Author: openjargon

• China seized a Taiwanese fishing boat it says was trespassing in its waters. 
• Taiwan's Coast Guard rushed its patrol boats to the scene, but stood down to avoid conflict.
• The incident highlights rising maritime tensions between China and Taiwan. 

Taiwan is calling for the release of one of its fishing boats and its crew after Chinese authorities boarded and seized it on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.

Taiwan's Coast Guard said it rushed two patrol boats to the scene of the seizure of the Dajinman 88, but China's ships blocked them and broadcast a message saying not to interfere.

It said that after about an hour, Taiwan's Coast Guard boats stood down to avoid an escalation.

The boat was in the Taiwan Strait, just off China's coast and not far from the Taiwanese island of Kinmen. The boat was in Chinese waters, and was fishing for squid during a period that China bans it, Reuters reported, citing officials.

Taiwan is now calling for the release of the sailors and the vessel itself, with a top Coast Guard official urging China not to use "political factors" in handling the situation, Reuters reported.

Rising maritime tensions

Both China and Taiwan have previously seized each other's boats when they were suspected of trespassing, but the latest incident illustrates growing maritime tensions between them.

China views Taiwan as its own territory, and has laid claim to much of the South China Sea, which is a major shipping route.

Last month, China also enacted a law allowing its Coast Guard to seize foreign vessels suspected of trespassing in its waters.

According to NPR, China has ramped up patrols in the Strait of Taiwan in the last two years in order to lay pressure on the tiny island of Kinmen.

The island sits far closer — about five miles — to China than it does to the Taiwanese mainland, some 185 miles to the southeast. It's one of several Taiwanese islands whose distance from the mainland makes them vulnerable to Chinese aggression, as Business Insider's Benjamin Brimelow reported.

"With each stage, it normalizes this idea that there really is no such thing as a buffer between Taiwan and China," Gregory Poling, South China Sea expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told NPR.

Grayzone provocations

Tensions were worsened in February after two Chinese fishermen died off the coast of Kinmen as Taiwanese coastal authorities chased them, as The Guardian reported at the time.

Tuesday's incident is China's latest maritime skirmish, coming just a few days after the Chinese coast guard clashed with a Filipino boat in the South China Sea.

Sari Arho Havrén, an associate fellow specializing in China's foreign relations at the Royal United Services Institute, characterized the actions as one of China's many maritime "grayzone" provocations, which threaten its adversaries but which remain under the threshold of an act of war.

That incident was an example of China's attempts to "exhaust" other countries into recognizing its maritime claims, she told Business Insider.

• MrBeast's generosity and authenticity have built him a loyal audience of 295 million.
• But he still receives backlash for being a "white savior" or for some of his stunts being disturbing.
• Experts believe he'll always come out on top, though.

A mother's request on X on June 24 ended with her young daughter meeting her hero: MrBeast.

The YouTuber, who is the biggest creator on the platform, answered Tamara Jawad Shami's request to meet her daughter, who was in palliative care in Sydney.

"Here is the good side of social media," Shami wrote on X, along with a picture of her little girl and the YouTube star. "Thank you kind-hearted people who shared this and made a little girl's dream come true."

Fans seem to come first in MrBeast's world, and this was just one example. The YouTuber, who boasts 295 million subscribers (and counting), has built his empire largely through philanthropy.

He helped pioneer a genre of social media videos that focus on filming the reactions of strangers after giving them large sums of money.

As well as giving away cash, he has funded surgeries, and built homes for people around the world by investing everything he makes through ad revenue and brand deals back into his content.

According to an interview with Time magazine in February, MrBeast brings in about $600 million to $700 million a year in revenue. But he claims he isn't rich.

"I'm not naive; maybe one day," he told the publication. "But right now, whatever we make, we reinvest."

"Each video does a couple million in ad revenue, a couple million in brand deals," he added. "I've reinvested everything to the point of—you could claim — stupidity, just believing that we would succeed. And it's worked out."

Not everyone is impressed

Critics are tough on him, though, likening his efforts to being a "white savior" and claiming his charitable endeavors are an example of "stunt philanthropy," where views and fame are prioritized over genuine altruism.

Some have compared his social experiments, where he has people living in grocery stores or isolation chambers to win money, to the horror series "Saw."

A video in which he approached two kids in a store and asked them to choose between "$1 dollar or [a] mystery gift," was described as cruel by critics after the mystery gift turned out to be a dollar bill.

He's also come under fire for a less-than-ideal work culture and health and safety measures. According to Time, who spoke to a dozen former MrBeast employees, the company's attention to detail was lacking when it came to adhering to safety norms on stunts.

Donaldson hasn't responded to these specific allegations, but a spokesperson told Time his company was "OSHA-compliant," referring to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and "safety is incredibly important and taken very seriously." They also said medics and "experienced professionals" were on set at all times.

MrBeast occasionally responds to other criticism, suggesting he knows people who dislike him will never be happy.

In a recent X post, he mentioned his efforts in curing 1,000 blind people and building 100 houses and wells in impoverished villages.

"People get mad and say I shouldn't be doing this and governments should," he said. "Yes, ideally, a YouTuber isn't the one fixing these issues, but I'm not just going to stand by and do nothing."

But despite the constant disapproval, MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, will always come out on top, experts in the creator economy say.

Generosity and authenticity

The key ingredients to his success appear to be his generosity and authenticity.

Cristy Stewart-Harfmann, a content creator and a professor of digital marketing at Florida Atlantic University, told Business Insider Donaldson thrives "due to his authentic connection with his audience, unmatched generosity, and innovative content."

"His ability to engage viewers with heartfelt interactions and philanthropic efforts, such as massive giveaways and environmental campaigns, fosters a loyal community that values his genuine intentions," she said.

He also shows resilience when addressing the backlash, Stewart-Harfmann added, which shows his "transparency and humility" and further solidifies his credibility.

Stewart-Harfmann said Donaldson's social circle also influences his perception. He has a group of buddies who have been with him every step of the way.

This combination of authenticity, innovation, and resilience means Donaldson continually overcomes what is thrown his way, Stewart-Harfmann said, "winning over fans and onlookers."

Corben Sharp, a videographer and influencer content expert, told BI Donaldson's "anything is possible" attitude also wins people over.

He's also not flashy and "looks like your average Joe," Sharp said.

"He's shy when given compliments, his ego is in check, and I think that makes people recognize him as a good person," he said.

Donaldson said in a recent interview that YouTube runs through his veins. And that comes across.

"Everything he does is for the entertainment of people," Sharp said.

The rise of an underdog

Donaldson's production value is also difficult to argue with.

Madison Breuer, a public relations account executive at Riester Advertising Agency with experience in influencer marketing, told BI Donaldson's videos look like "mini-movies."

"His content often mirrors the excitement and rewards found in reality TV competitions, which keeps viewers hooked," she said.

"This successful formula has been replicated by many other creators, making it a constant battle for him to stay relevant and creative," Breuer added. "However, his substantial financial resources allow him to create content on a scale that others can't match."

Noah Lydiard, founder and CEO of the creative agency Conductor, told BI that if attention were currency, "MrBeast would be the Jeff Bezos of the digital age, turning every click into a goldmine of engagement."

He added that content creation is an art, and Donaldson has mastered it by mixing "surprise elements, high tension, and strong emotional moments."

Lydiard said what's most engaging about Donaldson is how many people can see themselves in him. Donaldson's platform may be huge, but creators and viewers are on his side.

When Donaldson overtook T-Series to snatch the title of YouTube's biggest channel in June, it was a win for independent creators.

"He was just a person who began with only a camera and big dreams, but now he is one of the biggest stars online," Lydiard said.

"His journey from a small-town YouTuber to worldwide fame is the perfect underdog story, inspiring millions of watchers to follow their own dreams."

• Physique coach and former bodybuilder Cliff Wilson takes supplements to build muscle and support his health.
• Dietitians advise us to get our nutrients from our diets, but supplements can be helpful. 
• Wilson takes well-researched supplements, including creatine, whey protein, caffeine, and vitamin D.

Industry-leading physique coach and former bodybuilder Cliff Wilson shared with Business Insider the seven supplements he takes daily.

It's estimated that more than half of US adults take supplements, according to the American Medical Association, and the market is set to make about $308 billion worldwide by 2028, according to Statista. Nutrition experts recommend getting the nutrients we need from a balanced diet if possible, but each person's requirements are different, and some supplements have been shown to be beneficial.

Wilson, who is based in Chicago, said he's selective about what he uses. For instance, he no longer takes high-caffeine "pre-workout," but is happy to regularly take certain well-researched supplements.

Here's what Wilson uses as someone who works out regularly to build and maintain muscle.

1. Creatine monohydrate

Wilson said he takes five grams of creatine monohydrate daily to help him build muscle and support his cognition and mood.

"It's also relatively cheap," he said.

Creatine is found naturally in foods such as red meat, and it helps the body produce energy for intense activity.

Creatine is well-researched and known to be safe for most adults, which is why it's popular for boosting workout performance and, in turn, muscle growth.

There are some emerging links between creatine and mental health and cognitive benefits, too.

2. Whey protein powder

"There's nothing magical about protein powder and it's not a necessity, but it's a huge convenience factor," Wilson said.

Most Americans get enough protein in their diets, but athletes and active people such as Wilson require more.

"If you are a busy person, it's hard to sit down and consume as much protein as you need during the day. So being able to mix up a shake once or twice a day is quite the luxury," he said.

Eating enough protein helps muscles repair and rebuild after workouts.

3. Caffeine

Wilson counts caffeine in coffee as a supplement that many people forget.

"In responsible doses, caffeine helps with fat loss and can improve performance in the gym, but everyone seems to have their own tolerance," Wilson said.

The health benefits of coffee are well established, but too much caffeine can cause anxiety.

4. Vitamin D

"Effective and cheap, vitamin D supplements help to maintain my energy and hormone levels," Wilson said. "I take a higher dose in winter."

Registered nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert previously told BI that residents of the UK and countries with similar levels of sunlight should supplement with vitamin D, especially in the winter months, to help keep bones, teeth, and muscles healthy.

5. Pre-workout

Wilson said he's stopped taking pre-workout supplements with high quantities of caffeine as they can lead to overtraining.

He looks for ones with a "reasonable dose," meaning one with 200 to 300 milligrams rather than 400 milligrams upwards. The FDA says that 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is a healthy amount, but personal tolerances vary a lot.

6. Fish oil

Wilson said he takes fish oil supplements for the potential heart health benefits.

It's well established that omega-3 fatty acids are good for the heart: They slow the build-up of plaque (which blocks the arteries), lower blood pressure, and reduce triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood. However, research is mixed on whether fish oil supplements provide the same benefits as eating oily fish.

7. Glutamine

Research is mixed on whether glutamine aids muscle growth, but Wilson is more interested in its links to immune function, he said.

Glutamine is an essential amino acid that plays a key role in a range of bodily functions. It's produced by the body and also found in food such as eggs, beef, and tofu.

Potential benefits of glutamine supplements include reducing muscle soreness after workouts, boosting the immune system, and supporting muscle recovery.

• Chinese buyers are trying to avoid US chip curbs by smuggling, The Wall Street Journal reported.
• Underground channels involve travelers bringing them into China in their luggage, per the report.
• The US banned advanced Nvidia chip imports to China in 2022 and tightened its controls last year. 

Some Chinese chip buyers have found a brazen way to dodge curbs on Nvidia GPUs.

The US blocked China from importing advanced Nvidia chips in 2022, so some travelers are smuggling them in their luggage, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The outlet reviewed records, including customs filings, that showed Nvidia chips were being purchased by Chinese buyers in an underground market.

One distributor in Beijing told the Journal he received dozens of chips a month and that "there is always a way" to get them into China.

Another broker said he acquires chips via personal contacts at official distribution channels and system integrators in southeast Asia before acting as an intermediary for buyers and handling the transportation.

One method the broker employed was failing to state the chip model numbers on paperwork, according to customs filings seen by the Journal.

Some Chinese firms even resorted to repurposing Nvidia's gaming chips so they could power AI models, The Financial Times reported earlier this year.

The demand for Nvidia's most advanced chips is so acute because they're regarded as crucial for training AI models.

Reuters reported in April that Chinese universities and research institutes, including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, obtained Nvidia chips through resellers.

Nvidia does not sell directly to China because of the US export ban.

In November, the White House strengthened US sanctions. The Department of Commerce implemented the Advanced Computing Chips Rule, which makes it harder for China to import AI chips from American manufacturers.

Nvidia didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

• Turbulence is being examined more closely in the wake of several recent incidents.
• An expert in aviation and the climate told BI how the warming atmosphere makes turbulence worse.
• One study found the most severe type of turbulence increased 55% between 1979 and 2020.

Since a 73-year-old British man died on board a Singapore Airlines flight in May, turbulence has been examined more closely.

Another 71 people were sent to hospital after the Boeing 777 diverted to Bangkok. Singaporean officials said the plane dropped 178 feet in four seconds. Passengers hit the ceiling, and a crew member was burned by boiling water.

Two weeks later, at an industry conference, Emirates' president said the incident would likely lead to stricter seatbelt rules.

Incidents resulting in serious injuries are still extremely rare, but overall, turbulence appears to be getting more common.

On the one hand, the media has covered more incidents in the wake of the Singapore Airlines flight. But they are also becoming more frequent due to the climate crisis — especially over the Atlantic Ocean.

That's according to Guy Gratton, an associate professor of aviation and the environment at Cranfield University, who spoke to Business Insider over video call.

What is clear air turbulence?

"We all know that there is wind, and we all know that the wind is not even. It's not all going in the same direction at the same speed, at the same time," Gratton said.

"So when you get a difference between airflow, you get friction between the air molecules," he said. "That friction creates a more complex flow, where air is flowing in apparently random directions — up, down, left, right, et cetera — and changing speed. "

"That is turbulence, and it's there all the time," he added.

If a plane flies through turbulence, it tries to align itself with the changing airflow, so its motion becomes erratic.

"It's essentially like taking a box with something in it and starting to shake the box up and down," Gratton said. "And clearly, if you're the person who's inside the box, then you get thrown around inside the box, and that's where injuries happen."

"Passengers are told to keep their seatbelts done up because if you're tied to the box, you're much less likely to get injured," he added.

At altitude, there are two main types of turbulence. One is caused by convective currents and is associated with thunderstorms. The other is clear air turbulence, which was involved in the Singapore Airlines incident.

As the name implies, clear air turbulence is hard to anticipate since it isn't associated with clouds. It's typically found at the edges of jet streams — rivers of fast-flowing air. Earth has four main ones, two near the poles and two near the equator. The difference in wind speed between these jet streams and the air around them creates clear air turbulence.

Why the climate crisis causes more turbulence

In a 2023 study, researchers at the University of Reading found that turbulence was getting more common over the North Atlantic. It said that over a typical point, the most severe type of clear air turbulence increased by 55% between 1979 and 2020.

This is linked to the north polar jet stream. Its tailwinds are why flying from the US to Europe is faster than flying from Europe to the US.

Gratton explained how the warming atmosphere speeds up the jet streams — causing more severe turbulence.

It's linked to the relationship between two layers of the Earth's atmosphere. The lowest one is the troposphere, where the temperature cools as you get higher. Above that is the stratosphere, where the temperature is constant.

"What's happening with climate change is the troposphere is getting warmer, the lower stratosphere is actually getting slightly colder."

The increasing difference in energy between the two layers means more energy goes into the jet stream, Gratton said.

It also enlarges Rossby waves, which are meanders found in the jet stream.

"So if you're trying to fly across the Atlantic, you've now got bigger waves in the jet stream, and you've also got more energy in the jet stream," Gratton said. "So that is creating more friction, which is creating more turbulence."

"Therefore crossing the Atlantic, climate change is making encounters with clear air turbulence more likely and more severe," he added.

• Six Marriott hotels in New York City are providing free airport transfers by helicopter.
• They're offering the Blade rides to guests in select suites at some of its most luxurious hotels.
• Blade's shared transfers between JFK or Newark and Manhattan cost from $195 per seat each way.

Six of Marriott's most luxurious hotels in New York City are offering free helicopter airport transfers to some of their top-paying guests.

Marriott said on Tuesday that some guests staying for two nights or more in select suites at the hotels, all of which are part of its Luxury Group, would get complimentary roundtrip helicopter transfers to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, operated by Blade.

Marriott said that guests could get from the airport to central Manhattan "in as few as five minutes, dramatically reducing high-traffic commute time."

Offering high-class perks is a way for luxury hotels to differentiate themselves in a crowded market and make guests feel like they're getting more for their money.

Kathleen Reidenbach, senior vice president of marketing and commercial for IHG hotels and resorts, told The Telegraph that perks build brand loyalty "and leave lasting impressions."

Marriott said the helicopter would land at one of Blade's helipads on East 34th Street or West 30th Street, where the guests would be chauffeured to their hotels. It's also offering the service in reverse for guests returning to the airport.

The service, which is being offered between July 1 and September 2, is available at the following:

• The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, including the Ritz-Carlton Suite, the Liberty Suite, and the Penthouse Residences.
• The St. Regis New York, including the 5th Avenue Suite, the Grand Suite, the St. Regis Suite, and the Madison Suite.
• JW Marriott Essex House New York, including the Delacorte Presidential Suite, the Meadow Terrace Suite, and the Artisans Terrace Suite.
• W New York — Union Square, including the WOW and EWOW suites.
• The New York EDITION, including the Madison Suite, the Flatiron Suite, the Park Suite, and the Penthouse Suite.
• The Luxury Collection Hotel Manhattan Midtown, including the Sky Suite with 1 King Bed, the Atrium Suite with 1 King Bed, and the Penthouse on 54.

Blade, which was founded in 2014, offers both shared and private helicopter services in the US, Canada, and Europe.

It also operates a medical service and describes itself as "one of the largest transporters of human organs for transplant."

Blade offers transfers between JFK or Newark and Manhattan from $195 per seat each way. This includes ground transport between the airport and the helicopter's landing pad.

But passengers are only able to bring one commercial airline carry-on and one personal item each, with a total maximum weight of 25 pounds, Blade says — passengers who want to bring more than this will need to pay for a Tote Taxi service.

Marriott said that all guests staying at the above hotels, regardless of their suite, would have access to "exclusive rates" for Blade's helicopter airport transfers and car transfers.

• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is fending off claims that he once ate a barbecued dog.
• Responding to allegations in a Vanity Fair article, he said that the carcass was that of a goat.
• The independent presidential candidate is running as an alternative to Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been linked to numerous bizarre headlines — including an admission that he once had a worm in his brain — but things just got a lot weirder.

A Vanity Fair article on Tuesday contained an allegation that the independent presidential candidate once ate a barbecued dog.

The article featured a picture that Kennedy — an environmental lawyer —had sent to a friend in 2010, which showed him holding a crisp carcass of an animal, posing with an unidentified woman.

Vanity Fair had a veterinarian examine the picture, and the vet told the outlet it was likely a canine carcass based on the number of ribs seen in the photo.

The outlet also added that Kennedy had told his friend, who was traveling in Asia, that he might like a restaurant that had dogs on the menu.

Responding to Vanity Fair's allegations, Kennedy said in a "Breaking Points" political podcast on Tuesday that the article was "a lot of garbage."

Kennedy said: "The picture that they said is of me eating a dog, it's actually me eating a goat in Patagonia on a whitewater trip many years ago on the Futaleufu River."

He said that the vet who identified the carcass as a dog was "just not true."

In a separate Tuesday rant on X, Kennedy said that the carcass was that of a goat, not a dog.

The Vanity Fair article also contained allegations from Eliza Cooney, who said she worked for Kennedy as a babysitter in 1998, when she was 23. On one occasion, Kennedy groped her in the kitchen of his family home and touched her hips and breasts, Cooney told Vanity Fair.

Responding to those accusations on the podcast, he said that he was "not a church boy" and that he had a "very, very rambunctious youth."

Kennedy added that he has "many skeletons in my closet," and "that if they could all vote, I could run for king of the world."

He said he would not comment on details from "30-year-old" stories that Vanity Fair was recycling.

But before the dog, came the worm.

Kennedy said during a 2012 deposition that a worm had eaten up part of his brain — a decade-old factoid that The New York Times resurfaced this year. The deposition was part of his divorce proceedings with his second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy.

He said that doctors had found a dark spot in his brain. While some said it was a tumor, one doctor had told him it "was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died."

"I have cognitive problems, clearly," he said at the time. "I have short-term memory loss, and I have longer-term memory loss that affects me."

Kennedy has also promoted public health conspiracy theories and anti-vaccine misinformation.

Vanity Fair's deeply unflattering report comes as the presidential election edges ever closer. As an independent candidate, Kennedy is running as an alternative to Biden, who some Democrats fear might be getting too old for the job, and Trump, a convicted felon.

Representatives for Kennedy didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

• Korean Air is ending its cabin service earlier due to increased turbulence concerns.
• It follows Singapore Airlines in changing protocols following a fatal incident in May.
• The carrier said turbulence incidents had doubled over the last five years.

A second airline has changed its cabin service due to increased concerns about turbulence.

Korean Air announced Monday that it would finish cabin service 20 minutes earlier on medium and long-haul routes.

This means cabin service will end 40 minutes before landing, starting from Monday. Korean Air said the change will allow inflight services to end before the plane descends for landing.

One of just 10 airlines to be rated five stars by Skytrax, Korean Air's decision could influence other carriers to make similar moves.

It comes after Singapore Airlines — also rated five stars — changed its cabin service protocol. That followed a severe turbulence incident on one of its aircraft in May, in which a 73-year-old man died and dozens more were injured.

Days later, Singapore Airlines said it would no longer serve meals when the seatbelt light is on.

In Monday's announcement, Korean Air said turbulence "has become a persistent and growing problem in recent years." It added that the number of incidents had doubled in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2019.

The carrier also suggested that the climate crisis has an impact. "Turbulence is becoming more frequent, especially as the aircraft descends, due to large temperature differences between altitudes," it said.

Turbulence is created by friction between air molecules, caused by differences in wind speed. The warming climate imparts more energy into the air, which creates more friction.

This is especially notable around the jet streams, where clear air turbulence is most common.

In a 2023 study, researchers from the University of Reading found that turbulence was getting more common over the North Atlantic, around the north polar jet stream.

Over a typical point, the most severe type of clear air turbulence increased by 55% between 1979 and 2020, the study found.

• Canada faces a severe housing affordability crisis with home values doubling since 2011.
• Last year, the federal government launched the Housing Accelerator Fund to boost home construction.
• The program has helped incentivize looser land-use policies and other measures to increase home supply.

mebbe we do a trudeau thumbnail? kinda hard to tell that house is indeed canadian. i'm surprised they don't have a bilingual for sale sign and i'm pretty sure that's illegal.

Canada is facing a housing affordability crisis even more severe than the US's housing woes. But the federal government is starting to aggressively throw its weight behind fixing the home shortage.

Like the American federal government, Canada's national government doesn't have a lot of control over housing policy. Instead, provincial and municipal governments create land-use policies and control building and demand-side subsidies that shape the housing landscape.

Despite the federal government's limited control over housing policy, it's gotten a lot of the blame for skyrocketing costs, said Mike Moffatt, a senior director at the Smart Prosperity Institute at the University of Ottawa. That public sentiment pushed officials in Ottawa to warm to a more hands-on approach. "Canadians just want to be able to afford a home — they don't really care about the intricacies of constitutional law," Moffat said.

So last year, the federal government launched an initiative — called the Housing Accelerator Fund — that incentivizes local governments to legalize denser housing construction, including by mass transit, and otherwise stimulate more home building. In exchange, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal party have opened up billions of dollars in infrastructure funding — from water to transit — to support that new housing.

The program pushes provinces and cities to create more pro-housing policies, including ending single-family zoning, loosening restrictions on how tall and close together residential buildings can be, opening up government land for housing, and eliminating parking mandates. The federal government first made deals directly with all of the country's major cities, which the government estimates will allow 750,000 more homes to be permitted than otherwise would have been.

In April, Trudeau announced an additional $5 billion in infrastructure grants for provinces and territories that implement pro-housing policies, including legalizing "missing middle" homes, which includes medium-density housing like duplexes, triplexes, and small apartment buildings. The most recent push is part of Trudeau's larger housing plan, which aims to get 3.9 million new homes built by 2031.

Overall, the federal push has already been quite successful in changing the housing policy landscape across the country, Moffat said. For example, as a result of their deals with the government, all of the major cities now allow at least four units to be built on single-family lots. Certain provinces, like British Columbia, have been much more willing to push pro-housing policies. Local governments in places like Ontario and Alberta have put up more of a fight. However, the approach creates some political cover for policymakers facing anti-housing constituencies.

"Uptake hasn't been universal, but overall it's been quite strong," Moffat said. "We have seen some municipal changes that, even 20 months ago, I would have said were highly, highly unlikely."

But just because denser housing is legal doesn't mean it will get built. Building missing middle housing and other more affordable homes needs to be attractive to developers. And with home construction costs way up, that's a steeper ask, said Matti Siemiatycki, who heads the Infrastructure Institute at the University of Toronto's School of Cities. "With the rising interest rates with rising construction costs, a lot of the product that used to be finance is now becoming much harder," he said.

City governments have long been "biased towards homeowners and not towards renters," Mosche Lander, a Concordia University economist, told BI late last year, and support policies that limit homebuilding and keep home values elevated.

Like in the US, the housing affordability crisis in Canada is driven by a lack of housing and rising demand. Over the last several years, an influx of new immigrants, rampant investor speculation, and rapidly rising construction costs have also sent prices up. The average home value in Canada has more than doubled since 2011. Rents are up more than 20% over the last two years. And a ballooning number of Canadians are spending more than they can afford on housing.

At this point, most of Canada's housing landscape looks like California's supply-starved and deeply unaffordable market.

"The difference is that California makes up about 12 or 13% of the United States, whereas Ontario and BC combined are over half," Moffat said. "Half to two-thirds of the country is unaffordable."

Siemiatycki said there's been a "subtle but noticeable change" in how Canadians view residential density. Many homeowners who previously opposed densification are starting to realize, "even if it's not them that rising prices and skyrocketing impact, it might be their children, or their colleagues, or their elders," he said.

Pro-housing policies are increasingly popular across Canada's ideological spectrum. The federal opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party, argues Trudeau's government hasn't gone far enough and has proposed his own plan that would require cities to increase the number of new homes built by 15% each year or lose out on federal grant money. It would also impose a fine on cities that tolerate "NIMBY" — the anti-development "Not in My Backyard" philosophy — opposition to housing construction.

Under President Joe Biden's 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the US federal government is providing states and cities across the country with hundreds of billions of dollars in funding for transportation and other infrastructure projects. Some American fans of Canada's Housing Accelerator Fund suggest it could be a model for US efforts to incentivize denser and more abundant housing construction.

• Uber and Lyft settled to pay Massachusetts drivers $32.50 per hour for time spent completing a ride.
• The settlement includes paid sick leave, accident insurance, and health plans for drivers.
• Drivers remain independent contractors, and some are concerned about competition and wage impacts.

Many Uber and Lyft drivers in Massachusetts are about to be paid more for their work — and it may be a sign of what's to come in other states. Still, some drivers are not fully satisfied.

After a four-year legal dispute over the status of ride-hailing drivers in Massachusetts, Uber and Lyft agreed via a settlement to pay a minimum rate of $32.50 an hour for time spent completing a ride. The settlement will pay $175 million to the state and drivers, many of whom claimed both companies violated Massachusetts wage and hour laws.

Massachusetts also won paid sick leave, improved accident insurance, and a health insurance plan for drivers who work 15 or more hours a week. Both companies said they would stop supporting a ballot initiative to set drivers' classification as contractors in stone.

However, there are some limitations. The new minimum rate only applies to time spent actively picking up a rider or taking them to their destination, meaning if a driver waits for a ride for half the time, their pay drops to $16.25 an hour. Also, Massachusetts drivers will be considered independent contractors, meaning they will not receive all the protections of employees. Sergio Avedian, senior contributor at The Rideshare Guy, said up to 80% of drivers prefer to remain independent contractors, citing driver surveys he helped run.

Four Massachusetts Uber and Lyft drivers said that while the settlement is a win for drivers in many ways, they fear it could increase competition and may not be as significant a wage increase as many think. Still, the settlement could be a sign of what's to come in other states with lobbying efforts underway.

Uber will pay $148 million and Lyft will pay $27 million to Massachusetts. Of this total, $140 million will go to drivers.

Both companies said in statements that the agreement is a step forward in balancing the benefits many drivers requested and the flexibility of drivers to start and end their shifts whenever they want.

Over the last few years, minimum pay and benefits legislation has passed in New York, California, Washington, and Minnesota.

"The recent agreement reached in Massachusetts before the ballot initiatives were decided by Massachusetts voters is a favorable outcome for most Massachusetts drivers," Avedian said. "The agreements in New York State, Minnesota, and now Massachusetts demonstrate that drivers uniting and campaigning for higher pay and benefits" are having success getting ride-hailing companies to negotiate.

What Massachusetts drivers say

Avedian said for the majority of drivers, this settlement is a big step in the right direction. He said the settlement may hurt the top echelon of drivers, but it will allow less experienced drivers to make more and feel safer on the road.

Mark McInerney, 60, who drives for Lyft in Boston, said he's pleased with the settlement, noting it "will make a good model for national policy" concerning compensation and flexibility for drivers.

He noted these changes will benefit his wallet, as he's had frustrations about how Lyft "frequently underestimates the time required to complete a trip mostly due to conditions beyond the platform's control, such as waiting for a passenger at the pickup and traffic conditions like congestion from construction and accidents."

"They rarely adjust the fare to reflect the extra time required to complete a trip, even when the time goes 40% or more over the estimate," he said. "For that reason, I drive only when incentives are offered and focus on short trips with nearby pickup locations."

Boston driver Matt R., who has done over 4,000 rides on Uber and Lyft with a 5.0 rating, said he was initially skeptical about the decision but thinks this is one of the better settlements he's seen. The $32.50 per engaged hour is an improvement for many drivers, he said, though he had concerns about how drivers and passengers might not understand that wage doesn't factor in time waiting to accept a ride, with three potential impacts:

"First, luring new drivers to the space, slowing demand, reducing utilization rates, and watering down average hourly online earnings for current drivers. Secondly, there's a very high likelihood we'll see tips dry up. Why tip someone making $32.50 an hour, right? Finally, increased fares may reduce demand. I believe Uber and Lyft have a good understanding of how to do this with minimal impact on demand, but it remains to be seen."

Matt added this decision could hurt top-earning drivers like himself but could benefit drivers in slower, lower-earning markets. He wished the agreement addressed other issues like unpaid travel time due to rider cancellations, unapplied surge payments, or app glitches impacting earnings.

Ronald Banks, who has driven for seven years in Texas and Massachusetts, said the paid time off is a plus, but as his active hourly rate is as high as $49, he fears this decision could hurt his earnings.

Jen, a full-time driver in Boston, said the settlement may be a net positive, though she isn't sold this will benefit everyone.

"Many drivers believe Uber will make adjustments in other ways to secure their current profit margins," Jen said. "However, I am glad full-time drivers will get some sort of sick pay and a healthcare stipend as unpaid time off caused by illness and healthcare insurance borne entirely by drivers are both extremely expensive for self-employed drivers."

How minimum wage legislation is working in other states

A handful of states have already agreed with Uber, Lyft, and other ride-hailing and delivery companies on citywide or statewide plans. Lobbying efforts by drivers are underway in Chicago, Portland, and Virginia, Avedian said.

In 2020, California passed Proposition 22, which kept drivers as independent contractors but gave them benefits such as guaranteed pay. California drivers receive at least 120% of minimum wage, which is now $16 an hour, and $0.35 a mile while completing a ride or delivery. Qualifying drivers can get up to $489.54 a month for healthcare insurance costs, and drivers get additional insurance covering medical expenses and lost income resulting from job-related illness or injury.

The California Supreme Court is challenging the legality of Proposition 22 over concerns about classifying drivers as independent contractors.

Research from the UC Berkeley Labor Center and the Center for Wage and Employment Dynamics suggests even with these guarantees in place, drivers in Los Angeles and San Francisco had net hourly earnings well below minimum wage, even with tips — net hourly pay with tips for passenger drivers in California is $9.09, while for delivery drivers it's $13.62. Similar results were found in the Boston, Chicago, and Seattle metros.

As of early June, the minimum hourly rate for Uber and Lyft drivers in New York outside of New York City was raised to $26.78. Drivers in New York City receive the pay rates decided on by the Taxi and Limousine Commission. Drivers also received new benefits like sick leave, training, and chat support.

This came after Uber and Lyft paid New York $328 million over wage theft claims, though both companies denied wrongdoing. The companies have been under fire recently after Uber reportedly locked out New York City drivers in the middle of their shifts in opposition to a minimum wage rule, a decision Lyft said it's considering as well.

In May, Uber and Lyft struck a deal to pay Minnesota drivers $1.28 per mile and $0.31 per minute minimum. The two companies threatened to pull out of Minneapolis, which has a minimum wage for large businesses of $15.57.

Are you a gig driver who is struggling to make ends meet? Are you driving into your retirement years? Reach out to this reporter at nsheidlower@businessinsider.com.