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SpaceX is developing a fully reusable rocket system called Starship-Super Heavy in Texas. Before the vehicle can fly to orbit, the aerospace company needs to prove the system's core design works. Elon Musk said that the latest Starship prototype, called SN5, could soon perform an experimental "hop" hundreds of feet into the air. After experiencing an engine problem during a launch attempt on Monday, Musk said SpaceX will "figure out why" and try again Tuesday.  Several groups should broadcast live video of the next attempt on YouTube.  Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. If you think grain silos can't fly, you may be in for a surprise on Tuesday. SpaceX, the aerospace company founded by Elon Musk, is fervently working to develop a fully reusable, 39-story rocket system in Boca Chica, a relatively remote region at the southeastern tip of Texas. If the system, called Starship-Super Heavy, works as Musk has promised, it may reduce the cost of launching anything to space by about 1,000-fold, enable missions to the moon and Mars, and even allow for hypersonic travel around Earth. But first, SpaceX has to see if its core designs for Starship work. To that end, the company is moving briskly to build, test, and launch prototypes of the upper-stage spaceship, called Starship. According to a July 30 tweet from Musk, the first such full-scale vehicle will "hop" from a beachside launch site to about 492 feet (150 meters) in the air, hover parallel to the ground, and gently touch down on a concrete pad. To tee up that test flight, SpaceX on July 30 successfully fueled and ignited a Raptor engine on its latest Starship prototype, called SN5 (short for "serial number 5"). Musk confirmed a launch attempt from Boca Chica on Monday evening, but the rocket fizzled when it was supposed to lift off the ground. "Scrubbed for the day. A Raptor turbopump spin start valve didn't open, triggering an automatic abort," Musk tweeted shortly after the attempt. "We'll figure out why & retry tomorrow." According to an FAA airspace notice posted on Monday morning, SN5 could fly between 9 a.m. ET and 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday. (For safety reasons, SpaceX is required to file such notices before launching rockets.) Several groups with video cameras pointed at SpaceX's launch site streamed live footage of Monday's hop attempt, and they'll likely do so again Tuesday. A YouTube feed by LabPadre shows the closest view of the SN5 prototype, while SPadre's continuous live feed (filmed from a rooftop on South Padre Island about six miles away) shows a very wide view. NASASpaceFlight.com also streams live video and commentary of SpaceX's launch attempts. Their view on YouTube — courtesy of Boca Chica Village resident Mary McConaughey  — may offer the best all-around view and source of information. SpaceX had hoped to attempt a flight of SN5 on July 27, but Hurricane Hanna damaged a component that had to be fixed, Musk said. A previous FAA notice suggested the company would try to fly SN5 on Sunday — the same day as its successful attempt to land two NASA astronauts in the Gulf of Mexico — but the launch window came and went. (SpaceX's Demo -2 was an historic test flight of the company's Crew Dragon spaceship, a vehicle developed with about $2.7 billion in NASA funding.) Rapidly prototyping toward Mars SN5 is the latest of several full-scale Starship prototypes that SpaceX has built in Texas. The previous versions have either crumpled during tests or, as was the case on May 29, catastrophically exploded. Each failure has taught SpaceX valuable lessons to inform design and material changes, tweaks that Musk says are already being worked into the SN6, SN7, and SN8 prototypes, which are in various stages of assembly within the company's expanding and bustling work yards in South Texas. Musk has said SpaceX may need to build as many as 20 different versions before reaching orbit. The steel vehicles don't have wing-like canards or nosecones attached, in case something goes wrong in their earliest phases of testing, so they look more like flying fuel tanks or grain silos than rocket ships. However, as last year's test launch of an early Starship prototype called Starhopper showed, the flights of even experimental vehicles (shown above) can impress: On August 27, Starhopper soared about 492 feet (150 meters) into the air, translated across a launch site, and landed on a nearby concrete pad. SpaceX obtained a launch license from the FAA to send Starship prototypes on a "suborbital trajectory," meaning the experimental rocket ships could reach dozens of miles above Earth before returning and landing. However, it's uncertain if SpaceX eventually plans to launch SN5 on such an ambitious flight path if it survives the pending "hop." The company couldn't attempt more ambitious flights until late August at the soonest, though. On July 23, SpaceX asked the FCC for permission to communicate with prototypes flying as high as 12.4 miles (20 kilometers) within the next seven months. The earliest date noted on the request, which is still pending, is August 18. SpaceX is also pursuing a launch license for full-scale, orbital-class Starship-Super Heavy vehicles. Musk hopes Starship will launch a cargo mission to Mars in 2022, send a private crew around the moon in 2023, return NASA astronauts to the lunar surface in 2024, and even begin sending people to Mars the same year. Have a story or inside information to share about the spaceflight industry? Send Dave Mosher an email at dmosher+tips@businessinsider.com or a Twitter direct message at @davemosher. More secure communication options are listed here. This story has been updated with new information. It was originally published on July 21, 2020.SEE ALSO: SpaceX must pass a new environmental review before it can launch Starship-Super Heavy rockets from Texas, and it might add years to Elon Musk's Mars timeline DON'T MISS: Rocket Lab's founder and CEO Peter Beck opens up about the company's recent launch failure — and its spacecraft to reach the moon, Venus, or even Mars Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Why NASA waited nearly a decade to send astronauts into space from the US

President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that the lockdowns implemented during the coronavirus pandemic haven't reduced future infections and "inflict more harm" than they prevent.  "Lockdowns do not prevent infection in the future — they just don't. It comes back, many times. It comes back," Trump said at his press briefing.  Earlier on Monday, Dr. Anthony Fauci said certain US states that are experiencing rising infection rates and case surges should consider reimposing at least partial shutdowns.  Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. President Donald Trump on Monday claimed that the lockdowns implemented during the coronavirus pandemic haven't reduced future infections and "inflict more harm" than they prevent — contradicting Dr. Anthony Fauci. "It's important for all Americans to recognize that a permanent lockdown is not a viable path toward producing the result that you want," Trump said during his coronavirus-focused press briefing, adding that new lockdowns would "ultimately inflict more harm than it would prevent."  Overwhelming evidence has shown that lockdowns around the country and the world have helped the spread of COVID-19. Trump went on to argue that lockdowns, which involve shuttering non-essential businesses and closing schools, are designed to "buy time" for states and localities to build hospital capacity, research the virus, and develop treatments, but aren't effective in preventing future outbreaks.  "Lockdowns do not prevent infection in the future — they just don't. It comes back, many times. It comes back," he said. Earlier on Monday, Dr. Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert who's advising Trump, said certain US states that are experiencing rising infection rates and case surges should consider reimposing at least partial shutdowns.  Fauci told the Journal of the American Medical Association on Monday that some states outside of the South and West are seeing an "insidious increase" in the percent of positive COVID-19 tests — an early warning sign that these places could soon see uncontrolled surges in the virus. Experts say these states include Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. "You may need to pause, you may need to drop back a little bit. I don't think you necessarily have to revert to go all the way back to reclosing," Fauci told JAMA.  Fauci emphasized that it's of utmost importance to contain the virus before the fall when the influenza season begins.  Dr. Deborah Birx, another top public health expert advising the federal government, said on Sunday that the coronavirus pandemic had entered a "new phase" and reached an "extraordinarily widespread" community spread in both urban and rural areas.  Trump has undermined and publicly disagreed with Fauci on a number of issues related to the pandemic response. While the president has aggressively downplayed the threat the virus poses to Americans and resisted various efforts to mitigate the spread, he's accused Fauci of being an "alarmist" and calling for overly-extreme measures to fight COVID-19.  On Monday, Trump called Birx "pathetic" after she issued her stark warning about community spread. SEE ALSO: Biden VP prospect Karen Bass claims Scientology hadn't been 'exposed' before her 2010 praise of it, despite several high-profile media probes in the 1990s and 2000s Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: The rise and fall of Donald Trump's $365 million airline

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told House Democrats that Congress will likely not come to a middle ground on another coronavirus stimulus bill until mid-August. "It is my hope we could do it this week...but probably not until next week," the House Speaker said, according to a report from Politico. House Democrats and Senate Republicans have been at a standstill amid ongoing negotiations regarding a third stimulus bill to support Americans during the coronavirus pandemic. The HEROES Act (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act) was passed by House Democrats in May, and the HEALS Act (Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools Act) was unveiled by Senate Republicans last month. Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer met with Treasury Sec. Steve Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on Monday to discuss top-line numbers of both proposals. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told House Democrats that Congress will likely not come to an agreement on another pandemic relief package until next week, Politico reported Monday. House Democrats, Senate Republicans, and the White House have been at a standstill in ongoing negotiations over another stimulus package, particularly over the issue of the now-expired federal unemployment insurance. Democrats are arguing to extend the program to provide $600 weekly payments to unemployed Americans into the next year, while Republicans are seeking to scale down the program and redirect the funds to other parts of their proposal. Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer met with Treasury Sec. Steve Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on Monday to discuss top-line numbers of both proposals. The HEROES Act (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act) was passed by House Democrats in May, and the HEALS Act (Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools Act) was unveiled by Senate Republicans last month. "We are really getting an understanding of each side's position," Schumer said, according to the Politico report. "And we're making some progress on certain issues moving closer together. "There are a lot of issues that are still outstanding, but I think there is a desire to get something done as soon as we can," he continued. "And so, we're continuing to work." Mnuchin also said negotiators are getting "a little bit" closer to agreeing on creating a larger stimulus package but Meadows said that going over the $3 trillion threshold for the proposal is "not even a valid question," according to the Politico report. Pelosi told House Democrats on a conference call that negotiators on both sides would likely not come to a middle ground until mid-August, Politico reported. "It is my hope we could do it this week...but probably not until next week," the House Speaker said, citing the report. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made a dig at Pelosi and Schumer's approach to negotiations on the stimulus bill and their continued effort to push the House's HEROES Act. "The Speaker of the House and the Democratic leader are continuing to say our way or the highway," McConnell said on the Senate floor Monday. "[Schumer's] digging in on a House messaging bill written with no input from his own members, that even House Democrats themselves called absurd."Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Why American sunscreens may not be protecting you as much as European sunscreens

Steve Jurvetson, a venture capitalist who is friends with Elon Musk, was an early investor in both SpaceX and Tesla.  Jurvetson, who left the firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson in 2017 after he was accused of sexual harassment, co-founded his new firm, Future Ventures, in 2018 and launched a $200 million fund in 2019. On Monday, the VC appeared on the podcast, The Twenty Minute VC, to talk about his friendship with Elon Musk, as well as what VCs look for when they meet with pitching founders.  Here's what the VC looks for in potential founders.  Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Steve Jurvetson, a venture capitalist and long-time friend of Elon Musk, was an early investor in both SpaceX and Tesla. They've known each other for 24 years.  On Monday, the VC appeared on the podcast, The Twenty Minute VC, hosted by Harry Stebbings, to talk about his friendship with Musk, as well as what he looks for in founders when they're pitching for funds from investors.  Jurvetson had previously told Business Insider that he asks potential founders what the company will look like in 20 years. It's still his benchmark, and he explained further. "We want to invest in visionary founders," the VC told Stebbings on the podcast.  By asking founders about their 20-year vision, Jurvetson said, he can weed out founders who are simply looking to cash out. The VC said he looks for founders who are committed to their company for the long haul, and who have 20-year visions that are "more rich than anything they pitched."  "You want someone who is so deeply tied to their mission that they don't think about sort of the common logic of what's the best financial decision in the moment," the VC said. As entrepreneurs start crafting a vision for their company, Jurvetson said, those founders should take a page out of Elon Musk's playbook and launch "risky, save-the-world companies." The VC said Musk has an ability to focus on what's important at the moment, while still keeping an eye on the company's long-term vision. Jurvetson said that if you had asked Elon Musk about his 20-year vision when he founded Tesla in 2003, the CEO of Tesla would have said that in the future, every vehicle would be electric, "not just cars, but buses and boats and trains." Electric vehicles have the potential to save Earth and its citizens from suffering from the CO2 emissions that result from burning fossil fuels, Jurvetson said. Building an electric car was just the beginning. Jurvetson said that Musk's founding vision for SpaceX was not simply building a rocket, but colonizing Mars.  "Arguably it's a tough thing to pitch when you haven't yet built a rocket," the VC said, referring to Musk's ambition to colonize another planet, "and, yet that's really where his mind is at from the beginning." The VC said his eyes are peeled for founders who will go down in human history if their startup idea succeeds. "If SpaceX achieves its mission, humanity becomes a multiplanetary species," the VC said. "This will go down in the greatest hits of evolution, like the opposable thumb and like the neocortex." Jurvetson, who left the firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson in 2017 after he was accused of sexual harassment, co-founded his new firm, Future Ventures, in 2018 and launched a $200 million fund in 2019. The VC currently sits on the boards of Tesla and SpaceX. He took a leave from Tesla's board from November 2017 to April 2019, when it was announced that he will step down from the board at Tesla's 2020 Annual Meetings of Stockholders, which is slated for September 20, 2020, per Tesla's SEC filing.  Jurvetson, who also took a leave of absence from the SpaceX board following accusations of sexual harassment, will continue to serve on the SpaceX board, as TechCrunch previously reported.SEE ALSO: These two VCs were hobby Bitcoin miners a decade ago, and now they've raised $110 million for a second fund focused on cryptocurrencies and blockchain startups SEE ALSO: PITCH-DECK LIBRARY: Search through over 150 pitch decks that startups including Uber, Postmates, and Airbnb used to raise millions Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: How 'white savior' films like 'The Help' and 'Green Book' hurt Hollywood

SpaceX's Crew Dragon spaceship splashed into the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday, returning NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley from a high-stakes mission to the space station. The demonstration mission resurrected US human spaceflight after a nine-year hiatus. The astronauts were the first people to fly in a commercial spaceship. Here are 27 incredible photos from their journey. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. SpaceX and NASA made history on Sunday when a toasted, gumdrop-shaped spaceship splashed into the Gulf of Mexico. The Crew Dragon capsule — designed by SpaceX with funding from NASA — was returning astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to Earth after an unprecedented mission to the International Space Station. It was the first time a private company had taken humans into space. But this was just a demonstration mission. Its success tees NASA up to ferry astronauts regularly to and from the space station aboard the Crew Dragon.  "This day heralds a new age of space exploration," Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO, said in a briefing after the splashdown, adding, "I'm not very religious, but I prayed for this one." Here are the best photos from the launch, the astronauts' time in space, and their fiery plunge back to Earth.SEE ALSO: NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, whose husband just flew on SpaceX's Crew Dragon, will pilot the spaceship in the spring DON'T MISS: Meet Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, 2 'badass' astronauts, engineers, and 'space dads' who flew SpaceX's Crew Dragon to orbit and back Behnken and Hurley were the first people ever to fly a commercial spacecraft. Their mission, called Demo-2, revived the US's ability to launch and fly its own astronauts, which it lost after the Space Shuttle program ended in 2011. For the last nine years, NASA relied on increasingly expensive Russian Soyuz rockets to ferry its astronauts to and from the space station On May 30, Behnken and Hurley climbed into the Crew Dragon and launched into space atop one of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets. They had first attempted the launch three days earlier, but cloudy weather made it unsafe for the rocket to fly. On both launch days, the astronauts were helped into their spacesuits at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The men said goodbye to their families. Both are married to astronauts, and they each have a young son. NASA TV microphones picked up Behnken telling his son: "Be good for mom. Make her life easy." The astronauts couldn't hug their families because they had just spent two weeks in quarantine to ensure they didn't accidentally carry COVID-19 to the space station. Behnken and Hurley had been working with SpaceX for five years as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The program is NASA's solution to the void left by the space shuttles . It funded both SpaceX and Boeing to build human-grade commercial spaceships, but SpaceX got to its crewed flight first. In a press briefing ahead of the launch, Behnken told Business Insider that he and Hurley had gained more insight into the ways the mission could fail "than any crew has in recent history, just in terms of understanding the different scenarios that are at play." Inside Crew Dragon before they launched, NASA's livestream showed the astronauts closing their eyes and taking deep breaths as they waited for the final countdown. NASA had estimated a 1-in-276 chance that the mission would be fatal. Behnken said that they were "really comfortable" with those odds. The rocket lifted off at 3:22 p.m. ET, then the Crew Dragon capsule separated from the body of the Falcon 9. On Earth, teams from SpaceX and NASA celebrated the success. "I'm really quite overcome with emotion," Musk told reporters. "I've spent 18 years working toward this goal, so it's hard to believe that it's happened," Musk added. "This is hopefully the first step on a journey towards civilization on Mars, of life becoming multiplanetary, a base on the moon, and expanding beyond Earth." Once they were safely orbiting Earth, Behnken and Hurley named their Crew Dragon capsule "Endeavour" — a tribute to the last space shuttle ever built. The next day, Endeavour opened its nose cone and docked to the space station. After a hatch-opening procedure that took about two hours, Behnken and Hurley floated onto the ISS. Their new crewmates — NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner — were waiting to welcome them. Upon arrival, they displayed a trophy for SpaceX: a US flag that the last space shuttle crew left on the ISS. It waited nine years for NASA's next human launch from US soil. They effectively claimed victory for SpaceX in a game of capture the flag that Barack Obama started when he developed the Commercial Crew Program. The spaceship remained docked to the ISS for the next two months. It was designed to survive up to 110 days in the harsh environment of space. While on the ISS, Behnken and Hurley worked on science experiments that NASA conducts in microgravity. Behnken and Cassidy went on a couple of spacewalks together. They did routine maintenance outside the station: replacing batteries, installing new equipment, and removing old parts. Then came the high-stakes final leg of the Demo-2 mission: coming home. Behnken and Hurley crawled back into the Crew Dragon on Saturday, August 1, and undocked from the space station. After a night's rest for the astronauts (and several hours of maneuvering the spaceship), the Endeavour capsule fired its thrusters and pushed itself into Earth's atmosphere on Sunday.   Musk had previously said the blistering, 3,500-degree-Fahrenheit plunge through Earth's atmosphere was his "biggest concern." That's because of the capsule's asymmetric design, which is necessary for the emergency-escape system that jettisons the capsule away if a launching rocket fails in midair.  "If you rotate too much, then you could potentially catch the plasma in the super Draco escape thruster pods," Musk told Aviation Week's Irene Klotz in May, a few days before the launch. "We've looked at this six ways to Sunday, so it's not that I think this will fail. It's just that I worry a bit that it is asymmetric on the backshell." At the end of the astronauts' descent, parachutes slowed the fall. The capsule landed in the Gulf of Mexico at 2:48 p.m. ET on Sunday, off the coast of Pensacola, Florida. SpaceX and NASA teams in speedboats rushed to recover the capsule and pull the astronauts out — but civilian onlookers in their own boats swarmed the scene, too. "Maybe next time we shouldn't announce our landing zone," the SpaceX engineer Kate Tice said during NASA's live feed of the landing. Even cosmonaut Ivan Vagner — the astronauts' former crewmate on the International Space Station — could see the boats speeding toward the capsule from 250 miles above Earth. Tweet Embed: //twitter.com/mims/statuses/1290014627087167496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw .@AstroBehnken и @Astro_Doug, I congratulate you on your successful return to Earth! A few minutes after landing, the ISS flew over the #CrewDragon splashdown site in the Gulf of Mexico. pic.twitter.com/MZugsCt8tw In a statement to CBS, the Coast Guard said it warned boaters multiple times ahead of the splashdown with radio alerts and physical warnings, yet lacked an order to legally enforce a hazard zone. "Numerous boaters ignored the Coast Guard crews' requests and decided to encroach the area, putting themselves and those involved in the operation in potential danger," the statement said. Some of the boats passed close to the capsule, including one with a passenger waving a Trump flag. NASA officials said this was dangerous for the astronauts and the onlookers.   That's because the Endeavour capsule can be shrouded in poisonous fumes after it plummets through Earth's atmosphere.  The crowd "was not what we were anticipating," NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a briefing after the splashdown.  "That's not something that is good," he added. "We need to make sure that we're warning people not to get close to the spacecraft in the future."   After clearing away the unauthorized boats, the recovery team lifted the toasted capsule out of the water. The team picked up a dangerous gas around the capsule called nitrogen tetroxide. They waited for it to clear before opening the spaceship's hatch. The recovery team then helped Behnken and Hurley out of their seats and onto stretchers — a standard procedure for astronauts post-landing — so they could get immediate medical evaluations. The men were fine but found it difficult to stand after the splashdown. That's normal for ISS astronauts, since their bodies become accustomed to floating in space and suddenly have to work much harder to move against Earth's gravity. A helicopter took Behnken and Hurley to dry land. "This has been a quite an odyssey the last five, six, seven, eight years," Hurley told team members and press shortly after the landing. "When the space shuttles retired, when Doug took his final flight to wrap that up, I think it was a sad day for us," Behnken said. "There's something special about having that capability to launch and bring your own astronauts home." Dave Mosher contributed reporting.

Microsoft's plans to buy TikTok may seem crazy at first, but it's all about the data. TikTok would give Microsoft eyes into a market where it is mostly blind: smartphone use among Generation Z. But there's another appealing side for Microsoft: TikTok is reportedly a huge customer of arch-rival Google Cloud. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. At first glance, Microsoft's talks to acquire TikTok's US operations from Chinese owner ByteDance seems somewhere between odd and crazy. But at second glance and beyond, it could be a brilliant strategic move. That's because the deal is all about data, the cloud, and an opportunity for Microsoft to own something that could be as big as YouTube for the next generation — complete with at least 80 million US users already (and probably more, given that the app has been downloaded 2 billion times) — at a potentially bargain price, thanks to the growing list of companies and governments banning or threatening to ban the app. And if the deal goes through, it would also take a shot at Microsoft's longtime arch-rival Google in the doing. With TikTok, Redmond would gain eyes in an area where it has been mostly blind: Generation Z's smartphone use. When a user downloads TikTok, the app collects a lot of information by default (although its privacy policy says that users can opt out of some). This includes info about the smartphone itself, as well as the users' location, data gathered by other social media sites and third-party data collectors, the content of private messages, and other websites the person visits, according to TikTok's privacy policy. Microsoft doesn't have a popular smartphone operating system, nor is its Bing search engine the preferred choice on most phones. This means that TikTok could be Microsoft's best choice for visibility into what the next generation is doing with and on their phones. Microsoft could use this data to challenge the Google/Facebook duopoly in online advertising, or in myriad other ways. But the best part for Microsoft is that such a deal could also come at the expense of its arch rival Google, and its Google Cloud. While Google Cloud is a smaller challenger to Microsoft Azure, Google has big ambitions for its cloud. In May, 2019, TikTok signed a three-year agreement with Google Cloud to buy more than $800 million in cloud services, The Information's Kevin McLaughlin and Amir Efrati reported last month. Even if Microsoft's purchase of TikTok wouldn't negate that deal immediately, Microsoft would likely snatch TikTok away from Google Cloud and move it to its own Azure at the earliest opportunity. Such a move would be about more than lost revenue for Google: It would take-away from Google Cloud a huge marquee user that shows other potential customers it can handle big workloads and their long-term cloud needs. But the deal is opportunistic, too. TikTok is facing an existential threat — India has already banned the app, as had much of the US military and some private companies, like Wells Fargo thanks to fears that its Chinese origins make it a security threat (allegations the company has repeatedly denied). The Trump administration has been threatening to have it banned it in America, too. Microsoft is one of the few companies with deep enough pockets, and enough of a business need, to make an offer. And it knows it's negotiating from a position of strength. Neither TikTok nor Google Cloud immediately responded to our request for comment. Now read 'I was seen as a risk': Successful Black founders share frustrating experiences while raising venture capital, and how they triumphed anyway Research shows that VCs have stopped pushing founders into workaholism to achieve hypergrowth during the pandemic — but one VC says it won't last Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: 7 secrets about Washington, DC landmarks you probably didn't know

Twitter is under investigation by the FTC and could face a fine of anywhere between $150 million to $250 million, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing Monday. Twitter said the FTC notified it of allegations that it improperly targeted ads at users based on information they had provided for "safety and security purposes," in violation a 2011 agreement. Twitter admitted last year that it had "inadvertently" targeted users with ads based on information they had provided to better secure their accounts. The company's privacy and security practices have come under renewed scrutiny following a major hack last month that resulted in dozens of high-profile accounts being compromised. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Twitter disclosed in a regulatory filing Monday that it is under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission related to allegations that it violated a 2011 consent agreement  — and that it's expecting a "probable loss" of somewhere between $150 million and $250 million. "Following the announcement of our Q2 financial results, we received a draft complaint from the FTC alleging violations of our 2011 consent order. Following standard accounting rules we included an estimated range for settlement in our 10Q filed on August 3," a Twitter spokesperson told Business Insider. A spokesperson for the FTC declined to comment. The FTC's complaint specifically centers on Twitter's alleged use of "phone number and/or email address data provided for safety and security purposes for targeted advertising during periods between 2013 and 2019," according to the filing. Twitter said in the filing that it had set aside $150 million to cover a potential fine from the FTC, noting that "the matter remains unresolved, and there can be no assurance as to the timing or the terms of any final outcome." Last October, Twitter admitted that it had used phone numbers and emails — which users had uploaded with the intention of securing their accounts with two-factor authentication — in order to target them with ads. Twitter said the data had been used "inadvertently" and that it didn't know how many people had been affected. In the complaint, the FTC alleges that incident put Twitter in violation of a agreement it reached with the agency in 2011, which was part of a settlement of charges that the company "deceived consumers and put their privacy at risk by failing to safeguard their personal information." As part of that settlement, the FTC barred Twitter "from misleading consumers about the extent to which it protects the security, privacy, and confidentiality" of their private information, and it also required Twitter to implement a "comprehensive information security program" subject to independent audit every other year. Twitter is facing renewed scrutiny surrounding its security measures following a major hack last month where employees were tricked into giving hackers access to internal tools that allowed them to hijack dozens of high-profile accounts including those of Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Elon Musk, Kanye West, Apple, and Uber. The hackers then used the accounts to orchestrate a cryptocurrency scam that netted them at least $120,000. Three individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident.Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: How 'white savior' films like 'The Help' and 'Green Book' hurt Hollywood

Esther Salas, a US federal judge, released a video on Monday concerning the July 19 killing of her son. "Two weeks ago, my life as I knew it changed in an instant, and my family will never be the same," Salas said. Salas called for federal judges to enjoy greater privacy protections, noting that her son's killer had found her home address online. "We may not be abler to stop something like this again, but we can make it hard for those who target us to track us down," she said. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. A federal judge who authorities say her family was targeted by an "anti-feminist" killer, leaving her son dead and husband gravely wounded, released a video on Monday pleading for action to prevent such future tragedies. "Two weeks ago, my life as I knew it changed in an instant, and my family will never be the same," US Judge Esther Salas said in the video. "A madman, who I believe was targeting me because of my position as a federal judge, came to my house." Posing as a delivery driver, that suspect, Roy Den Hollander, opened fire on Judge Salas' son, Daniel, who was at the New Jersey home celebrating his 20th birthday. Mother and son had been talking after a "glorious" weekend when the doorbell rang. Daniel rushed to see who it was. "This monster, who had a FedEx package in his hand, opened fire," Salas noted. "He took the shooter's first bullet directly to the chest. The monster then turned his attention to his husband... one shot after another." Salas' husband remains hospitalized. Hollander was later found in his car, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot. Authorities believe the judge's family was targeted because she was overseeing a lawsuit filed by the alleged killer alleging that the military draft is unconstitutional because it only pertains to men. In her video, Salas called for action to protect the privacy of federal judges, noting that her address and other private information are available for sale on the internet. "We may not be abler to stop something like this again, but we can make it hard for those who target us to track us down," she said. According to The New York Times, the two US Senators from New Jersey, Robert Menendez and Cory Booker, are working on legislation to do just that, aiming to "keep personal information about federal judges outside of the public domain." Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.comJoin the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Inside London during COVID-19 lockdown

Over 75% of the original signatories to Bill Gates and Warren Buffett's Giving Pledge — a promise to give away the majority of their wealth — are richer now than they were when they signed in 2010, a new report by the progressive think tank Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) found. The report suggests that many signatories are making money faster than they are giving it away. The net worths of nine of the original signatories, including Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg, Home Depot cofounder Ken Langone, and Salesforce's Marc Benioff have grown by more than 200%, per IPS.  Many ultrawealthy philanthropists make large donations to private foundations that provide massive tax breaks and aren't legally required to dispense their funds to help people, IPS reported. The Giving Pledge does not oversee signatories' donations, according to the organization's website. Over 200 billionaires from 23 countries have signed the Pledge, which could be worth up to $600 billion by 2022, research firm Wealth-X found.  A representative of The Giving Pledge did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment on the IPS report's findings. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. SEE ALSO: MacKenzie Scott, the ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, donated $1.7 billion on Wednesday. By Friday, she'd made it all back — and then some. DON'T MISS: Hundreds of pitchfork-wielding protesters gathered outside billionaires' Hamptons mansions to demand a wealth tax Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: What it takes to be a PGA Tour caddie

Social video-turned e-commerce platform MikMak has raised $10 million, for a total of $14 million raised, the company announced on Monday. The social-video-commerce platform turned into a broader enterprise-software platform in February and has been helping brands optimize their online sales. MikMak says it can help brands and retailers understand what channels, audiences, and creative get people to buy. MikMak says it works with more than 150 brands and retailers and has Colgate, L'Oréal, Hershey's, Petco, and P&G among its clients. Click here for more BI Prime stories. Social video-turned e-commerce platform MikMak has raised $10 million, for a total of $14 million raised, the company announced on Monday. Wavecrest Growth Partners led the Series A round, which included existing investors including Luminari Capital and Brave Ventures, and new investors including Lunch Partners and Madrona Venture Group. The funding comes as brands increasingly adapt to e-commerce at a faster clip amid the pandemic, with mobile e-commerce sales poised to hit $250 billion in 2020. MikMak said it works with more than 150 brands and retailers including Colgate, L'Oréal, Hershey's, Petco, and P&G, and that its revenue grew 50% between March and June. Until recently, MikMak helped brands and retailers sell products on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. But in February, the startup shifted gears to becoming an enterprise-software platform that it says can help brands optimize their online sales. MikMak can show brands their e-commerce business in one spot through a new product, MikMak Dashboard, that shows what channels, audiences, and creative drive sales, MikMak founder and CEO Rachel Tipograph told Business Insider earlier this year. "I realized that from a product-development perspective, I could build something that wasn't just useful to the digital and social team, but also to the CRM team, shopper-marketing team, and the consumer-insights team," Tipograph said. "I wasn't providing visibility for what was happening real time in the market across platforms and retailers. And that's why I decided to build this product." MikMak says it can help companies make better and faster e-commerce decisions  MikMak says the dashboard can help companies manage and track their sales across platforms and retailers based on channels, location, and influencers, and show what products are doing well by platform or retailer. Hershey's and Petco said they have seen positive results from using the platform. MikMak helped Hershey nudge consumers to not just buy products but also buy them in the right context, Doug Straton, the company's chief digital officer, told Business Insider in February. The company saw conversion rates higher than the industry average while testing the dashboard between December 2019 and February 2020, he said. Petco credits MikMak with helping it attract more brand vendors by letting Petco give the vendors control over their shopping experience, Tariq Hassan, Petco's chief marketing officer, said in February. It's also helped Petco reduce bounce rates on its own website by 23%, he said. But competition is heating up MikMak started out making short and catchy infomercials on behalf of brands on social platforms, then it built video technology to enable shopping on platforms. But with platforms like Instagram building their own checkouts, competition is heating up.  Tipograph said those checkouts were just those platforms, while MikMak is building consistent storefront across channels with standardized reporting.Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Swayze Valentine is the only female treating fighters' cuts and bruises inside the UFC octagon

After Walmart became the first major retailer to announce plans to close on Thanksgiving Day, other companies are starting to follow suit, citing the coronavirus outbreak as the catalyst.  The closures are challenging the future of the already contentious practice of staying open on the holiday, which some retailers have dismissed in recent years.  Here's the full list of retailers who have announced they are abandoning their Thanksgiving Day hours and early doorbusters in favor of staying closed. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. A growing number of retailers are opting to close their doors on Thanksgiving Day as the pandemic continues to cause seismic changes to the way Americans shop.  After Walmart became the first major retailer to announce that it will close all stores nationwide on Thanksgiving Day, others are starting to follow suit. Like Walmart, they cite the coronavirus outbreak as the catalyst for the closures, joining a growing effort that calls into question the already fiercely debated practice of leaving stores open on the holiday. In recent years, some companies that were previously opened on Thanksgiving have already moved to ditch the practice.  "We know this has been a trying year, and our associates have stepped up. We hope they will enjoy a special Thanksgiving Day at home with their loved ones," John Furner, the president and CEO of Walmart US, said in a statement in July. "We are certainly thankful to our people for all of their efforts." Here's the full list of retailers that have announced they are ditching Thanksgiving Day hours and early doorbusters this year. As part of their efforts, some are extending pandemic bonuses or premium pay, as well as offering holiday deals earlier in the season both in-store and online to prevent crowding.  Business Insider has also reached out to an additional 21 retailers that were open last Thanksgiving— including JCPenney, Macy's, Best Buy, Walgreens, and Bed Bath & Beyond, among others — and will update accordingly as we have more information. SEE ALSO: Target will take a page from Walmart and close its doors on Thanksgiving Day, ending a Black Friday tradition Walmart Walmart was the first major retailer to announce it would close on Thanksgiving Day, a decision that will impact all Walmart and Sam's Club stores around the country. The company has traditionally stayed open on the holiday in recent years, offering early doorbusters sales in advance of the Black Friday shopping holiday.  The decision was largely inspired by a request from a supervisor at a Texas Walmart store, according to a letter sent to employees last week by John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart US. "We know holiday shopping will be different this year, and we will be managing sales events differently," Furner wrote. "Kevin Carlyle is the People Lead at Store #475 in Round Rock, Texas. He recently wrote us and suggested that we close for Thanksgiving during this unusual year, so that our associates could spend the day with their families."  Employees also learned last week that they will receive a third round of pandemic bonuses, Business Insider's Hayley Peterson reported.  Target Target CEO Brian Cornell announced in a press release on July 27 that the company will keep its doors closed on Thanksgiving Day, adding that it will start running holiday deals earlier in October both in-store and online in an effort to prevent crowding.  "The investments we've made in our business and our incredible team have enabled us to move with flexibility and speed to meet guests' changing needs during this global pandemic," Cornell said in a press release. "This year more than ever, a joyful holiday will be inseparable from a safe one, and we're continuing to adjust our plans to deliver ease, value and the joy of the season in a way that only Target can." Dick's Sporting Goods Within just a couple hours of Target's announcement, Dick's Sporting Goods joined the effort and announced it will also close for business on Thanksgiving Day. "We are so thankful to our teammates for their hard work and dedication," Ed Stack, Dick's Sporting Goods chairman and CEO, said in a press release. "They have navigated this year with strength, commitment and care for each other and for our customers. We will continue to do all we can to support them and show our gratitude." As part of the announcement, Stack said that employees will continue to receive a 15 percent pandemic pay premium through the end of the year. Information on Black Friday hours will be shared at a later date, according to the release.  Best Buy Best Buy announced on July 28 that it would not open on Thanksgiving Day, and is instead "enhancing" the way it fulfills orders by improving the order pickup process and ensuring timeliness of online orders, according to a post on its corporate website. Additionally, Best Buy plans to offer holiday deals earlier this year to accommodate for the closure, according to the blog.  "We can all agree that, so far, 2020 has turned out differently than what we might have expected," the blog reads. "And now, the holiday season at Best Buy, including Thanksgiving Day, is going to look different, too."         Kohl's Kohl's announced on July 29 that it would close on Thanksgiving Day, writing in a blog post that the decision came in anticipation of shoppers opting to shop earlier and online "given the importance of safety and convenience." "The holiday season is when Kohl's shines brightest, and as we move into the holiday season of this very unusual year, we are adapting our plans in response to changing customer expectations and behaviors," Kohl's CEO Michelle Gass said a statement on the company website. "We are deeply appreciative of how our team of Kohl's associates have shown up to serve our customers through this pandemic and know that they will continue to show Kohl's at our best throughout the holidays." JCPenney In a post shared on the JCPenney company blog on August 3, the company announced that it wll forego its usual Thanksgiving Day operating hours to honor its "dedicated associates and customers"and "allow them to stay safe, relax, and enjoy the day with loved ones." Instead, JCPenney is encouraging shoppers to make early purchases online and participate in continuing curbside service efforts, according to the blog.  "Customer shopping behaviors have evolved, and JCPenney has adapted to new ways of serving customers safely and conveniently through: our flagship store, jcp.com, that is faster and easier to use, our improved mobile application, which provides an elevated experience showcasing our compelling merchandise, and our contact-free curbside pickup available at all of our go-forward locations," the blog states. 

  The best rewards checking accounts of August 2020 Bank Standout feature Opening deposit APY Radius Bank Rewards Checking Account Best for cash back rewards $100 0.10% - 0.15% APY Axos Bank Rewards Checking Best interest rate for banks $50 Up to 1.25% Consumers Credit Union Free Rewards Checking Account Best interest rate for credit unions $5 0% - 4.09% APY Chase Chase Total Checking® Best for a sign-up bonus $100 None When you think of bank accounts that offer the best bang for your buck, your mind might jump to a high-yield savings account, money market account, or CD. In many cases, checking accounts are just places to hold your cash until you spend it. But a rewards checking account can work just as hard for you as a savings account can. A good rewards checking account should offer a promotion that's enticing enough to make you choose that account over any other. The reward should also be relatively easy to obtain, whether it's cash back, interest, or a sign-up bonus. You also don't want to sign up for a checking account that offers a great reward, only to be bogged down by high fees or poor customer support once you've opened the account. It's important that a rewards checking account be a good fit overall. Below we've listed our picks for the best rewards checking account right now. We know "best" means something different for everyone, so we've listed each bank account's strengths, as well as its limitations. How our list compares to other publications Research is an important part of choosing a rewards checking account, and Business Insider isn't the only website looking for the best rewards. To help you make a decision, we've compared our top picks with lists from other publications. Keep in mind that each publication has different methodologies for identifying the "best" rewards checking accounts. We included a checkmark under each publication name if it also recommended an account we chose in its roundup.   Personal Finance Insider NerdWallet SmartAsset ValuePenguin Radius Bank Rewards Checking ✓ ✓ ✓   Axos Bank Rewards Checking ✓ ✓   ✓ Consumers Credit Union Free Rewards Checking ✓ ✓     Chase Total Checking® (Member FDIC) ✓ ✓ ✓   We looked at the rewards when choosing our top picks — but we also looked at factors like how easy it is to get the reward, fees associated with accounts, and other perks or limitations. Best for cash back rewards Radius Bank Rewards Checking Account Why it stands out: Most cash back checking accounts limit how much you can earn in cash back per month, but you can earn unlimited cash back with a Radius Bank Rewards Checking account. You'll earn 1% cash back on most purchases and 1.5% cash back on select purchases. Along with paying cash back, you may qualify to earn interest on your checking account balance. How to get the reward: To earn cash back on purchases, you must select "credit" when you swipe your debit card. You'll earn 1% cash back on all purchases, and you'll earn 1.5% cash back on the following purchases when you select "credit": Health: Drug stores, health practitioners, medical services, and pharmacies Food/Restaurants/Groceries: Convenience stores, fast food restaurants, and food delivery Entertainment: Bookstores, cable, computer software stores, and streaming services Social good: Charitable and social service organizations Monthly fee: $0 What to look out for: Minimum account balance to earn APY. You won't earn any interest if your balance is under $2,500, and your APY will increase once your balance hits $100,000. Best interest rate for banks Axos Bank Rewards Checking Why it stands out: You can earn up to 1.25% on your money, regardless of your balance. Axos also offers unlimited reimbursements for out-of-network ATM fees charged by operators. How to get the reward: With the Axos Bank Rewards Checking account, you earn interest in stages — with each goal you accomplish, you earn a little more interest. Here are the three goals: Earn 0.4166% when you receive at least $1,000 in direct deposits in a month Earn 0.4166% when you make 10 debit card transactions in a month (minimum $3 per transaction) Earn 0.4166% when you make an additional five debit card transactions, or 15 total, in a month (minimum $3 per transaction) If you accomplish all three goals in a month, you earn a total of 1.25% APY. Monthly fee: $0 What to look out for: Opening deposit. You need at least $50 to open an Axos Bank Rewards Checking account. Best interest rate for credit unions Consumers Credit Union Free Rewards Checking Account Why it stands out: You have the ability to earn up to 4.09% on your checking account balance. Consumers Cred Union (Federally insured by NCUA) also pays unlimited refunds on fees charged by out-of-network ATM providers. One of the main differences between banks and credit unions is that you must meet certain qualifications to join a credit union, such as living in specific US states, working for a given company, or having a family member who is already a member. It's easier to join Consumers Credit Union than many credit unions — you just have to pay a one-time fee of $5 to the Consumers Cooperative Association. How to get the reward: Here are the APY tiers: Earn 2.09% on balances up to $10,000 when you sign up to receive eDocuments, make 12 debit card purchases per month, and receive $500 per month in direct deposits, mobile check deposits, or transfers from other banks. Earn 3.09% on balances up to $10,000 when you meet the qualifications to earn 2.09% and spend $500 per month with your Consumers Credit Union credit card. Earn 4.09% on balances up to $10,000 when you meet the qualifications to earn 3.09% and spend $1,000 per month with your Consumers Credit Union credit card. Earn 0.20% on balances between $10,000.01 and $25,000 when you receive eDocuments, make 12 debit card purchases per month, and receive $500 per month in direct deposits, mobile check deposits, or transfers from other banks. Earn 0.10% on balances of $25,000.01 and more when you receive eDocuments, make 12 debit card purchases per month, and receive $500 per month in direct deposits, mobile check deposits, or transfers from other banks. Monthly fee: $0 What to look out for: Balance tiers. You need a Consumers Credit Union credit card to earn the maximum APY, and if you don't meet any of the qualifications listed, you won't earn interest at all. Best for a sign-up bonus Chase Total Checking® Why it stands out: The Chase Total Checking® account pays a solid sign-up bonus of $200. You can find higher cash bonuses, but usually at banks that either have fewer locations than Chase or charge higher monthly fees. Chase also makes it easy to qualify for the $200 reward. How to get the reward: Open an account by October 14, 2020. Make a direct deposit within 90 days of opening the account, and keep the account open for six months, or the $300 will be deducted from your account at closing. Monthly fee: $12 What to look out for: Monthly service fee. The $12 fee is a little steep, but Chase gives you several ways to waive it. Other rewards checking accounts we considered, and why they didn't make the cut: Axos Bank™ CashBack Checking (Member FDIC): You'll earn 1% cash back with a $1,500 minimum balance, but this rewards checking account doesn't pay interest like Radius does. Discover Cashback Debit (Member FDIC): You don't have to maintain a minimum balance to earn 1% cash back with this account, but you're limited to earning cash back on $3,000 of eligible purchases per month. Redneck Bank Rewards Checkin' Account (Member FDIC): You'll earn a high APY on balances up to $10,000, and a decent APY on any amount over $10,000 — but you need an opening deposit of at least $500. Kasasa checking accounts: Kasasa is a company with partner banks all around the United States. You'll likely find a good rewards checking account if there is a partner bank near you, but rewards vary from bank to bank. Lake Michigan Credit Union Max Checking (Federally insured by NCUA): You'll earn a high APY on balances under $15,000, but only residents of certain parts of the US can join this credit union. HSBC Premier Checking (Member FDIC): You can earn a $450 bonus when you set up this account, or earn a 3% cash bonus up to $600, but you'll pay a $50 monthly fee unless you meet some lofty qualifications. Associated Bank: You'll earn a $200, $300, or $500 sign-up bonus, but there are only branch locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. SunTrust Advantage Checking (Member FDIC): You'll earn $400 when you sign up for this account, but there is a $20 monthly fee. TD Bank Beyond Checking (Member FDIC): There's no expiration date for this sign-up bonus, and you'll pocket $300 — but there's a $25 monthly service fee. Citizens Bank: You'll earn $300 when you open a checking account and up to $600 if you also open a savings account, but you must be a resident of one of 11 US states. Chase Premier Plus Checking℠ (Member FDIC): You can get a $300 bonus by setting up this account, but you'll pay a $25 monthly fee. PNC Virtual Wallet with Performance Select (Member FDIC): PNC pays a $300 bonus, but there's a $25 monthly fee. HSBC Advance Checking (Member FDIC): You can receive $200 sign-up bonus or earn a 3% cash bonus (up to $240), but there's a $25 monthly service fee. PNC Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend (Member FDIC): You'll get a $200 welcome bonus, but there's a $25 monthly fee. SunTrust Essential Checking (Member FDIC): This account's monthly fee is lower than what you'll pay with the Advantage Account, but the bonus is much lower. Citibank Basic Banking Package (Member FDIC): You'll get a $200 bonus, but it's harder to qualify for the bonus than with Chase. Huntington 5 Checking (Member FDIC): There's no minimum deposit, and the $5 monthly fee is relatively easy to waive — but it's a little harder to qualify for the bonus than with Chase. TD Bank Convenience Checking (Member FDIC): You'll receive a $150 bonus, but there's a $15 monthly fee. Huntington Asterisk-Free Checking (Member FDIC): There's no opening deposit or monthly fee with this checking account, but the $150 bonus is less than what you'll get with Chase. City National Bank (Member FDIC): You'll receive a $100 bonus when you open one of several checking accounts, which is less than what you'll earn with Chase. Bank of America (Member FDIC): This $100 bonus is significantly lower than Chase's $200 bonus. PNC Virtual Wallet (Member FDIC): The monthly fee is only $7, but the sign-up bonus is relatively low. Frequently asked questions Why trust our recommendations? Personal Finance Insider's mission is to help smart people make the best decisions with their money. We understand that "best" is often subjective, so in addition to highlighting the clear benefits of a financial product or account — a high APY or sign-up bonus, for example — we outline the limitations, too. We spent hours comparing and contrasting the features and fine print of various products so you don't have to. How did we choose the best rewards checking accounts? We reviewed over two dozen rewards checking accounts to identify the strongest options. We also cross-referenced our list against popular comparison sites like SmartAsset and NerdWallet to make sure we didn't miss a thing.  We looked at the reward offered by a checking account — such as a high APY or sign-up bonus — but we also considered how easy or difficult it is to receive a reward. And we considered other factors that make a checking account strong or weak, including opening deposits, monthly fees, and ATM accessibility. What is a rewards checking account? A rewards checking account is one that offers more than just a place to store your money before you spend it. It offers rewards such as cash back, a high APY, or a sign-up bonus. Typically, you have to meet certain qualifications to receive a reward, like maintain a minimum account balance or use your debit card a certain number of times per month. Or there are limitations — for example, you can earn cash back up to a certain dollar amount per month, or you earn a high rate on balances up to $10,000. What bank has the best rewards program? Right now, the banks that offer the best rewards programs are Radius Bank (Member FDIC), Axos Bank (Member FDIC), Consumers Credit Union, and Chase. However, you can check our "Other rewards checking accounts we considered" section to see if another bank has a rewards program that suits your needs. What is a cash back checking account? You've probably heard about cash back credit cards, but there are a few cash back checking accounts, too. When you swipe your debit card, you earn a percentage of the money you spend back into your checking account — it's sort of like getting a discount on every purchase you make with your debit card. Do debit cards earn rewards? Typically, debit cards do not earn you rewards — but debit cards attached to rewards checking accounts are the exceptions. Many rewards checking accounts link your reward to your debit card in some way. You may earn cash back when you swipe your debit card or qualify for a higher APY if you swipe your debit card a certain number of times per month. However, not all checking account rewards are tied to debit cards. Are interest checking accounts worth it? It depends. Most banks place more emphasis on earning interest with a savings account than with a checking account. Because you probably spend from your checking account and deposit money into your savings account, your checking account balance gets smaller and smaller (at least until payday), and your savings account ideally gets bigger and bigger.  If you tend to keep a lot of money in your checking account, then an interest-bearing checking account could be worth it. If your balance typically stays low, you may want to look for a reward other than a high APY, like cash back or a sign-up bonus. This post was most recently updated on August 3, 2020. Related Content Module: More Savings CoverageJoin the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: What it's like inside North Korea's controversial restaurant chain

Microsoft is in talks to purchase TikTok, the massively popular video app that's owned and operated by the Chinese company ByteDance. The purchase talks come amid threats from President Donald Trump to ban the app in the United States. Trump says the app funnels user information to the Chinese government, and must be operated by an American company to ensure the safety of user information. The cost to purchase TikTok could be as high as $50 billion, according to a recent valuation reported by Reuters. Anywhere near that number would make it one of the biggest tech acquisitions of all time. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Microsoft is in talks to buy wildly popular video sharing platform TikTok from Chinese owner ByteDance, and the deal could go as high as $50 billion — the latest valuation given to TikTok by its investors, according to a recent Reuters report. That would make it the second-highest tech acquisition price of all time, well above the prices paid in dozens of major acquisitions. !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Here's a look at the history of tech's most expensive acquisitions, from Apple's measly $3 billion purchase of Beats all the way to Dell's notoriously expensive acquisition of EMC Corporation for a whopping $67 billion:SEE ALSO: Microsoft to continue talks to acquire TikTok's US operations after Trump threatened to ban the app in the US 27. Apple bought Beats in 2014 for $3 billion. Apple's purchase of Beats in 2014 was a two-part play: For the Beats headphone lineup, and for foundational software that would eventually lead to Apple Music. It also led to a notorious (and hilarious) video of Dr. Dre celebrating the sale with his friend Tyrese that reportedly caused Apple to "freak out." 26. Google bought Nest in 2014 for $3.2 billion. Google's purchase of Nest in 2014 was a strategic pickup in Google's ongoing battle with Amazon in the smart home market. Nest's widely used thermostat was an early hit in the smart home business, and the Google division has only expanded out its offerings since being acquired. 25. Walmart bought Jet.com in 2016 for $3.3 billion. Through the acquisition of Jet.com in 2016, Walmart bolstered its online storefront and has become a major player in the ecommerce market. Though Jet.com itself has since shuttered, the talent and technology that came with it live on through Walmart's online presence. 24. Cisco bought AppDynamics in 2017 for $3.7 billion. Just as AppDynamics was set to go public, the company was purchased at the eleventh hour by Cisco for $3.7 billion — an effort from Cisco to push further away from its hardware roots into the software and services business. Adobe bought Marketo in 2018 for $4.75 billion. Adobe's purchase of Marketo added the company's services to its "Adobe Experience Cloud," a business software suite sold by Adobe. Marketo's software added several marketing services to the AEC. Microsoft bought aQuantive in 2007 for $6.3 billion. In 2007, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer led an acquisition of a company named aQuantive worth over $6 billion. Though the purchase was intended to get Microsoft more deeply involved in the online advertising business, it ultimately led to a massive $6.2 billion writedown. Salesforce bought MuleSoft in 2018 for $6.5 billion. Relatively unknown prior to being purchased by Salesforce, MuleSoft has become a major part of the cloud giant's portfolio. The standout service provided by MuleSoft is named Anypoint, and it enables Salesforce developers to make disparate app work together. It was the first of two major acquisitions Salesforce made in the last few years. Microsoft bought Nokia in 2014 for $7.2 billion. Among the many acquisitions made under the leadership of former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, the purchase of Nokia for $7.2 billion was among the least successful. Less than two years after the purchase, Microsoft's new CEO Satya Nadella took a $7.6 billion writedown in financials and laid off nearly 8,000 Nokia employees. Oracle bought Sun Microsystems in 2009 for $7.4 billion. Oracle's purchase of Sun Microsystems was very specific: To own the rights to the Java programming language. Those rights would eventually lead to an ongoing legal battle with Google. For Sun Microsystems, which was in decline and saddled with loads of debt at the time, an acquisition was a lifeline. Microsoft bought GitHub in 2019 for $7.5 billion. For Microsoft, a company founded by computer programmers, the acquisition of GitHub makes a lot of sense: It offers a direct path for the massive network of computer-minded GitHub users into Microsoft's large ecosystem. It also offers a potential pipeline for some of the world's most computer savvy folks to work at Microsoft. Microsoft bought Skype in 2011 for $8.5 billion. For years, before Google Hangouts and Zoom chats offered other options, Microsoft-owned Skype was the de fact video chat software. Things have changed over time, of course, but Microsoft's 2011 purchase of Skype was a strategic move into consumer communications software that has continued to pay off: The video chat software is always a marquee example of how a new Microsoft device might work Oracle bought PeopleSoft in 2004 for $10.3 billion. Oracle's acquisition of PeopleSoft is a notoriously contentious story. "It was an 18-month hostile takeover," senior executive Aneel Bhusri told Business Insider back in 2011. PeopleSoft offered software-based human resources solutions for companies and schools, and its products are still offered by its current parent company, Oracle. NXP bought Freescale in 2015 for $11.8 billion. When NXP, one of the lesser-known computer chip manufacturers, purchased Freescale in 2015, the deal cemented NXP as a dominant force in the silicon market. Google bought Motorola Mobility in 2011 for $12.5 billion. Though Google continues to produce and sell smartphones under its Pixel line, the company used to make smartphones in collaboration with Motorola (and other handset makers). That relationship eventually turned into an outright acquisition, though another critical aspect of the purchase wasn't said out loud: Patents. Symantec bought Veritas Software in 2004 for $13.5 billion. Symantec's purchase of Veritas Technologies, like so many tech acquisitions, was a measure of expansion and solidification. Veritas offered information management solutions. Symantec and Veritas split in 2014, and it is a private company once again. Amazon bought Whole Foods in 2017 for $13.7 billion. Amazon's purchase of Whole Foods was the first major push into bricks-and-mortar retail from the ecommerce giant and was largely intended as an expansion of Amazon's annual subscription service Amazon Prime. Prime users get discounts in the store, and Amazon products like the Echo are advertised alongside apples and bananas. Intel bought MobileEye in 2017 for $15 billion. As technology companies jockey for position in the race to create self-driving software, companies like Intel are paying billions for startups like MobileEye with proven tech. In the case of Intel's MobileEye, the goal is a "robo-taxi" rather than implementing the tech in consumer cars. Salesforce bought Tableau in 2019 for $15.7 billion. In another major Salesforce acquisition, the tech giant purchased Tableau last year for nearly $16 billion. It's the latest purchase in Salesforce's ongoing plan to strategically acquire companies that can help Salesforce grow. In the case of Tableau, Salesforce got a data analytics and visualization platform with over 86,000 customers. Walmart bought Flipkart in 2018 for $16 billion. Walmart's big bet on Flipkart is all about international expansion: Flipkart serves the Indian market, and with the acquisition, Walmart now has a major foothold in the region. It's also a critical step in Walmart's ongoing push into ecommerce, as Flipkart is an online-based retailer. Nokia bought Alcatel-Lucent in 2015 for $16.6 billion. Nokia's purchase of Alcatel-Lucent was positioned as a means of expanding its network technology business in the wake of its mobile phone business being sold to Microsoft. The purchase has enabled Nokia to become one of several major players in the move to 5G wireless networks. Facebook bought WhatsApp in 2014 for $22 billion. Facebook's purchase of WhatsApp in 2014, though wildly expensive, enabled Facebook to instantly expand its reach by tens of millions of people. Despite its connection to Facebook, like Instagram, WhatsApp remains popular around the world.  Hewlett-Packard bought Compaq in 2001 for $25 billion. In a piece published in 2016 by ZDNet titled "Worst tech mergers and acquisitions," the $25 billion purchase of Compaq by Hewlett-Packard is ranked number one on that list. Why? Not only did it eventually lead to a massive downturn at the company, but its failure was forewarned by several major stakeholders — including the son of the company's cofounder, Walter Hewlett. Microsoft bought LinkedIn in 2016 for $26.2 billion. The acquisition of LinkedIn is part of the new era of Microsoft acquisitions, where companies are intentionally left to operate relatively autonomously. To that end, LinkedIn has remained relatively unchanged since its purchase back in 2016 for $26.2 billion.  Of note: LinkedIn is Microsoft's most expensive acquisition of all time, and anything above that paid for TikTok would instantly make it the new most expensive purchase. SoftBank bought ARM in 2016 for $31 billion. SoftBank's purchase of ARM could become an investment — the latest news is that NVIDIA is reportedly looking at a purchase of ARM from SoftBank which would assuredly be north of the $31 billion SoftBank paid back in 2016. IBM bought Red Hat in 2018 for $34 billion. IBM's purchase of Red Hat took a variety of popular software and instantly collected it under IBM's umbrella: From Red Hat Enterprise Linux to Red Hat Virtualization. As part of the $32 billion deal, Red Hat products are now a part of IBM Cloud. Avago bought Broadcom in 2015 for $37 billion. Never heard of Avago? How about Broadcom? Though both companies are massive, they're also both relatively unknown. That's because they're responsible for the infrastructure and technology inside of many products made by other companies, from cable modems to the chips powering Ethernet switches. Dell bought EMC Corporation in 2015 for $67 billion. By far the most expensive acquisition of all time continues to be Dell's $67 billion purchase of EMC Corporation in 2015.  "We're continuing to evolve the company into the most relevant areas where I.T. is moving," Dell president Michael Dell told the New York Times in a 2015 interview. "This deal just accelerates that." Combining Dell's offerings with EMC allowed Dell to push further into corporate computing services, and it allowed EMC to escape pressure from investors to stem ongoing business declines.  Got a tip? Contact Business Insider senior correspondent Ben Gilbert via email (bgilbert@businessinsider.com), or Twitter DM (@realbengilbert). We can keep sources anonymous. Use a non-work device to reach out. PR pitches by email only, please.

The widow of a coronavirus patient in Texas is blaming President Donald Trump, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and anti-maskers for her husband's death. Stacey Nagy published an impassioned obituary which ran in the Jefferson Jimplecute, according to a note that Nagy wrote on Twitter. "The blame for his death and the deaths of all the other innocent people, falls on Trump, Abbott and all the other politicians who did not take this pandemic seriously and were more concerned with their popularity and votes than lives," Nagy wrote. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. David Nagy, who died on July 22, is one of nearly 7,000 Texas residents who lost their lives to the novel coronavirus.  Heartbroken over her husband's death, Nagy's grieving widow, Stacey, wrote an impassioned obituary, placing the blame on President Donald Trump, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and what she described as selfish anti-maskers.  "The blame for his death and the deaths of all the other innocent people, falls on Trump, Abbott and all the other politicians who did not take this pandemic seriously and were more concerned with their popularity and votes than lives," Nagy wrote. "Also to blame are the many ignorant, self centered and selfish people who refused to follow the advice of the medical professionals, believing their 'right' not to wear a mask was more important than killing innocent people."  The obituary ran in the Jefferson Jimplecute newspaper, and could not be found online. Several people have shared photos of the print version of the obituary, which was published on July 30. Jefferson is a city in eastern Texas, about 165 miles from Dallas. It has a population of around 1,961.  Some have tweeted copies of the obituary to Trump. David Nagy was real and he was my husband. I wrote the obituary in our small town of Jefferson, TX newspaper Jefferson Jimplecute July 30 edition. — Stacey Nagy (@StaceyNagy4) August 3, 2020 The obituary says that David Nagy, 79, died in the ICU at Christus Good Shepherd Hospital in Longview, Texas. Nagy leaves behind five children, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren, his obituary says.  Stacey Nagy described herself in the obituary as inconsolable, and indicated that her husband had been separated from family during his last days. Medical protocol requires that COVID-19 patients be isolated during their care because of the highly contagious nature of the virus. Stacey Nagy didn't immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment. "Dave did everything he was supposed to do, but you did not," Nagy wrote to the politicians and anti-maskers in the obituary. "Shame on all of you, and may Karma find you all!"  F*CK YOU from David Nagy’s family and thousands of others. https://t.co/RN8OHyodsZ pic.twitter.com/5XWtMG4j1d — Spiro Agnew’s Ghost (@SpiroAgnewGhost) August 3, 2020 Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Inside London during COVID-19 lockdown

Garlic presses, rockers, and graters help you prepare garlic with ease so you can season your cooking with fresh cloves. The Alpha Grillers Garlic Press is the best one you can buy because it's as easy to use as it is to clean, and it makes quick work of garlic cloves. There's just no substitute for that distinctive garlic flavor that seems to perk up just about any dish. But as much as you want that garlic flavor in your food, you don't want it stinking up your hands. That's where a good garlic press comes in handy. When picking your ideal garlic press, you'll want to keep a few things in mind. First off, how often are you going to be utilizing this device? If it's every day, you'll probably want something a bit sturdier and made of stainless steel, or another metal. If you're only pressing garlic occasionally, perhaps a plastic version will do. You'll also want to think about how much garlic you use at once. If many of your favorite recipes call for clove upon clove of garlic, you'll want a press with a larger chamber capable of handling a lot of garlic at once. Finally, you'll want to think about how easy it is to clean your garlic press. After all, there's no purpose in getting a device that is meant to keep your hands away from the pungent odors if you're just going to have to wash it by hand later. Getting a dishwasher-safe press, or something that you can quickly run under the faucet, is definitely the way to go. Here are the best garlic presses: Best overall: Alpha Grillers Garlic Press Best high-end garlic press: Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press Best comfort-grip garlic press: OXO Good Grips Garlic Press Best rocker: Fu Store 304 Stainless Steel Garlic Press Mincer Best chopper: Chef'n GarlicZoom Garlic Chopper Best grater: Naturally Med Garlic Grater Set Prices and links are current as of 8/3/20. We added a product showcase at the top of the guide so you can shop all our picks more easily. We also added a selection of related buying guides.The best overall The Alpha Grillers Garlic Press minces garlic like a professional, can press several cloves at once, and comes with a silicone peeling tool. If there's any consensus around garlic presses, it's around this one from Alpha Grillers. This best-selling device is made from durable stainless steel and is capable of crushing several cloves of garlic at once. The complete set comes with both a peeler and a press so that you can deal with your garlic without any skin-to-skin contact whatsoever. In order to peel a clove, just insert the garlic into the silicone roller, and roll it back and forth until the skin comes right off. Then, move the peeled garlic into the large basket of the press, and squeeze. It's supremely easy to use, which means that if you're looking for a way to involve your kiddos in the cooking process, this is a great way to start. Rest assured that your garlic will come out uniformly minced no matter who is doing the pressing. If you'd prefer not to peel your garlic before pressing it, that's fine, too. You'll probably have to exert just a bit more force to ensure that your garlic comes out finely minced, but it'll still work just as well. And of course, this mincer works well on other staple ingredients, too. If you don't want to chop ginger on your own, you can use the Alpha Grillers set for that, too. When you're done using the press, just open up the basket and give it a rinse in your sink, or run it through the dishwasher. Pros: Great looking set, comes with both a peeler and a mincer, easy to use, dishwasher safe Cons: Some users have noted that garlic can go flying from the press if you're not careful The best high-end garlic press The Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press requires noticeably less effort than other garlic presses, so if you're crushing a lot of cloves, it will be worth it. Made entirely out of stainless steel, the Kuhn Rikon Epicurean Garlic Press really differentiates itself from the competition in terms of its construction. It looks like a serious piece of kitchen equipment, and will act like one, too, on both garlic and ginger (or just about anything else you throw its way). You don't have to worry about peeling garlic cloves in order to get a fine mince from the Kuhn Rikon. The press purports to require 60% less effort to use than your standard press, and while I can't verify that exact figure, it is indeed the case that the Kuhn Rikon requires noticeably less effort. This press was designed to fit in the palm of one hand, which means that you shouldn't have to use all your might in order to mince your garlic. Plus, the flip-out basket of this press makes it easier to clean than many competitors, and you don't have to worry about getting into the nooks and crannies of the basket. Just swing out the stainless steel sieve when you're done, and give it a rinse. Another great design aspect comes in the form of its beveled holes, which will carefully cut your garlic without bruising it. And just as unbruised herbs are the best herbs, unbruised garlic is the best tasting garlic. The Kuhn Rikon is also dishwasher safe, and boasts a two-year warranty should anything go wrong. Pros: 100% stainless steel construction, swiveling sieve makes for easy cleanup, requires much less force than other presses Cons: Expensive The best comfort-grip garlic press Thanks to its soft grip handles, the OXO Good Grips Garlic Press is one of the most user-friendly out there. If you're crushing clove after clove of garlic, the last thing you want is to hurt your hand in the process. Some garlic presses, despite being extremely efficient, are also decidedly uncomfortable, what with their metal construction that is as hard on your palms as it is on bulbs of garlic. But that's certainly not the case with the OXO Good Grips Garlic Press. This press keeps hand comfort front and center in its design. The action portion of the OXO is made of die-cast zinc, but the handles are rubberized, which makes them extremely comfortable to hold. They're also non-slip and capable of absorbing pressure, which really did make a difference when squeezing particularly stubborn bulbs. The OXO also comes with a large capacity chamber capable of holding multiple cloves at once, and I found that I was able to get quite a solid mince thanks to the efficiently placed holes. Another great design feature? The built-in cleaner. When you've minced all you can, just rotate the handles and the cleaner will push out whatever's left. Of course, if you want to be extra sure that your press is clean, you can run the OXO through the dishwasher, too. Pros: Very comfortable to use, built-in cleaner, capable of crushing unpeeled garlic, relatively inexpensive   Cons: While the OXO is comfortable, it's not necessarily ergonomically designed The best rocker The Fu Store 304 Stainless Steel Garlic Press Mincer is a single piece of stainless steel that's easy to use and even easier to clean. As it turns out, there are multiple ways to mince your garlic, and not all of them involve a garlic chamber and two handles that you press together. Rather, there are also rocker models. Most notably, there's the Fu Store 304 Stainless Steel Garlic Press Mincer, which comes with a bonus food-grade silicone peeler. While most garlic presses have multiple moving parts, the rocker design is far more straight forward, and, some would argue, easier to use. Think of it as an apple cutter, but instead of slicing fruit, you're slicing garlic bulbs. Simply place your clove (or cloves) underneath the carefully placed series of holes, and rock the stainless steel Fu Store Mincer back and forth. You'll end up crushing your garlic, all without having to touch it. You will, however, have to transfer your minced garlic from your cutting board to your pan. While I've found that this rocker works perfectly well without peeling your garlic first, this package deal does come with a bonus silicone peeler. Just pop some garlic into the little pink tube, roll it around for a bit, and you'll be peeling your garlic without fear of getting any stink under your nails. Over 300 customers on Amazon have given this set an impressive 4.3 out of five stars, and considering the low price and the great functionality, it's easy to see why. Pros: Affordable, extremely easy to use, comes with a bonus garlic peeler Cons: Using the rocking method sometimes bruises the garlic, keeps the stink away from your hands, but not your cutting board The best chopper With its rotating blade action, the Chef'n GarlicZoom Garlic Chopper dices your garlic finer and finer the more you roll.  You may not think much of the Chef'n GarlicZoom Garlic Chopper when you look at it. After all, it's made of plastic and looks a bit like a Happy Meal toy. But before you go passing judgments, you may want to put this ingenious little device to the test. As its name suggests, this Garlic Chopper doesn't mince your garlic by smashing it through tiny holes, but instead passes your cloves through tiny blades that actually cut up the bulbs so that the mincework looks a lot more like you did it with a real knife. The GarlicZoom may just be one of the easiest gadgets to use. Simply place peeled garlic in the chamber, and then start rolling. This motion will set the blades inside the device in motion, and the more you roll, the finer the mince. Conversely, if you just roll it a couple times, you'll end up with a rougher chop. This is fantastic for folks who want to vary the sizes of their resulting garlic pieces. While most garlic presses give you exactly one option when it comes to the kind of cut you'll receive at the end, the GarlicZoom actually gives you some control over the finished product, which makes it perfect for a wide range of recipes. The newest version of the GarlicZoom also comes with more gearing, which promises to make rolling easier, as well as larger finger holds so that you don't have to worry about cutting yourself when you take out the blades for a spin in the dishwasher. Plus, the GarlicZoom can also mince ginger as well as other herbs, all with enough precision to avoid bruising. Pros: Extremely easy to use, great control over the mince size, dishwasher safe, inexpensive Cons: Some may not like the toy-like appearance of the GarlicZoom, more difficult to clean than presses The best garlic grater The Naturally Med Garlic Grater Set makes quick work of garlic, turning it into a juicy paste. If you don't have the hand strength for a traditional garlic press or roller, you may like a garlic grater dish like this one by Naturally Med. It's a simple ceramic dish with ticks in a circular pattern that are just sharp enough to grate garlic but not sharp enough to hurt your fingers as you grate the cloves. This garlic grater is much better than any press I've tried. It keeps the garlic's juices in and creates a creamy garlic paste that can be applied directly to toast for garlic bread. If you throw olive oil on it, it's even better. It comes with a brush so you can remove the garlic from the dish and it also has a silicone garlic peeler to help you get the skin off each clove. The dish is very easy to clean with warm water and soap when you're done using it. On the negative side, it won't save your fingers from the garlic smell as you do have to hold onto the clove as you grate it. — Malarie Gokey Pros: Easy to use, effective, keeps the juice of the garlic, easy to clean Cons: You have to touch the garlic as you grate, so it won't save your hands from the smell Check out our other great kitchen guides The best spiralizers Spiralizers produce long, unbroken vegetable noodles with little waste and feature multiple blades for making different types of noodles. These are our top picks for the best spiralizers. The best measuring spoons The best measuring spoons are accurate, easy to read, have metric and US measurements, and will last you for the rest of your life. These are our top picks. The best vegetable peelers A sharp, well-designed vegetable peeler can make all the difference when it comes to efficient meal prep. These are the best vegetable peelers you can buy. The best citrus juicers A citrus juicer is a handy accessory for every kitchen. When you want to make a jug of iced lemonade on a hot summer's day, drink fresh orange juice for an early morning boost, or whip up a lemon vinaigrette to dress a salad, there's nothing better than freshly squeezed juice.

It's a challenge to find workwear that fits your style and your office dress code. We love Ann Taylor because the brand offers both tailored, office-appropriate basics and fun accessories that allow your personality to shine through. Read more: 22 places we shop for women's workwear — and the best styles to buy Wardrobe-wise, it's hard to do worse than bad work clothes. Itchy sweaters that amplify the already desert-like climate of an office building in February, polyester pinstripe pants that puddle in all the wrong places, plasticy flats that cut into your foot at painful angles … most people are haunted by at least one memory of an awful business-casual outfit they bought for an interview or first day on the job. The first mistake most people make when shopping for work clothes is not keeping their personal style in mind, as well as the office culture and overall vibe of their company. If you're working at a hip startup, you might feel awkward showing up for day one in a suit. On the flip side, if the environment is highly corporate, even dark-wash jeans might be too laid back. No matter what, the key is to keep it professional but let a little bit of your personal style shine through. After all, you spend so many hours at work — you want to feel like yourself (albeit the more polished version) while you're there. These brands, with their selections of chic basics and tailored separates, make it easy. Here are the best women's workwear brands: Best workwear brand overall: Ann Taylor Best high-end workwear brand: M.M.LaFleur Best travel-friendly workwear brand: Of Mercer Best athleisure workwear brand: ADAY Best workwear brand for casual offices: Everlane Best subscription workwear option: Rent the Runway Updated on 7/29/2020 by Mara Leighton: Updated formatting, links, and prices. Added M.M.LaFleur as the best high-end option and Rent the Runway as the best subscription workwear option. The best work clothes overall Ann Taylor is your one-stop-shop for chic dresses, blouses, suits, and accessories that look great at the office but don't put a huge dent in your bank account. One of the more discouraging aspects of shopping for workwear is that the most office-appropriate choices are often really uninspiring. Ann Taylor solves that problem by delivering items in fun colors and patterns with HR-friendly silhouettes. Picture knee-length pencil skirts, blouses with cute details (hello ruffled sleeves!), and tailored suiting that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Ann Taylor clearly isn't the place for of-the-moment trends, but that's rarely what you need for the office. If your job requires a conservative, somewhat formal look, you can find it at Ann Taylor, and for a great value. Blazers and pants are mostly priced under $200, with some under-$100 options available. Though the clothes aren't always the most exciting, Ann Taylor is our top pick because of the sheer range of items — you'd be hard-pressed to find something inappropriate for work in one of its stores — and affordable prices. The brand's frequent sales make shopping even less painful. The one major downside to shopping at Ann Taylor is that the size range is fairly limited. Most items run from XXS to XXL with Petite and Tall options, but there isn't much by way of extended sizing. — Erin Mayer Pros: Cute and classic workwear at affordable prices, suit pieces that don't cost a ton of money, Petite and Tall options, frequent sales Cons: Would be great to see a more extensive size range Ann Taylor Seamed Pencil Skirt In Seasonless Stretch Product Embed: Product Name: Ann Taylor Seamed Pencil Skirt In Seasonless Stretch Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5f22f61f5fa9a4702970e409&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Ann Taylor The Long One-Button Blazer In Bi-Stretch Product Embed: Product Name: Ann Taylor The Long One-Button Blazer In Bi-Stretch Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5f22f62b0ef1886d25347db5&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Ann Taylor The Straight Pant Product Embed: Product Name: Ann Taylor The Straight Pant Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5f23233caee6a8022d6a3be5&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Ann Taylor Perfect Shirt The best high-end work clothes M.M.LaFleur makes some of the most flattering, convenient, and stylish workwear on the market — but its pieces may cost you a bit extra. M.M. LaFleur makes high-quality, minimalist, formal-leaning officewear that feels fresh without being overly trendy. Attention to detail is the name of the game. The brand's bestselling Etsuko dress, for example, looks simple, but additional seams in the bodice and a small belt at the waist create a gorgeous figure-hugging silhouette. Sizes range from 0P-22W. The collection is designed by its co-founder and creative director Miyako Makamura, the former head designer of Zac Posen — and she brings a unique attention to detail, lines, and versatility to M.M. LaFleur. Silhouettes are sophisticated and inventive — both in their ability to cut at exactly the right spot on your elbow and in a hidden button that converts the length of a pair of pants to accommodate either heels or flats. They also work for a non-stop lifestyle: most of the collection is machine-washable and travel-friendly. M.M. LaFleur promises to deliver on easy comfort without looking comfortable. The retailer has a specific section of "packable suiting pieces" and has had the New York City Ballet demonstrate the flexibility of its summer collection. We've reviewed and loved styles like its Morandi Sweater, Hockley and Foster pants, packable suit, and the Etsuko dress. M.M.LaFleur styles may cost you a bit more than some of the alternatives (dresses range from $165-$325 and pants $165-$225), but the quality is worth its price if you're able to comfortably spend it, and if your workplace requires traditional workwear. You can also find slightly more affordable options, including a host of odor-resistant and machine-washable items under $200. — Mara Leighton Pros: Chic and high-quality workwear that is durable and high-end, decent size range, savvy upgrades like bra strap holders and convertible pants Cons: Items are definitely on the formal side and don't offer trendy silhouettes and patterns, pricey M.M. LaFleur Foster Pants Product Embed: Product Name: M.M. LaFleur Foster Pants Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5e1e1ab224fe12170e459038&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% M.M. La Fleur The Hockley Jean Product Embed: Product Name: M.M. La Fleur The Hockley Jean Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5f22f08e5af6cc65d7487e5c&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% M.M. La Fleur The Morandi 2.0 Sweater Product Embed: Product Name: M.M. La Fleur The Morandi 2.0 Sweater Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5f22f182aee6a8753355c7a2&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% M.M. La Fleur The Etsuko Dress Product Embed: Product Name: M.M. La Fleur The Etsuko Dress Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5f22eefa7924a16df80e6061&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Read more: My 'desk sweater' goes with everything I own and keeps me comfortable when the office is too cold We tried these cult-favorite work pants with an adjustable hem for heels or flats — and we loved them I wore M.M.LaFleur's packable suit right out of my carry-on — it was wrinkle-free and ready to wear after being crumpled up for hours The best new work pants I've tried are machine washable and come with an adjustable hem so they're flattering for any height The best work clothes for travel Of Mercer creates on-the-go pieces that travel well and can withstand a variety of climates, from arctic office A/C to the dry heat of the airport terminal. Traveling for work presents a particular kind of wardrobe challenge. When you go on vacation, it's perfectly acceptable to wear sweatpants and throw your hair up in a top knot or whatever makes you most comfortable. But work travel is a whole different animal. You might be flying with colleagues or running to an important meeting with potential partners the minute you touch down. Of Mercer designs clothes that keep you looking polished in all different settings. The items are professional but have a slightly more relaxed and comfortable (but never sloppy) vibe that separates them from other brands. Many of the designs come equipped with special details that make these items truly effortless — a reversible cardigan with "the structure of a blazer," elastic waist pants comfortable enough for a plane and tailored enough for a board meeting, and a sleek card case are notable examples. Insider Reviews editor Ellen Hoffman gave the brand a great review, writing, "I had a great experience with Of Mercer, and I highly recommend anyone who has trouble finding affordable, high-quality work clothes check out the company's site to see if its dresses, pants, and blazers are the right fit." — Erin Mayer Sizes run from 00-20W, and there's also a small maternity collection. Pros: Stylish and durable work clothes that are good for travel, decent size range Cons: The clothes aren't cheap but you pay for the high quality Of Mercer Clarkson Blazer Product Embed: Product Name: Of Mercer Clarkson Blazer Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5f2313be28ea7174f57abdc6&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Of Mercer Riverside Dress Product Embed: Product Name: Of Mercer Riverside Dress Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5f2313c15fa9a4767d045576&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Of Mercer Elizabeth Top Product Embed: Product Name: Of Mercer Elizabeth Top Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5f2313c45af6cc6e3a2cf004&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Of Mercer Reade Jardigan The best athleisure work clothes Leave it to the athleisure pros at ADAY to create work clothes that are cozy enough to sleep in.  Work clothes, even the ones that look great, often feel like stiff cardboard on your body. When I worked in an office, I spent all day curled up in various terrible-for-my-back positions, much the way I do now that I work from home, and so comfortable pants were non-negotiable. I wish I'd known about ADAY and its best-selling Turn It Up pant back then. They are basically pajama pants that you can safely wear to work without getting called into your boss' office for a stern meeting. You will feel like you are getting away with something mischievous when you wear them, though, thanks to an elastic waist and breathable stretch material. ADAY was initially known for its popular Throw and Roll leggings, so it's not a surprise that the brand's workwear is as comfortable as athleisure. In addition to pants, the brand carries a wrinkle-free dress shirt (brilliantly named the Something Borrowed Shirt), as well as other smartly designed workplace staples. — Erin Mayer Pros: Work clothes that are as comfortable as workout clothes, elastic waist pants that still look professional Cons: Limited size range, only available online ADAY Something Borrowed Shirt Product Embed: Product Name: ADAY Something Borrowed Shirt Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5f2315a628ea71753a6b29ed&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% ADAY Easy Days Pant Product Embed: Product Name: ADAY Easy Days Pant Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5f2315b33ad86102e10683f4&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% ADAY Turn It Up Pant The best work clothes for a casual office Everlane's beautifully rendered basics fit in any laidback office environment.  Not every industry has a rigorous standard of dress for the workplace. If your office is more casual, you still want to look polished and ready for anything  — you never know when you'll be pulled into meetings with the higher-ups. Everlane's selection of polished basics have a trendier feel, but they won't go out of style by next season. The brand carries everything from laidback denim to smart jackets (the City Anorak is a commuter's dream come true) and cool trousers. I especially love Everlane's handbag and shoe offerings for the office. The Day Glove flats are the single most comfortable shoes that I own, and they look amazing with dresses, trousers, and even shorts. Insider Reviews also loved the ReKnit version of the shoes.  Everlane pieces would look at home in any startup's open-plan office, but some pieces like The Cashmere Crew, Day Heel, and Oversized Blazer could certainly translate well to more formal work environments. What makes Everlane really stand out from the other brands on this list is the fact that most of its pieces look just as good on the weekend as they do Monday-Friday. Everything is versatile and a bit more relaxed than your standard office separates, without looking sloppy. —Erin Mayer Pros: Offers cooler and more laid back office-appropriate clothing, reasonable prices Cons: Only one store so you'll have to order online unless you're in New York City, Everlane carries limited plus-size options Everlane Day Glove Product Embed: Product Name: Everlane Day Glove Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5d7954622e22af055f104854&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Everlane The Work Pant Product Embed: Product Name: Everlane The Work Pant Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5e1e1818b2e66a2230453578&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Everlane Day Heel Product Embed: Product Name: Everlane Day Heel Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5e3b17f20ce3d12fde48d1a4&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Everlane Relaxed Poplin Shirt Product Embed: Product Name: Everlane Relaxed Poplin Shirt Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5d700da12e22af43bd6aeae0&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Everlane Cashmere Crew (women's) Product Embed: Product Name: Everlane Cashmere Crew (women's) Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5e29c9e662fa815dfd489642&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Read more: 19 styles from Everlane that we wear in our everyday lives — for both men and women Everlane's $118 Day Glove flats look and feel like they cost a lot more — here's what we think after wearing them around New York City for a year Everlane's $50 work pants compete with pairs that are 4 times the price — here's how they've held up to a year of wear We've reviewed almost all of Everlane's bestsellers. Here's a running list of every item we've ever tested, with sizing tips. The best subscription work clothes Rent the Runway (RTR) Unlimited Swaps is the best rotating subscription option for workwear. For a flat fee, you'll be able to rent from 15,000 styles by having them delivered to your door. Plus, you don't have to deal with the dry cleaning. You can still order a one-off cocktail dress through RTR, but the company's most popular offerings are actually its subscription services. Its most basic RTR 1 Swap includes four items per month, 2 Swaps includes eight items per month, and Unlimited Swaps includes unlimited items (but you keep four at a time). They take care of shipping and dry cleaning, and you get unlimited access to a vast selection of high-end clothes you likely wouldn't be able to afford (or be willing to buy) to wear in everyday life. You can rent unlimited pieces on a rotation of four at a time and swap whenever you're done wearing a piece. There are no designated return dates, as long as you keep paying for the service. That means you won't spend 75% of your clothing budget on professional wear or vice versa, only to stress over outfit repeating.  To return an order, members pop the clothes back into the garment bag they arrived in, swap in their prepaid return label, and drop the bag to any UPS store or their designated drop-boxes. Once Rent the Runway has received the returns, members are notified that they can make new selections. While its monthly fee is high at over $150, we've found that it's worth the variety, convenience, and style if you're able to comfortably foot the bill. It's also helped us curb our shopping in other areas. And though it's technically a rental service, you'll have the option to purchase most of the items you've rented — in case you fall in love with something and don't want to send it back. The RTR subscription is one of the many things we've bought based on a colleague's glowing review, and we've had great success with RTR Unlimited Swaps in our own lives. — Mara Leighton Pros: Variety, high-end clothes, no maintenance, extra closet space for non-work clothes, option to buy what you rent Cons: Expensive, can be inconvenient if you don't have a nearby RTR drop-off location or an easy way to return packages Rent the Runway J.Crew Conway Dress Product Embed: Product Name: Rent the Runway J.Crew Conway Dress Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5f230f345fa9a475963e71cc&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Rent the Runway Club Monaco White Linen Blazer Product Embed: Product Name: Rent the Runway Club Monaco White Linen Blazer Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5f230f555af6cc6d2526aa9f&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Rent the Runway AGOLDE Yellow Riley Jeans Product Embed: Product Name: Rent the Runway AGOLDE Yellow Riley Jeans Card Type: button https://produktor.businessinsider.com/productCardService?id=5f230f7d5fa9a475a62ab684&type=button&live=true Width: 100% Height: 150% Read more: 12 photos that show how 4 women at Business Insider use Rent the Runway's 'Unlimited Swaps' clothing subscription 17 products and services we bought based on glowing reviews from our coworkers Check out our other workwear guides The best women's work bags Work bags often pull double duty — They need to be cute and useful with great organization and enough space to hold all the things you need during the day. The best flats Flats are some of the most low-maintenance and convenient shoes that you can wear to work. Here are our favorites for comfort and style. The best tote bags Finding a tote bag that is not only stylish but also big enough to carry all your belongings can be tough. That's why we did the work for you.  The best places to buy button-down shirts for women Button-downs are one magical wardrobe staple with the ability to transition easily from work to weekend. 

Hong Kong authorities have issued arrest warrants under its strict new national-security law for six pro-democracy activists living abroad, The Guardian reported last week. Chinese state-run media reported that the individuals, including one US citizen, are wanted for "incitement to secession," according to The Guardian. Critics have warned that officials could use the controversial law to target political opponents and cited its unusual application to both Hong Kong residents and non-residents. The warrants come after Hong Kong barred activists from running in an upcoming election, which it decided to delay, drawing international condemnation as well as parallels to a similar suggestion by US President Donald Trump. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. Police in Hong Kong have issued arrest warrants for six pro-democracy activists currently living abroad, The Guardian and other media outlets reported Friday. Chinese state-run media reported that the men are wanted by authorities for "incitement to secession" under a sweeping and controversial national-security law passed last month, according to The Guardian. The individuals include Samuel Chu, a US citizen who runs the Washington, DC-based Hong Kong Democracy Council, as well as activists who have fled Hong Kong for the UK, Germany, and one undisclosed country, BBC reported. The law targets "secession," "subversion," "terrorist activities," and "collusion with a foreign country," and carries life sentences as punishment for many of the offenses. It has received pushback from critics who say it could be used to crush political dissent in Hong Kong. They've also slammed a provision of the law that applies it to both residents and non-residents of Hong Kong as part of an effort by authorities to claim jurisdiction outside their own borders. Chu's warrant marks the first reported instance of the law being used against a foreign national.  Today, I woke up to media reports that I am a wanted fugitive. My alleged crimes? “Inciting secession” & “colluding with foreign powers” under HK's National Security Law.Except I am an American citizen & have been for 25 years. pic.twitter.com/rppP14kLnU — Samuel Chu 朱牧民 (@samuelmchu) July 31, 2020   Since the law was passed last month, pro-democracy political organizations have disbanded as their leaders fled the region, and police have used the law to arrest protesters.  Several countries, including Taiwan, the US, and the UK, have introduced political protections for Hong Kongers fleeing due to the law, while some have ended their extradition treaties with the region. Hong Kong, a former British colony that has formally operated separately from the rest of China under a policy called "one country, two systems" since it was handed over to China in 1997, has seen its relationship with the mainland deteriorate in recent years as Beijing cracks down on its independence. On Friday, Hong Kong announced that it would postpone legislative elections originally set for September for one year, citing coronavirus concerns. "It is a really tough decision to delay, but we want to ensure fairness, public safety and public health," said Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, according to The New York Times. But the move drew pushback from activists who alleged Hong Kong was using the pandemic as a pretext to halt the momentum of pro-democracy candidates. A day earlier, Hong Kong disqualified a dozen candidates from running in the election, accusing them of colluding with foreign countries and opposing the security law. The White House condemned the move, despite Trump making a similar suggestion last week about delaying the US presidential election — a decision he does not have the authority to make. Trump cited concerns around mail-in voting fraud, which have largely been debunked.Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Swayze Valentine is the only female treating fighters' cuts and bruises inside the UFC octagon

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley just completed a crucial test flight of SpaceX's new Crew Dragon spaceship. The men splashed the space capsule into the Gulf of Mexico at 2:48 p.m. ET off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, following a risky plunge through Earth's atmosphere. NASA's administrator said the mission marks "the next era in human spaceflight," since the agency is now poised to purchase flights from SpaceX. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said after the mission's launch that he once doubted the company would ever see this day. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. SpaceX just achieved a feat that even CEO Elon Musk thought improbable when he founded the rocket company in 2002: flying people to and from space. On Sunday afternoon, NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley safely careened back to Earth after a 27-million-mile mission in orbit around the planet. The men flew in SpaceX's new Crew Dragon spaceship, landing the cone-shaped capsule at 2:48 p.m. ET in the Gulf of Mexico near Pensacola, Florida. Ahead of the landing, the crew undocked from the $150 billion International Space Station, where they'd spent 63 days, then performed a series of maneuvers to return home to their families. The capsule handily survived a blistering 3,500-degree-Fahrenheit return through Earth's atmosphere, a high-stakes parachute deployment, and the final splashdown. Shortly after 4 p.m. ET, a SpaceX and NASA recovery crew pulled the astronauts from their toasted ship.  "Thanks for doing the most difficult part and the most important part of human spaceflight: sending us into orbit and bringing us home safely," Behnken said shortly before leaving the spaceship, which he and Hurley named Endeavour. "Thank you again for the good ship Endeavour." "It's absolutely been an honor and a pleasure to work with you, from the entire SpaceX team," a capsule communicator responded from mission control at SpaceX's headquarters in Hawthorne, California. SpaceX privately designed, built, and operated the vehicle with about $2.7 billion in contracts from NASA's Commercial Crew Program. The money helped SpaceX create its newfound spaceflight capability and is funding about half a dozen missions — including Behnken and Hurley's demonstration flight, Demo-2, which launched on May 30. With Demo-2's completion, SpaceX has put an end to a nine-year drought of crewed spaceflight from US soil. The company also resurrected NASA's ability to reach the ISS, where the agency hopes to ramp up work to help it return humans to the moon and eventually reach Mars. "These are difficult times when there's not that much good news. And I think this is one of those things that is universally good, no matter where you are on planet Earth. This is a good thing. And I hope it brightens your day," Musk said during a NASA TV broadcast after the landing. "I'm not very religious, but I prayed for this one," he added. The mission's end likely brings SpaceX just weeks from a NASA certification of its Crew Dragon for regular flights of astronauts — and private citizens. "We don't want to purchase, own, and operate the hardware the way we used to. We want to be one customer of many customers in a very robust commercial marketplace in low-Earth orbit," Jim Bridenstine, NASA's administrator, said ahead of the landing. He added: "This is the next era in human spaceflight, where NASA gets to be the customer. We want to be a strong customer, we want to be a great partner. But we don't want to be the only ones that are operating with humans in space." In a news briefing following the landing, officials and astronauts remarked on how uneventful the astronaut's return flight was (except for a few surprises on the ground, such as civilian boats pulling up to the space capsule). "It did not seem like this was the first NASA SpaceX mission with astronauts on board," Michael Hopkins, a NASA astronaut who's slated to fly on SpaceX's next mission, Crew-1, said. "It seemed to go extremely smoothly." Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX's president and CEO, said even SpaceX leadership was a bit taken aback. "I think we're surprised — minorly surprised, but obviously incredibly pleased — that this went as smoothly as it did," she said. American astronauts, rockets, and spaceships launching from US soil Before Demo-2, the United States hadn't launched humans into space from American soil since July 2011, when NASA flew its final space shuttle mission. During the following nine years, NASA had to rely on Russia's Soyuz launch system to ferry its astronauts to and from the space station. But that became increasingly expensive. Over time, Russia charged more and more per round-trip ticket for each NASA astronaut. The cost rose from about $21 million in 2008 (before the shuttle was retired) to more than $90 million per seat on a planned flight for October. A seat on SpaceX's Crew Dragon, meanwhile, is projected to cost $55 million (not including NASA's $2.7 billion in funding), according to NASA's inspector general. Also, with just one to two seats for NASA astronauts aboard each Soyuz flight — compared to the space shuttle's seven — the arrangement limited American use of the ISS, which has housed as many as 13 people at once (though space-station crews are typically six people). Most concerning to mission managers, the arrangement left NASA reliant on a single launch system. That became especially worrisome when high-profile issues arose with Soyuz over the past few years, including a mysterious leak and a rocket-launch failure that forced an emergency landing. After these incidents, NASA and other space agencies had nowhere else to turn.  With SpaceX's successful Demo-2 flight — and the upcoming test flights of Boeing's CST-100 Starliner spaceship — that insecure footing for US astronauts is now in the rearview mirror. "This is the culmination of a dream," SpaceX CEO Elon Musk told "CBS This Morning" ahead of the mission's launch in May. "This is a dream come true. In fact, it feels surreal." In addition to giving NASA better access to the space station, having a spacecraft and launch system enables the agency to use the space station's microgravity environment to conduct more science experiments — in pharmaceuticals, materials science, astronomy, medicine, and more. "The International Space Station is a critical capability for the United States of America. Having access to it is also critical," Bridenstine said during a briefing on May 1. "We are moving forward very rapidly with this program that is so important to our nation and, in fact, to the entire world." Demo-2 brings SpaceX one step closer to the moon and Mars With the completion of Demo-2, SpaceX has also gained operational experience flying people to and from space for the first time. That's hugely important to Musk, who has big plans for SpaceX. The company plans to fly tourists into space: In February, SpaceX announced that it had sold four seats through a spaceflight tourism company called Space Adventures. Then in March, news broke that the company Axiom Space — led in part by a former ISS mission manager at NASA — had also signed a deal with SpaceX. There's even a flight of actor Tom Cruise aboard Crew Dragon in the works — part of a plan to film a movie aboard the ISS. But Musk's primary aim is to launch people around the moon, later land others on the lunar surface, then move on to establish Martian cities. His ultimate goal is to put 1 million settlers on the red planet. NASA shares some of Musk's ambitions to send humans back to the moon and eventually to Mars. Sending astronauts to the space station aboard the Crew Dragon represents a major milestone toward those goals. Bridenstine also said  that he'd eventually like to see entire commercial space stations in the future.  "The next big thing is we need commercial space stations themselves. And in order to create the market for commercial space stations, we have to have these transformational capabilities," Bridenstine said ahead of the landing. 'I doubted us, too' During a briefing following the launch of Demo-2, Business Insider asked Musk if he had a message for those who ever doubted him or the company. "To be totally frank, I doubted us, too. I thought we had maybe — when starting SpaceX — maybe had a 10% chance of reaching orbit. So to those who doubted us I was like, 'Well, I think you're probably right,'" Musk said. He added: "It took us took us four attempts just to get to orbit with Falcon 1 ... People told me this joke: How do you make a small fortune in the rocket industry? 'You start with a large one' is the punch line." Musk said SpaceX "just barely made it there," adding, "So hey, I think those doubters were — their probability assessment was correct. But fortunately, fate has smiled upon us and brought us to this day." This story has been updated with new information. It was originally published at 2:48 p.m. ET on August 2, 2020. Do you have a story or inside information to share about the spaceflight industry? Send Dave Mosher an email at dmosher+tips@businessinsider.com or a Twitter direct message at @davemosher. More secure communication options are listed here.SEE ALSO: Why SpaceX's astronaut mission for NASA is such a big deal for Elon Musk's rocket company and the US as a whole DON'T MISS: SpaceX is about to win a high-stakes game of capture the flag that Barack Obama started 9 years ago Join the conversation about this story » NOW WATCH: Why NASA waited nearly a decade to send astronauts into space from the US