be allowed to run for president again if I move to another country?" he said in a statement. "No, I guess I'll just stick it out, but most others won't!"Trump was referring to the new billionaire tax proposal that's already on life-support in the Senate only hours after it was introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon. It would levy a 23.8% capital gains tax rate on assets like stocks and bonds in an effort to compel roughly 700 billionaires to pay annual taxes on their gains, regardless if they sell or not.Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia imperiled the measure after criticizing it as both punitive to successful people and unworkable. "I don't like the connotation that we're targeting different people," he told reporters, floating a 15% "patriotic tax" without elaborating further.As Insider previously reported, this proposal would slap people like Tesla CEO Elon Musk with a $10 billion annual bill, which Musk himself spoke out against on Twitter: "Eventually, they run out of other people's money and then they come for you."An analysis from economist Gabriel Zucman found that the tax could bring in $500 billion, $275 billion of which would come from just the top 10 richest billionaires. If the proposal came to fruition, it would be a "a major structural reform to the tax system" to tax income from wealth like income from wages, according to Frank Clemente, executive director at the left-leaning advocacy group Americans for Tax Fairness.But just a day after the proposal was brought to the table, House Finance Chair Richard Neal struck it down, telling reporters on Wednesday that it's "very unlikely" the tax will be used to finance Democrats' scaled-down social-spending bill. At the same time, though, Neal's counterpart Wyden was far from throwing in the towel on the proposal he authored."I'm not saying that it's dead!" Wyden told Insider, noting that the White House still backs the proposal.This disagreement is emblematic of the negotiations Democrats are undergoing as they work to develop a framework for their scaled-down bill. Free community college, paid family and medical leave, and an extended five-year child tax credit are already reportedly on the chopping block, and a major Democratic priority to roll back Trump tax cuts were struck down by Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

You can create a new Gmail account in a desktop browser or using the Gmail mobile app, and access all of Google's services. Having a Gmail account gives you access to all of Google's features, like Google Drive. Image Source/Getty Images When you create a Gmail account, Google automatically gives you a Google account which grants you access to dozens of apps and services. You can create a new Gmail account on a browser or using the Gmail mobile app. You can customize Gmail settings like your profile picture, inbox appearance, and vacation auto-responder. Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories. While Gmail is just one of the many services you get when you create a Google account, for all intents and purposes you can think of them as the same thing. When you sign up for a Google account you automatically get Gmail, and if you have a Gmail account that means you already have a Google account. In other words, if you have one you already have the other. Your Google or Gmail account also gives you free access to a large library of other apps and services, including Google Docs, Google Drive, Google Maps, and dozens more. Here's how to set up a new Gmail account to use with all of Google's services. Quick tip: If you ever need to sign in to your Google account to access a Google product, use your Gmail username and password. How to create a Gmail accountYou can create a Gmail account using a web browser on your computer or on the mobile app. No matter where you create your account, you'll be able to access it from any of your web browsers or devices. On desktop:1. On your Mac or PC, go to Google's Create your Google Account page. You can go there directly or find it by going to Google.com, clicking Sign In, and then clicking Create account.2. Follow the instructions to complete the first page; start by entering your first and last name. It doesn't need to be your legal name, but it should be the way you want to be identified in Gmail. As you complete the form for your Google account, it will also generate your Gmail address. Dave Johnson 3. Enter the email username you'd like to use. Keep in mind that there are billions of Gmail users, so your first choice might not be available. 4. Enter your desired password and enter it a second time in the Confirm field. For safety and security, your password should be strong - use a combination of upper- and lower-case characters, numbers, and symbols that's at least 8 characters long (and preferably 12 characters).5. Click Next.6. Continue to follow the instructions to set up your account. Enter your mobile phone number - this is an optional step, but highly recommended, to help recover your account if there's a problem signing in. Likewise, you should also add a secondary email address to help in account recovery. Also enter your birthday and gender. A phone number makes it easy to recover your account if you forget your password. Dave Johnson 7. Click Next. 8. Google may ask you to verify your phone number. Click Send to receive a code at your designated mobile phone number, and then enter the code to verify the phone number is yours. 9. If you want to use this number with other Google services (like using it for video calls with Google Meet) click Yes, I'm in. Otherwise, click Skip. 10. Finally, click I agree after reviewing Google's terms of service.You're now logged into this new Google account in this browser. Once it's set up, you can access your personal contacts in Gmail, and use your Google account to find, add, and manage those contacts. On the Gmail mobile app:1. Open the Gmail app and tap the account icon at the top-right. 2. Tap Add another account. 3. On the Add account screen, tap Google. 4. On the Google Sign in screen, tap Create account and choose For myself. Follow the instructions in the Gmail app to create a new Google account. Dave Johnson 5. Enter your first and last name. It doesn't need to be your legal name, but it should be the way you want to be identified in Gmail. Tap Next.6. Enter your birthday and gender, then tap Next. 7. Choose one of the premade Gmail addresses or tap Create your own Gmail address to make your own unique address. Tap Next. Google will offer you several email addresses, or you can make your own. Dave Johnson 8. Create a strong password for your new Google account and then tap Next.9. You can add a phone number that can be used to recover your account if you forget your password, and with other Google services (like using it for video calls with Google Meet). If you want to do this, enter a mobile phone number and then click Yes, I'm in. Otherwise, click Skip. 10. If you added a phone number, enter the verification code that's texted to your number. 11. Finally, click I agree after reviewing Google's terms of service.Gmail mailbox settingsIf you regularly use Gmail, you might want to change the mail app's settings. Google gives you a lot of options for configuring Gmail. One of the first things you may want to do is change your Google profile picture; after that, you can access a wide variety of other settings from the web and your mobile device. On desktop:1. Open Gmail in a web browser and sign in if needed. 2. Click the gear-shaped Settings icon at the top-right. You should see some quick settings that let you change the overall appearance of the inbox. 3. Click See all Settings at the top of the menu. Here you'll find the Settings page. Google tends to change the organization and content of Settings often, but you should be able to find what you need with a little browsing. There are a number of tabs at the top of the page, such as General, Labels, Accounts and Import, and others. The Settings page has a lot of options for configuring your Gmail inbox. Dave Johnson Each of these tabs has its own group of settings, though you'll probably find most of the features you need in General. Here you can configure your vacation auto-responder, for example, as well as turn on and off features like grammar checking, spell check, and autocorrect. On the Gmail mobile app:1. Open the Gmail app.2. Tap the three-line icon at the top-left and tap Settings.3. Tap the Gmail account that you want to configure. If you have several Gmail accounts, there might be more than one account in the list.Here you'll find a list of all the settings you can configure. Your options will be a little different than in a web browser - the display options are very different on a mobile device, for example - and there are no tabs at the top of the page. The Gmail app gives you access to a wealth of inbox settings. Dave Johnson Even so, it's easy to browse, because you can scroll to see all the available settings. For example, instead of the Labels tab in the browser, you can tap Label Settings in the Settings menu to create folders in Gmail. How to log into your Gmail account on a computer or mobile deviceHow to clear your Google search history from your Google Account and on various web browsersHow to reverse image search on Google to find information related to a specific photoHow to send a Google Calendar invite to anyone using the desktop site or a mobile deviceRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Not much is known about North Korea's huge special-operations force, but they are believed to be well trained and highly motivated. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspecting a North Korean military special-operation forces event in a photo released April 14, 2017. STR/AFP via Getty Images Within North Korea's massive army is another massive force: some 200,000 special-operations troops. Not much is known about those troops, but they are believed to well trained and highly motivated. Pyongyang would likely deploy them before or early in a war to disrupt US and South Korean military operations. North Korea frequently taunts its rivals with a nuclear destruction, and despite its own dire economic and social situation, Pyongyang certainly has the military capabilities to instigate a war that could kill hundreds of thousands, if not millions.Nuclear weapons, ballistic missiles, thousands of artillery pieces, and millions of fanatical troops are the core of the North Korean threat. But Kim Jong Un has another ace up his sleeve: potent special-operations forces.Not much is known about this force, but recent revelations by a senior North Korean spy who defected offer some insight into how Pyongyang's commandos train and fight.North Korea's commandos North Korean special-forces soldiers at a parade for the 105th birth anniversary of Kim Il Sung, in Pyongyang, April 15, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj The Korean People's Army (KPA) is one of the largest in the world, with an active-duty force of about 1.3 million. Pyongyang also has more than 200,000 special operators organized in standard formations, such as brigades, regiments, battalions, and in even smaller, more specialized outfits.The typical special-operations unit has between 3,000 and 5,000 commandos and falls under the different branches of the North Korean military and under Pyongyang's intelligence service, the Reconnaissance General Bureau.North Korean special-operations units can be divided by specialty.Reconnaissance units specialize in collecting intelligence and passing it back to headquarters. Airborne units can infiltrate by air and seize and hold targets like airfields or bridges. Maritime units can infiltrate from submarines or ships and conduct littoral raids. Commando units can conduct direct-action operations, such as raids.North Korean troops may appear very well equipped during parades in Pyongyang, but those weapons and gear aren't necessarily distributed to the rest of the force. Because of their special mission, North Korean special-operations units receive the best equipment and training.In a recent report, the US Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) said "North Korean SOF are highly trained and well-equipped in comparison to other units, and, if successfully infiltrated into the South, would be capable of disruptive attacks in the rear area."That gear is rudimentary compared to other countries' special-operations units, but even with technological or logistical shortcomings compared to US and South Korean special-operations units, North Korean commandos are a dedicated and dangerous foe.Crossing the line South Korean soldiers at the border between South and North Korea in Panmunjom, South Korea, July 12, 2017. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images According to the US military, KPA doctrine and tactics for ground operations have largely remained the same since the Korean War in the 1950s. Special-operations forces play an important part in KPA's war-fighting doctrine, which seeks to attack an enemy target simultaneously from numerous angles.North Korean special-operations doctrine emphasizes speed and surprise. Pyongyang's special-operations forces have two strategic missions: to infiltrate South Korea and conduct unconventional warfare and sabotage on the US and South Korean rear lines and to defend North Korea against US or South Korean special-operations units.If a major war broke out, the North Korean play would be to swiftly cross the Demilitarized Zone and flood South Korea with troops, attempting a repeat of the early stages of the Korean War, when communist forces almost drove South Korean and UN troops into the sea.In such a scenario, North Korean heavy infantry or mechanized units would strike at South Korean and US forces' frontlines. North Korean special-operations forces, organized in commando or light infantry units, would conduct unconventional warfare to the rear or on the flanks, attacking supply lines, command-and-control centers, and other strategic facilities.By design, North Korea's commandos are aggressive and would prefer to be on the offensive, which is in line with special-operations doctrine around the around. North Korean special-operations forces during an exercise, in a photo released August 26, 2017. STR/AFP via Getty Images They "would be a fierce enemy" if a war broke out, a former Green Beret who served in South Korea told Insider.The Kim regime has cultivated a cult of personality around its leaders, with public pledges of loyalty by troops and military elites."We have the technological advantage and our planes and missiles can bomb them back to the Stone Age, but they will be fighting for their 'god,'" the former Green Beret said. "Since birth, they have been brought up in this cultish environment where the supreme leader is their 'god.' They are fanatical and tough. Korean winters are no joke, and these guys have been trained to survive and operate in such environments. They would fight to the last man."Pyongyang might also use conventional military operations to distract US and South Korean forces and allow its special-operations units to infiltrate the South successfully.In 2010, 46 sailors were killed when a South Korean vessel was sunk in a suspected North Korean submarine attack. A few months later, North Korean artillery shelled a South Korean island near the two countries' maritime boundary, killing four people.In a recent interview with the BBC, Kim Kuk-song, a senior North Korean intelligence officer who defected to South Korea, described how Kim Jong Un uses North Korea's military and intelligence resources for personal enrichment or revenge against real or perceived enemies. North Korean special-operations forces may also facilitate such "gang-style" operations. North Korean troops during a special-operations forces event, in a photo released April 14, 2017. STR/AFP via Getty Images In the event of a war with South Korea, North Korean commandos would also likely attempt a strike against South Korea's leaders and command-and-control centers, seeking to decapitate South Korean leadership and sow confusion in the initial hours of the conflict.It wouldn't be the first time North Korean commandos have tried something like that. On January 31, 1969, a North Korean special-operations assault force infiltrated into South Korea with the goal of assassinating South Korean President Park Chung-hee.The commando team moved fast and aggressively and managed to reach Park's residence in Seoul, even though they were spotted by some farmers along the way. That's when everything unraveled, however, as the North Koreans didn't know the code word to enter the residence and got into a running firefight with South Korean troops.In the end, only one North Korean commando managed to get back into North Korea, with the rest captured or killed.The threat of infiltration and of other attacks by North Korean commandos remains. North Korea may exaggerate its military capabilities regularly, but its special-operations forces are no joke.Stavros Atlamazoglou is a defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The sites, once termed "sensitive locations," are off-limits for immigration enforcement except in cases of national security and violent threats. Under new guidance, churches are now considered "protected areas," not just "sensitive locations," making them generally off limit to US immigration agents. Michael Siluk/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas has issued new guidance for immigration raids. Mayorkas said immigration agents must consider the societal impact of enforcement operations. The new policy goes is effective immediately. The Biden administration has formally instructed US immigration agents to refrain from carrying out arrests at schools, churches, and COVID-19 vaccination sites, with new guidance describing these sites as "protected areas."In a statement on Wednesday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the policy would cover enforcement actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as Customs and Border Protection.Under previous guidance, issued in 2011 under former President Barack Obama, such locations were described as "sensitive," not "protected." The new rules take effect immediately and will be accompanied by updated training.According to the department, the new terminology is intended to convey that these sites are effectively off limits, with exceptions for national security threats, risks of imminent violence, and the "hot pursuit" of targets for arrest and deportation."We can accomplish our law enforcement mission without denying individuals access to needed medical care, children access to their schools, the displaced access to food and shelter, people of faith access to their places of worship," Mayorkas said in a statement.Naureen Shah, senior policy counsel at the ACLU, described the new guidance as an "important step forward." But, in a statement, she warned that it could still be "circumvented by agents whom the agency continues to rely on to unilaterally make complex, sensitive judgments about the applicability of the policy."As written, at least, the new guidance expands the number of places where enforcement actions cannot take place, with rare exception.Examples of a "protected area" include:SchoolsMedical facilitiesPlaces of worshipDaycares and recreation centersFood banks and sheltersDisaster areas, including evacuation routes, and emergency-care providersFuneralsPublic demonstrationsA five-page memo explaining the policy says immigration agents must consider the impact their actions would have "on people's willingness to be in the protected area or engage in the essential services or activities that occur there."Under the Trump administration, arrests at "sensitive" locations were relatively rare but not unheard of.In September 2020, for example, ICE agents arrested an Indonesian immigrant at Glenmont United Methodist Church in Silver Spring Maryland. As The Washington Post reported, the man, Binsar Siahaan, was a caretaker who lived on church grounds. He was released weeks later following protests from clergy and a ruling by a federal judge that he be allowed to seek religious asylum.Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.comRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

You can connect a PS4 controller using the micro-USB cable that comes with the device. But connecting a second one requires a different method. To connect your PS4 controller to your PS4 console, you'll need a micro-USB cord. picture alliance/Contributor/Getty Images You can connect a PS4 controller to your PS4 console using a USB cable. You can also use the USB cable to charge your controller. You'll have to use the first connected controller to connect additional controllers to your PS4. Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories. If you're new to the PlayStation 4 console, you may be feeling a bit behind on the basics. For example, you might not know how to connect and use the wireless controllers. While the controllers can be used wirelessly - assuming they're charged - you'll need to use the micro-USB cable that's included with them to start using a controller.And although you can connect up to four controllers to your PS4 at one time, the process is different for the first controller than it is for the subsequent ones.Here's what you need to know to connect and charge your PS4 controllers.Quick tip: You can also connect a PS4 controller to other devices, like an iPhone, Android, Mac, and PC. How to connect your PS4 controller1. Turn on your console.2. Plug the USB end of the cable for the controller into the console's USB port, and then connect the other end to the controller. The ports are located on the front of the console and the top-center of the controller.3. Press the PS button, located in the center of the controller. You'll see a light appear on the back of the controller when it's properly connected. The PS button is in the middle of the controller. Amazon 4. Once connected, you can unplug the cable and use your controller wirelessly - assuming it's charged.How to charge a PS4 controller1. To check the current charge level on your controller, press and hold the controller's PS button, and the controller's charging progress will appear on your screen. 2. To charge a PlayStation 4 controller, simply connect it to the PS4 console using the USB cable provided with the system. There's a micro-USB port on the back of the PS4 controller, which you'll use to plug it in. Amazon 3. As long as the PS4 is switched on (it can be in Rest Mode), the controller will begin charging. You can charge up to two controllers at once.Quick tip: A complete charge takes about two hours. You should be sure to let the battery run out, and then fully charge your PS4 controllers several times a year, to ensure their battery life doesn't shorten.How to connect another PS4 controller1. Using your synced controller, go into your PS4 Settings, located above the home menu.2. Choose Devices.3. Select Bluetooth Devices.4. Press and hold the PS button and the Share button on the controller you want to pair for five seconds. Hold down the PS and Share buttons for 5 seconds. Amazon 5. When the controller has been paired, you'll see it appear on the list of devices on your screen.Note: You can connect and use up to four PS4 controllers at once. 'Do PS4 controllers work on PS3?': How to connect your PS4 controller to a PS3 in 2 waysYou can play PS3 games on your PS4 with Sony's PlayStation Now streaming service - here's howHow to properly clean a PS4 console, on both the exterior and the interiorHow to remove a credit card from your PS4, and edit or add other cards to make purchases from the PlayStation StoreRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The Vermont senator made the remarks on Wednesday as Democrats raced to reach an agreement on the social-spending bill central to Biden's agenda. Sen. Bernie Sanders on Thursday. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Sanders said progressive priorities in the "Build Back Better" plan were crucial to US democracy. If they don't pass, "the very fabric of American democracy is in danger," he told reporters. Democrats are still trying to come to an agreement over the social-spending bill. Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the progressive firebrand and chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said on Wednesday that American democracy would be imperiled if key progressive priorities were left out of the "Build Back Better" reconciliation bill, which is central to President Joe Biden's domestic agenda.Sanders made the comments to a group of reporters at the Capitol as Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema met with White House officials in a nearby room. Following questions from reporters about the status of various provisions in the bill that are vulnerable to cuts, Sanders emphasized his stance on the issues."Let me just say a few words," Sanders said. "Sometimes, when we're inside the beltway, we lose track of reality and where the American people are."So let me repeat. The American people are very clear about what they want their government to do."He then listed progressive priorities like lowering prescription-drug costs; expanding Medicare to cover vision, hearing and dental health; taxing the rich; and addressing the climate crisis."The challenge that we face in this really unusual moment in American history is whether we have the courage to stand with the American people and take on very powerful special interests," Sanders said. "And I'm going to do everything that I can support the president's agenda and make sure that we do just that."Sanders then raised his voice."If we fail - in my view, if the American people do not believe that government can work for them and is dominated by powerful special interests, the very fabric of American democracy is in danger," he said. "People will no longer believe have faith that their government represents them. That's what this issue is about."Democrats had hoped to pass both the Build Back Better bill and the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill this week before Biden traveled to Glasgow, Scotland, on Thursday for the UN's COP26 climate-crisis conference, which appears unlikely.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

A good pair of gloves is a necessity in the winter. These are the 15 best pairs we've found in 2021. Rafael Elias/Getty Images Whether you're hiking, skiing, or just shoveling your walk, you need a good pair of winter gloves. You might need different pairs of gloves made of different materials for multiple situations. Winter gloves come in a variety of materials each with its own benefits and downsides. When the temperatures drop and the chill gets into your bones, it's time to slip on some winter gloves. Like other cold-weather gear essentials, you need to consider what you'll be using them for. Fine leather driving gloves won't cut it snowboarding and thick ski gloves probably aren't the best for driving. We've included some all-purpose gloves and purpose-designed selections. If you're looking for mittens, see our guide here. At the very least, winter gloves should have some sort of water resistance and a modicum of insulation. From there, you'll find styles that offer a wide range of water and windproofing and insulating materials, like PrimaLoft and Thinsulate (the same synthetic fibers found in many winter coats). There are even gloves with built-in battery-powered heaters. Some selections in this roundup also offer touchscreen compatibility and while they all work to varying degrees, the Moshi Digits gets the best reviews in this area. Even so, you're never going to have the same level of touchability as your bare fingers, so you might want to save your Tweeting for indoors this winter. Many of the selections have unisex sizing. Some come in gendered sizing, but can be worn by any gender identity. Here are the best winter gloves in 2021:Table of Contents: Masthead Sticky Patagonia R1 Daily Gloves Patagonia Patagonia's R1 Daily Gloves are sustainable, sleek, stretchy, and versatile.Sizing options: XS to XLColor options: Ink Black, Classic NavyPatagonia's unisex R1 Daily Gloves are great all-around winter gloves that are made from recycled polyester and spandex (making them environmentally friendly), low-profile enough to use as liners if need be, and stretchy so you have lots of mobility. They're also touchscreen compatible at the thumb and forefinger, moisture-wicking, and have a grippy palm with an aesthetically appealing design.  Moshi Digits Touchscreen Gloves Moshi Moshi's Digits Touchscreen Gloves give you touchscreen compatibility with all 10 fingers in a knit fabric with a soft, warm microfleece interior.Sizing options: S to LColor options: Light GreyThe Moshi Digits Touchscreen gloves have been getting rave reviews for their true touchscreen compatibility at all 10 fingertips, along with their minimalist looks and ability to keep your hands warm. These unisex knit gloves combine high-tech conductive fiber with a soft, warm microfleece interior. They only come in three sizes but are stretchy enough to fit onto larger hands. Norrona Unisex Trollveggen Gore-Tex Gloves Norrona The Trollveggen Gore-Tex Gloves from Norrona, a Norwegian brand with a storied history of creating products able to tackle the infamous Scandinavian winters, are perfect for whatever cold-weather adventure you throw at them.Sizing options: XS to XLColor options: BlackThe Norrona Trollveggen Gore-Tex Gloves have you covered for all your winter sports adventures, whether you're skiing, hiking, or even ice climbing. The outer shell is made from a combination of durable goat leather and Cordura ripstop fabric with a waterproof Gore-Tex liner and 130 grams of PrimaLoft insulation. The inside is lined in warm, soft wool. These unisex gloves from this storied Norwegian brand are water and windproof while still being breathable, and come in a wide range of sizes so you should be able to find a perfect fit. Kate Spade Quilted Leather Gloves Zappos The Kate Spade Quilted Leather Gloves are attractive, subtle, made from supple lamb leather, and lined in polyester for extra warmth. Sizing options: XS to XLColor options: BlackIf you're looking for gloves that are as stylish as they are warm, the Kate Spade leather gloves with a quilted spade pattern on the back, are a good option. Sleek but with a pop of eye appeal from the monochrome pattern, these gloves are made from buttery lamb leather and lined in polyester.  The North Face Men's Denali Etip Gloves The North Face The North Face's Denali Etip Gloves improve upon traditional fleece gloves with touchscreen compatibility, nylon at the knuckles and fingers for added durability, and a hefty fleece to keep your hands warm in the dead of winter. Sizing options: S to XXLColor options: TNF Medium Grey Heather, TNF BlackFleece gloves are an excellent winter companion for their freedom of movement, warmth, and softness. The North Face improves on this with touchscreen compatibility, a silicon gripper print on the palm, and nylon over the knuckles and fingers for added durability. They're also super soft and are made from 300-weight fleece (that's a high count!) that can handle cold winter weather.  Smartwool Merino Sport Fleece Training Glove Smartwool Smartwool is best known for its performance socks, but the brand also makes exceptional winter gloves for running and other outdoor athletic activities.Sizing option: XS to XLColor options: BlackSmartwool, an outdoor industry innovator that turned Merino wool into the beloved performance fabric it is today, may be best known for its socks, but they also make fantastic running gloves. The Merino Fleece Training Glove—like the brand's socks—is moisture-wicking, warm, soft, and naturally antimicrobial, making them perfect for winter runs, or other physical activities. They also feature silicone grippers on the palm and fingers to keep a grip on your ski pole or snow shovel. These aren't 100 percent wool but a poly-wool-elastane blend for better finger mobility and durability. Find men's sizes here.Find womnen's sizes here. Hestra Heli Insulated Gloves Hestra Hestra's Heli Insulated Gloves offer dexterity and exceptional warmth for your next skiing or snowboarding outing. Sizing options: 6 to 11 (XS to XL)Color options: Black, GreyHestra, another old-school Scandinavian brand, makes some of the best winter gloves around. The Heli Insulated Gloves combine tough goat leather and wind and nylon that's both wind and waterproof, yet breathable, along with a lot of insulation. These unisex gloves offer dexterity and exceptional warmth in extremely cold conditions so you can focus on avoiding other skiers and trees on your downhill run and not on having chilly hands. Barbour Insulated Leather Gloves Barbour Barbour's men's Insulated Leather Gloves are handsome enough for a night out but still rugged enough for winter chores.Sizing options: M to XLColor options: Olive, Black, TanBritish heritage brand Barbour has been making rugged and handsome country wear for more than 120 years. Their men's Insulated Leather Gloves combine style with substance, making them perfect for any number of occasions, whether it's a night out in the city or a brisk walk in the country. The water-resistant nubuck outers are classically good-looking and feature a wrist strap to keep the wind and snow out. Inside, the gloves are lined with thermal fleece for a warm and comfortable feel. Harssidanzar Women's Winter Lambskin Gloves Amazon Harssidanzar's Women's Winter Gloves are made from smooth lambskin, lined in cashmere, offer a wide range of sizes and colors, and come in at under $30. Sizing options: S to XXLColor options: 13 colorwaysHarssidanzar's Women's Winter Gloves are made of a smooth lambskin, lined in cashmere, and come in at under $30. They offer a wide range of sizes and colors, from basic black to bright orange. These make great driving gloves and are elegant enough for an evening out.  Give'r 4 Season Gloves Huckberry Give'r 4 unisex Season Gloves are some of the best overall winter gloves for whatever you get up to when the temperatures drop.  Sizing options: S to XXLColor options: 3 ColorwaysGive'r 4 Season Gloves are some of the best all-around winter gloves around whether you're on the slopes, chopping wood, or yanking a log out of the fire (yes, you can apparently do that with these gloves). They're made from wax-coated heavy-duty leather, have a waterproof membrane, and are insulated with 40 grams of Thinsulate. These unisex gloves are ruggedly good-looking and breathable so you can look good and feel good no matter what you get up to in them. Marmot Unisex BTU Gloves Marmot Marmot's Unisex BTU Gloves can tackle the wind and snow and still keep your hands comfortable and dry. Sizing options: S to XLColor options: BlackMy wife, a longtime skier, swears by Marmot and she's both a gearhead and very choosy. The BTU gloves are gauntlet-style—meaning they extend past the wrist—for more protection from the elements, waterproof, breathable, and warm thanks to the high-loft fleece lining and Thermal R insulation. They have a good weight-to-warmth ratio, a removable waterproof liner, and even include an absorbent nose wipe for when there's no Kleenex around. L.L. Bean Katahdin Gloves L.L. Bean Get that retro look with L.L.Bean's classic knit Katahdin gloves. Sizing options: S/M, L/XLColor options: 3 ColorwaysSometimes you just want a classic and the L.L.Bean unisex Katahdin Gloves have that retro feel with their throwback colorways that feature a stylized image of Maine's highest mountain, Mount Katahdin. Pair them with the Katahdin Pom Hat, and a puffer jacket, and you'll nail that nostalgic 80s vibe. M Gore Windstoppers Gorewear The M Gore Unisex Windstoppers are my favorite winter running gloves. They're windproof, warm, water-resistant with a lightweight design. Sizing options: XS to XXXLColor options: 3 ColorwaysThese are my winter running gloves. I wore them all last winter (I live in New York's Hudson Valley and winter can be pretty brutal) and my hands stayed dry and warm during four-mile runs along the Hudson River. The Gore Windstoppers are especially windproof, as the name suggests, but are also water-resistant, and very breathable. These unisex gloves are light, especially considering how well they keep your hands warm, fit snugly, and have reflective details if you're into evening runs. Snow Deer Waterproof Heated Gloves Amazon When it's time to bring out the big guns against winter weather, the Snow Deer Waterproof Heated Gloves get the job done.  Sizing options: XS to XXXLColor options: BlackSometimes you need to bring out the big guns when winter weather becomes unrelenting. The unisex Snow Deer Waterproof Heated Gloves are definitely big guns against the cold. They're made from a combination of lambskin and polyester, have an adjustable temperature setting (low, medium, high), and the battery power lasts up to 6.5 hours, giving you plenty of time to ski or shovel the walk. The heating element gets the fingers and back of the hands warm in only 30 seconds, according to the company, and they're wind and waterproof too. Carhartt Women's Quilts Gloves Amazon Carhartt's Quilts Gloves have everything you'd expect from the iconic workwear brand plus some nice color choices, quilting, and an adjustable strap. Sizing options: S to LColor options: 4 ColorwaysCarhartt is well known for its tough workwear, but the company also has a more colorful side. The Women's Quilts Gloves have all the qualities you'd expect from the brand—waterproofing, a soft microfiber liner that's quick-drying, tough ripstop taffeta outer shell, reinforcement in all the right places—plus quilting and nice color choices like Nightshade (dark purple) and Crabapple (bright red). It also features an adjustable strap to keep snow and wind out and a stretch fleece cuff.  Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

"You should resign in disgrace," Cotton told Garland over a memo he issued this month to address threats against public school officials. Attorney General Merrick Garland; Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas Tasos Katopodis-Pool/Getty Images Sen. Tom Cotton confronted Attorney General Merrick Garland during a hearing on Wednesday. Cotton called for Garland's resignation over a memo he issued earlier this month to address threats against school officials. "Thank God you are not on the Supreme Court," Cotton told Garland. Sen. Tom Cotton sparred with Attorney General Merrick Garland and called for his resignation during an intense exchange at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday.The back-and-forth concerned a memo that Garland issued on October 4, in which he directed the Federal Bureau of Investigation to meet with state and local officials to address an increase in threats against public school officials.Republicans have characterized the memo as an attempt by the Department of Justice to prevent parents from expressing concerns at local school board meetings, some of which have grown increasingly heated and even violent over issues like teaching race in the classroom, policies for transgender students, and COVID-19 mask and vaccine mandates. Cotton reiterated the GOP talking point on Wednesday by linking a prominent report of an alleged sexual assault at a school in Loudoun County, Virginia, to Garland's directive.Garland responded that the reported rape is "the most horrific crime I can imagine" and that parents are "certainly entitled and protected by the First Amendment to protest to their school board about that."Garland then added that Cotton's framing of his memo was "wrong" before being cut off by the Arkansas Republican."This is shameful. This testimony, your directive, your performance is shameful. Thank God you are not on the Supreme Court," Cotton said, referring to Garland's 2016 nomination for the bench by former President Barack Obama, which Senate Republicans blocked at the time. "You should resign in disgrace, judge," Cotton added. -Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) October 27, 2021 Garland tried to clarify that the DOJ wants to prevent threats of violence against school officials, not to stop parents from speaking up at school board meetings."I wish if senators were concerned about this, they would quote my words. This memorandum is not about parents being able to object in their school boards," Garland said. "They are protected by the First Amendment, as long as there are no threats of violence, they are completely protected. So parents can object to their school boards about curriculum, about the treatment of their children, about school policies, all of that is 100 percent protected by the First Amendment and there is nothing in this memorandum contrary to that."Besides Cotton, several other Republicans at the hearing ripped into the memo. The committee's ranking member, Sen. Chuck Grassley, pressed Garland to revoke it.Garland defended his directive, saying it "responds to concerns about violence, threats of violence, other criminal conduct."That's all it's about and all it asks is for federal law enforcement to consult with, meet with, local law enforcement to assess the circumstances, strategize about what may or may not be necessary to provide federal assistance if it is necessary," he said.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The CFPB's new chief, Rohit Chopra, issued the warning during his first appearance before Congress since taking over at the agency. Rohit Chopra, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Getty/Tom Williams Stablecoins bear a risk to the financial system, said the head of the US Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, according to Bloomberg. The bureau's new chief, Rohit Chopra, voiced the warning during his first appearance on Capitol Hill since confirmation. The CFPB will analyze and collect data about how companies like Facebook plan to use digital tokens, Chopra said. Stablecoins bear a risk to the financial system as more payment and technology companies move to embrace digital coins, said the head of the US agency set up to advocate for consumers, according to a Bloomberg report. The remarks come as regulators take a more active approach to cryptocurrencies, with key reports laying out roadmaps also expected soon."Stablecoins are right now primarily used for speculative purposes," Rohit Chopra, director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, said at a House Financial Services Committee hearing Wednesday. "But one could imagine that if it starts riding the rails of some of the large networks or big tech companies it could scale very, very quickly." Stablecoins are a type of cryptocurrency that's pegged to an asset such as a fiat currency, government bonds, or a precious metal.Chopra made his comments during his first appearance before Congress since he was confirmed to the post late last month.His testimony also arrived as the Securities and Exchange Commission has secured authority to oversee regulation for the $131 billion stablecoin market, according to a Bloomberg report on Monday. Meanwhile, the head of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission said Wednesday it should be the main agency to oversee cryptocurrencies, rather than the SEC.Officials are concerned about a surge in public adoption of unregulated coins, and Chopra said the CFPB will analyze and collect data about how companies like Facebook plan to use tokens as part of a broader look into how technology giants use and market consumer data.Facebook recently launched a digital cryptocurrencies wallet called Novi, whose users will be able to transact paxos dollar or USDP, a stablecoin created in 2018 that's pegged to the US dollar. And Mastercard recently reached a deal with the crypto firm Bakkt to make it easier for consumers to spend cryptocurrency rewards on the payment firm's network.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The meme has broken out of conservative media and onto the streamer's platform of 3.58 million YouTube subscribers, shared as an in-joke with fans. Video game streamer Dr. Disrespect. Rich Fury/Getty Images The "let's go Brandon" chant has moved beyond the confines of conservative media. A new #LetsGoBrandonChallenge is giving the meme viral steam on TikTok. Dr. Disrespect, one of the most successful video game streamers of all time, said it on his channel. Over the past two weeks, the anti-Biden chant "let's go Brandon" has broken out of the confines of conservative media into new frontiers, including the otherwise apolitical realm of video game streaming.Some of the momentum for the euphemism appears to be coming from the #LetsGoBrandonChallenge hashtag on social media, with TikTok views for the tag topping 3.3 million as of Oct. 27 - not even three full weeks since its origin at the Talladega NASCAR race on Oct. 9.Dr. Disrespect, one of the most successful video game streamers of all time, broke into the chant during one of his streams on YouTube earlier this month, with a viral TikTok following shortly thereafter. The video has over 93,000 views, despite coming from an account with a following in the low hundreds. Born Herschel "Guy" Beahm IV, the 39-year-old "Call of Duty" superstar has tens of thousands of viewers tune into his hours-long play sessions on YouTube, with his all time record viewership landing at 363,980 during a stream on his former platform, Twitch, averaging around 78,000 per session. He has a YouTube following of more than 3.58 million subscribers.Beahm is suing Twitch after the platform banned him for undisclosed reasons in June 2020. Beahm and his representatives did not return Insider's request for comment.The doc - who also refers to himself as "the two-time back-to-back Blockbuster 1993-1994 video game champion" or just "the two-time" - has built a brand as an unabashedly cocky and domineering persona, showing up to award shows and festivals in-character.His mantra of "Violence. Speed. Momentum" is also the title of his memoir, published in March by Simon & Schuster. Politics has not been part of his on-camera persona, but a seemingly cryptic comment from someone in his live chat caught his attention earlier this month regarding the "let's go Brandon" meme."'It burns when I pee,' says Brandon, with a $5 donation," Beahm said during the stream, a common interaction with fans who donate to him mid-game via YouTube. "Brandon? Champs, Brandon? Come on, who's gonna be the first one to say it?"Apparently familiar with the meme, Beahm broke into the chant once the rest of the chatroom caught on.Video game streaming remains a mostly untapped venue for American political parties. Younger members of Congress such as Republican Rep. Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina and Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York have both dabbled in streaming before, with AOC garnering a top five all-time viewership of nearly 438,000 watching her play Among Us on Twitch in Oct. 2020 for a get out the vote initiative.AOC's Twitch stream is now 21st highest all-time, with her impact on the platform showing the potential for politicians to connect with voters in new ways via parasocial relationships.Around 65% of Twitch users are male, according to the best available 2021 data from Statista and StreamScheme, down from 81.5% in 2017.The heavily male viewership could give Republicans an advantage on the platform, but as AOC demonstrated last year, there is still a massive audience for games such as Among Us that draw a more diverse player base.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Biden's big social-spending bill keeps getting smaller as centrists Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema block most ways of paying for it. President Joe Biden. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Democrats are removing paid family and medical leave from the social spending package, according to Politico. It's yet another big cut to the bill, which is getting whittled down as negotiations with moderates continue. However, lawmakers and advocates say the fight to implement paid leave isn't over. Senate Democrats have decided to strip paid family and medical leave benefits from Biden's social spending package, Politico reporter Eleanor Mueller said on Wednesday. Sources told Mueller that attempts to water down the bill didn't work out. In recent weeks, Democrats have scrambled for new revenue sources to pay for the "Build Back Better" bill, which was initially targeted at $4 trillion and may end up at $1.5 trillion or smaller. Key centrist Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema have variously opposed most of the new tax proposals that Democrats have suggested."It is still a little inconceivable to me that after the last 18 months - and everything we saw during the course of the pandemic - that we are hearing that Congress is going to leave paid leave for another day," Laura Narefsky, counsel on education and workplace justice at the National Women's Law Center (NWLC), told Insider.The family and medical leave benefits were a central focus of President Joe Biden during his 2020 campaign and, even if enacted, would leave Americans with some of the stingiest leave benefits in all the developed world, The New York Times' Upshot reported. The US is already an outlier when it comes to benefits. A report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) found that, out of 41 countries, the US was the only one not to mandate paid leave. The US also has no federal sick leave mandates."If the news reports are true, this is a devastating and incomprehensible blow to American families," Vicki Shabo, a paid leave expert at think tank New America, told Insider.She added: "This was a once in a generation opportunity to build on the Family and Medical Leave Act to finally bring the promise of paid leave to the US, to end its outlier status, and to make good on promises that the president ran on."Advocates for paid leave argue that it bolsters the economy, with an analysis from the University of Massachusetts Amherst finding that paid leave would increase Americans' incomes by $28.5 billion every year.Paid leave is among the latest of many cuts Democrats have reportedly made to appease Joe Manchin, including tuition-free community college and an expanded five-year child tax credit. But some lawmakers have been clear that they will keep fighting for all of their priorities until they see the final version of the bill."Until the bill is printed, I will continue working to include paid leave in the Build Back Better plan," New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who has been a leading advocate for paid leave, said in a statement on Wednesday.Other lawmakers have been making similar statements with regards to wanting to see the final bill text. Michigan Rep. Andy Levin, for example, told Insider during a Tuesday interview that he will keep fighting to get free community college in the bill "right up to the closing whistle."Democrats were hoping to pass the "Build Back Better" bill - along with a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill - this week."We cannot recover holistically unless you provide the full range of supports that working families need," Narefsky said. "It is so short-sighted to think that because we are trimming down some abstract top-line number, that that is the end goal. Paid family and medical leave is a benefit that touches everyone."This story is developing. Please check back for updates. Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Cacao has been a spiritual symbol for Indigenous people for millenia. Today, people in Guatemala are bringing back the ritual of drinking pure cacao. Cacao has been a sacred plant for Indigenous people for millennia. The modern chocolate industry has pushed many ancient cacao rituals to the side. Today, people in Guatemala are preserving old traditions of drinking pure cacao. Cacao has been a spiritual symbol for Indigenous people in Central America for thousands of years. When the modern chocolate industry took over, much of the plant's sacred use was lost. Today, people in Guatemala are bringing back the ritual of drinking pure cacao.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

You can pair a new Firestick remote via the "home" button. But if you want to replace an old Firestick, there are additional steps. To use your Amazon Fire TV, you must first pair its remote. Pictureesque Japan/Shutterstock You can pair your Firestick remote by pressing and holding down the "Home" button. There are extra steps you'll need to take if you're pairing a second Firestick remote. You can pair some non-Firestick remotes, but they must use specific Bluetooth profiles to work. Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories. If you have an Amazon Fire TV, the Firestick remote can be a useful tool. But before you can start using it, you have to pair the remote to your TV. The process will vary slightly depending on whether or not you have existing paired remotes, as well as whether you're using an off-brand Bluetooth remote.Here's what you need to know to pair your Firestick, or other compatible remote, to your Amazon Fire TV.How to pair a Firestick remote1. Hold down the Home button on your Firestick remote for 10 seconds.2. You'll then either see the blue light on your remote flash a few times, or there will be an on-screen confirmation message that your remote has been paired. If you don't see either, try unplugging the Firestick from its power source and taking out the batteries, then reconnecting it and adding the batteries back. Then try holding down the Home button again.How to add or replace a Firestick remoteQuick tip: You can also use this method for replacing a remote. Just be sure to check its compatibility and remove the old remote at the end.1. Press the Home button on your original Firestick remote.2. Select Settings.3. Choose Controllers and Bluetooth Devices. Select "Controllers & Bluetooth Devices" in the menu. William Antonelli/Insider 4. Go to Amazon Fire TV Remotes. Select "Amazon Fire TV Remotes." William Antonelli/Insider 5. On the next screen, select Add New Remote. Go to "Add new remote." William Antonelli/Insider 6. Press and hold the Home button on your new Firestick remote until it's recognized.7. Using your old remote, press Select. Both remotes should then appear in your list.How to pair a Firestick remote when you lost the old oneIf you don't have a working, paired remote, you can use your phone as a remote to connect your new Firestick remote instead:1. Open the Firestick app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android.2. Select your Fire TV device - or select Add device if you don't see that option - then enter your account login information.3. Enter your PIN to start using your phone as a remote.4. Using your phone or tablet, select Home then hit Settings.5. Choose Controllers and Bluetooth Devices.6. Go to Amazon Fire TV Remotes and select Add New Remote.7. Press and hold the Home button on your new Firestick remote until it's recognized.8. On your phone or tablet, press Select. Your new remote should then appear in your list.How to pair a non-Firestick remoteIn order to pair a non-Firestick remote, it has to be compatible. Amazon Fire TV recognizes specific types of Bluetooth profiles, including advanced audio distribution profile (A2DP), human interface device profile (HID), and serial port profile (SPP). Your remote's user manual should say which type of Bluetooth profile it uses, and it might even say if it's Amazon Fire TV compatible.If it is compatible, here's how to pair your remote:1. Go into the Settings of your Fire TV menu.2. Choose Controllers and Bluetooth Devices.3. Select Other Bluetooth Devices. Click "Other Bluetooth Devices." William Antonelli/Insider 4. Choose Add Bluetooth Devices. Click "Add Bluetooth Devices." William Antonelli/Insider 5. Your Amazon TV will then scan for your device. Once it recognizes it, select the name from the list of devices on the screen.You should see a confirmation message letting you know that your non-Firestick remote has been paired. You can then start using it as you would a regular Firestick remote.Quick tip: If your Firestick remote isn't working, you may want to try resetting your remote rather than getting a brand new remote.'What is an Amazon Fire TV Stick?': Amazon's portable but powerful streaming device, explainedYes, the Amazon Fire Stick has YouTube - here's how to download it and watch videosHow to set up any Amazon Echo device and customize its settingsAll the ways you can watch Amazon Prime Video on your TV, from smart TVs to streaming from an iPhoneRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

From monogrammed aprons to vinyl subscriptions, these 33 personalized gifts are especially thoughtful and something they're unlikely to own already. Grafomap When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more. Personalized gifts are a special way to show someone you're thinking of them. Your giftee will treasure a custom gift like a monogrammed passport cover or portrait of their pet. Now is a good time to start thinking of one-of-a-kind gifts, since processing times can be long. Ideally, every gift you give should feel as though you selected it just for your recipient. If you're looking to go the extra mile, gifting a personalized gift can make your selection feel even more special. These customized gifts can reference their interests, allow them to try something new, or serve as a reminder of a past event. Below are over 30 personalized gifts that include a monogrammed card holder, personalized wine and tea subscriptions, and even a made-to-measure suit. Each of these gifts offers giftees a unique item that they surely haven't received before.Due to the custom nature of these gifts, they will likely take a while to arrive. Be sure to take a look at processing and shipping times if you're shopping close to the holidays. If you're looking for more gift ideas, check out all of our gift guides here.Here are 33 personalized gifts that feel special and unique: A monogrammed passport cover Mark and Graham Fillmore Vegan Leather Passport Case, available at Mark and Graham, $39 (add monogrammed initials for $12.50)For the giftee that loves to travel, treat them to a custom vegan leather passport cover for wherever their travels take them. A custom portrait made of cheese Whisps Custom Cheese Head, available at Whisps, $200Surprise your gift recipient with a portrait of them made out of cheese. They're not only wildly creative but delicious as well. A pushpin world map with customizable names Uncommon Goods Personalized Anniversary Pushpin World Map, available at Uncommon Goods, $155A gift for newlyweds or those with anniversaries coming up, this personalized world map is a sentimental and thoughtful gift for them to use whenever they travel together. Read our guide to the best anniversary gifts or best sentimental gifts for more inspiration.  A special book for parents and kids Uncommon Goods Personalized Goodnight Little Me Book, available at Uncommon Goods, $40A sweet gift for both parents and children, this picture book will be a great new addition to their bedtime routine. You can customize the name on the cover and throughout the book for a special nightly read. Take a look at our guide to the best personalized gifts for kids for more gift ideas.  A glassware set that's uniquely theirs Mark and Graham Decanter and Glass Set, available at Mark and Graham, $99 (free monogramming)For the spirit connoisseur, this decanter and glass set from Mark and Graham comes with free monogramming for a personal touch to this useful gift. A mug they'll always recognize in a crowd Yeti Rambler Mug, available at Yeti, $29.99 (monogramming available from $5)The Rambler Mug from Yeti comes in 10 colors and can be customized with words, initials, images, or a design of your choice. It's perfect for on-the-go trips or spending time outdoors. A pizza-making kit with their last name on it Bed Bath and Beyond Family Pizzeria 3-Piece Gift Set, available at Bed Bath and Beyond, $43.99A pizza-making kit is a sweet gift for couples or families that love to cook together. The three-piece set comes with a monogrammable pizza board, a rocker, and a crisper for delicious results. A nostalgic bracelet BaubleBar Custom Multi Disc Pisa Bracelet, available at BaubleBar, $40This custom beaded bracelet can spell out a name or phrase in a rainbow of colors. You can stack it with other bracelets for a stylish '90s look. A ceramic bowl with their pet's name on it Megan Louise Ceramics/Etsy Custom Pet Bowl, available at Etsy, from $30.16Some people prefer to spoil their pets instead of themselves. A custom bowl with the name of their favorite animal on it is a gift they'll love.  A lovely birthstone ring Pandora Pandora Birthstone Ring, available at Pandora, $50This personalized ring is an intimate gift that signifies that you remember their ring size and birthday (even if you can't remember the exact date). A stylish monogrammed notebook Papier Colourblock Notebook, available at Papier, $26.99If they're a writer, list maker, or note-taker, they're sure to appreciate this personalized notebook from Papier. Choose from eight different color block patterns and lined, plain, or dotted paper to make this gift feel even more personal. A custom star map Etsy Custom Night Sky Star Map, available at Etsy, from $35Celebrate a special event or time by gifting them a snapshot of that night's sky. Each map can be customized by color, text and font styles, and map shape. The seller will work with you to create a vibrant map that perfectly captures any moment. A curated wine subscription based on their preferences Winc Winc Gift Card, available at Winc, from $60If they're new to the world of wine, gifting them a Winc subscription will help them choose their favorite styles by testing several wines each month. Winc is one of our favorite wine delivery options due to its extensive selection and interactive wine quiz that each subscriber takes before receiving wines to try. A handcrafted recipe board UncommonGoods Personalized Family Recipe Board, available at UncommonGoods, $100Help them save precious family recipes with this wood recipe board that's available in maple or cherry wood finishes. Simply send over a scan of their favorite recipe, and it will be transferred onto the board in the writer's handwriting. A candle to express your gratitude Homesick Thanks Candle, available at Homesick, from $34 [add a handwritten card note and printed candle note for $5 to $15]This candle is a great way to thank someone in a more personal way. Scented with lemon, cucumber, and patchouli, this candle adds a refreshing scent into any space. For an additional cost, you can add a personal message to the candle's packaging or on the candle itself.  A portrait of their furry (or scaly) best friend CanvasPop Pet Portrait, available at CanvasPop, from $89If their pet is more like family, this fun portrait of their favorite furry or scaly best friend is sure to make their day. Choose from three art styles and canvas sizes and several background colors to make this gift even more unique. A desktop photo calendar Artifact Uprising Walnut Desktop Photo Calendar, available at Artifact Uprising, from $35This walnut photo calendar makes a beautiful desktop display. The personalized selection of photos makes an ordinary calendar feel more special, though choosing only 12 of your favorite photos could prove to be difficult. A set of coasters with their favorite memories Uncommon Goods Custom Travel Photo Coasters, available at Uncommon Goods, from $65Gift them these coasters so they can relive their favorite travel stories every time they use them. Add location captions to each coaster for an additional cost.   A monogrammed leather cardholder Cuyana Zip Cardholder, available at Cuyana, $75 [add a monogram for $15]This stylish wallet will give your recipient a luxury experience at a relatively affordable price. The sleek wallet offers a surprising amount of storage and can comfortably fit five cards, cash, and coins. It comes in seven shades and can be monogrammed for $15 to add personalization. An apron loved by professional chefs Hedley & Bennett The Essential Apron, available at Hedley & Bennett, from $85 [add embroidery for $15]A sturdy, comfortable, and stylish apron becomes even more stylish and personal with the addition of embroidery on the apron chest or waist strap. You can choose from script or block font in a variety of colors. While we love the classic styles, now might also be a good time to take advantage of their limited-edition aprons.  A made-to-measure suit Indochino Gift Card, available at Indochino, from $50Nothing feels quite as bespoke as a custom-made suit. The startup Indochino makes that gift a bit more achievable and a lot less expensive.  A thoughtful map of their favorite place on earth Grafomap/Instagram Customized Poster, available at Grafomap, from $49Grafomap is a website that lets you design posters with maps of any place in the world. You can make one of their hometown, college town, or favorite travel destination — you're only limited by your imagination. A gold letter charm from an ethical jewelry startup AUrate Mini Gold Letter Charm Pendant, available at AUrate, $250AUrate makes beautiful, personalized letter charms that are meant to represent a no-compromise mix of quality, price, and ethical practices. They use luxury materials like 14-karat gold, original designs, transparent pricing, and sustainable production. In partnership with Mastery Charter, the startup has also given thousands of books to NYC students and schools.  A leather toiletry case they can take with them for years to come Leatherology Double Zip Toiletry Bag, available at Leatherology, $120 [add a monogram for $10 and up]This luxe Double Zip bag is one accessory I never travel without. The dual compartments keep all essentials close, and the leather ages into something soft and personal over time. If you're looking for wallets, travel gift sets, or duffels instead, you can find pretty much any leather good at a good price and superior quality here — most available for monogramming. New vinyl records that match their musical taste VNYL Three-Month VNYL Gift Membership Subscription, available at VNYL, $69.99 (originally $120)VNYL's team of curators studies your music profile — assembled via a quiz and connected Spotify, Soundcloud, Instagram, etc. — to hand-pick new albums that they think you'll love. Then they send you a tailored pick to your door. If your giftee is a music-lover and has a record player, this is a cool subscription that will help them discover even more music to love.  Customizable Nikes Nike Customizable Nikes, available at Nike, from $110Nike makes great products, and they're popular for a reason. But it's nice to get the benefits of the design team without forsaking what makes something unique. You can customize a pair of Nike's for them or gift them a gift card so they can get creative making something one-of-a-kind on their own.  Tumblers personalized for family members' hobbies Uncommon Goods Personalized Hobby Tumblers, available at Uncommon Goods, from $32These fun tumblers celebrate each family member's unique passions, letting them feel appreciated by you. They'll also enjoy seeing themselves in fun illustrations.  An engraved shave set Harry's Winston Set, available at Harry's, from $25 [add engraving for $15]If they take pride in having nice tools or taking the necessary grooming routine as time for themselves, they'll appreciate Harry's luxe gift set. It can be engraved for $15, and the special Winston handle is weighty, die-cast zinc with a polished chrome finish. The German-engineered blades come with a travel cover so they don't dull during travel, and the Foaming Shave Gel works up to a rich lather.  A coffee subscription that caters to their likes and dislikes Driftaway Facebook Three-Month Coffee Subscription, available at Driftaway, from $56Driftaway is a gourmet coffee subscription that gets smarter the longer you use it — remembering your preferences and steering you towards increasingly accurate brews for your palette. The first shipment is a tasting kit with four coffee profiles, which users rate online or in the app for the site to use as a flavor baseline. If they love coffee, this is a great way to ensure they'll discover new favorites and enjoy each morning cup. A subscription that lets them try tea from all over the world Sips by Personalized Tea Gift Card (3-month Subscription), available at Sips by, $48If they're more of a tea person, there's a personalized service for them, too. Sips by takes their tastes and matches them to four tea brands (chosen from more than 150 tea brands around the world) each month. There's enough tea to make more than 45 cups of tea (if they re-steep) — the perfect amount to keep them warm and cozy through the winter.  Bath towels embroidered with a monogram or full word Weezie/Instagram Piped Edge Starter Pack, available at Weezie, $230 [add embroidery for $15 per towel]Weezie's soft and fluffy organic cotton towels are already gift-worthy on their own. To make them even more covetable, add embroidery. You can go with the classic monogram in a variety of eye-catching styles or spell out a full name in a cursive script. There are a few unique embroidery colors, like bright pink and mint.  A zodiac necklace that mixes luxury with personalization Mejuri Capricorn Necklace, available at Mejuri, $90Mejuri's popular zodiac necklaces are a great way to gift jewelry that manages to feel both luxurious and intimate — something that can be lacking in refined gifts. The Canadian startup as a whole is a unique mix of approachability and elegance, which may be why they're known for waitlists that top out at 40,000 people.  Shampoo and conditioner designed for their specific hair needs Function of Beauty Gift Card, available at Function of Beauty, from $50To get their personalized hair care, they'll start with a quiz that asks them about their hair concerns and needs. The final formulation addresses those needs and is also free of parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, and GMOs. Plus, the bottle labels will feature their name.  Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

The policy change is part of what the company says is its larger shift towards protecting younger users on its platforms. Chesnot/Getty Images Google is allowing anyone under the age of 18 to remove their images from search results. Google originally announced increased protections for children and teens in August, promoting internet safety. Google hopes this change will give younger people more control over their digital footprint. Google is allowing anyone under the age of 18, or their parent or guardian, to remove their images from search results.This policy change was enacted on Wednesday and is part of what the company says is its larger shift towards protecting younger users on its platforms. Google originally announced increased protections for children and teens in August, allowing younger internet users to have safer avenues on the internet. For example, YouTube, which is owned by Google, is making its "take a break" and bedtime reminders default for all users ages 13 to 17 and limiting the visibility of videos posted by its younger users.All requests will be reviewed by Google and its team may reach out for additional information for verification if needed. Once the image removal request is approved, it will no longer appear in the images tab or as thumbnails in any feature in Google Search and submitters will receive a notification, according to a Google blog post explaining the feature.Google did not respond to Insider's request to comment."We believe this change will help give young people more control over their digital footprint and where their images can be found on Search," the company's post said.However, images that are removed from Google search results are not fully removed from the internet, Google warns. If users need an image removed online completely, Google recommends that users contact the site's webmaster where the image is hosted for removal. Google offers other features for its younger users to protect them "from shocking or harmful content." Some of these features include SafeSearch that limits explicit and inappropriate inquiries, content filters, and educational resources.On Tuesday, lawmakers met with representatives from Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube to discuss child safety online. The Senate Commerce subcommittee on consumer protection, product safety, and data security asked questions about how the platforms have been misused by teenagers to promote dangerous and reckless behavior. None of the tech companies committed to any legislative proposals. Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

You can see if you're running the latest macOS version by clicking the Apple logo in the top-left corner, then selecting "About This Mac." You should keep your Mac updated with the latest versions. Apple The latest macOS version is macOS Monterey, which released in October 2021. You can check what version of macOS you have by opening the "About This Mac" menu. If you don't have the latest version of macOS, you can update your Mac from this menu too. Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories. It's been nearly 40 years since Apple released the first version of Mac OS, the operating system inside all of their computers. Nowadays, Mac OS is known as "macOS," and each version is named after a location in California.The latest version as of this writing is macOS Monterey, released in October 2021. A new major macOS version debuts every year, and every almost every update comes with big changes.Unless you're a programmer or tech journalist, you probably don't need to know the name of every Mac operating system ever. You just need to know what the latest is, how to check which macOS version you currently have, and how to update it if you need to.How to check if you have the latest macOS versionTo check what version of macOS you have:1. Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen, then select About This Mac. From the menu bar, click "About This Mac." William Antonelli/Business Insider 2. A new window will appear. It should open to the Overview tab by default, but if it doesn't, click Overview at the top of the window.On this page, you'll be able to see what macOS version your computer is running, right down to the build number (something like 10.14.6). Your current macOS version will appear at the top of the window. William Antonelli/Business Insider Underneath the OS name, you'll find a collection of basic information about your computer, including its serial number, processor, and model name. If you click System Report… at the bottom of the window, you'll be able to explore even more information about your device.How to update macOS to get the latest versionIf you think your Mac is outdated, try to update it.1. Again, open the About This Mac screen from the Apple logo in the top-left corner. And again, go to the Overview page.2. At the bottom of the window, next to the System Report option, click on Software Update…3. Your Mac will connect to the internet to check if there's a more current version of macOS for you to install. If there is, it'll prompt you to install the update. If you have the most current version, it'll let you know that, and you can close both windows without worry. Your Mac might take a few moments to find the new update. William Antonelli/Business Insider Steven John contributed to a previous version of this article.4 ways to take a screenshot on a Mac computer5 things you should know when buying a refurbished or used MacHow to mirror your iPhone screen to a Mac computer with QuickTime or AirPlayHow to force quit on a Mac to close unresponsive appsRead the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Facebook confirmed the "legal hold" to Insider and said it's "part of the process of responding to legal inquiries" as the firm faces public backlash. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg Drew Angerer/Getty Images Facebook told employees not to delete communications since 2016. The firm didn't specify why, but it comes after the FTC reportedly launched a probe into Facebook. The company is facing widespread backlash over a trove of leaked internal documents. Facebook has told employees to save all of their internal messages and documents since 2016, The New York Times first reported on Wednesday. In an email viewed by the paper on Tuesday, the company instructed workers to preserve internal communication that includes chatter around its businesses."As you are probably aware, we're currently the focus of extensive media coverage based on a swath of internal documents," Facebook said in the email, per The Times. "As is often the case following this kind of reporting, a number of inquiries from governments and legislative bodies have been launched into the company's operations." A Facebook representative confirmed the move, called a "legal hold," to Insider but didn't specify exactly why it was rolled out."Document preservation requests are part of the process of responding to legal inquiries," the representative said.The ask comes after former Facebook employee-turned-whistleblower France Haugen filed thousands of internal company documents - known as the "Facebook Papers" - to the Securities and Exchange Commission, which were then shared with the press.The materials show many employees were aware of the harm that Facebook's products posed, such as misinformation-spreading algorithms. Company representatives have pushed back on the reporting and have said it the documents paint a false picture of Facebook and its actions.In a regulatory filing Tuesday, Facebook revealed that beginning in September, it "became subject to government investigations and requests relating to a former employee's allegations and release of internal company documents concerning, among other things, our algorithms, advertising and user metrics, and content enforcement practices, as well as misinformation and other undesirable activity on our platform, and user well-being."Separately, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that the Federal Trade Commission had launched a probe into Facebook over whether the company violated a $5 billion settlement agreement with the agency. Facebook also told employees not to talk about the legal hold on its internal messaging system, Workplace, and to avoid using temporary messaging for work. The hold doesn't apply to documents pertaining to certain projects, like WhatsApp, Spark AR, and an internal incubator, according to the report.As the outlet noted, Facebook has directed similar instructions to employees before, like when the FTC filed an antitrust lawsuit against the company last year. Facebook told its workforce not to talk about the suit at the time.This also isn't the first internal communication directive Facebook has issued in response to the leaked documents. The company said earlier this month that it would be taking certain company groups private.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»

Microsoft and Alphabet hit record highs on Wednesday after earnings results easily beat analyst's revenue and profit estimates. Investors have become more cautious about US stocks in recent weeks. Johannes Eisele/Getty Images US stocks were mixed on Wednesday following earnings results from mega-cap tech.Microsoft and Alphabet reported third-quarter earnings that beat analyst expectations.Robinhood missed sales estimates and saw a considerable slowdown in trading activity.US stocks were mixed on Wednesday, with the Nasdaq 100 hitting record highs on an intraday basis while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones traded lower.Tech stocks were driven mostly higher by better-than-expected earnings results from Alphabet and Microsoft, which both jumped more than 5% and hit record highs. Both companies saw strong growth in their cloud units, and forward guidance remained on track for continued business growth.Apple will look to keep the streak going when it reports earnings Thursday after the close. The iPhone maker is neck and neck with Microsoft as the most valuable company in the world. Here's where US indexes stood at the 4:00 p.m. ET close on Wednesday:S&P 500: 4,551.69, down 0.5%Dow Jones Industrial Average: 35,490.69, down 0.74% (266.19 points)Nasdaq Composite: 15,235.84, up 0.01%One earnings report that disappointed investors was Robinhood, which missed sales estimates and saw a considerable slowdown in trading activity relative to prior quarters when meme-stocks and cryptocurrencies were extremely volatile. The stock fell 11% on Wednesday.A likely accidental trade in class A shares of Berkshire Hathaway sent the stock soaring 51% in extended hours trading on Tuesday. The gains were short lived, as only three shares traded at those levels. Shiba inu coin continued its record run on Wednesday, surging as much as 38% to a record high and continuing its trek to become the 10th most valuable cryptocurrency in the world. Concerns about rising inflation continue be top of mind for many investors, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who noted in a tweet that he is concerned about the short-term rise in prices.Wall Street was impressed with Microsoft's earnings results, and three analysts gave their outlook on why the cloud provider could continue to surge higher. West Texas Intermediate crude oil fell 2.89%, to $82.20 per barrel. Brent crude, oil's international benchmark, dropped 2.50%, to $84.24 per barrel.Gold jumped as much as 0.22%, to $1,797.70 per ounce.Read the original article on Business Insider.....»»