• Russia is fortifying the Kerch Bridge with barges, says the UK's defense ministry.
• The barges will help "to defend the bridge and shipping channel" from Ukrainian attacks, per the UK.
• The bridge is used to transport Russia's military freight into Crimea and southwest Ukraine.

Russia is shoring up the defenses for the Kerch Bridge with barges, the UK's defense ministry said on Saturday.

"Analysis of imagery has identified the installation of eight barges on the southern side of the Kerch Bridge," the UK's defense ministry wrote in its intelligence dispatch.

"These barges were placed by Russian forces in an attempt to defend the bridge and shipping channel, reducing the angles of approach for Ukrainian Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)," the ministry said.

According to the ministry, the barges were installed between May 10 and May 22.

This isn't the first time barges have been placed near the bridge, which connects Russia to occupied Crimea, per the UK's defense ministry.

"Previously installed barriers have been damaged by storms, reducing their effectiveness," the intelligence dispatch said.

The Kerch Bridge has been a key military artery for the Russians, who rely on it to transport their military freight into occupied Crimea and southwestern Ukraine.

But Ukrainians view the bridge, which was built in 2018 after the Russians had annexed Crimea in 2014, as an illegal construction. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, the Ukrainians have managed to damage the bridge in two successful attacks.

The first attack occurred in October 2022, when a fuel tank explosion saw the bridge's road section collapse. The second attack took place in July when it targeted the bridge's support struts with sea drones.

The repeated attacks appear to have caused the Russians to stop using the bridge. According to a report from the open-source intelligence organization Molfar last month, Russian military freight trains weren't seen on the bridge between February and mid-April.

Instead, the Russians seem to have placed their hopes on a new railway route that runs along the Azov Sea. The route passes through Russian-occupied Mariupol and Berdiansk before ending in Crimea.

"The railway along the land corridor is recognition on the part of the Russian occupiers that the Crimean Bridge is doomed," Dmitry Pletenchuk, a spokesman for Ukraine's southern military command, told The Economist in a story published on June 2.

"They are looking for a way to hedge their bets because they are aware that sooner or later, they will have a problem," he continued.

Representatives for Russia's defense ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

• Zyn nicotine pouches are expected to return to more US shelves this year, said an executive.
• Zyn saw 80% growth in Q1 2024, causing supply chain shortages in several states.
• Its parent company is planning a new US production location in 2025 to meet growing demand.

Cans of popular nicotine brand Zyn will be back on more shelves before the end of the year.

Zyn shipped 80% more cans in the US in the first three months of the year compared with the same period in 2023, Philip Morris International, the parent company of Zyn maker Swedish Match, said in late April.

But that wasn't enough for consumers, and the company has had shortages across its supply chain.

A top executive now says that PMI is working on filling the gaps.

"We believe that we're going to be back to a normal situation in the course of Q4," Emmanuel Babeau, the chief financial officer of PMI, said at a Deutsche Bank conference last week.

Babeau also said that the company is working on a new production location for Zyn in the US in 2025. He did not add details about the location or the opening date of the factory.

In the spring, Zyn customers noticed fewer Zyn cans in stores and aired their grievances on Reddit forums. In April, Babeau acknowledged "tensions" in the supply chain during the company's first-quarter earnings call.

In late May, retailers and wholesalers in New York, New Jersey, and Florida confirmed the shortages to Bloomberg.

"It's just a part of the routine"

Zyn has been available in the US since 2014 and has spiked in popularity recently. The colorful, flavored gum-like pouches have become a common "pick-me-up" among office employees looking to boost productivity. They have also become a staple with high-powered Wall Street traders and Republican lawmakers. Loyal users of these pouches have said that Zyn has helped them lose weight, comparing them to the viral weight-loss drug Ozempic.

Clay Coomer, a 36-year-old who works in marketing, said he and his colleagues have shared Zyn cans.

"If I need to have a challenging conversation with somebody or if I need to work on something that's a little bit more important than other things — like it's just a part of the routine," Coomer told Business Insider in March.

In February, Zyn parent company PMI reported that nearly 385 million cans of the flavored nicotine pouches shipped in the US in 2023, up 62% year-over-year. The company expects to do even better business in 2024: At the Deutche Bank conference, PMI raised its US forecast for this year to 560 million cans, after saying it was aiming for 520 million in February.

PMI, which also produces Marlboros outside the US, has been pushing to create more smoke-free products, as cigarette smoking declines worldwide.

Medical experts and research studies warn nicotine — including in pouches — can be addictive and can have harmful effects on the body, including its cardiovascular and respiratory systems, BI previously reported.

The Food and Drug Administration has been cracking down on underage Zyn sales. In April, the agency said it sent 119 warning letters to retailers and filed 41 civil complaints for sales of Zyn to underage buyers last year and this year.

• Gabi Bondor and Zoltan Kaman moved from New York City to Bali seven years ago with their teenage sons.
• During the pandemic, they built a six-bedroom eclectic home for their family.
• Now, they're becoming empty-nesters and selling the Canggu villa for $1.895 million.

Seven years ago, Gabi Bondor and Zoltan Kaman packed up their lives and moved from New York City to Bali with their two teenage sons in tow.

It was an idea sparked by a conversation with a friend over coffee on a cold winter morning.

The friend had mentioned his plans to enroll his daughters in the Green School, which is made from eco-friendly bamboo buildings and is known for its sustainability-focused pre-kindergarten through high school curriculum. It's also located in Ubud, over 10,000 miles from New York, near the center of the Indonesian island.

"And while we had traveled to places like India, Vietnam, and China, we'd never been to Indonesia before. So I said, 'Bali, that sounds very warm. Tell me more,'" Bondor told Business Insider.

When they got home, they started researching what life in Bali was like.

"I looked at the school, and it was the opposite of what was happening to my children in high school in New York. When the kids got home that day, I said, 'Guys, we're going to Bali for spring break,'" Bondor said.

The spring break visit came and went, and the couple decided they wanted to experience what it was like to live on the island for longer.

They ended up selling their kids the idea of a yearlong sabbatical in Bali as a break from stressful city life and a chance to see the rest of Asia.

"We told them, 'One suitcase each. Everything else goes into storage because we'd be back in a year,'" Bondor added. "Although they were allowed to bring their Xbox in their carry-on."

But after their year in Bali passed, the couple realized they didn't want to leave. They made a trip back to the US to clear out their storage and have no plans to move back.

The friend who introduced them to Bali didn't make the move in the end, she added.

Building in Bali

Like many expats, the couple rented a few different homes in Bali before finally building their own house during the pandemic.

"When COVID-19 came, land prices were a lot more affordable than what it is today, so we decided that we were going to purchase a plot somewhere where we could create a space for our family," Bondor said.

Part of the reason they chose to build instead of buying an off-plan property or continuing to rent was so that they could ensure the quality of the build, Kaman, the cofounder of a digital payment app, told BI.

"We always had some issue or another with the homes — the pump, the AC — and the landlords don't always care," Kaman said. "We thought, 'Why don't we build something ourselves so at least we can control and make sure that everything is working the way we need?'"

Additionally, they had experience renovating their homes during their time in the US. It helped that they also had a great team of builders — recommended by a friend — to rely on too.

"We love the process," Bondor said. "We enjoy it. I think we're a great team. If he is down or pissed, I pick him up, and vice versa."

They knew they wanted to stay near Canggu which is known for its beaches and bustling food scene.

"We lived in the neighborhood and we had always scouted around. Many people like the rice field views, while others like the beach views. We are social people — we like our coffee shops," Bondor said.

When the couple first saw the plot, located at the end of a narrow street that branches off from the main road, they fell in love immediately.

"It was so quiet and peaceful. There was nothing, except for basically seven big mango trees and thick vegetation. It was like a mini jungle," Kaman said.

The plot was about 8,200 square feet. Since foreigners aren't allowed to own land in Bali, the piece of land they have is on a 30-year lease.

The entire construction process took slightly over a year to complete, and the couple lived in a rented home nearby so they could always be on-site.

The biggest challenge they faced was having to work through Bali's rainy season, which typically runs from November to March.

"We started digging a pool when it was the rainy season, and we were just digging mud," Bondor said. "For weeks and weeks, you didn't see the digger come out of the soil — it felt like we weren't getting anywhere."

A cozy, eclectic home

The couple's six-bedroom home sits in a cul-de-sac, next to a rice field that's been repurposed into a plot to grow cucumbers.

The two-story building — which comes with an accessory dwelling unit that the couple calls "the teenager pad" — has a red and gray exterior that stands out in contrast to the surrounding greenery.

Those who step beyond the gate are greeted by a long walkway flanked by two koi ponds that lead to the main building.

"I like to say that it has a lot of European charm, like Paris with New York dancing a tango kind of thing. I really wanted to incorporate a lot of Balinese elements as well," Bondor said.

The furniture is handmade in Indonesia, and even the terracotta tiles on the building's exterior were crafted by a local family, she added.

Most importantly, it's a house that they designed with their own living habits in mind.

"I think everything, from the kitchen layout to the lighting, is based on the way we live our everyday life," Bondor said.

Becoming empty nesters

But the couple has decided it's time to say goodbye to their house — they're putting the villa on the market for $1.895 million.

Their oldest son is already studying abroad, and the youngest will start college soon. The couple plans to downsize to a smaller place.

"He just graduated last weekend. It's really hit us hard that he's leaving very soon and we're going to have this big, empty house to ourselves," Kaman said.

Moreover, as empty-nesters, they plan to travel a bit more now that they have the freedom to, and a house of this size can't be left empty in tropical weather for too long.

"It's not four seasons, it's always a lot of rain. The sun is always strong. It wears materials out," Bondor said. "We have animals. If one little gecko dies here and nobody cleans for a day or two, the ants will come."

"This house needs a lot of care and maintenance. So if you're not here for months, this is not going to work," Kaman added.

However, Bali will always be their home base.

The slower pace of life on the island lets them stop and appreciate the little things in their day, like being able to work out in the mornings or have a nice lunch together.

That aside, Bali is a melting pot of different cultures, and its people never fail to inspire them.

"There's a very unique expat community that comes to Bali and I think our friends have very similar mindsets that we do," Bondor said.

The couple has one tip for those who want to build a house in Bali: Don't cut corners.

"Do it the right way, and always respect your team," Bondor said. "Don't use cheap materials because this weather is going to wear everything out. If your roof is not done well, this rain is going to find its way in."

Kaman added that it might not be wise for anyone without any prior experience to take on such an ambitious project.

"If they don't have experience building houses, don't start with Bali," he said. "Just pick the right contractors."

Have you recently built or renovated your dream home? If you've got a story to share, get in touch with me at agoh@businessinsider.com.

• Voters across the European Union are voting in a new European Parliament in elections this week.
• Early results reveal a surge in support for far-right parties.
• Nationalist and populist figures now have an advantage in France, Italy, Austria, and Belgium.

Early results for the European Union's parliamentary elections reveal a surge in support for far-right and nationalist parties, according to multiple reports.

The EU elections, held in 27 countries from June 6-9, showed especially strong support for anti-immigrant, nationalist figures in France and Germany — two of the continent's largest powers often regarded as drivers behind the experiment of pooled sovereignty, The New York Times reported.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday announced he would dissolve France's National Assembly (the lower house of the French Parliament) after the country's far-right party, the National Rally, led by French lawyer Marine Le Pen, handily defeated Macron's Renew Party, per The Wall Street Journal.

The dissolution of the assembly is a high-stakes gamble that will result in new elections being held between June 30 and July 7. It could result in Macron's Renew Party losing additional seats to rivals in the anti-immigrant National Rally.

"This is a serious, weighty decision, but above all it's an act of trust," The Journal reported Macron said of his decision. "Confidence in you, confidence in the ability of the French people to make the right choice for themselves and for future generations."

The Associated Press reported that Alternative for Germany (AfD) — considered a "suspected" extremist group by German authorities — also surged in support. AfD overtook Germany's Social Democratic party, which has been the leading party in the country since Olaf Scholz was elected chancellor in 2021.

According to AP, AfD received 16.5% of the vote, up from 11% in 2019, compared to a combined 30% for the three parties in Germany's governing coalition.

Polls also show populist politicians have an advantage in Italy, Belgium, and Austria, the outlet reported.

AP noted that since the 2019 European Parliament elections, far-right politicians have led in Hungary, Italy, and Slovakia and are part of ruling coalitions in Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands. The parties have gained support in large part due to anti-immigration and anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, as well as policies focused on nationalism and identity, The Times reported.

If early results are confirmed, this year's elections would strengthen the right's power across the European Union and offer a stunning rebuke to Europe's political establishment. Should more far-right parties gain power, it would become harder for the parliament to pass laws across the EU and likely impact negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, as much of the EU's far-right has a pro-Russia stance, pushing for a peace deal between the countries on Russia's terms, per The Times.

Firmer figures from this year's elections are expected late Sunday night.

Representatives for the European Parliament did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

• Arizona Republicans are turning to ballot measures to get some of their top priorities on the books.
• Controversial immigration and voter signature measures are set to appear before voters in November.
• The ballot measures could turbocharge turnout in a state already knee-deep in ideological battles.

The GOP-controlled Arizona legislature voted to approve a ballot measure last week that would empower state law enforcement officials to arrest and incarcerate individuals they suspect have entered the US illegally, while also permitting state judges to deport them.

Given the high-stakes nature of immigration policy in the United States, the measure is almost certain to encounter legal challenges should voters approve it in November.

It's one of several conservative-led measures set to appear on the November ballot as Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs — who opposed the move — lacks the veto power to block it.

That lack of veto power is essentially a loophole used to circumvent the governor, allowing GOP lawmakers to use their slim legislative majorities to get conservative proposals on the ballot.

These ballot measures are likely to have a major impact on the upcoming presidential election in a state where both major-party candidates are itching for a win.

Donald Trump defeated former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Arizona in 2016, but President Joe Biden won it in 2020, buoyed by support from independents, Latino voters, and young voters.

The proliferation of ballot measures in Arizona — which could also include a measure establishing the "fundamental right" to an abortion up until the point of fetal viability — has the potential to turbocharge turnout in the state in November.

And it raises the stakes not only for the presidential candidates, but also for down-ballot lawmakers as Arizona is once again set to be a laboratory for the nation's ongoing ideological battles.

GOP lawmakers also placed on the ballot an amendment that would make it more difficult for citizen-led signature drives to succeed in getting measures on the ballot.

If approved by voters, the measure would put geographic restrictions on ballot petitions, which Republicans say is necessary to give rural voters a larger voice in a state dominated by populous Maricopa and Pima counties.

Arizona law says petitioners must collect signatures equal to 10% of the votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election in order to get a state statute on the ballot. For constitutional amendments, petitioners must collect signatures equal to 15% of the votes cast. There are no geographic guidelines on where the signatures must be collected.

But if passed by voters, the Republican-crafted ballot measure would create a signature distribution requirement to get a measure on the ballot, forcing petitioners to meet the aforementioned thresholds in each of Arizona's 30 legislative districts.

• Students, it seems, will always try to smoke in the bathroom.
• One Long Island school installed vape detectors in its middle school bathrooms to stop them.
• The devices detect THC and nicotine in the air and even alert administrators.

Schools are cracking down on students using weed vapes and e-cigarettes during the school day.

In New York, e-cigarettes have been banned from public and private schools since 2017, but that hasn't stopped crafty students who have apparently continued the age-old tradition of smoking in the bathroom.

Now, one Long Island school went as far as installing vape detectors in its bathrooms to sniff out nicotine and THC, CBS News reported.

At Lindenhurst Middle School, each student bathroom has two vape detectors, a development that was suggested by a student who was concerned about her friends becoming addicted to vaping, according to CBS. A spokesperson from the school did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

The devices, called FlySense, were developed by Soter Technologies "to detect vape and changes in air quality," according to the company's website.

When smoke is detected, the school principal gets an automatic email, and students caught vaping are connected to professional help, CBS reported.

It comes amid additional crackdowns on school behavior. Last week, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a bill that would ban smartphones in public schools. Though Hochul doesn't plan to formally file the bill until the next legislative session begins in 2025, the reception among New York students has been tepid at best.

"If there was, like, an emergency at school you wouldn't be able to contact your parents right away," Alaiya Martinez, a New York high school student, told WWNY.

Vape companies like Juul went from being incredibly popular among young people to being slammed by lawsuits accusing the company of marketing its addictive product to children. Juul ultimately paid a $462 million settlement. Vaping remains popular among young people, however, and other nicotine products — like Zyn pouches — have proven trendy as well.