Day: May 21, 2024

1. Special counsel suspected additional obstruction effort by Trump in classified docs case  ABC News
2. Special counsel suspected additional obstruction effort by Trump in classified docs case  KTRK-TV
3. MSN  MSN

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Brooklyn Bedding’s Memorial Day sale features 25% off sitewide.

Brooklyn Bedding/Insider

Memorial Day is a popular time for retailers of every kind to drop prices on their most popular products. Brooklyn Bedding is one of them, and their roster is full of awesome products that we love for improving your sleep. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up the best Brooklyn Bedding Memorial Day deals to help you shop a little easier.

The discounts include Insider Reviews favorites like the Plank Mattress and the Aurora Luxe Mattress. Both are 25% off right now, along with the rest of Brooklyn Bedding’s site, using promo code MEMORIAL25. The sale lasts until May 27 and features the brand’s signature mattresses, sheets, pillows, bed bases, and more. It’s a must-shop sale if you’re looking to revamp your sleep situation.

Below are some of our favorite products on sale during Brooklyn Bedding’s Memorial Day event. For even more of the holiday’s savings, check out our roundups of the best Memorial Day sales, the best Memorial Day mattress sales, and the best Memorial Day furniture sales..

Brooklyn Bedding Memorial Day deals

Browse the best Memorial Day mattress deals here. 

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If you are looking to relocate or take a longer trip that includes both work and play, you can potentially save some cash by booking a long-term Airbnb.

AirBnb; Alyssa Powell/Business Insider

• Many Airbnbs offer discounted rates for monthlong and weeklong stays. 
• Airbnb also has a separate search portal specifically for sublets.
• We break down key info on booking long-term Airbnbs, including fee and cancellation policies.

If you’re thinking about relocating your home office, you’re not alone. According to Airbnb, more travelers are now searching the platform for stays longer than 28 days, and as of 2020, over 80 percent of hosts are now offering long-term stay options.

On Airbnb, hosts are free to set stay limits and minimums, as well as discount options for anyone booking their listing for weeks or even months at a time. Not only does the discount incentivize someone looking for a longer stay to choose a particular listing, but it also means that the hosts will have a lower turnover rate, which often translates into less work for them.

While long-term Airbnb listings will show up in a standard search, you can also more easily find them by going directly through the website’s sublet hub. This will bring up only listings where hosts have agreed to allow stays of a month or longer, but be aware that not every long-term stay is discounted.

Renting an Airbnb for a longer stay has numerous benefits. First, it can be cheaper than a typical lease and is adjustable to your travel plans. For example, if you’re arriving somewhere on March 18 and leaving on April 28, you can often still enjoy a discounted stay without needing to pay for any unused days. On top of that, hosts must prove that their listing is really livable for a long-term stay, which means all long-term Airbnb listings come equipped with a full kitchen, strong WiFi, and essentials like bed linens and soap at a minimum. 

You’ll also enjoy the benefit of knowing that every listing must adhere to Airbnb’s Enhanced Cleaning. Airbnb introduced its Enhanced Cleaning policy in 2020, and you can rest easy knowing that hosts are cleaning and sanitizing the space between visitors. Not to mention, booking a long-term Airbnb is an easy way to earn travel points on your credit card.

Overall, booking your next sublet through Airbnb can be a great deal, but there are a few things you should know ahead of time.

What’s the minimum number of days needed to book a long-term Airbnb?

Long-term Airbnb discounts start at bookings of 28 days or more. You don’t have to book for the first of the month, but the days do have to be continuous, so if someone’s already booked a weekend in between your desired dates, it won’t work. It is entirely up to the host to decide whether they will offer their listing for longer stays and they can set the minimum stay for 30 or 31 days if they are specifically targeting long-stay visitors. 

Airbnb hosts also have the option of setting weekly or monthly discounts and the percentage of that discount is entirely up to them. Airbnb recommends that hosts offer a discount equal to their expected vacancy, so discounts can vary wildly. When browsing Airbnb with your dates selected, you will be able to tell which listings offer discounts because of the strikethrough in the price. When you click through to the listing, you’ll be able to see the percentage discount displayed in the price summary.

How much is the discount for a long-term Airbnb?

Discounts can vary immensely. For example, this studio apartment in Seattle offers a 10% discount while in New York City, this Brooklyn studio is 52% off, and discounts can go even higher than that. Just look at this four-bedroom home in Bellville, Kansas, which normally goes for $85 per night but is offering a 71% discount if you book for the month. Of course, it’s always possible that a host could be inflating the price to attract bookers with a big discount number, so you’ll have to do your due diligence to determine if the listing is really worth what they’re saying.

Do you still have to pay fees on a long-term Airbnb rental?

The discounted rate does not apply to any extra fees, including the service fee, which can be higher depending on how long you book your stay. Occupancy taxes may apply depending on the state and these will also increase depending on how many days you book. If there is a cleaning fee, this should be similar to what you’d pay for a short-term rental, but the host may increase the cost if they are exclusively listing for long-term stays.

Can you visit an Airbnb sublet before you book?

While booking a sublet through Airbnb has its benefits beyond the discount (like not having to pay a security deposit or worry about utility bills), it’s also not a traditional rental situation. Unlike an apartment that you might see in-person before making a decision, you often are not able to see a particular listing before you decide to book.

Airbnb encourages users to ask the hosts questions about the listing through their private messaging system and complete their booking before meeting in-person. You could always try asking your host if you could visit in person before you commit, but they don’t have to comply.

Do you have to pay for a long-term Airbnb rental upfront?

Unlike many short-term stays, you don’t have to pay for your whole stay upfront if you are staying for multiple months. After you’ve booked your reservation, you’ll pay for the first month as a down payment. Then, after you check-in, you’ll then be charged monthly throughout your stay. The price is locked in when you book, so you don’t have to worry about rates going up halfway through your reservation. 

What if you need to cancel your long-term Airbnb?

Cancellation policies depend on the individual host. An Airbnb host can opt to allow cancellations up to a month before your visit or 48 hours after you book, so be sure to pay attention to the cancellation policy when booking. This doesn’t give you much wiggle room to change your mind and if you do cancel outside of that short window, you will still have to pay for the first 30 days of your reservation and the service fee.

If you check-in and decide to cancel after your trip has begun, you will not be refunded for the next 30 days after your cancellation. If you have extenuating circumstances that fall under Airbnb’s Major Disruptive Events Policy, it may be possible to appeal for a full refund. If you are not confident in your travel plans, booking an Airbnb for a month or longer can be risky. 

Are there any legalities to take into account?

Because of varying tenant laws, your host may ask you to sign a contract before confirming your reservation. If this is the case, the host will be required to disclose this information to you before confirming your booking. If your host asks you to sign a contract after the fact, it’s within your right to decline and to ask them to cancel your reservation without a cancellation penalty.

Local legislation regarding how hotels and long-term apartments should be run vary widely and Airbnb hosts in different cities may need a different level of commitment from guests before the stay is confirmed. Because your host will be required to disclose this to you before you commit to the booking, make sure you take ample time to review the document and seek counsel or find another booking if something doesn’t seem right. Airbnb recommends that guests review the contract within 48 hours after booking, so be sure you are prepared when you book. 

Book a long-term Airbnb here

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Chance the Rapper, Dan+Shay, Reba McEntire, and John Legend.

Art Streiber/NBC via Getty Images

The Voice, NBC’s hit singing competition, concludes its 25th season this week. Whether you’re looking to tune in or catch up, we’ve got you covered on all the ways to view the show, including where to watch The Voice free from anywhere. 

The series first premiered in 2011 and puts a twist on the traditional singing competition formula by having judges only be able to listen to contestants during their audition. If they like what they hear, they hit a button and turn their chair around. From there, they coach each of their respective mentees to a hopeful victory. Over the years, the series has added several additional challenges and rules to spice up the competition. Plus, the superstar coaches often do live performances throughout the season.

• See also: Where to watch Vanderpump Rules | Where to watch The Traitors | Where to watch Survivor

In Season 25, coaches Reba McEntire, John Legend, and Chance the Rapper welcomed newcomer coaching duo Dan + Shay, the show’s first-ever pair of judges. Niall Horan and longtime judge Gwen Stefani departed the show after last season, so it’s a year of many shake-ups.

The season comes to an end this week with the two-part live finale. Part 1 aired on Monday night and Part 2 will air on Tuesday, when The Voice Season 25 winner is announced. Fans can also catch a special recap of the prior finale performances on NBC an hour before Part 2 airs. There are five remaining contestants: two from Team Reba, two from Team Legend, and one from Team Dan + Shay. 

If you missed the season’s earlier episodes or are looking for a live-streaming option, we’ll show you all the ways you can watch the show and recommend a VPN for free streaming below.

Where to watch The Voice quick links

• Access FREE internationally via ExpressVPN
• Canada: CTV (free)
• USA: Sling TV ($40), Hulu + Live TV ($76.99), Peacock ($5.99)
• Season 25 finale:
  • “Live: Recap Finale Performances” on Tuesday, May 21 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC
  • “Live Finale Part 2” on Tuesday, May 21 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC

How to watch The Voice in the USA

The Voice airs Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC in the US. The Season 25 finale will air live on Tuesday, May 21, from 9 p.m. ET to 11 p.m. ET. An hour-long recap will air starting at 8 p.m. ET. NBC’s streaming counterpart, Peacock, offers new episodes the next day. A Peacock subscription also means you’ll have access to other NBC-affiliated reality shows, like America’s Got Talent and the Bravo catalog.

If you’re looking to watch new episodes live and don’t have cable, you can check out some of the live TV streaming packages. Sling TV and Hulu + Live TV offer packages with NBC. For Sling, you’ll want to sign up for the Blue option (or the more expensive Blue and Orange combo). Sling subscriptions start at $40 per month. You’ll need you double-check the local channels listing to make sure that your area gets NBC.

Hulu + Live TV subscriptions start at $76.99 per month. They include access to regular Hulu, ESPN+, and Disney+. Again, you’ll want to input your zip code into the “view channels in your area” page to ensure that NBC is available in your region.

How to watch The Voice in Canada

The Voice airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET and Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on CTV in Canada. You can access episodes for free through the CTV website. If you want to watch the episodes live, you’ll need to create a free account with your email and phone number. Or watch them the day after with no need to create an account — this is a great option for international VPN users. 

How to watch The Voice free from anywhere

If you’re not in Canada right now, a VPN (virtual private network) will be the best option for accessing the free episodes. A VPN changes the location of your device so that you can access certain websites and apps that might otherwise be geo-restricted, so traveling Canadians will be able to keep up with The Voice. A VPN is also a solid way to increase your digital privacy and security.

Not sure where to start when it comes to VPNs? We recommend ExpressVPN, a tried and true option with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Take a look at our ExpressVPN review to see more, and keep reading to learn how to use a VPN below.

How to watch The Voice with a VPN

• Sign up for a VPN if you don’t have one.
• Install it on the device you’re using to watch The Voice.
• Turn it on and set it to Canada.
• Go to CTV.
• Enjoy new episodes of The Voice.

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

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Marc Marquez of Spain and Repsol Honda Team leads the field during the MotoGP race during the MotoGp of Qatar – Race at Losail Circuit on March 23, 2014 in Doha, Qatar.

Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images

If F1 isn’t quite your speed, it might be time to check out motorcycle racing. The current MotoGP season picks back up this weekend with Round 6 races scheduled for May 24-26 in Catalonia. We’ll show you your streaming options, including where to watch free MotoGP live streams from anywhere.

The season kicked off earlier in March and will continue through November. Jorge Martín has been having an excellent season so far and currently ranks first in the world standings, winning both the French and Portuguese Grand Prix. Following the French Grand Prix just two weeks ago, riders will now head to Catalonia, Spain for the Gran Premi Monster Energy de Catalunya this weekend. This month is jam-packed with MotoGP races, with Round 7 taking place in Italy just one week later.

The events typically happen over the weekend, with several practices leading up to the ultimate MotoGP race on Sunday. If you’re not sure how to tune in or you’re hoping to watch for free, then you’re in luck. Keep reading to learn how to access a free live stream from anywhere in the world via VPN.

• See also: Where to watch Formula 1 | How to watch NBA Playoffs | How to watch NHL Playoffs

MotoGP quick links

• USA: Max ($9.99)
• UK: TNT Sports (£30.99)
• Austria: ServusTV (FREE)
• Access free live stream from anywhere via ExpressVPN
• Upcoming: Gran Premi de Catalunya
  • Sunday, May 26 at 8 a.m. ET / 1 p.m. BST / 8 p.m. AWST

Where to watch MotoGP in the US

In the US, Max offers access to select practice and qualifying MotoGP races. Max subscriptions start at $9.99 per month with ads. The live streams are a part of the B/R Sports Add-on, which will eventually cost you an additional $9.99 per month but is currently included free with Max subscriptions.

Where to watch MotoGP in Austria

In Austria, MotoGP races are available to stream for free through ServusTV. If you navigate to the live programming section of the site, there might just be an English language option. The service offers access to many live sporting events, including several of this season’s F1 races.

How to watch MotoGP from anywhere

If you’re not in Austria right now, you can use a VPN (virtual private network) to access the free live streams. In addition to upping your online privacy, VPNs change your device’s location so that you can access websites and apps that might otherwise be confined to one region. Our tried-and-true VPN recommendation is ExpressVPN, an easy-to-use option that comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Check out our ExpressVPN Review to learn more and keep reading to see how to use it.

How to watch MotoGP with a VPN

• Sign up for a VPN if you don’t have one.
• Install it on the device you’re using to watch the race.
• Turn it on and set it to Austria.
• Navigate to ServusTV.
• Watch on the live section of the site.

Note: The use of VPNs is illegal in certain countries, and using VPNs to access region-locked streaming content might constitute a breach of the terms of use for certain services. Insider does not endorse or condone the illegal use of VPNs.

Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock

• If you’re entertaining this Memorial Day weekend, set-it-and-forget-it dishes can be a lifesaver.
• From ribs to pulled pork, these slow-cooker recipes are perfect for summer gatherings.
• You can also make sides like potato salad and delicious dips in a slow cooker.

From mouthwatering barbecue ribs to savory pulled-pork sandwiches, these slow-cooker recipes are perfect for any Memorial Day cookout.

WalletHub recently reported that 52% of Americans plan to host cookouts over Memorial Day weekend, making it one of the biggest weekends of the year for barbecuing. However, while grilling certainly captures the spirit of the holiday, slow cookers can make preparing sides and meats for all your guests a breeze. 

Here are 14 easy cookout foods you can make in a slow cooker this Memorial Day weekend.

For your Memorial Day cookout this year, try making the potato salad using your slow cooker.Potato salad.

ziashusha/Shutterstock

You might not know that you can parboil potatoes in a slow cooker. To do so, chop and cover the potatoes with water, a little salt and pepper, and butter and cook them until they’re fork-tender, usually about six hours on low.

Then, mix the dressing for your potato salad as you normally would, such as mayonnaise, dill, whole grain mustard, and a splash of red wine vinegar. 

You can also make a German-style potato salad with bacon, light dressing, and baby potatoes.

Dips, such as this spinach-and-artichoke dip, are also easily made in a slow cooker.Spinach-and-artichoke dip.

Damn Delicious

“I love to make spinach-and-artichoke dip in my slow cooker,” Chungah Rhee, the author of the blog Damn Delicious, told Business Insider. 

“You can just free up so much of your time by using a slow cooker and hang out with your guests instead of laboring in the kitchen,” Rhee continued. “Especially for side dishes or dips. You put it all together, set the time and it comes out ready to go.”

This set-it-and-forget-it corn-and-jalapeño dip is deliciously creamy and easy to make.Corn-and-jalapeño dip.

Damn Delicious

“Another favorite of mine is this corn-and-jalapeño dip,” Rhee told Insider. 

 

Buffalo-chicken dip is another quick and easy favorite you can make in a slow cooker.Slow cooker Buffalo-chicken dip.

Erin McDowell/Insider

One of the benefits of making a slow-cooker Buffalo-chicken dip, like this recipe on Rhee’s blog — or any other side dish in a slow cooker — is that it can be prepared well ahead of time and reheated when you’re ready to eat.

Rhee’s advice for someone using a slow cooker for the first time for entertaining is actually to start out with a dip or side dish. 

“If for some reason it doesn’t turn out, because we all know that can happen using an appliance for the first time, it’s not detrimental to your dinner party being a success,” she said.

Queso gets super creamy and serves a whole party when done in a slow cooker.Slow cooker queso with red onion, cilantro, and sliced jalapeños.

Erin McDowell/Insider

This creamy queso dip from Martha Stewart uses ingredients like American cheese and pepper jack cheese, a can of evaporated milk, diced tomatoes with chilies, sliced jalapeños, red onion, and cilantro. 

Brisket is perfect for feeding a larger family and can easily be made in a slow cooker.Beef brisket.

iStock / Getty Images Plus

“Brisket is a natural partner for the slow cooker, as a gentle braise renders it meltingly tender,” Kim Laidlaw writes in her cookbook, “Everyday Slow Cooking: Modern Recipes for Delicious Meals.”

Laidlaw’s recipe for slow-cooked braised brisket includes garlic, onion, dry red wine, carrot, and chicken or beef stock, with a chimichurri sauce.

Pulled-pork sliders are a great way to use your slow cooker for a cookout.Pulled pork sandwiches with barbecue sauce and coleslaw.

Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock

One of the best ways to use braised and slow-cooked pork shoulder is to make pulled-pork sliders, like this Damn Delicious recipe, with all that tender meat.

To elevate the dish, top the meat with barbecue sauce and slaw before sandwiching it between two fluffy brioche buns or potato rolls. You can also use the carnitas to make tacos.

You can also make barbecue ribs in a slow cooker.Barbecue ribs.

David P. Smith/Shutterstock

Nothing screams an end-of-summer cookout like sauce-covered ribs, like Laidlaw’s recipe as shared on Cooking by the Book. After cooking them in the slow cooker, place them on a baking sheet in your oven and broil them until they’re slightly crispy.

You can also make slow-cooked sausages and beer brats that pack a ton of flavor and save space on your grill.Bratwurst with sauerkraut and Dijon mustard on a bun.

Charles Brutlag/Getty Images

Brats with onions, peppers, and garlic simmered in the slow cooker with beer — like this recipe by The Magical Slow Cooker — are one way to use your slow cooker on Memorial Day.

Top your brats with a bit of sauerkraut and put them on buns for a delicious summer dish.

Mac and cheese can also easily be made in a slow cooker.A spoonful of Martha Stewart’s slow cooker mac and cheese.

Erin McDowell/Insider

If you’re looking to add some carbs to your menu, look no further than a piping hot pot of mac and cheese. Martha Stewart’s recipe for mac and cheese in a slow cooker calls for evaporated milk, three kinds of cheese, and homemade breadcrumbs.

Garlic-and-herb mushrooms are a delicious side dish but can also be used as a burger topping.Garlic-and-herb mushrooms.

Damn Delicious

“The recipe for slow-cooker garlic-herb mushrooms is divine and so easy,” Rhee said. “Mushrooms made in a slow cooker are truly the best.”

Shredded Buffalo chicken goes great on top of salads.Shredded buffalo chicken.

from my point of view/Shutterstock

One of the best — and easiest — ways to use your Crock-Pot or slow cooker is by making shredded Buffalo chicken, such as this recipe by The Magical Slow Cooker.

Add seasoned chicken breasts to the slow cooker and cover with your preferred Buffalo sauce. Then add a splash of ranch dressing and a cube of butter, toss your chicken breasts in the mixture to coat fully, and cook until the chicken is shreddable. You can use it for Buffalo-chicken sliders, salads, or tacos.

You can even make Buffalo or barbecue chicken wings using a slow cooker.Slow cooker Buffalo wings.

Erin McDowell/Insider

You can make any style of wings in a slow cooker, from Asian-style to barbecue and Buffalo wings. Add your wings to the slow cooker, add in your sauce of choice, toss to combine, and let them cook for a couple of hours on high.

To make them crisp up, add a cornstarch and water mixture to your slow cooker. After they’re cooked through, broil them for a few minutes in the oven.

Meatballs make a great appetizer for guests and don’t require cooking over a hot stove.Meatballs and sauce in a slow cooker.

anewlifephotostudio/Getty Images

Meatballs make the perfect appetizer for parties big and small and are easy to make in a slow cooker. 

Place your seasoned, raw meatballs into the slow cooker, top with sauce, and let the slow cooker finish them off, says one recipe by Spend With Pennies. Serve them on their own with toothpicks or stuff them inside toasted sub rolls for a meatball sandwich.