⚠️ Axios PM: New election warning

Plus: Weird shoe craze | Friday, April 26, 2024

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Walmart   Axios PM By Mike Allen · Apr 26, 2024 Happy Friday! Today's newsletter, edited by Sam Baker, is 508 words, a 2-min. read. Thanks to Carolyn DiPaolo for copy editing.     1 big thing: Blinken's warnings to Xi Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping today in Beijing. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool The Chinese government may be attempting to influence the U.S. election, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said in a CNN interview today as he ended a three-day trip to China. "We have seen, generally speaking, evidence of attempts to influence and arguably interfere, and we want to make sure that that's cut off as quickly as possible," Blinken said. "Any interference by China in our election is something that we're looking very carefully at and is totally unacceptable to us, so I wanted to make sure that they heard that message again," Blinken said. Blinken also raised concerns about the materials and other assistance China has been providing to the Russian military. "Russia would struggle to sustain its assault on Ukraine without China's support," Blinken said after a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.     2. 🚙 EVs get loud Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios   Electric cars are a whole lot quieter than gas-powered engines — but some drivers want the noise back. The electric version of the Dodge Charger comes with a system of speakers that pump out fabricated exhaust noise, Axios' Nathan Bomey reports. Aftermarket modifications can also dial up fake engine noise in Ford's electric Mustang. 🔊 Between the lines: EVs accelerate more quickly than even the fastest gas-powered engines. But some consumers don't just want a powerful engine — they want the old, familiar signifiers of a powerful engine. "It's funny in one sense," said Ivan Drury, an analyst at car research site Edmunds. "Are they also going to have an aromatizer diffuse a gasoline scent? Is it going to give you a little shimmy in the morning when you start it up?" Share this story.     A message from Walmart Industry-leading technology helps Walmart associates build careers     Every year, Walmart associates can take an assessment that identifies their skills and helps them find career opportunities in the company — no degree required. Key numbers: 40,000+ Walmart associates have taken a skills assessment in the last year. Learn how Walmart puts skills first.     3. Catch me up Former President Trump exits the courtroom today during a break in his trial. Photo: Jeenah Moon/Pool via AP 🗳️ Former President Trump's allies are drafting plans to weaken the Fed's independence if he wins a second term, The Wall Street Journal reports. 🚬 The Biden administration is yet again delaying its long-delayed plans to ban menthol cigarettes, fearing a backlash from Black voters. Go deeper. ⛈️ A three-day severe weather outbreak threatens to bring damaging winds, large hail, flooding and strong tornadoes to a vast region in the central U.S. Go deeper.     4. 👟 Weird shoes are all the rage Photos courtesy New Balance and Jesse Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images Behold, the "snoafer" — a hybrid of a sneaker and a loafer. The ... unique ... New Balance model won't be available until summer, but it's already set the internet ablaze — the latest in a growing line of extremely weird-looking shoes, Axios' Natalie Daher writes. 👢 The big picture: Memes can be good for the brand, and shoe designers are toppling over one another to come up with the most puzzling — and thus shareable —looks. Loyal PM readers may remember the new style of Crocs, unveiled last week, that comes with a holster to hold a can of Pringles. Athletes, musicians and influencers went nuts last year for cartoonishly large red boots. A collaboration between Manolo Blahnik and Birkenstock — imagine a normal pair of sandals, but with crystal buckles and an $800 price tag — sold out quickly. Share this story.     A message from Walmart "Walmart saw my potential before I did — and helped me reach it"     Megan joined Walmart "to pay for school." After taking the Walmart skills assessment, she sees "endless opportunities" to build a career that matches her skills. The background: Walmart is investing over $1 billion to help associates like Megan advance. Learn how Walmart invests in associates.   Are you a fan of this email format? Your essential communications — to staff, clients and other stakeholders — can have the same style. Axios HQ, a powerful platform, will help you do it.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe or manage your email preferences.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: