Author: openjargon

• Republicans regularly portray Joe Biden as feeble and unable to serve as president.
• Ahead of his debate with Trump, they're changing course — even saying he'll be on drugs.
• It's a recognition that they've set expectations too low for Biden, and it could backfire.

Day in and day out, Republicans portray Joe Biden as a man who's too old and enfeebled to carry out the duties of the presidency.

It's probably their most potent attack, given that most Americans are concerned about his age. At 81, Biden is the oldest person to ever serve as president, and there's no denying that he shows it at times.

But now, ahead of a high-stakes debate with Donald Trump on Thursday, some Republicans are adding a twist to that narrative: Biden may show up under the influence of drugs.

The most outspoken of the bunch is Rep. Ronny Jackson, a staunch Trump ally who previously served as White House Physician from 2013 to 2018: The Texas Republican sent a letter to Biden demanding that he take a drug test ahead of the debate.

There's also the more anodyne version of the theory, pushed by Republicans like Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri, who speculated that Biden's advisors were "going to jack him up on Mountain Dew."

Why are Republicans bothering to talk about this at all?

It may be because they realize their portrayal of Biden as enfeebled may only work in the president's favor at the debate.

It all goes back to the State of the Union

"A little before debate time, he gets a shot in the ass," Trump said at a rally in Philadelphia on Saturday. "He'll come out all jacked up, right? All jacked up."

"I'm sure he'll be prepared," Trump later added. "Whatever happened to all that cocaine that was missing a month ago from the White House?"

This sort of thing isn't new for Trump. In 2016, he suggested that he and Hillary Clinton should submit themselves to a drug test, and in 2020, he suggested that Biden was on drugs when he debated his Democratic primary opponents.

What's new is the embrace of that theory by rank-and-file Republicans, most of whom seem to have been taken aback by Biden's relatively strong performance at the State of the Union address in March.

"He was very different in the State of the Union than he has been for the last three and a half years in public," Jackson told Business Insider.

"I remember walking into the State of the Union and thinking, 'We're going to see sleepy Joe,' and we saw jacked up on Mountain Dew Joe,'" Burlison told Business Insider. "I think that he's going to be attentive, alert, because it's going to be game on."

When Biden spoke to Congress, he had been facing one of the worst months of his campaign. Special Counsel Robert Hur's report had characterized the president as an aging man with a poor memory, and liberal pundits were openly discussing the merits of replacing him.

Biden managed to reset the narrative with a State of the Union address that was energetic and highly political. While it didn't result in a lasting lead for the president, it gave him a modest bump in polling.

The president has been in debate prep for days, and he's likely looking to snag a similar opportunity on Thursday.

Neither Burlison nor Jackson went so far as to admit that they're playing an expectations game with Biden, but both men acknowledged that it's an important factor.

"Probably, the expectation has been set too low," said Jackson. The Texas congressman predicted that Biden would either be "sleepy" or "jacked up" at the debate, but acknowledged that the president could land somewhere in the middle. "If that happens, I mean, then it's a win for him, right?"

"I don't think we ought to underestimate [Biden]," said Burlison. "Trump's team should be fully prepared, and not be planning for sleepy Joe."

• In the last few months, Pompeii archaeologists have announced many impressive findings.
• The announcements include an unusual fresco of a child and charcoal drawings of gladiators.
• The discoveries give insights into daily life prior to the volcanic eruption nearly 2,000 years ago.

Before the Mount Vesuvius eruption buried it in ash and rocks, Pompeii's Region IX was a bustling region full of elegant homes, bakeries, and other shops.

This year, the Pompeii Archaeological Park unveiled several new discoveries from the area, including a stunning blue shrine, children's drawings of gladiators, and incredible fresco paintings.

"The new excavations give us a sense of how much still remains to be found," Caitlín Barrett, co-director of Cornell University's Casa della Regina Carolina (CRC) Project at Pompeii, told Business Insider.

Photos show some of these latest discoveries from Region IX, offering a glimpse into what life was like in Pompeii nearly 2,000 years ago. While much has changed over the millennia, some things, like dinner parties and kids' doodles, still seem familiar.

Region IX holds both the beauty and brutality of Ancient Rome.

For hundreds of years, volcanic debris preserved Pompeii after the eruption in 79 CE.

Early excavations, starting in the mid-1700s, focused on the city's artwork rather than objects related to daily life, said Barret, a National Geographic Explorer who wasn't involved in the latest research. This meant experts often overlooked those who didn't own these luxury items.

People from a range of social classes lived in Region IX, Barrett said. "There were very wealthy people who could afford houses covered in beautiful wall paintings," she said. "And there were also individuals who led much more difficult lives, like the enslaved people who were compelled to work in a bakery that was sealed with iron bars across the windows."

Several new discoveries come from the area known for its chaste lovers.

Since 1912, archaeologists have known about the House of the Chaste Lovers. It's a two-story building in the area known as Insula 12 — insulas are distinct collections of buildings, similar to a modern city block.

This fresco depicts a couple sharing a romantic moment amongst others at a feast. It's such an iconic image that Insula 12 is also called the Insula of the Chaste Lovers.

This insula covers about 28,000 square feet and includes several impressive houses.

The House of the Chaste Lovers recently reopened after a renovation project that began in 2017. Several new findings from the insula are now on display. Visitors can gaze down on them from a newly raised walkway.

Experts found a "chilling" portrait of a hooded child with his pet.

In early June, Pompeii Archaeological Park experts revealed what they called an "unusual" painting of a young child wearing a hood. He's surrounded by grapes and pomegranates and is accompanied by what appears to be a pet dog.

During this time period, dogs were typically depicted hunting or on guard, but the one in this painting seems more like a playmate, according to a report in the E-Journal Scavi di Pompei.

Pomegranates can be a symbol of death, archaeologist Sophie Hay noted on X, which may indicate the owners of the house wanted to memorialize a deceased child. She called the painting chilling, pointing out the toddler's "haunted gaze."

Thousands of years ago, children made their own gruesome artwork.

Recent excavations can also tell us about how some children played in Ancient Rome.

In the Insula of the Chaste Lovers is the House of the Colonnaded Cenaculum. Thousands of years ago, children used charcoal to depict gladiators and a hunting scene on the courtyard walls of the house.

Psychologists from Federico II University of Naples examined the artwork and estimated that the child, or children, who drew them were around seven years old.

The gladiators in the drawing seem to be in combat, and a pair of hunters with spears are facing off against what looks like two wild boars.

The children may have seen fights in a nearby amphitheater.

In the same courtyard, a younger child of perhaps five made other charcoal drawings, including the outline of a hand. There are also images of boxers mid-fight, according to the researchers.

These weren't necessarily scenes taken from a child's imagination, according to Pompeii's experts.

Children may have watched fights and executions in a nearby amphitheater, "thus coming into contact with an extreme form of spectacularized violence," Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of the Archaeological Park, said in a statement.

Wealthy people had rooms decorated to impress guests.

A few streets away from the Chaste Lovers block is Insula 10, which has its own enormous residence.

One impressive home in Insula 10 incorporates many rooms, including an elaborate one for dining and a lavishly decorated shrine.

The Insula 10 residence's dining room has black walls covered in well-preserved frescos and could have held a couple dozen guests, Zuchtriegel told NBC News.

Its size and decor were meant to impress, according to a press release from the Pompeii Archaeological Park.

Most people lived in simpler housing, Barrett said, either in rented apartments or rooms or lofts above shops. "And even within wealthy households, the enslaved inhabitants would have lived in much more difficult conditions, sleeping on small and uncomfortable beds within cramped storerooms," she said.

Guests could discuss the frescoes during dinner.

The images depicted on the dining room walls include scenes from myths and literature. "The paintings would have given people something to talk about over dinner," Barrett said.

One shows the Trojan prince Paris meeting Helen, then queen of Sparta. It was this fateful pairing that sparked the Trojan War, according to legend.

In between the couple are a servant woman — "who is giving Helen a very dubious look," Barrett said — and a dog facing out from the fresco. "I love that dog breaking the fourth wall," Barrett said. "His dismayed expression tells you everything you need to know about what's going to happen next!"

The frescoes captured images from mythology and literature.

The black room has another fresco related to Greek mythology. Cassandra sits on the right, despairing that she won't be able to stop the Trojan War. The God Apollo, who looks at her in the painting, cursed her so no one would believe her prophesies.

Archaeologists are working to preserve these and other Pompeii frescoes by treating them with glue and putting up temporary roofs to protect them from the elements, according to the BBC.

While the frescoes are incredible, Barrett said more ordinary objects can be just as important to document.

"The burned figs and dates found in front of a household altar might not be as eye-catching as the frescoes, but they tell us about the daily rituals that connected people to their gods," she said.

A vivid blue shrine showcased the owner's deep pockets.

Another part of the residence with the black dining room held a more private space. Yet it seems the owners spared no expense in decorating the room, which may have served as a shrine.

The owners had it painted blue, which would have been very rare and expensive at the time.

"Having a whole room painted in blue would have made a major statement about the wealth of the house owner," Barrett said.

Paints were typically made from natural materials like minerals or plants. The "Egyptian blue" pigment was synthetic and therefore pricier. "So it was not only valuable but also high-tech," she said.

The owners seemed to be updating the room at the time of the volcanic eruption. A pile of oyster shells was found near other building materials, Barrett said. The workers may have been planning to crush them and add them to plaster to make an ivory-white pigment.

A third of Pompeii's archeological site is still unexcavated, so there will be plenty more to learn as the rest is unearthed.

• The Baltic states and Poland have called for a defense line along Europe's border with Russia, per Reuters.
• They said it would protect the EU from Russia's "military" and "hybrid" threats.
• Frontline NATO countries are facing intensifying Russian hybrid warfare threats.

NATO member states Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland have urged the EU to build defensive infrastructure along its 700-mile-long border with Russia and Belarus, according to Reuters.

The leaders of the four countries, which all share a land border with either Russia or Belarus, called for "extraordinary" measures to protect them and their allies.

"Building a defense infrastructure system along the EU external border with Russia and Belarus will address the dire and urgent need to secure the EU from military and hybrid threats," they said in a joint letter sent to the EU chairman, per Reuters.

They said the plan should be discussed at a two-day summit in Brussels starting on June 27, during which time EU leaders will discuss defense funding, among other items.

Given the size and cost of the effort — which some EU diplomats estimate would be about $2.7 billion — bloc-wide action is needed to support it both politically and financially, the letter said, per Reuters.

It didn't specify exactly what military or civilian means should be deployed.

Front-line NATO countries have faced intensifying Russian hybrid warfare threats, unconventional methods that Russia seems to be using that blur the line between war and peace and that fall into what is called the "gray zone."

Recent examples include Russia's coast guard removing buoys demarcating the territorial waters between Russia and Estonia on the Narva River in May, a day after a leaked Russian proposal outlined plans to redraw Russia's territorial waters with Estonia, Lithuania, and Finland.

The Baltic region has also experienced increased jamming of commercial aircraft's satellite navigation systems, which seems to be coming from Russia.

Meanwhile, EU officials have accused Russia and Belarus of driving migrants toward Lithuania's border with neighboring Poland.

Influence operations have also targeted all three Baltic countries, with Estonia experiencing a rise in sabotages that damaged an undersea gas pipeline and telecommunications cables between the country and Finland in October.

In response to these threats, and the threat of a potential Russian invasion, NATO and European countries close to Ukraine and Russia have started drafting their own defensive plans to protect their borders.

• Warren Buffett wrote to Bernard Arnault after the LVMH CEO raised his job's retirement age to 80.
• The investor told the luxury tycoon suggested he should have lifted it higher, Bloomberg reported.
• Berkshire Hathaway's 93-year-old CEO has argued that great bosses only get better with age.

After Bernard Arnault raised the retirement age for his job from 75 to 80 in 2022, Warren Buffett wrote to the luxury tycoon suggesting he should have hiked it higher.

The famed investor and Berkshire Hathaway CEO penned a letter to the LVMH CEO "telling him he made a mistake by setting the age limit too low," Bloomberg reported this week.

Buffett, 93, might be proven right. Arnault, 75, doesn't expect to retire anytime soon. "I don't think he'll ever stop," one of his sons told Bloomberg.

Like Buffett, Arnault reportedly loves what he does, takes pride in building one of the world's largest companies, and feels a duty to protect its legacy and continuity when he hands it off to the next generation.

The two men have plenty more in common. They both rank among the world's richest people with fortunes in excess of $100 billion, and they're both running public companies into old age.

Moreover, they've built sprawling conglomerates that are home to dozens of independent, autonomous subsidiaries. LVMH's brands span Louis Vuitton, Moët & Chandon, Hennessy, Christian Dior, Sephora, and Tiffany & Co.

Berkshire's businesses include Geico, Dairy Queen, Duracell, and Squishmallows-maker Jazwares.

Close followers of Buffett won't be surprised to learn of Buffett's comment to Arnault. The Berkshire chief's opinion has long been that great managers are like fine wines — they only improve with age.

"Buffett's view is that high-quality people like those on his board and running his companies get better with time and experience and so should not face mandatory retirement," Larry Cunningham, a professor emeritus of law at George Washington University and the author of "Berkshire Beyond Buffett: The Enduring Value of Values," told Business Insider.

Indeed, only one of Berkshire's 14 directors is younger than 60, and six are older than 70, per the company's most recent proxy filing. The late Charlie Munger, Tom Murphy, Walter Scott, and David "Sandy Gottesman all sat on the board into their 90s.

"He has often joked that his death is far in the future," Cunningham said about Buffett. The author noted the investor once quipped to CNBC that 103 was the "yardstick" for retirement at Berkshire after one of his top lieutenants, Mrs. B, only stepped down at that age.

Buffett has also joked that he might give Methuselah — the biblical figure who supposedly lived to 969 — a run for his money.

"On the other hand, he joked at this year's meeting about his own age, that he reads the mortality tables and knows his time is short," Cunningham added.

Buffett has set the high-water mark for CEO longevity, and his letter to Arnault signals that he thinks the LVMH boss can handle a lot more wear before he needs replacing.

• Biden and Trump's stances differ dramatically on some major issues like abortion.
• But they're also closer than you might think on other issues, like the war in Gaza.
• Here's where each candidate stands on the economy, climate, immigration, abortion, Ukraine, and Israel-Gaza.

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump disagree on most major issues concerning Americans today, like the economy, climate, immigration, abortion, the war in Ukraine, and the war in Gaza.

At the top of that list is the economy and inflation — nearly 9 in 10 Americans say these are the most important issues determining who they will vote for in November, according to an ABC News/Ipsos poll in May.

But if you're a bit fuzzy on the specific details of each presidential candidate's positions, here's a guide with all the information you need.

Biden vs Trump on the economy

With the skyrocketing costs of monthly bills like rent and mortgages, health insurance, phone plans, and utilities — it's no surprise that the economy is the biggest issue looming on voters minds this election season.

So how does each candidate intend to alleviate Americans' financial woes?

In his three and a half years already in office, Biden has done pretty well on the core metrics of a healthy economy. Unemployment has stayed under 4% for the longest period of time since the 1960s, 15 million jobs have been created, the Dow hit over 40,000 for the first time, and the national economy as a whole is expected to grow at double the rate of its G7 peers.

Though the statistics sound good, that doesn't mean Americans are feeling good — a disconnect that one economist calls a "vibecession."

As for his 2025 agenda, Biden wants to hike the corporate tax rate, impose a higher corporate minimum tax on billion-dollar companies, and impose a 25% tax on the wealthiest Americans' unrealized income.

During Trump's time in office, inflation was about 2% lower on average, and both unemployment and the stock market did well.

Trump hasn't been very specific about his economic plans for a second term, but some economists warn that his general ideas could exacerbate inflation.

Trump's promise to crack down on illegal immigration could worsen labor shortages, and his proposal to enact a 10% tariff on all imported goods could make items more expensive for consumers. Trump also believes tax cuts and deregulation will fuel economic growth, and he's proposed ending the taxation of tips.

Read more about each candidate's economic stances here.

Biden vs Trump on the climate

Biden has boasted about the pro-environment policies he's enacted while in office, and he hopes his stance will win over young voters.

He rejoined the Paris climate agreement, revoked a permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline, and helped set up new EPA rules that limit vehicle emissions and strengthen the reporting requirements of methane emissions.

When Trump took office, he left the Paris climate agreement and rolled back a number of environmental protections on everything from logging to dishwasher efficiency.

The former president has also pledged to "stop the war on oil and natural gas," dismantle oil regulations, and end "government interference in energy decisions."

Read more about each candidate's climate positions here.

Biden vs Trump on immigration

Biden and Trump are sharply divided on immigration, as are Americans.

Immigration has been one of the toughest issues of Biden's term — he entered office wanting to reverse many of Trump's policies but has since waffled on the issue.

Under Biden, border apprehensions hit a record high, which Republicans have blamed on lackluster border security.

Earlier this year, Biden hoped a Senate-crafted bipartisan bill on the asylum system would strengthen border security, but Republicans squashed it. At the beginning of June, Biden did make some progress on the issue, signing an executive order restricting asylum protections — to the dismay of many left-leaning immigration advocates.

Trump has made immigration a central tenet of both his presidential runs.

The former president, who has harshly criticized Biden's immigration policies, was instrumental in getting Republicans to reject the Senate's bipartisan immigration bill earlier this year.

He has also promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in US history if he's elected to a second term, and his allies have reportedly already been drawing up plans to restrict migration at the US-Mexico border.

Read more about each candidates immigration position here.

Biden vs Trump on abortion

Biden has consistently held a pro-abortion position.

He's promised to restore Roe v. Wade, defended access to the abortion drug mifepristone, pushed through a Pentagon policy that reimburses service members who need to travel for the procedure, and vowed to defend women's legal ability to travel across state lines to get an abortion.

Though Trump has bragged about his role overturning Roe, he has also recently tried to skirt around the topic of abortion, arguing that the decision should be left to individual states.

Trump has also not said how he feels about mifepristone or how he intends to vote on a Florida constitutional amendment that would expand some access to the procedure.

Read more about each candidate's stance on abortion here.

Biden vs Trump on the war in Ukraine

The Biden administration has remained in favor of supporting Ukraine financially and militarily, arguing that it's worth the cost to combat Russian aggression and uphold the US-led world order.

Biden has also suggested that he wouldn't support a negotiated settlement granting some Ukrainian territory to Russia.

"Peace looks like making sure Russia never, never, never, never occupies Ukraine," Biden told TIME in a May interview. "That's what peace looks like."

Trump's stance on the war is not quite as clear, and his friendliness with Russian President Vladimir Putin has made his views even murkier. He has suggested giving aid to Ukraine in the controversial form of a loan, and has said that the US is doing too much to support the battle-torn country. He's also pledged to end the war if elected, even if that means Ukraine ceding territory to Russia.

Read more about each candidate's stance on the war in Ukraine here.

Biden vs Trump on Israel-Gaza

Biden has consistently defended Israel since the country invaded Gaza last year following Hamas' October 7 attack.

Biden has, however, hedged his support of Israel at times.

He's called Israel's war tactics "over the top," pushed for a ceasefire, and urged Israel to do more to allow humanitarian aid into the territory.

Trump has voiced conflicting messages about the war in Gaza. During an interview in March, he said Israel "made a very big mistake" but also at the same time told the country to "go and do what you have to do."

Some of Trump's comments on the topic has also signaled that he could be even more supportive of Israel's war than Biden.

Read more about each candidates stance on Israel-Gaza here.

Biden vs Trump on housing

While in office, Biden has pushed a number of policy changes on housing, including the "Housing Supply Action" plan. The president has encouraged initiatives to increase the amount of affordable housing, and his fiscal year 2025 budget proposal includes $258 billion for housing initiatives.

Biden has also discussed housing issues on the campaign trail and in high-profile speeches like the State of the Union.

Trump didn't prioritize the issue while in office, and he proposed substantial cuts to agencies that provide federal housing subsidies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The former president hasn't discussed the issue much during his 2024 campaign so far, though he has promised a crackdown on immigration will provide relief to the housing market. He has said he would said he would "ban urban camping" to deal with homelessness. He also released a video last year saying he would build 10 new American cities on federal land as a way to give American families "a new shot at homeownership."

Read more about each candidates stance on housing

• Milan Ball moved to Indianapolis, which she finds has a small-town charm despite its large population.
• The professional opportunities were one factor that drew her to this Midwest city.
• Ball is paying less than $1,700 in rent for the one-bedroom place she shares with her dog.

Milan Ball, 27, has no regrets about moving to Indianapolis in the summer of 2022. Growing up largely in Virginia, she's already experienced life in the South. She also resided in New York City, and she has studied abroad and worked in Italy.

Now working and living in Indianapolis, Ball doesn't see herself leaving this Midwest city soon. With a population of over 800,000, Ball finds Indianapolis is "a big city with small-town charm." She added, "There's this really wonderful community aspect to it."

Ball argued that other members of her generation should consider getting out of the coastal grind, noting, "Midwest cities in general have so much to offer." She hopes more Gen Zers decide not to "live in a shoebox" sized place and "go to cities where they can have a better quality of life and community."

"You can live in a city like New York and still feel very alone, even living with three roommates and sharing a bathroom," Ball said.

Moving to the Midwest

Ball got to see what Indianapolis was like when she visited her mom while she was on a work assignment as a travel nurse during the pandemic. "There was just something really charming about the city," Ball said.

Ball was also considering furthering her education around this time. She said she came across an ad about the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy during this visit. She moved to Indianapolis shortly before pursuing a master's in philanthropic studies.

"I was going through a career transition," she said, adding she had been in the fashion industry for several years, including as an undergraduate in New York City and while working in Italy after graduating. "I was kind of gravitating towards the more socially impactful side of the industry."

The feeling of home was one thing that drew her to Indianapolis. "The architecture in Indianapolis is very similar to the Washington, DC, area," she said. "There was something about that environment that just made it feel like home."

The professional opportunities also drew her to the city. Ball recently completed her master's and has been working for the Be Nimble Foundation, "a nonprofit that focuses on wealth equity for communities of color. I am our director of development, so I oversee fundraising," she said.

"I had led a very successful career for how old I was up until moving here, and I think people were afraid for me, for the decision that I was making," she said. "So, I have absolutely no regrets. I'm still kind of blown away. I think it was one of the best decisions I could have ever made for my career."

Ball also highlighted Garden Pardi, an event during Black Innovation Week organized by the Be Nimble Foundation that she attended before working at the nonprofit. She said there were many young professionals of color "that were celebrating entrepreneurship and innovation in the tech industry."

"That was really what hit me when I was like, 'oh, I could see myself here' because I could see so many people that looked like me here, that were thriving here, that had businesses that were just successful," she said. "I just met so many friends during that week that it made it feel really real for me."

Pros of being in Indianapolis

One positive about Indianapolis is the living space Ball has compared to back in New York.

"I often say I lived in a tissue box then, but I did love New York, and I still love New York, and so one of the best perks I think of Indianapolis is that I can afford to go back, and I can afford to travel as often as I want," Ball said.

Ball also complimented the Indianapolis airport, noting, "I love leaving, and I love coming home because it's the smoothest."

She and her dog live in a one-bedroom apartment in a "prime area" in downtown Indianapolis. She didn't live alone while in New York.

Now, without the help of roommates, Ball's been paying just over $1,600 in rent in Indianapolis, more than she said she paid for her share of a couple of apartments in New York.

Ball said although she's paying more, she has way more "peace, comfort, and space in an apartment."

Indianapolis is relatively affordable — Zillow shows that the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Indianapolis is less than the national median.

"I rent, but I am looking to own, partly because I think it is so — it's worth the investment here," Ball said. "The fact that there are still properties I could afford, it is definitely a pro."

She also likes the food in Indianapolis, saying, "people dispute over the food scene here, but I have not been disappointed."

Ball enjoys "curling up with a journal" and attending jazz nights at Parlor Public House in Indianapolis, her favorite coffee shop "that feels like being back in Williamsburg." She said she worked remotely and studied at the shop so often that she ended up meeting her partner, another regular, there.

She also finds downtown Indianapolis beautiful, including White River State Park. Ball also finds people are kind, and she has also found people being so helpful has also been "transformative" for her career.

She does miss getting around via subway in New York City and finds it tough not having a car to get around in Indianapolis.

"For a lot of my time here, I just Uber and Lyft because I live downtown," she said. "It's affordable enough for me to do that, which can be a pro, but con being not having a car here is not the most ideal."

Ball's advice for others seeking to move is "just being open to everything." Ball said while not everyone may enjoy doing things alone, "gamifying the experience can be helpful."

"Part of why I was able to kind of navigate the city and create, form friendships really quickly is because I just kind of threw myself into the water," she said.

What has your moving experience to a different city, state, or country been like? Reach out to this reporter to share at mhoff@businessinsider.com.

• Singapore Airlines won the 2024 Skytrax award for the world's best first-class service. 
• The airline's Airbus A380 planes sport a hotel-like suites that can convert into double rooms.
• The suite-equipped superjumbos only fly to a select number of cities, but not the US.

Singapore Airlines is heralded as one of the most luxurious carriers in the world, earning loyalty for its nice cabins, attentive flight attendants, and reliable operation.

It fought Doha-based competitor Qatar Airways for Skytrax's 2024 title of world's best airline, winning in 2023 but losing to Qatar this year.

However, one Skytrax awards category Singapore has consistently won since 2018 is Best First Class for the hotel-like suites on its Airbus A380s.

Although some travelers savvy enough with points may snag a seat, the exclusive cabin is widely booked by deep-pocket business and leisure passengers, as roundtrip tickets can cost up to $30,000.

First launched in 2017, Singapore's A380 first-class suite is about as close as one can get to flying private on a commercial jetliner.

The old first class featured 12 seats on the A380's upper deck, but the retrofit halved that.

Six next-generation suites, providing up to 100 square feet of living space, are now available on each of its in-service superjumbos.

The suites are accessible by a grand staircase at the front of the plane.

The staircase clearly demonstrates the exclusivity of the fancy suites, and passengers will be welcomed by dedicated crew members specially trained to work first class.

Six mini hotel rooms are separated by tall walls, each with a full sliding door.

Privacy is among the most requested amenities from customers for premium cabins. Carriers like Air India and British Airways have recently added doors to their business class. American Airlines hopes to launch its new door-equipped Flagship cabin later this year.

Meanwhile, Emirates announced first-class suites with sliding doors in 2017, shortly after Singapore's own launch.

Instead of the lie-flat bed common in business class, Singapore's suites have a separate chair and bed.

The bed folds out of the partition between cabins and can be set up by the crew members.

Singapore's plush reclining chair has various positions for dining, working, and watching TV.

It can swivel to a desk facing out the window or at the television, and the tables are huge, with more than enough space for a laptop.

Competitor Etihad Airways' A380 First Class Apartments have the same design — but without a key perk that sets Singapore apart.

UAE-based Etihad Airways' private first-class rooms are similarly luxurious, with a separate chair and couch to create that "apartment"-like feel.

The couch flips into a bed, and the top half can open to an adjoining pod.

While Etihad's apartment beds can half-connect, Singapore can fully combine two suites into one.

Singapore designed the six suites to convert some into double rooms with space for two people by dropping the partition.

This means customers will get two recliners, two televisions, double the storage, and a full-sized bed.

Qatar Airways QSuite business class has a similar design but without the hotel-style privacy and space.

Qatar revolutionized business class with sliding doors and its convertable lie-flat beds that combine two into one.

The QSuite cabin also offers quad seating, so four people can dine or meet.

In addition to the niche perk that helped win the Skytrax award, the suites also feature a 32-inch television with thousands of titles.

A remote is available to control the television, and customers can select from almost any genre of movie or show.

There are also games and music to enjoy.

A small vanity sits along the fuselage and includes a mirror and toiletries.

Customers will get the expected amenity kit with things like lotion and dental items.

By the mirror is a tablet that controls things like lighting and adjustable window shades.

Drawers, cubbies, a hanging closet, and various other little nooks are available for storage.

Customers shouldn't have any issue finding a place for their stuff — and the closet is likely especially helpful to business passengers flying with a suit.

Outside the suite, customers can freshen up in one of the two giant lavatories reserved for first-class.

The two lavatories sit at the front of the cabin on either side of the staircase, though one is larger than the other.

Six people will be sharing two bathrooms, which is a much better ratio than in economy.

Passengers will find a vanity, toilet, toiletries, a baby-changing station, and a full-sized mirror in each restroom.

The vanity in the smaller lavatory is connected to the sink, though the one in the larger bathroom is separate with its own chair and mirror.

It sits between the toilet and the sink as a divider, which makes the space feel even bigger.

The bathrooms do not feature a shower, though.

Unlike Emirates and Etihad's first-class showers, Singapore does not include one because carrying the water would be a costly added weight.

Those hoping to experience the world's best first-class have just a few places to catch a ride — but none are in the US.

Cirium data shows Singapore flies its A380s on select routes between Changi and Asia, Europe, and Australia.

These include flying to Mumbai, Delhi, Frankfurt, London, Shanghai, and Sydney. The US fell off the list last year.

Singapore used to fly its A380 to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport via Germany but replaced it with a Boeing 777-300ER in May 2023.

The plane change cut capacity in half as Singapore found more revenue opportunity flying the mammoth plane to Australia instead.

However, the jet still has first-class — albeit not as bougie. Nor does it meet the luxury of rival top-notch first-class A380 cabins that fly to the US, such as Etihad and Emirates.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden will see each other for the first time since their last debate in 2020. Here is what to expect in the earliest-ever presidential debate before the November election.

• A 38-year-old man submitted an average day of eating to be reviewed for Insider's Nutrition Clinic.
• A nutritionist said that protein is important but eating enough carbs is essential too.
• If you'd like to have your diet reviewed by an expert, fill out this form.

Derek, 38, submitted his eating routine to Insider's Nutrition Clinic, where qualified dietitians and registered nutritionists offer advice on readers' eating habits.

He told Business Insider that his goals are to lose fat, build muscle, and get stronger. Derek said he works out six days a week, doing four strength training sessions and two HIIT workouts.

Derek shared his low-carb high-protein diet with BI, which was reviewed by sports nutritionist Dr. Mike Molloy. Molloy said Derek would likely get better results if he changed the composition of his diet by including more carbs and ate more overall.

As Derek specified the quantities of his daily diet, Molloy was able to calculate approximately how many calories and macronutrients (protein, carbs, and fats) he eats.

"We don't know Derek's current height or weight, so we'll assume that he's roughly average in both departments," Molloy said. Derek is eating 2,237 calories a day so — depending on his weight, height, and activity levels — this will enable him to stay the same weight or lose some.

However, because a calorie surplus is generally required for gaining muscle, Molloy added: "I would say that unless Derek is very new to strength training, he is very likely to struggle to gain muscle mass on these numbers."

Protein is important but it's pointless to overdo it

Derek said he doesn't eat until noon when he has three whole eggs with four egg whites, three cups of spinach, and three turkey sausages.

This is a high-protein breakfast, and while protein is important for muscle recovery and helps with fat loss, as it keep you feeling full, Molloy said Derek might be eating too much.

"This is great for muscle repair and growth, but studies have shown we only need around 1.6 to 2.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight," Molloy said. "As such, unless Derek is over 100 kilograms, he is likely consuming more protein than necessary."

Spreading his protein intake as evenly as possible over three to four meals a day will also support muscle growth, Molloy said.

Molloy also recommended Derek add a carb source such as oats to his breakfast for more energy.

Eat complex carbs with at least two meals a day

At around 3 p.m., Derek eats three chicken drumsticks with a cup of broccoli. He also snacks on half a Quest protein bar and 32 grams of almonds, he said.

Molloy said Derek isn't eating enough carbs overall, which isn't ideal because he needs energy for his high-intensity workouts and strength training.

"Increasing carbohydrate intake could enhance workout performance and recovery," Molloy said.

As Molloy previously told BI, not consuming enough carbohydrates and performing high-intensity workouts can lead to negative consequences, including limited performance, muscle loss through a process called gluconeogenesis, and what's known as "exercise flu."

He advised Derek to add complex carbs such as white potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, quinoa, or oats to at least two meals per day.

Focus on lean meats and healthy fats

For dinner, Derek said he eats eight to 10 ounces of ground turkey with Brussels sprouts.

After dinner, he has 1.5 cups of non-fat Greek yogurt with 32 grams of peanut butter and half an ounce of dark chocolate.

Molloy said Derek eats quite a lot of fat, making up about 50% of his total calories.

While healthy fats are essential in a balanced diet, eating too much might not help Derek create the body composition he desires.

Molloy recommended Derek focus on eating lean protein, upping his carb intake, and having healthy fats in moderation.

Train with progressive overload

Molloy, who works with elite athletes, advised Derek to ensure he's training with progressive overload (gradually increasing the weights and reps), which will challenge his muscles and help them to grow.

"Incorporate compound movements (squats, deadlifts, bench presses) for overall strength development," he said.

Molloy said Derek should make sure he balances HIIT with adequate recovery to prevent overtraining, as it can be taxing on the body.

Sleep, hydration, and active recovery (such as stretching and foam rolling) will all support Derek's overall fitness goals, Molloy said.

"Lastly, I would just emphasize to Derek the importance of introducing phases into his training," Molloy said. "He will likely benefit from spending 12 to 20 weeks in a calorie surplus to maximize muscle growth.

"He may gain some body fat during that process, but not to worry — an intelligent cut, aiming to drop 0.5 kilograms per week for 12 weeks will help him lean back out while maintaining most of the muscle mass he gained."

• I turned down almost all upcharged amenities during my four-day Carnival Firenze cruise.
• The new ship has more complimentary family-friendly activities than some of its competitor's latest vessels.
• But snubbing the up-charged food made for a less-than-amazing cruise.

Looking for a vacation that lets you ball on a budget? You'll certainly hit your "budget" requirement on Carnival's new Firenze ship — so long as you don't expect to truly ball out.

Cruises are an economical vacation option. After all, what other ticket includes unlimited food, a hotel room, activities, and the opportunity to see several destinations in one trip — all for less than $80 a day like Carnival is offering in 2024?

But if you're unwilling to spend more than the base fare, you could have a pretty different vacation experience from your peers who are ready to pay-to-play. At least, that's how I felt during my first Carnival cruise in mid-May on the new Firenze.

My stubborn stance against upcharged services resulted in a less-than-amazing experience.

Josh Weinstein, president and CEO of Carnival Corp, the cruise line's parent company, told investors in late June that the company wants to continue to be known as a "cost leader" in the industry.

Its new ship is a great example of this. Carnival says it's seeing strong demand from its US market. But instead of building a new vessel, the company acquired Firenze and its sister ship from Costa Cruises, another Carnival Corp brand, in 2022.

Besides WiFi, I refused to front for Firenze's up-charged activities and services.

I went on Carnival Firenze for work, which meant I had to cave on the ship's premium WiFi at $85 for all four nights.

Internet connectivity, specialty dining, and drinks packages are always extra on mass market ships. But over the last few years, cruise giants have added more irresistible pay-to-play amenities to their vessels, all while still luring travelers in with affordable base fares.

On Norwegian's newer ships, for example, this means paying $10 for a round of mini-golf or $29 for an hour at the VR arcade.

Not bad compared to Royal Caribbean's new Icon of the Seas, where travelers have to pay $200 for the fanciest restaurant or $49 for a ropes course that could be completed in less than a minute.

To Carnival’s credit, Frienze had more complimentary family-friendly amenities than some of its competitors’ newer ships.

The mini-golf course wasn't nearly as flashy as Norwegian's. But mini-golf is mini-golf, no matter the number of bright lights and animated courses.

The same was true for Firenze's ropes course. While it didn't have the same thrilling floor drop as Icon of the Seas', the multi-part walkway was longer, more diverse, and, more importantly, free.

I much preferred it to the one on Icon.

Families could spend their afternoons shooting hoops, going on the waterslides, and competing over board games — all without spending a cent.

The arcade was one of the few activities that wasn't free. Then again, they rarely are.

But don't book Firenze if you're seeking a quiet, relaxing ship. I struggled to find a peaceful public space where I could churn out some work without being distracted by the loud music and guests.

The only truly quiet space could've been the spa. But again, I wasn't going to pay for a massage.

In the eveing, I passed the time by catching the nightly movies and attending the theater's shows.

Just know that the latter isn't a must-do. Some singers in the cheesy song-and-dance production "Dear Future Husband" were painfully off-key.

And if you want to munch on a bag of popcorn during the movie, you'll have to pay $4. Smelling the buttery snack without having one in my hands was a torturous tease.

Several of Firenze’s bars — like Piano Bar 88 — featured live musicians, too.

Moda Bar and Lounge also had singers, if you count karaoke night.

But if you want a drink to accompany the entertainment, you'll have to spend about $13 for cocktails and $9 for beers and seltzers.

So, late-night foosball it was — for four nights in a row. At least it was free.

Activities like live music and board games are almost always free on cruise ships.

But that doesn't exempt Carnival Firenze from the industry-wide push for more pay-to-play amenities. There's a reason the company saw a spike in onboard spending in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the same time last year — despite rising ticket prices.

I doubt it's solely because of increased participation at Firenze's live "Deal or No Deal" game show, which starts at $25 to play. Or the $4 shuttle from the port at Ensenada, Mexico on day three to downtown (which I regret not paying for).

In retrospect, I wish I had fallen for Firenze's upcharged foods.

Norwegian and Royal Caribbean's newer ships had complimentary dining that was as good as, if not better, than the premium options. I still crave Norwegian Prima's free food hall.

I can't say the same for my no-fee dining experience on Firenze.

The ship had six specialty restaurants ranging from teppanyaki to steaks.

The cruiseliner has a kitschy Italian theme, as its name might suggest. But if I had wanted to continue the Italian tune with some shrimp scampi and burrata at the Il Viaggio restaurant, I would've had to drop more than $40.

So, instead, I had my nightly meals in the mediocre main dining room, which served the same dinner dishes as the buffet.

None of my Carnival Firenze dinners were stellar, and finding a piece of plastic in my pasta didn't help, either.

I always have juice with my breakfast at home.

But continuing my ritual on Firenze would've meant coughing up $5 per glass. It was tempting, especially as the main dining room server stopped by every table with a tray of the colorful concoctions.

For lunch, I bounced around options like the Guy Fieri-branded burger shack and the pizza, Italian-Mexican fusion, and Italian sandwich stands.

My no-spend requirement meant I had to snub the almost $40 teppanyaki lunch, $1.50-a-piece empanada, and $6 Korean barbecue steak pizza (the pizza stand had free and upcharged pies).

That meant none of my lunches were standouts. The burgers were too heavy (mine came with a slab of fried mozzarella), the salsa verde at the sandwich stand was inedible, and the buffet was forgettable.

Even worse, the chicken wings at the buffet cost extra. Oh, Carnival.

The only craveable lunch was at La Strada Grill, a tucked-away buffet with sandwiches and fresh vegetables.

It was the only light and fresh meal I had on the ship. I couldn't understand why it and another salad stand were closed until the last day of the cruise.

At that point, I had already grown tired of all the heavy foods.

But a quick pick-me-up at the coffee shop would have required me to break my no-spend rule, too.

The buffet had free coffee, Lipton, and Bigelow's green tea bags. But if you want something closer to your neighborhood coffee shop, the onboard café charges $4.50 for a latte and $4 for a doughnut.

I don't remember the last time I drank that much Lipton tea.

Activities like the afternoon 'Tea Time' also had a cost barrier.

Tea bags at the program were $1.50, unbeknownst to me until I was seated. After expressing disinterest in paying, I was later offered the buffet's teas.

Caffeine might be mandatory if you stay in the cheapest windowless cabin.

Like any mass-market cruise ship, the most affordable option was a windowless interior stateroom and letting Carnival assign me my cabin.

Traveling alone for work meant I had to eat the solo supplement. My interior cabin, booked fairly last minute, cost $735, including $64 in optional gratuities.

But in 2024, the cheapest itinerary starts shy of $360 per person, including taxes and fees, for the same four-night sailing — from Long Beach, California, to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico — as the one I went on.

Carnival put me in one of Firenze’s accessible, wheelchair-friendly rooms.

This meant the shower — a curtain surrounding floor drains — was one of the largest I've had at sea. And all the furniture came pushed against the wall, making the cabin feel spacious for someone without physical disabilities.

But where the stateroom excels in size, it fails in design.

It was one of the ugliest rooms I've ever stayed in. The furniture looked dated, the bathroom had almost no storage, and there were no bedside outlets.

That said, the starting price of $90 a day is hard to beat. At least it encouraged me to spend more time around the ship than inside my windowless dungeon.

Overall, my no-spend Carnival Firenze cruise was fine. Not amazing. Not life-changing. Just fine.

The surplus of complimentary onboard activities rivaled that of more expensive ships. But if my meals weren't lackluster, they were bad.

I'm sure I would have a different review if I had spent an additional $50 on the steakhouse or $100 on the chef's table. But the less-than-desirable complimentary food ultimately plagued my four nights at sea.

If you're considering cruising on Carnival Firenze, I'd recommend paying for at least one of the specialty restaurants. The money will be worth skipping the buffet and uninspiring dining room.