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Today β€” 25 February 2025News

Veterans Affairs staffers denounce OPM email amid Elon Musk's DOGE push: 'People have no clue how this is impacting us'

25 February 2025 at 09:17
Elon Musk standing
Elon Musk's DOGE-driven directives have upended the federal bureaucracy.

Kenny Holston/The New York Times

  • The latest OPM email telling federal workers to outline their accomplishments has roiled Washington.
  • For Veterans Affairs employees who spoke to BI, the directive is one more DOGE-related frustration.
  • About 2,400 staffers from the agency have been fired in recent weeks.

When Elon Musk announced last Saturday that federal workers would have to respond to an email detailing their work accomplishments from the past week or risk termination, it was the latest move in the White House DOGE Office's push to upend US government.

Veterans Affairs secretary Doug Collins β€” a former Georgia congressman β€” said in a video last Thursday that health care for veterans would not suffer amid efficiency reforms, pushing back against what he said were "whoppers" about DOGE-related impacts on the department. Roughly 2,400 employees at the agency have been fired in recent weeks, including 1,400 on Monday.

Several staffers at the Department of Veterans Affairs told DOGE's efforts have created a high level of uncertainty and stress within a department tasked with providing critical services for the nation's veterans.

"So many people have no clue how this is impacting us," one VA social worker said. "We spend a lot of time managing our staff's emotions with each OPM email. I fear people will begin to resign and then our veterans are the ones who will suffer."

The social worker also said staffers are being "harassed" by the Office of Personnel Management.

"It has been nonstop since January 20," the social worker said of the OPM's directives.

A VA nurse β€” who was instructed by a facility leader to respond to the OPM email β€” said it "lacked any context, explanation, or proper official formatting, making it indistinguishable from a scam email." The nurse noted that before President Donald Trump took office last month, official communications typically came from VA email accounts, whereas now they're coming from OPM accounts.

"The idea that a billionaire oligarch can decide over social media that employees must submit to vague, coercive demands β€” or lose their jobs β€” is both disturbing and unacceptable," the nurse added.

Another VA employee told BI that the latest OPM email is a "direct assault" on public servants and chided government leaders for what he said was a lack of leadership in probing DOGE.

"Why are our elected officials allowing an unvetted agency such unchecked power, without any visible oversight or accountability?" the employee said. "The military recognizes the detrimental effects of prolonged high-stress operations. Federal workers have been living it for the past month."

Most of the VA workers spoke of how the OPM's actions are taking away from the focus on veterans.

Another VA nurse told BI that they feared important research trials would be in jeopardy after Trump issued a federal hiring freeze.

"I love taking care of veterans but now worry each day whether I'll still have a job," the nurse said. "My heart also breaks for all the worried veterans who are now coming in wondering if they can still get care at the VA, if there will be anyone left to take care of them."

VA Building.
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides critical services to US veterans.

Robert Alexander/Getty Images

The Department of Veterans Affairs has roughly 400,000 employees, with 170 VA medical centers and nearly 1,200 outpatient centers across the country.

In January, following Trump's hiring freeze executive order, the department said there would be exemptions for essential roles.

Earlier in February, the Department of Veterans Affairs fired over 1,000 employees β€” which included probationary workers β€” and said the move would allow it to redirect $98 million in savings towards health care services for veterans.

After the dismissals, 36 Senate Democrats β€” including Senate Veterans Affairs Committee ranking member Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut β€” pressed the department to rehire every fired probationary employee.

However, on Monday, the Department of Veterans Affairs dismissed 1,400 additional employees whom they said occupied "non-mission critical" probationary roles. This comes as probationary employees across multiple federal agencies have become targets for terminations in recent weeks.

"These and other recent personnel decisions are extraordinarily difficult, but VA is focused on allocating its resources to help as many Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors as possible," Collins said in a statement on Monday.

"These moves will not hurt VA health care, benefits or beneficiaries. In fact, Veterans are going to notice a change for the better," the secretary added.

The department said on Monday that the bulk of its 40,000 probationary employees weren't included in the most recent job dismissals because they occupied critical roles.

Still, leading Senate Democrats have continued to push back against the cuts at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In a letter helmed by Blumenthal and signed by 35 of his Senate colleagues last Wednesday, they disputed Collins' assertions that the cuts wouldn't "negatively impact" care for veterans.

"Openings for new clinics have been delayed because VA cannot hire the necessary staff to open their doors. Service lines at VA hospitals and clinics have been halted," the lawmakers said at the time. "The list of real-life negative impacts of this Administration's directives is expansive and growing every day."

Blumenthal β€” who said he now regrets voting to confirm Collins in what was an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote in Januaryβ€” railed against the latest series of cuts at the department.

"Make no mistake, these actions are destroying the trust veterans have in VA and will do long-term damage to VA's ability to recruit and retain talented doctors, nurses, and others wanting to pursue a career serving veterans," he said in a statement on Monday.

Business Insider reached out to the Department of Veterans Affairs and DOGE for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I went to Costa Rica for the first time. From power outages to getting stranded in the ocean, it was one heck of a trip.

25 February 2025 at 09:14
meredith posing of a selfie on a beach in costa rica
I had a lovely first trip to Costa Rica, but I also ran into quite a few mishaps.

Meredith Schneider

  • I went to Costa Rica for the first time, and it was gorgeous, but the trip was riddled with mishaps.
  • Next time, I'll be better prepared for possible bathroom creatures and power outages.
  • I've also learned a lot about dealing with sunburn, bug bites, and dehydration.

At the beginning of the year, I had the opportunity to go to Costa Rica for the first time.

I encountered stunning natural views, new-to-me foods, and beautiful wildlife. However, the trip also came with its fair share of obstacles.

Here are six mishaps from the trip that I think could happen to anyone β€” and how I learned to prepare for them.

The power went out multiple times.
lit tealight candles on a table
We went through a lot of candles during my stay in Costa Rica.

Meredith Schneider

My lodging experienced full power outages multiple times during my trip, often overnight.

After some research, I learned that this is pretty common in certain parts of the country. The chef who came to work in our kitchen even kept a headlamp with him.

We had plenty of candles on hand, but it would've been very helpful to have a portable battery bank (or three).

Beware of bathroom creatures.
outdoor shower in costa rica
I had an outdoor shower in Costa Rica.

Meredith Schneider

In beautiful, tropical environments like Costa Rica, it's not uncommon for part of your accommodations to be partially or totally outdoors.

In our case, the bathroom for our accommodation was outdoors.

One time, on a 2 a.m. bathroom run, I encountered a scorpion. I was barefoot, which could've ended very poorly for me. Luckily, I spotted it before I got too close, and we just had a staring contest β€” no one was hurt in the process.

I never wanted to risk that again, so slip-on house shoes became my best friend anytime I needed to run outside.

There are a lot of bugs.
meredith posing for a selfie in front of a waterfall in costa rica
I spent a lot of time outside in Costa Rica.

Meredith Schneider

Costa Rica is fairly close to the equator, so the climate is hot, humid, and wet. Essentially, it's a paradise for bugs.

I quickly learned that essential oils, natural bug repellents, and even chemical sprays weren't enough to keep them away at times.

The best (and least sticky) solution I eventually found was keeping a tinned citronella candle nearby whenever I was sitting outside.

The sun can also be really intense.
sun setting in costa rica
Sometimes, it was a relief when the sun set at night.

Meredith Schneider

Because of its location, the sun is also brighter in Costa Rica than where I'm from in the Midwest of the US.

Unfortunately, the sun-care products I found there were more expensive than what I'm used to. I should've stocked up before my trip instead of waiting to buy things once I landed.

Even with sunscreens, hats, and UV clothing, there's a chance you'll burn β€” I certainly did. I'd also prepare for that by packing some soothing aftercare products.

I know what I'm going to pack for every boat trip going forward.
shot of the tip of a boat in the ocean on a clear day in costa rica
Luckily, we pooled our resources while we were out on the water.

Meredith Schneider

Being stranded in the ocean was an experience β€” to say the least.

During a boating excursion, the engine stopped working. We were within eyeshot of the shore, but it quickly became obvious that we were going to be stuck for a while.

Although I didn't intentionally prepare for this, I was glad I had reef-safe sunscreen on me β€” within 15 minutes of baking under the sun , everyone in the boat needed to reapply.

Between the big bag of trail mix I had and the skipper's cooler of fresh pineapple, no one went too hungry.

We were far enough out that the water was fairly calm, but we also had plenty of Dramamine to help keep people's motion sickness in check.

All in all, it wasn't as scary or shocking as it could've been, but I'm always going to keep snacks and supplies on hand for future boating activities.

Dehydration is not to be taken lightly.
bottles of salt sick electrolyte chews
Electrolyte tablets saved me while I was in Costa Rica.

Meredith Schneider

If you're not used to being in a humid climate, it can be hard to tell when you're starting to get dehydrated. My skin was damp with and without sweat, thanks to the tropical rainforest environment.

I was very grateful that a friend brought chewable electrolyte tablets and was willing to share. They helped me stay hydrated while we were stranded in the ocean, and they were super helpful during an hourslong hike to a waterfall.

I also took one before the flight back to America, and I really noticed a difference in my hydration levels on the dry airplane. I don't think I'll ever travel without them again.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I quit my dream job to be a stay-at-home dad. It was hard at first, but completely worth the time I got with my kids.

25 February 2025 at 09:01
A dad building a block tower with his young son

AleksandarNakic/Getty Images

  • When his son was born, Christopher Mannino, 44, was a high school theater teacher in 2016.
  • He had a short paternity leave and got panic attacks because he rarely saw his son.
  • Day care costs were also expensive, so he decided to become a stay-at-home dad instead.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Christopher Mannino, author of the coming book "Making It Up: A Revolutionary Way to Bond With Kids Through Play." It has been edited for length and clarity.

After my son was born, I started having panic attacks at work.

I was a high school theater teacher in Maryland β€” my dream job. I taught six drama classes and ran a massive theater program, grateful I could focus solely on the subject I loved rather than teaching it only as an after-school extracurricular.

It was also difficult. I only got three days of paternity leave; I was told, quite bluntly, that if I took more, I might be switched to teaching a different subject when I returned. Knowing this, my wife and I deliberately planned her pregnancy so she would give birth over the summer, when I'd have more time at home.

Things got worse once the school year started. I was often the first person to come in and the last to leave. I also often worked weekends, directing show rehearsals or improv events.

During that time, I frequently felt stressed and guilty that I wasn't becoming the father I always wanted to be. I would pick my son up from day care and feel like I never saw him.

Christopher Mannino with his son.
Christopher Mannino with his son.

Christopher Mannino

So when our son was 6 months old, I quit my job and became a stay-at-home dad to him and, later, his sister. After six years of staying at home, I'm grateful for our time together.

We weren't happy with our day care

As it is for many American parents, our childcare was very expensive. We put our son into day care when he was 2 months old, right when my wife's maternity leave was over.

After taxes, my mandatory union fee, healthcare reduction, and retirement savings, I spent most of each paycheck on day care.

We also had concerns about the quality of care our son was receiving. We started looking into other childcare options, including in-home services, but couldn't afford them. Others didn't have availability.

At one point in our search, we asked ourselves why we were doing this. My wife made a lot more than I did for fewer hours. After talking it out, I quit my job and stayed home full-time.

It was scary to suddenly move to one income, but then we remembered we didn't have to pay for childcare. Financially, everything evened out pretty well.

Leaving my comfort zone

Besides our initial fear of being on one income, which is less common these days, I also never met a stay-at-home dad before. I knew it was unusual, and being called "Mr. Mom" by family members solidified how strange it seemed to others.

I also had to adjust from working full-time. My high-energy job, which involved working with over 300 students a year, dwindled to spending all my hours with a baby. It was very jarring at first.

It took me about a year to feel confident. At first, I would take my son to storytime and playgrounds, where I would be the only dad among 15 moms. I'd feel uncomfortable approaching women I'd never met and asking to set up playdates.

Things started to change when I realized I could recreate the best parts of my job at home. I read a book called "The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad" and learned the trick was leaving my comfort zone and meeting as many people as possible. Over time, I felt more confident talking to new parents.

Once a week, I took my son on an adventure, branching away from playgrounds and libraries. We went to museums, to the zoo, to the beach. When the pandemic hit, we built a rocket ship in the living room. Our rocket was powered by song, and we came up with one that lists all the planets in order. We still sing it to this day.

Staying home for 2 kids

Our daughter was born in 2019 when our son was 3.

Christopher Mannino with his daughter.
Christopher Mannino with his daughter.

Christopher Mannino

By the time he entered preschool, I was more experienced as a stay-at-home dad. We'd moved to Delaware, and I remember taking my daughter to Valley Forge, a historical park with Revolutionary War forts on display. I still remember when she put her hands on her head and said, "Dad, I'm done. No more George Washingblub."

Another time, we were grocery shopping, and I could tell she was about to have a tantrum. We played a game where she "froze" me in the freezer aisle. Some parents watched us, bemused at me standing in funny poses while she giggled.

Once my daughter started preschool in 2023, I became a part-time substitute teacher to have more flexibility in case either kid got sick or had a day off. I've since changed careers, becoming a full-time author and working on a book about my experiences as a stay-at-home dad.

I still fondly look back on my dream job as a theater teacher. I'm proud of the work I did, and I know that some of my former students now have careers in Hollywood and New York.

I also know I would've missed out on so much had I stuck to only seeing my kids on weekends. Dreams change, and this ended up being the better one.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Disappointing photos show what it's really like to backpack across Europe

25 February 2025 at 08:57
A cluster of arms holding phones to capture a tourist attraction in Rome
Business Insider's reporter expected an Instagram-like backpacking adventure in Europe, but the reality was much less glamorous.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • I spent two weeks backpacking through Europe for the first time in October 2022.
  • I found that it wasn't the glamorous, romantic adventure it often looks like on Instagram.
  • While backpacking, I was disappointed by overnight train rides and crowds of tourists in each city.

With a passion for fashion, traveling with just a backpack never appealed to me before 2022. There were always too many layers, accessories, and shoes I wanted to pack.

But since I began traveling more as a travel reporter for Business Insider four years ago, I've realized I needed to lighten my load to make it easier to hit the road for longer periods.

I prioritized the minimalist travel style in August 2022, when I spent a week backpacking for the first time through Eastern Canada. It turned out to be much easier β€” and more efficient β€” than I'd originally thought. 

So, when I planned a two-week train trip through four European countries two months later, I pushed myself to fit everything I needed into my backpack again.

I spent two weeks backpacking across Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland while exploring the cities of Berlin, Vienna, Venice, Rome, Milan, and Zurich. It was my first time visiting each country and backpacking in Europe

I slept in shared train cabins and budget Airbnbs, and initially, I felt like I was living the life of young adults on a gap year or post-college students on a big adventure.

But I quickly realized it wasn't as glamorous as I expected it to be.

On Instagram, I've often seen epic photos of an empty nature scene save for the backpackers with a caption about life being an adventure.

After backpacking Europe, I found that the travel style was full of hardships I rarely see posts about. 

First, I found that my biggest backpack couldn't squeeze in all the clothes I wanted to bring.
Everything the author packed for her two-week trip to Europe.
Everything the reporter packed for her two-week trip to Europe.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I picked my largest bag β€” a 32-liter backpack β€” for my trip to Europe.

I wasn't sure how well this bag would work for a two-week trip, so I practiced packing as lightly as possible to ensure I could fit everything. 

I started with my essential work gear β€” a laptop, cameras, lenses, and a notebook. Then, I packed chargers, toiletries, and snacks before realizing my work gear and other essentials were taking priority over clothes.

I hoped to bring two packing cubes full of clothing, but I could only fit one. This cut my proposed wardrobe in half.

I ended up packing two polos, one T-shirt, one long-sleeve T-shirt, three pairs of pants, a sweater, a blazer, a dress, and two light jackets.

Although I impressed myself by packing lighter than ever while still having everything I needed for the longest trip I'd ever taken, I couldn't help feeling disappointed in my limited outfit choices. 

Because I could only bring a few garments, I had to do laundry at nearly every accommodation.
Three imagaes of the authors laundry in Germany (left), Austria (top), and Italy (bottom).
The reporter's laundry in Germany (left), Austria (top), and Italy (bottom).

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I've never seen a backpacking social-media post about doing laundry, but I found myself washing my clothes at nearly every Airbnb I stayed in.

I stayed in each accommodation for just one or two nights, so to ensure my clothes would be dry before checking out, I had to prioritize doing laundry as soon as I checked in.

I brought my own laundry soap and used sinks and bathtubs to wash each garment before hanging them up to dry.

This was a bummer since I often arrived at each accommodation feeling exhausted from travel, and washing my clothes was the last thing I felt like doing. 

Coming home to tiny Airbnbs with wet clothes everywhere stressed me out after a day of exploring.
Two images of the author's messy accommodations in Austria (L) and Germany (R).
Staying in small, cluttered spaces made the reporter feel stressed in Austria (L) and Germany (R).

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

From a converted wine barrel outside Zurich to an Airstream trailer in Vienna, most of my Airbnbs were tiny homes with less than 100 square feet of space. So, the slightest bit of clutter made them look like a total mess. Having my clothes hanging to dry made the spaces feel even more chaotic.

Each time I returned to my accommodations, I was greeted with a disheveled space that made me feel stressed out. Since I'd worked hard to keep my apartment looking spotless at home, I wasn't used to living in a cluttered space. I found it hard to relax in these rooms after tiring days of exploring.

I thought a sleeper train would be a smart way to arrive in new cities and maximize my time, but these shared cabins felt cramped and uncomfortable.
Two images: Left: The author's legs stretched out on a red couch inside a sleeper cabin. Right: The author takes a selfie with a mask on in the same spot
The reporter rides a Nightjet sleeper train in Europe.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

I booked two overnight trains during my trip to free up daylight hours for exploring.

But I didn't anticipate how challenging it would be to get a good night's rest in a small, shared space.

To get from Vienna to Venice, I booked a bunk in a shared cabin on an overnight train run by the Nightjet rail line, which operates overnight routes between Austria, Italy, France, and the Netherlands.

Since I booked a shared room with up to five others, I expected to feel slightly cramped, but I still thought I'd have some space to move around the room.

However, the 74-square-foot cabin didn't feel like enough space for myself and the other travelers, especially with everyone's luggage. Our cabin only had four people in it, and I thought it would have been even more uncomfortable had it been fully booked with six people.

There was space for bags above the beds, but not enough for everyone. I couldn't do much more than sit in my bunk and quickly became disappointed by my choice to travel this way.

I was also surprised by the lack of privacy inside the shared bunk cabin on the train.
Two images: Left: The author's legs stretched out on a red couch inside a sleeper cabin. Right: A closed gray, sliding door with a curtain in the train cabin
The reporter's shared sleeper cabin on an overnight train from Austria to Italy.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Before my trip, I imagined each bunk in the shared cabin on the sleeper train would have a curtain for privacy. However, the beds were completely exposed, so I had to go to the bathroom to change into my pajamas privately.

I also had to wake another traveler using the top bunk in the middle of the night to use the bathroom since the room's lock was only accessible from their bunk.

After this experience, I don't think I'll ever bunk with strangers on an overnight train again, especially since some Nightjet routes have private cabins.

"Offering our passengers a high level of travel comfort is an important concern for us," a representative for OBB Nightjet told BI. "We are constantly working on improvements to our product and also take into account the requirements of our customers."

My experience was even worse on the other overnight train I took, where I booked a regular seat and didn't sleep at all.
Two Images: left: a blur reclined chair on a train. Right: The author takes a selfie in the same chair
The reporter felt restless on an overnight train from Germany to Austria.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

On my other overnight train from Berlin to Vienna, I had an even harder time sleeping. I sat in a seating carriage room with six seats facing each other, which is Nightjet's version of standard coach seating.

During my leg of the journey, three travelers were already there when I boarded, and two others arrived within the first few hours. Right away, I thought the room was cramped and lacked enough legroom for each traveler.

The seat appeared slightly wider than a typical train coach seat, with two cushions. It also reclined, though not fully. I reclined mine as much as possible, but I thought the gap between the seat back and the bottom of the seat made it tough to get comfortable.

When I tried to sleep, I found it impossible with the constant bumps on the ride and so many people around. I ended up staying up until the morning and regretted traveling overnight. 

"The quality of travel depends not only on the carriages but also on the route," OBB Nightjet wrote in a statement to BI. "We recommend the sleeper or couchette car for night travel. There is enough space to stretch out. Seated carriages are recommended for shorter journeys."

While some influencers might like this type of travel, I'll stick to daytime routes next time if I can't sleep flat on a bed in a private room. 

I often arrived in each country feeling exhausted from lack of sleep, which made it harder to enjoy my time in each place.
Two images. Left: a train seen from the window of a train in the early morning
The reporter arrived in Vienna feeling exhausted.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Because I had so much trouble sleeping on both overnight train rides, I often arrived in a new city feeling depleted instead of excited and ready to start exploring.

When I got to Vienna at 7 a.m. after a sleepless night in the seating carriage, I was so exhausted that I looked for any hotel that would take me in so early in the morning. I thought this made the overnight ride ultimately not worth the time saved since I didn't do anything when I arrived other than sleep.

When I got off the train in Venice, I had enough energy to explore since I got some sleep in the bunk, but I still felt fatigued, and it took away from how much I could enjoy that first day.

As a result, my first day in both cities felt disappointing, and my plan to save time and energy backfired. I couldn't help thinking I wasted two days that could have been spent feeling more appreciative of the city surrounding me had I gotten enough rest. 

In fact, a lot of my trip was more physically draining than I anticipated because my backpack made my body sore.
Two images: Left: The author walks next to a train wearing a big backpack. Right: The author sits in a train seat stretching her neck
The reporter was sore from carrying her bag.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

On travel days, I had to carry my backpack for long periods. I wore it on the go to catch my train. When I arrived in a new city, I had to keep it on my back until I could check into my accommodation. And then, I'd repeat the entire process when I checked out before catching a train to my next destination.

Each day, after wearing my backpack while walking for extended periods, my muscles felt incredibly sore.

In these moments, I was surprised to find myself questioning if a backpack really is more convenient than a carry-on suitcase. Sure, a carry-on suitcase is larger and often needs to be wheeled around, but after lugging around my backpack all day, I felt it would have been easier and better for my body. Plus, I'd be able to pack more.

Large crowds made having a backpack even harder. I thought traveling in October β€” the end of shoulder season β€” would help me avoid this, but I was wrong.
Two images of crowds walking between narrow, historic buildings in Venice.
Narrow alleys were filled with people in Europe.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

In most photos of backpackers I see on Instagram, it looks like they're completely alone in a dramatic scene, whether it's a scenic landscape or a major tourist attraction.

However, even though I visited during the shoulder season, this was not the case. From Rome to Zurich, I trudged through places that were overrun with tourists.

Throughout my trip, I stood on tippy toes to see popular historic sites above rows of heads obscuring my view. Even getting just one photo of myself at tourist hot spots, like the Colosseum in Rome, felt nearly impossible. And since I'm 5-foot-3, I found it hard to see over the heads and smartphones of the people around me. 

I also wasn't used to the weight and size of my backpack, which made it challenging to get around. In crowded spaces, I kept forgetting that the backpack made me about a third larger than I typically am. I bumped into people with my pack in busy streets and train stations before realizing I needed to reconsider how I was taking up space. 

Next time I plan a trip to Europe, I'll visit in the offseason for fewer crowds.

While it wasn't a picture-perfect adventure, backpacking through Europe made me realize that you can't plan out every second, and maybe that's a good thing.
Two images: Left: The author takes a seflie on a platform next to a red train. Right: The author walks next to a train wearing a big backpack
The reporter backpacks in Europe.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

While there were a handful of hardships, backpacking in Europe was also full of good surprises.

For example, I initially thought seeing so many new places in a short time would make them blend together in my mind, but each city felt genuinely unique and left me with distinct memories. And without my backpack, I probably wouldn't have been able to travel to as many places in one trip.

I'll never forget how alive Berlin felt with its lush pockets of greenery, dramatic murals, and street performers, or how Vienna's garden mazes and fairy tale architecture made me feel like royalty β€” even with a turtle shell on my back. 

Ultimately, I thought the good surprises outweighed the bad, so I would definitely backpack in Europe again. But next time, I'll avoid shared accommodations, overnight rides, and the busy season. 

Read the original article on Business Insider

Jon Stewart smashes a mug — and bleeds — on 'The Daily Show' as he rails against DOGE

25 February 2025 at 08:52
Jon Stewart during a monologue on "The Daily Show."
Jon Stewart's latest "Daily Show" monologue took an unexpected turn after he smashed a mug.

Comedy Central

  • Jon Stewart's impassioned "Daily Show" monologue ended with an on-air injury.
  • Stewart began by suggesting ways that DOGE could cut costs and save money.
  • As he criticized government-funded pharmaceutical subsidies, Stewart smashed his mug and cut his hand.

Jon Stewart's fiery "Daily Show" monologue criticizing DOGE's cost-cutting measures briefly went off the rails, leaving the host with a bloody hand.

In his Monday night monologue, Stewart called out the recent actions of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which is run by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

"Cutting money shouldn't be this hard," Stewart said. "I'm starting to think that we as a country don't understand where the real waste fraud and abuse in our system really is."

"Let me join DOGE. I'm gonna see if I can noodle some ideas here," Stwart said, putting a bunch of props, including a "word's most dad" mug, a calculator, and a notepad, on his desk.

"How about we just take $3 billion in subsidies we give to oil and gas companies that already turn billions in profits," Stewart sarcastically suggested. "How long did that take?"

The host didn't stop there. Instead, he continued to offer alternative ways to save money.

"Oh, wait! How about we just close down the carried interest loophole on hedge funds? That's $1.3 billion a year," Stewart continued. "How about we stop the $2 trillion dollars we've given to defense contractors to build a fighter jet that blows, when everybody knows the next war is going to be fought with drones and blockchains, whatever that is! Holy shit! I can't believe it! I just saved us billions of dollars in 11 seconds!"

Stewart said that pharmaceutical companies receive plenty of government funding, and in exchange, people pay "the highest drug prices in the Western hemisphere."

"But you know what's so horrible about our system now? And the corruption that lays within it?" Stewart asked. "We're so fucking numb to it, we actually tout tiny cracks in that exploitation as victory."

Stewart showed an old clip of former US President Joe Biden celebrating negotiations with Medicare to lower the cost of 10 drugs to illustrate his point.

"Ooh, can it be? The companies we subsidize with billions of dollars are allowing us the privilege of negotiating the price of 10 of their drugs," Stewart said sarcastically.

"And 10 is all of them, right? It would be embarrassing if it was a small drop in the bucket and that the American people didn't expect that we should negotiate for all their fucking drugs! Because we've already paid for 'em with our subsidies!" Stewart said, smashing his mug with his right hand around the 17:00 mark of the monologue.

Then, Stewart briefly glanced at his bleeding hand and hid it behind his desk to continue the segment.

"I'll be going to the hospital soon," he joked, before continuing with his rant about pharmaceutical companies. Later, near the end of the monologue, Stewart pulled his hand back up on the desk, and the crowd reacted to the sight of it completely covered in blood.

"It's fine!" he yelled with a laugh.

Whatever happened to his hand, Stewart has seemingly lived to tell the tale. Stewart poked fun at the mishap on X, writing: "We're back! New Daily Show tonight! It's a bloody good episode…emphasis on bloody…I'm an idiot…"

Read the original article on Business Insider

See how much people in your state spend on groceries — and how it compares across the US

25 February 2025 at 08:47
People grocery shopping
WalletHub, a personal finance platform, recently released an analysis examining the share of median income residents of US states allocate to groceries.

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

  • A WalletHub analysis found Mississippi spends the highest share of its median household income on groceries among US states.
  • West Virginia and Arkansas ranked second and third, while New Jersey came in at No. 50 on the list.
  • The three states that spend the lowest percentage on groceries also have the highest earnings.

Retail food prices have increased across the US, but Mississippians are arguably feeling it the most at the grocery store.

WalletHub, a personal finance platform, recently released an analysis examining the share of median income residents of US states allocate to groceries, and those in Mississippi, West Virginia, and Arkansas are spending the highest percentages.

The company studied the prices of 26 common grocery items, including meat, dairy, fruits, and cleaning products, across all 50 states. It then combined the costs and compared them with the median household income in each state to identify where residents spend the highest proportion of their income on groceries.

Mississippi ranked No. 1 on the list for highest spending on groceries relative to income, with the cost of groceries reaching 2.64% of median monthly household income. West Virginia ranked No. 2 with 2.57%, and Arkansas ranked No. 3 with 2.49%.

You can hover over the map below to see the percentage of median monthly household income residents spend on groceries by state.

Despite Mississippi ranking highest on the list, the report said that "grocery prices in Mississippi are actually relatively low," with the state having the ninth lowest grocery prices in the US. WalletHub said in its findings that Mississippi is among the 10 least expensive states in 15 of the 26 products measured in the study, including items like margarine and dishwashing detergent.

However, a more significant factor is that Mississippi had the lowest median annual household income in the country, at $52,985 in 2022 dollars, per Census data spanning 2018 through 2022. That was well below the national median of $75,149.

"So even with relatively low grocery prices overall, Mississippians are spending a higher percentage of their income on groceries than people in any other state," WalletHub said.

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo told Business Insider that the study compared the prices in each state to median annual income because it seemed to be a better indicator on a statewide basis than solely looking at grocery prices. Lupo said that the cost of grocery prices in New Jersey "won't mean anything to someone in West Virginia."

The report said that West Virginia is "around the middle or bottom of the country" for some of its grocery prices, although some products, like eggs and potatoes, tend to be more expensive. Still, West Virginia had the second-lowest median household income in the US, bringing in $55,217 annually.

Similarly, while Arkansas, which spends the third-highest percentage of its median income on groceries, is in the top 10 states with the cheapest groceries in the US, it has the third-lowest median household income, with $56,335 annually.

Meanwhile, New Jersey ranked No. 50 on the list, meaning its residents spend the lowest percentage of their income on groceries, with Maryland and Massachusetts placing right above it. All three states have the highest median annual household incomes in the country and spend between 1.5% and 1.54% of their median monthly household income on groceries.

Lupo suggested that those who want to see their spending go down should buy store-brand versions of products, buy in bulk, and look into reward programs for grocery stores they frequent. You should also budget carefully β€” and try to stick to it, Lupo said.

"That will keep you from splurging," Lupo said. "And most importantly, from making those impulse buys."

Read the original article on Business Insider

TOE to EO: Federal agency TVs show Trump signing executive orders on soundless loop following AI Musk foot-sucking fiasco

25 February 2025 at 08:38
HUD headquarters
The offices of HUD, where screens have been showing a new variety of videos.

Carol M. Highsmith/Buyenlarge/Getty Images

  • On Monday morning, screens at HUD briefly displayed a fake video of Trump sucking Elon Musk's feet.
  • Later that day, the monitors began displaying soundless videos of Trump signing executive orders instead.
  • As of Tuesday morning, HUD monitors were still showing Trump signing executives orders.

It's a toe-tal switch-up over at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, where monitors are no longer showing fake videos of President Donald Trump sucking Elon Musk's feet.

Instead, TV screens throughout the agency on Tuesday displayed clips of Trump signing executive orders on a loop, a HUD worker said and union officials confirmed.

A worker at HUD said that the screens began showing videos of Trump's signings last night. The worker noticed the videos showing as they left the office for the night, and as of this morning, the clips were still playing. Business Insider viewed recordings showing the videos being played on at least two monitors; both appeared to be playing without sound or closed captions.

"It's making people uncomfortable," the worker said. "It's like state propaganda."

Two HUD workers said that the monitors are generally used to convey information, not broadcast videos. Both said the toe video was the first time they'd seen the monitors used to show video.

On Monday night, the press office for HUD Secretary Scott Turner released a statement on the day's excitement.

"The monitors at HUD are now showcasing the wins of the Trump administration, including action to lower the cost and expand the supply of affordable housing," the statement said. "We expect the media to cover these historic achievements with the same level of detail and immediacy as other frivolous stories."

The White House and Turner's office did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment on the executive order videos.

HUD spokesperson Kasey Lovett said in a statement Monday that the Trump-Musk video was "another waste of taxpayer dollars and resources."

The toe-sucking video hit the monitors inside the agency as bargaining unit employees at HUD officially returned to office on Monday morning. The agency is facing potential cuts amid the Musk and Trump push to efficiently slash the federal workforce, with the Associated Press reporting that half of the agency could be on the chopping block.

Federal workers this week have also been asked to account for what they've been doing on the clock. The Office of Personnel Management sent out a weekend email asking workers to reply with five bullet points on what they had worked on in the past week. However, some agencies later said that a response was voluntary or that they'd reply on behalf of their workers.

Are you a federal worker with a story or tip? Contact this reporter on Signal at julianakaplan.33 or via email at jkaplan@businessinsider.com.

Read the original article on Business Insider

Apple isn't jumping on the anti-DEI bandwagon

25 February 2025 at 08:31
apple logo behind pedestrians
Apple will keep its current DEI programs.

Craig T Fruchtman/Getty Images

  • Apple shareholders reject proposal to end diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
  • Its board advised against the proposal, citing business strategy management concerns.
  • Apple aligns with Costco, opposing the trend of scaling back diversity programs.

Shareholders at Apple have voted to reject a request to cease its diversity, equity, and inclusion moves.

In their proposal to cease DEI efforts, the National Center for Public Policy Research said the program "poses litigation, reputational, and financial risks to companies." During Apple's annual shareholder meeting on Tuesday, holders voted against the request. The company didn't immediately provide a breakdown of the vote.

Ahead of the meeting, Apple's board recommended that shareholders vote against the "unnecessary" request. The tech giant said the proposal "inappropriately attempts to restrict Apple's ability to manage its own ordinary business operations, people and teams, and business strategies."

Their decision stands in contrast to many major companies that have chosen to scale back their programs. The National Center for Public Policy Research cited some of them as examples that Apple shareholders should seek to follow, including Meta, Alphabet, and Microsoft.

Instead, Apple is joining companies like Costco in standing behind DEI efforts. Shareholders for the grocery giant overwhelmingly rejected an anti-DEI proposal last month.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January ending DEI programs in the federal government. As the shift becomes more widespread, many major companies are examining their own policies.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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