Tag: News

• President Biden is banking that his environmental record will sway young voters to his side.
• But many voters aged 30 or younger have little knowledge of his administration's climate policies.
• Biden's climate actions could be the key to him unlocking the votes of many undecided young voters.

President Joe Biden has sought to use his pro-environment policies to boost his support among young voters, but most of them have little to no knowledge of his administration's actions to tackle climate change, according to a recent survey.

A CBS News/YouGov poll of 2,230 adults conducted in April showed that 28 percent of respondents aged 30 or younger knew "nothing at all" about Biden's climate actions, while 31 percent of respondents in this age group didn't know much about his administration's policy stances.

Meanwhile, 33 percent of respondents had some knowledge of Biden's policies, while only 7 percent said they had seen or read "a lot" about his administration's work.

The survey also showed that 52 percent of respondents under 30 believed that climate change was an issue that needed to be dealt with "right now," with 20 percent stating it was an issue to tackle over the next few years and 13 percent indicating it was an issue to be handled in the more distant future.

Since taking office, Biden has placed a high priority on climate issues — a monumental shift from former President Donald Trump's political alliance with the fossil-fuel industry — as he's touted tax credits for Americans to purchase electric vehicles and promoted rebates to make homes more energy efficient.

On his first day in White House, Biden rejoined the Paris climate accord, bringing the United States back into fold among nearly 200 countries that have pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed by congressional Democrats and signed into law by Biden in 2022, made significant investments in the expansion of clean energy tax credits and included nearly $10 billion for rural electric cooperatives to purchase or deploy clean energy, among other measures.

And many of the administration's climate policies are seemingly popular with the American public.

When respondents in the CBS News/YouGov survey were asked if they favored tax credits to boost the energy efficiency of homes, 63 percent agreed, while only 17 percent were opposed to the policy.

Seventy percent of respondents in the survey indicated that they backed regulations that would reduce the amount of toxic chemicals in drinking water, while only 9 percent opposed such efforts.

The most polarizing Biden policy in the survey was the allowance of tax credits for electric vehicles, but even it had a plurality of support (43 percent) among respondents. Meanwhile, 35 percent of respondents opposed such credits, and 21 percent of respondents indicated they hadn't heard about it.

• I moved from the US to Germany 12 years ago and gave birth to my three kids here. 
• Germany has a more generous paid parental leave, which allows up to two years of leave. 
• Work relationships are more hierarchical which comes with more boundaries. 

I grew up in the US and moved to Germany over a decade ago, where I've been a working mom has made me realize some notable amount of differences between work-life balance in the US and Germany.

Some of the differences vary due to cultural, policy, or geographical reasons, but it's certainly fascinating to view the contrast between the two locations.

I've had more PTO in Germany from the start

German employers must give their full and part time employees between 20 and 30 days a year of paid vacation, depending on how many days a week the employees put in.

In terms of preventing burnout and optimizing productivity, taking vacation days has been proven to be helpful. It also can make life easier for working parents like myself, with school-aged children who have many weeks of school vacation every year.

In contrast, the average amount of annual paid vacation days in the US is 11 days, but employers aren't legally obligated to grant PTO to their employees. As a result, nearly a third of American employees do not get paid vacation days at all, according to Forbes.

I had a generous parental leave

Germany offers fairly generous parental leave — fathers can also theoretically take nearly all of the parental leave — with several fully paid weeks before and after birth and up to about two years of reduced-pay leave. This contrasts with the US, where parents, especially mothers, often only have a few months or weeks off from work after birth, and generally, it is unpaid.

I found that having longer, paid parental leave was very helpful for me. I had enough time to recover from birth and not be as concerned about how my babies were going to be fed.

My work relationships are more formal in Germany

In many American workplaces, the hierarchy levels can be blurry at times, with a lot of emphasis on collaboration and creativity. I see that many of my American friends spend a fair amount of time outside work with their colleagues.

Work relationships in Germany, unlike the US, tend to be more formal and hierarchical. Although this can have its cons, one benefit I see of work-life balance in Germany that comes out of this cultural aspect is that there can be greater respect for boundaries. I generally don't feel pressured, for instance, to look at my work emails when I'm on vacation or off the clock.

I commute by bike and get a workout while at it

While both Germans and Americans log into fairly long commutes to work, the means of transportation to work does differ greatly between the two.

For Germans, about 32% of them commute either by public transport, biking or walking. That leaves about 68% who commute by car to work.

For quality of life in the work commute, this does make a significant difference. Over a third of Germans don't sit in traffic on their work commute. Biking and walking to work promote exercise and fresh air, and those who commute on public transit can opt to listen to music or simply relax while someone else does the driving.

For me, this means that my commute is more pleasant and refreshing, especially since I don't have to sit in traffic like many Americans do every morning. It also allows me to build in more exercise organically into a necessary commute.

• Two US Navy warships on the front lines of the Houthi battle are back in the Red Sea.
• The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Gravely made a recent port visit in Greece.
• A Navy spokesperson confirmed that the two ships were resupplied and rearmed there.

The US Navy aircraft carrier that spent months battling the Houthis in the Red Sea is rearmed and back in the waterway after a short break. The warship's return comes as American intelligence officials warn the conflict may go on for a while.

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely are back in the Red Sea to continue their maritime security mission after a recent port visit in Souda Bay, Greece, a Navy spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider on Tuesday.

US Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, located on the Mediterranean island of Crete, is a decades-old forward-operating station where American and NATO vessels can receive maintenance, cargo, food, fuel, supplies, and ammunition.

During the brief port visit, the two ships were resupplied and rearmed while their sailors enjoyed some relaxing downtime, the spokesperson said. It marked their first stop since their ongoing deployment began in mid-October.

Since it first arrived in the region, a high-tempo combat environment, the Navy's Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group — which consists of the Ike, the Gravely, and several other warships — has defended shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden from relentless Houthi missile and drone attacks.

Rear Adm. Marc Miguez, commander of the carrier strike group, said the sailors "have worked tirelessly for six months straight to keep us operating on station in the most challenging, dynamic combat environment the Navy has seen in decades."

"This port visit is well-deserved," Miguez said in a Navy statement after the Ike and Gravely left Souda Bay last week.

The Navy has expended nearly $1 billion in missiles to counter the Houthi threats. Beyond intercepting attacks in the air, US forces have also conducted strikes in Yemen, hammering the Iran-backed rebels before they have a chance to launch their weapons.

That figure, disclosed by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro in mid-April, underscored the growing financial cost of the Houthi fight and the need for US Navy vessels to replenish their munitions so they can remain in the fight, which presently shows no signs of slowing down.

Last week, the US intelligence chief warned lawmakers that the Houthis are "going to remain active for some time," partly because they are domestically producing a lot of weaponry while also continuing to receive support from Iran.

"Neither of those things are likely to change in the near future," Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told the Senate Committee on Armed Services during a hearing on global threats.

"That doesn't mean that the strikes that the Department of Defense and the coalition‚ with our allies, have taken haven't had impact," she said, referring to unilateral US strikes and joint strikes with the UK in Yemen. "They have," she added, "but it's been insufficient to really stop the Houthis from going down this road."

The Houthis have claimed that their attacks are directly related to Israel's ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre, but US officials have pushed back on this, citing the wide range of nationalities that have been targeted at sea by the rebels.

Haines told lawmakers that it's unclear whether a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas would lead to a drop in Houthi activity.

While there may be no immediate end in sight to the Red Sea conflict, US officials have routinely stressed that American forces will continue to engage the Houthis.

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters last month that "as long as there continues to be a threat to international shipping and to the lives and safety of mariners transiting the Red Sea, we'll continue to work with international partners to degrade and disrupt Houthi capability."

• Despite US aid, Ukraine struggles to maintain sufficient manpower on the front lines.
• Ukraine's dwindling soldier numbers are a problem that could get worse, a war analyst warned.
• Ukraine is also facing other challenges, like the diminished effectiveness of precision weapons.

Ukraine is having trouble maintaining a sufficient force size in its fight against Russia, which could lead to more problems down the road, war analyst Michael Kofman said.

The embattled northeastern Ukrainian city of "Kharkiv is pretty well-entrenched and defended I think at this point, but nonetheless, there's a danger there because it will take some a months for Ukraine to address its manning situation," Kofman, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said during the War on The Rocks podcast that aired Monday.

As Russia makes slow gains in eastern Ukraine, Kharkiv, one of Ukraine's largest cities, stands in its path. The question is whether Ukraine will be able to stabilize its lines before Russia potentially pushes toward the city this summer.

Kofman predicts that Ukraine's "manning situation is the kind of thing that's probably going to get worse before it gets better."

Although Ukraine will receive $61 billion in aid from the US over the coming months, the country has continuously struggled to increase and maintain its manpower on the front lines — a critical capability the aid package doesn't fix.

"Ammunition may come in two weeks, but manpower won't," Kofman said. Ukraine has long struggled with manpower issues, but the situation has worsened.

Earlier this year, a Ukrainian service member told The Washington Post that the companies in his battalion were staffed at 35% of normal levels.

Ukrainian military officials have sought as many as 500,000 more soldiers to fight. More recently, new mobilization laws are going into effect, and Ukrainian lawmakers took steps last month to advance a bill that would allow certain individuals in prison to serve in the country's military.

In addition to the ongoing manpower woes, Kofman said that Ukraine is also struggling with the declining effectiveness of some of its precision capabilities.

Kofman said Russia has been able to adapt to how Ukraine uses these capabilities through "electronic warfare and reorganization of Russian command and control and logistics."

Manpower shortages are still a key problem for the Ukrainians, though. "In general, Ukrainian force is still performing rather well on the defense," he said. "The challenge is that they are significantly outnumbered."

• South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem repeatedly praises Donald Trump throughout her book.
• But her decision to compare the former president to her granddaughter may draw eyebrows.
• Noem meant it in a loving manner, but it's often Trump's political opponents that say he's like a toddler.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem paid an odd compliment to former President Donald Trump in her much-talked-about memoir.

"In some funny ways, I see similarities between Trump and my granddaughter, Miss Addie (that's what I call her)," Noem wrote in "No Going Back: The Truth on What's Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward" which went on sale on Tuesday.

Noem, who Trump once confirmed was on his vice presidential shortlist, has seen her political standing crater ahead of the book's release after one of the sections devoted to her explanation of why she killed a roughly 14-month-old wirehair pointer named Cricket.

The South Dakota Republican has stood by her decision decades ago to kill the dog and has argued that the moment in her life illustrates how she does not shy away from difficult choices. Noem has also been forced to correct the book after it came to light that it included a claim that she met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. (She had not, and the book's digital edition now omits it.)

As for Trump, Noem, who previously served in Congress before she was elected to lead the Mount Rushmore State, offered effusive praise for the former president throughout the book.

"He really doesn't think he's better than anyone else," Noem wrote on Trump, a claim that even the former president might protest. "He values everyone. That's why so many people who have worked for him and his family for years are so loyal to him; he truly cares about them and the work they do. He's full of surprises too."

It's her decision to compare Trump, 77, to her daughter that may draw eyebrows given that it's traditionally Trump's opponents who compare him to a toddler.

"And, yes, age is an issue.  I'm a grown man running against a six-year-old," President Joe Biden, the oldest person to hold his job, quipped of Trump during the recent White House Correspondent's Dinner.

Noem adds that her granddaughter, who at the time of her writing was nearly 3 years old, approaches the world in a truly authentic and curious way.

"I love to watch her figure things out, in ways that grown-ups like me, would never consider, because that's just how we've always done things, Noem wrote.

She added, "She has no concept of trying to please people or acting in ways that aren't completely real for her."

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Google revealed its new Pixel 8a phone for preorder on May 7, ahead of a release on May 14 for the company's Google I/O event. The Pixel 8a complements the Pixel 8 series released in October 2023 as a more affordable option while carrying many of the same high-quality characteristics, like flagship-level performance and cameras.

Indeed, starting at $499, the Pixel 8a is less expensive than the base $699 Pixel 8 and $999 Pixel 8 Pro. As such, there are some compromises, but not as many as you'd think for the price difference. In fact, there are so few meaningful compromises that the Pixel 8a puts into question the base Pixel 8's existence. 

Google Pixel 8a: Features

The Pixel 8a runs on the same Google Tensor G3 processor as the flagship Pixel 8 series, so performance should be identical or at least comparable. It also includes two rear cameras — the same as the base Pixel 8. It even has Google's premium and bright "Actua" OLED display that runs at 120Hz, an upgrade over the Pixel 7a's 90Hz refresh rate. Albeit, the Pixel 8a's display is slightly smaller at 6.1 inches compared to the Pixel 8's 6.2-inch display. 

Google is also including the same AI features, some powered by Google's Gemini Nano AI model from the flagship Pixel 8 series in the Pixel 8a, like Best Take, Magic Editor, Real Tone in Video, Guided Frame for both the front and rear cameras, Circle to Search, and Call Assist, among several others. 

It's also good to see safety features like Crash Detection, Crisis Alerts, and Safety Checks make it to the Pixel 8a. To top it off, Google is supporting the Pixel 8a with Android, security, and feature updates for seven years until 2031, a support window that mirrors the best Google Pixel phones. 

So, where are these compromises I mentioned? The Pixel 8a's back is made of plastic instead of the flagship Pixel 8's glass, which is totally expected in less expensive phone models. If the Pixel 8a's back is anything like the Pixel 7a's plastic back, most people really won't notice. The Pixel 8a's black borders around the display are also somewhat thicker than the flagship Pixel 8 phones, which admittedly imparts a less premium vibe.

The Pixel 8a's cameras aren't the same as the Pixel 8's — they're actually the identical cameras from the Pixel 7a. However, the Pixel 7a takes stunning photos, not just for a $500 phone, but even compared to some of the best Android phones that cost $1,000 or more. With that in mind, we're expecting the Pixel 8a to take equally good photos.        

And finally, the Pixel 8a comes in four color options, including "Aloe," "Obsidian," "Porcelain," and "Bay."

Google Pixel 8a: Price

There are two storage options for the Pixel 8a models, 128GB and 256GB, with the higher storage option only available in the "Obsidian" colorway. 

Google Pixel 8a: Release date

The Google Pixel 8a is available for preorder now from the online Google Store, Best Buy, Amazon, and carriers like Verizon. It will be fully released and available to buy on May 14 from the same retailers and carriers. 

Google Pixel 8a: Specs

• California's Senate is considering a bill that would change how retailers run self-checkout.
• The rule would prohibit retailers from offering self-checkout unless several conditions are met.
• Lawmakers and supporters say the changes are intended to reduce crime in the state.

The California legislature is considering a proposal that would bring significant changes to the self-checkout lanes in the state.

Under Senate Bill 1446, large grocery and drug retailers would have to satisfy a list of conditions in order to continue operating self-service kiosks in their stores.

Here's what would change if the proposal passes:

• At least one assisted checkout station must remain open at all times.
• Self-checkout lanes would be limited to 10 items or fewer.

• Restricted items like alcohol and tobacco, as well as items with enhanced security measures, must be checked out by an employee.

• A single worker may only be assigned to monitor two self-checkout stations, and they must have no other responsibilities during that time.

"This act will protect workers and the public by ensuring safe staffing levels at grocery and drug stores and regulating self-checkout machines in a way that's being smart on crime," said the bill's sponsor, Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, according to the Bay Area NBC affiliate.

The proposal comes as retailers have been rethinking their approach to self-checkout over the past year, including the role the tech plays in shoplifting and inventory shrink.

"The hope is that we can reduce the amount of theft that happens. That's a much better solution than punishing theft after it occurs," Cristine Soto DeBerry, founder of the Prosecutors Alliance of California, told the Bay Area ABC affiliate ABC7 News.

"One of the main deterrents from theft is that there are staff paying attention in the store to your activities," she said.

Walmart operates more than 300 locations in the state, while Target and Costco have 200 and 130, respectively.

TikTok promised to fight its ban in the US — and now the social media giant has made it official.

TikTok and its parent company ByteDance sued the federal government on Tuesday to halt a nationwide ban of the app, according to reports in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Reuters.

The ban would force TikTok's Chinese owners to sell the platform or shut it down within 9 months.

TikTok alleged in its suit that the ban violated the First Amendment and that a sale would be "simply not possible," according to the reports.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

• Business Insider asked gardeners and interior designers how they decorate outdoor spaces.
• The experts said they wouldn't have plastic flamingos, wind chimes, or indoor fabrics.
• Continuous pavement and invasive plant species can impact how your outdoor environment operates.

Outdoor space is a luxury. For those lucky enough to have a private yard, patio, or balcony, it can significantly increase your home's curb appeal and resale value — if you style it properly.

Business Insider asked interior designers and gardeners what features, items, and trends they'd never have in their own outdoor spaces.

Here's what they said.

Synthetic turf isn’t worth it.

Turf may seem appealing for a year-round green lawn. But Lara Hermanson, a licensed landscape contractor and the principal and cofounder of Farmscape, recommends a more sustainable and natural approach to outdoor design.

"Synthetic turf grass might look like real grass but will ultimately end up in the landfill," she told BI.

The expert also said turf can trap heat in your yard and still requires extra maintenance to keep it clean, especially if you have pets.

Over-paving your yard interferes with soil moisture.

Hermanson said she avoids continuous paving in outdoor spaces because it prevents soil from obtaining moisture and causes high heat.

"When we receive precious rain, it's important that the water makes it into our soil for long-term storage," she told BI. "Lots of hard, reflective surfaces heat the local environment, making it virtually uninhabitable during the daytime in summer months."

Plastic flamingos lack natural appeal.

According to Alice Moszczynski, an interior designer at Planner 5D, plastic flamingos can diminish the natural beauty of your outdoor space.

"Plastic flamingos may have a kitschy charm, but they often lack the elegance and natural appeal desired in outdoor spaces," she told BI.

Invasive plant species cause too much disruption.

Moszczynski wouldn't introduce invasive plant species — like buckthorn, garlic mustard, or Japanese knotweed — into her outdoor space.

"As a responsible gardener, it's crucial to avoid planting species that can harm the environment and native wildlife," she told BI.

Moszczynski recommends contacting local garden centers to learn more about what plants work best in your area.

Certain outdoor accessories, like wind chimes, can be annoying.

When reaching for outdoor accessories, Jessica Holmes Holiday, founder and principal designer of HSH Collective Home and Design, said she always keeps local weather patterns in mind.

"We avoid noisy wind chimes or anything similar that is easy to break or get knocked over by the weather — especially in Florida," she told BI.

Fabrics made for interiors don’t belong outside.

Marisa Bettencourt, founder of North + Fair Interior Design, told BI, "I avoid fabrics primarily meant for indoor use, such as cotton, leather, or velvet."

On the other hand, fabrics like acrylic and polyester, are typically designed to withstand outdoor weather conditions.

The designer recommended using weather-resistant cushions and decorative pillows to keep them clean, mold-free, and undamaged.

Terracotta pots are a tiresome option for plants.

Donna Letier, gardening expert and founder and CEO of Gardenuity, said she never uses terracotta pots in her outdoor spaces.

"This might be surprising, but I would never buy anything including terracotta pots or designs with a terracotta color theme," she told BI. "The pots are heavy to move around and not the best containers for plants."

Skip the hammock — it's never as comfortable as you think.

Hammocks might look aesthetically appealing and comfortable, but according to Letier, they aren't worth the hassle.

"I don't find them that comfortable. The minute you get situated in the hammock, you think of something you forgot, and getting in and out can be challenging," she said.

Cushioned furniture isn’t practical.

Laura Redd, interior designer at Laura Redd Interiors, doesn't keep cushioned furniture — chairs, couches, or otherwise — in uncovered outdoor areas.

"I would never put cushioned pieces of furniture out in the open air," the interior designer told BI. "They always seem to mold and mildew and stay wet when needed for seating."

She also recommended having a chest for any removable outdoor cushions to protect them from the elements.

A monoculture lawn can be problematic.

Sarah Warner, Greenhouse Manager and Organic Farmer at the Case Western Reserve University Farm, keeps her garden diverse.

"Personally, I would not have an outdoor space where only one type of crop grows. By doing this, I am limiting the food supply and habitat for wildlife," she told BI. "This can also create pest and disease issues, along with supporting very little biodiversity for soil life."

• Apple revealed the 10th-generation iPad will now be available for $349.
• The entry-level iPad has a 10.9-inch display, modern bezels, and is offered in four colors.
• The lower-cost iPad supports Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard, and offers 4K resolution.

You can now get a whole lot of iPad for not a lot of money.

While Apple CEO Tim Cook took the wraps off of new iPads and accessories during the company's "Let Loose" event in California on Tuesday, it also announced a highly competitive new price for its entry-level iPad.

The iPad 10th generation is now available for $349 — that's about $100 less than what it came out as in 2022.

Cook referred to the new offering as a "more affordable entry-level iPad with an all-screen design."

The iPad features a 10.9-inch liquid retina display and more modern bezels compared to some of the earlier models. It comes in four colors, including white, yellow, red, and blue.

You can use Apple Pencil first generation and earlier Magic Keyboard with the lower-cost iPad. It also offers a landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front camera.

The iPad 10th generation is $250 less than the iPad Air and $650 less than the iPad Pro. So what do the more expensive models have that it doesn't?

In addition to larger screens, the Pro and the Air have antireflective coating and the Pro has antireflective coating as well — in addition to its headline feature, an OLED display, with ProMotion. The 10th generation also has an A14 chip, while the Pro has the new M4 and the Air has the M2. This means the Air and the Pro will have faster processing speeds and improved graphics performance.

The Air and 10th generation both have the same camera but the Pro has ProRes as well, which provides better color depth and allows for greater editing capabilities.