jollibet casino app WSU’s NIAR to work on mobile command centerELLICOTTVILLE, N.Y. — As the snow continues to fall in some parts of Western New York, winter activities are gearing up for the season. Holiday Valley made an announcement on Monday that the ski resort is ready to welcome visitors on Friday. RELATED: Here are the latest snow totals from across Western New York The social post made on X, shown below, said the season will open on Friday, Dec, 6 at 9 a.m. with night skiing lasting until 10 p.m. Holiday Valley also said they plan to open Mardi Gras, Yodeler, Tannenbaum, and Creekside lifts as long as the weather forecast holds. The exact number of slopes available is to be determined. 🚨 We are thrilled to announce that we will be opening for the 2024-25 ski & snowboard season this Friday, December 6 at 9AM. Night skiing also beings on Friday so lifts will run until 10PM. pic.twitter.com/0Hs3HvZQiR

Portfolio talks over, Maha cabinet expansion in Nagpur on SaturdayNone

In late December, Donald Trump suggested the United States should retake control of the Panama Canal in his second term. He claims Panama is imposing “ridiculous” fees on ships passing through this vital waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Panama Canal is a man-made waterway that cuts through central Panama for 51 miles, using a system of locks and reservoirs to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This route saves ships from traveling an extra 7,000 miles around South America’s Cape Horn. “The Panama Canal is considered a VITAL National Asset for the United States, due to its critical role to America’s Economy and National Security,” Trump said on Truth Social on Dec. 21. “The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S. This complete ‘rip-off’ of our Country will immediately stop,” he added. Trump repeated these claims during a speech at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Arizona on Dec. 22. “If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full quickly and without question,” he said. Following Trump’s comments, Google search data shows there’s been a spike in searches of people asking which country — the U.S. or Panama — has authority over the Panama Canal. THE QUESTION Does the U.S. have any authority over the Panama Canal? THE SOURCES Panama Canal Authority The Embassy of Panama U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Historian U.S. Census Bureau The Library of Congress Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino GovInfo , a service of the United States Government Publishing Office that provides free public access to official publications from all three branches of the federal government Jorge Luis Quijano, the Panama Canal administrator from 2014 to 2019, Benjamin Gedan, Ph.D. , director of the Latin America Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C. THE ANSWER No, the U.S. does not have any authority over the Panama Canal, but it used to. Sign up for the VERIFY Fast Facts daily Newsletter! WHAT WE FOUND The U.S. does not have any authority over the Panama Canal. The waterway, which was built by the U.S. in the early 1900s, opened in 1914 and remained under U.S. government control until treaties signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter set terms for its eventual transfer to Panama. The two countries jointly operated the canal until December 1999, after which Panama assumed full control. On Dec. 22, in response to Trump’s comments, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino posted a video on X declaring that “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong” to his country. Without mentioning Trump by name, Mulino addressed the president-elect’s complaints over rising fees for ships crossing the canal, saying they are set by experts who take into account operational costs, and supply and demand factors. “The tariffs are not set on a whim,” Mulino said. He noted that Panama has expanded the canal over the years to increase ship traffic “on its own initiative,” and added that shipping fee increases help pay for improvements. “Panamanians may have different views on many issues, but when it comes to our canal, and our sovereignty, we will all unite under our Panamanian flag,” Mulino said. A little over an hour later, Trump responded to Mulino’s remarks on Truth Social, saying: “We’ll see about that!” He also posted a picture of a U.S. flag planted in the canal zone under the phrase, “Welcome to the United States Canal!” The Panama Canal’s history An effort to establish a canal through Panama began with the French in 1880, but financial troubles made the initiative fail after nearly nine years of little progress, according to the Embassy of Panama in the United States . Malaria, yellow fever and other tropical diseases devastated a workforce that was already struggling with especially dangerous terrain and harsh working conditions in the jungle. These conditions eventually cost more than 20,000 lives by some estimates, the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Historian says on its website . At this time, Panama was a province of Colombia, which refused to ratify a subsequent 1901 treaty licensing U.S. interests to build the Panama Canal. President Theodore Roosevelt responded to Colombia’s refusal by dispatching U.S. warships to Panama’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The U.S. also pre-wrote a constitution that would be ready after Panamanian independence, which gave American forces “the right to intervene in any part of Panama, to re-establish public peace and constitutional order.” In part because Colombian troops were unable to traverse harsh jungles, Panama declared an effectively bloodless independence within hours on Nov. 3, 1903. The newly-declared Republic of Panama soon signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty of 1903 , which provided the U.S. with a 10-mile wide strip of land for the canal, a one-time $10 million payment to Panama, and an annual annuity of $250,000. The U.S. also agreed to guarantee the independence of Panama, according to the Office of the Historian. After more than a decade of construction, the U.S. finished building the canal on Aug. 15, 1914. Almost immediately, some Panamanians began questioning the validity of U.S. control of the canal, which led to what became known in the country as the “generational struggle” to take it over. The U.S. annulled its right to intervene in Panama in the 1930s. By the 1970s, with its administrative costs sharply increasing, the U.S. government spent years negotiating with Panama to cede control of the waterway. The Carter administration worked with the government of Omar Torrijos, and the two sides eventually decided that their best chance for ratification was to submit two treaties to the U.S. Senate , the “Permanent Neutrality Treaty” and the “Panama Canal Treaty.” The first, which continues in perpetuity, gives the U.S. the right to act to ensure the canal remains open and secure. The second stated that the U.S. would turn over the canal to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999. Both were signed in 1977 and ratified the following year. “At noon on December 31, 1999, Panama took over full operation, administration and maintenance of the Canal, in compliance with the Torrijos-Carter Treaties negotiated with the United States in 1977,” said the Embassy of Panama. “The waterway is now managed by the Panama Canal Authority, an autonomous government entity.” Jorge Luis Quijano, who served as the Panama Canal’s administrator from 2014 to 2019, says the neutrality treaty does give the U.S. the right to act if the canal’s operation is threatened due to military conflict — but not to reassert control. “There’s no clause of any kind in the neutrality agreement that allows for the taking back of the canal,” Quijano told the Associated Press. “Legally, there’s no way, under normal circumstances, to recover territory that was used previously.” Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., agrees. “There’s very little wiggle room, absent a second U.S. invasion of Panama, to retake control of the Panama Canal in practical terms,” Gedan said. The Associated Press contributed to this report .

Matías Tarnopolsky to become New York Philharmonic CEO, teaming with Gustavo Dudamel

SHERIDAN — President-elect Donald Trump’s Agenda 47 campaign pledged to close the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., in an effort to send all education work back to the states. Although eliminating the department would not only require congressional approval but also a supermajority of 60 votes in the Senate, according to a Washington Post article, local school superintendents recently shared their thoughts on the possible future of education. “It would take time. This is not something that immediately would take place, even if Congress were to vote to basically dissolve the department,” Sheridan County School District 2 Superintendent Scott Stults said. “I don’t believe that the suggestion is that not only you dissolve the Department of Education, but you also dissolve the money and the money doesn’t go to education. I think the premise behind that is that there should be more local control of where that money goes. I’m always a proponent of local control.” Agenda 47 is a collection of formal policy plans of Trump, many of which would rely on executive orders and significantly expanded executive power in order to be executed, according to USA Today. “We want (the states) to run the education of our children because they’ll do a much better job of it. You can’t do worse,” Trump said in an Agenda 47 September 2023 video, which was posted on his platform page. “We’re going to end education coming out of Washington, D.C..... We’re going to send it all back to the states.” In the September 2023 video, Trump announced his 10 educational principles for Agenda 47, which included project-based learning, freedom to pray in school, universal school choice and other principles shared on his platform page. Trump also announced he plans to cut federal funding for any school or program pushing critical race theory, gender ideology or “other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content onto our children,” in his January 2023 video regarding education. Established in 1980, the U.S. Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access. The department establishes policies relating to federal financial aid for education, administers distribution of those funds and monitors their use. It also enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal funds and ensures equal access to education for every individual, according to its website. The department has no say in developing curriculum, determining requirements for enrollment and graduation, and much of the structure of education finance in the U.S. reflects the primary state and local role, according to the department’s website. Sheridan County School District 1 Superintendent Jeff Jones said he was open to the idea of localizing control of educational decisions. “This ‘help’ over the last century (from the DOE) has turned into one-size-fits-all mandates for all schools across the country. We have more than enough information at our fingertips in 2024 to know what does and doesn’t work in education. We also have ways to access new information that doesn’t involve traveling in a horse and buggy,” Jones said in an email to The Sheridan Press. “I am much more confident in the people in our state and local communities knowing what is best for students in our school district than those working in Washington D.C.” Sheridan County School District 3 Superintendent Chase Christensen said he could see a situation where the department could go away and the states would then be granted the funding streams to decide how and where to allocate them. What concerns Christensen on potentially seeing funding streams move from the federal level to the state level is the possibility of allocation on a per pupil basis, he said. “As the smallest district in the state, I often see situations where, when we’re funded on a per pupil basis, the dollars just don’t add up to be enough that they’re able to make the difference that we would hope that they do,” Christensen said. Stults said there can be some advantages to local and state control on federal money, if the department were to be removed and the money were to go directly to the states. “If money is given, then there needs to be expectations as to what that should look like and how it should be spent, and there should be some guidance in regards to that,” Stults said. “If the U.S. Department of Education goes away, the money goes directly to the states and the money is still there as far as quantity or more, and then the state gets to dictate how that works and we have some say in that? I think there’s some advantages to that because we know where the money would be best spent and how it would have the greatest impact on student learning.” Fremont County School District 6 Superintendent Troy Zickefoose said although he is anxious about the proposed changes, he does not feel fearful. “For me, if it helps eliminate some bureaucracy and some of the requirements, the burdens that are put on districts, I’m game to see what happens. It does make people nervous, but the path that we’re on right now just doesn’t seem as beneficial as it could be. I think there’s some things that can be done to streamline things,” Zickefoose said. “The consolidated grant — which is Title I, Title II, Title III — it is anything but consolidated. It’s numerous mini grants piled into one program. So if some things like that could be addressed and streamlined, give the money to the state or to districts and then let them decide how best to spend it, instead of all the stipulations (and) requirements, I’m game to see what happens.” Ultimately, Christensen said schools need to continue to meet diverse needs. “We’re going to continue to see students that need to be prepared in different ways for the workforce and meeting them where they’re at and making sure that they’re ready for the future is going to take some preparation on our part,” Christensen said. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she fell down a marble staircase during an official engagement in Luxembourg, a source close to the incident told the New York Times. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, said in a statement that s he is "currently receiving excellent treatment from doctors and medical professionals" for an alleged fractured hip and is unable to attend the remainder of events on her trip. Iran's Supreme Leader issues chilling WW3 threat to US over 'Syria plot' Horror map shows Putin's new deadly missile could strike UK in matter of minutes He did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. Krager said that Pelosi "looks forward to returning home to the U.S. soon." Among the members on the trip was Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, who posted on social media that he was "praying for a speedy recovery," for Pelosi. The two lawmakers were captured holding hands in a group photo Friday at the U.S. Embassy in Luxembourg. "I'm disappointed Speaker Emerita Pelosi won't be able to join the rest of our delegation's events this weekend as I know how much she looked forward to honoring our veterans," McCaul wrote on X. "But she is strong, and I am confident she will be back on her feet in no time." The former leader's fall comes two years after her husband Paul was attacked by a man with a hammer at their San Francisco home. The man, who was sentenced in October to 30 years in federal prison, broke into their home looking for Pelosi. Pelosi, who was first elected in 1987 and served as speaker twice, stepped down from her leadership post two years ago but remained in Congress and was re-elected to represent her San Francisco district in November. She has remained active in the two years since she left the top job, working with Democrats in private and in public and attending official events. Last summer, she was instrumental in her party's behind the scenes push to urge President Joe Biden to leave the presidential ticket. She attended the Kennedy Center Honors in Washington last weekend and was on the Senate floor Monday to attend the swearing in of her former Democratic House colleagues, Adam Schiff of California and Andy Kim of New Jersey. Earlier this week, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, 82, tripped and fell in the Senate, spraining his wrist and cutting his face. McConnell, who is stepping down from his leadership post at the end of the year, missed Senate votes on Thursday after experiencing some stiffness in his leg from the fall, his office said.

None

USDA Orders Testing of Milk Supply for Presence of Bird Flu Virus

USDA Orders Testing of Milk Supply for Presence of Bird Flu VirusBoise State's legacy includes winning coaches and championship moments

AAA Tree Experts Provide Tree Care to Prepare Homeowners for Safe Holiday Gatherings 11-25-2024 08:18 PM CET | Politics, Law & Society Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: SubmitINme Image: https://www.getnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1732465484.jpeg Prepare for a safe, festive holiday season with expert tree care from AAA Tree Experts, Charlotte's trusted partner for tree trimming, removal, and more! Charlotte, North Carolina - November 25, 2024 - With the holiday season fast approaching, AAA Tree Experts, an ISA-certified Charlotte arborist [ https://aaatrees.net/arborist-service/ ], is helping homeowners keep their properties safe and festive. AAA Tree Experts is the trusted partner for comprehensive tree care, which includes trimming, removal, and health assessments. Image: https://i.ibb.co/yWptKGt/Charlotte-arborist.jpg For over 20 years, AAA Tree Experts has provided exceptional tree service in Charlotte NC [ https://aaatrees.net/ ], focusing on customer satisfaction and environmental responsibility. As winter approaches, the company emphasizes the importance of proactive tree care to prevent potential hazards such as falling branches caused by seasonal storms. Their team of skilled professionals is available to assess risks, provide preventative maintenance, and ensure that homes are safe for the holiday season. "Tree trimming and maintenance are essential during this time of year. Not only does it enhance the beauty of your property for holiday decor, but it also mitigates risks that could spoil your celebrations," a spokesperson said. The company's tree trimming in Charlotte NC [ https://aaatrees.net/ ] enhances curb appeal and creates a safe environment for outdoor holiday decorations. They can prune overgrown branches and assess the overall health of trees to ensure that the properties are ready for the season's festivities. For those dealing with storm-damaged trees or hazardous situations, AAA Tree Experts also provides 24/7 emergency tree removal in Charlotte [ https://aaatrees.net/ ]. "Our staff will provide prompt, professional tree or limb removal. When your property has been damaged by an unexpected disaster, AAA Tree Experts is available to take immediate action. In an emergency situation, we always arrive fully equipped to make the situation safe before any work is done. Our experienced emergency tree service specialists have the necessary skills to deal with fallen trees that have landed on power cables," said the spokesperson. In addition to safety and aesthetics, AAA Tree Experts prioritizes environmental stewardship. They offer deep root fertilization, pruning, and trunk injections that support the health and longevity of trees while maintaining the balance of the local ecosystem. As Charlotte's leading tree care provider, AAA Tree Experts continues to set the standard for high-quality service. Residents shall schedule a free consultation today ahead of the holidays by calling 704-366-1134 or by visiting their website. About Company: AAA TREE EXPERTS has been providing expert tree service for tree care, including tree pruning/ trimming, tree removal, stump grinding, and landscaping since 1996. Visit https://aaatrees.net/ Media Contact Company Name: AAA Tree Experts Contact Person: Kristen Neal Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=aaa-tree-experts-provide-tree-care-to-prepare-homeowners-for-safe-holiday-gatherings ] Phone: +1 704-366-1134 Address:9535 Hebron Commerce Dr City: Charlotte State: North Carolina Country: United States Website: https://aaatrees.net This release was published on openPR.

By SAMY MAGDY CAIRO — Famine is spreading in Sudan due to a war between the military and a notorious paramilitary group that has devastated the country and created the world’s largest displacement crisis, a global hunger monitoring group said Tuesday. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, said it detected famine in five areas, including in Sudan’s largest displacement camp, Zamzam , in North Darfur province, where famine was found for the first time in August. The report said the war has triggered unprecedented mass displacement and a collapsing economy. It said hostilities can result in farmers abandoning their crops, looting and stock destruction. FILE – People gather to collect water in Khartoum, Sudan, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File) FILE – Sudanese Khadiga Omer adam sits by her sick child in an MSF-run clinic in the Aboutengue displacement site near Acre, Chad, Friday, Oct 4. 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick, File) FILE – Sudanese refugees arrive in Acre, Chad, Sunday, Oct 6. 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick, File) File – A man walks by a house hit in recent fighting in Khartoum, Sudan, an area torn by fighting between the military and the notorious paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, April 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File) FILE – Residents displaced from a surge of violent attacks squat on blankets and in hastily made tents in the village of Masteri in west Darfur, Sudan, on July 30, 2020. (Mustafa Younes via AP, File) FILE – A World Food Programme (WFP) truck backs up to load food items from a recently landed UN helicopter, in Yida camp, South Sudan, Sept. 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin) FILE – Sudanese refugee girls carry water supplies near a polling station in the refugee camp of Zamzam, on the outskirts of El Fasher, Darfur, Sudan, on April 13, 2010. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser, File) FILE -People line up in front of a bakery during a cease-fire in Khartoum, Sudan, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File) This grab from video shows smoke rising over Khartoum, Sudan on Thursday Sept. 26, 2024, after Sudan’s military started an operation to take areas of the capital from its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. (AP Photo/Rashed Ahmed) File – A man walks by a house hit in recent fighting in Khartoum, Sudan, an area torn by fighting between the military and the notorious paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, April 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File) FILE – People gather to collect water in Khartoum, Sudan, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File) FILE – Sudanese refugees displaced by the conflict in Sudan gather to receive food staples from aid agencies at the Metche Camp in eastern Chad Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Jsarh Ngarndey Ulrish, File) Women who fled war in Sudan rest in a refugee camp in Adre, Chad, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) A woman who fled war in Sudan and requested anonymity because she feared retribution after reporting sexual exploitation, holds her baby in a refugee camp in Adre, Chad, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) People cross into Chad from Sudan in Adre, Chad, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) A woman who fled war in Sudan digs in a refugee camp in Adre, Chad, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) Patients are treated in an MSF-run clinic in the Aboutengue displacement site near Acre, Chad, Friday, Oct 4. 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) Halima Habdullha holds her 7-month-old severely malnourished daughter Kaltum Abakar in an MSF-run clinic in the Aboutengue displacement site near Acre, Chad, Friday, Oct 4. 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) Ousmane Taher and his family cross from Sudan into Chad near Acre Sunday, Oct 6. 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) Sudanese refugees arrive in Acre, Chad, Sunday, Oct 6. 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) FILE – People gather to collect water in Khartoum, Sudan, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File) Along with the Zamzam camp, which has more than 400,000 people, famine was also detected in two other camps for displaced people, Abu Shouk and al-Salam in North Darfur, and the Western Nuba Mountains, the IPC report said. Five other areas in North Darfur are projected “with reasonable evidence” to experience famine in the next six months, including el-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur, it said. Seventeen areas in the Nuba Mountains and the northern and southern areas of Darfur are at risk of famine, it added. The report also said some areas in the capital, Khartoum, and the east-central province of Gezira “may be experiencing” famine-like conditions. It said experts were unable to confirm whether famine threshold has been surpassed due to lack of data. “It is not merely a lack of food but a profound breakdown of health, livelihoods and social structures, leaving entire communities in a state of desperation,” it said. There is widespread hunger, with food in markets scarce and prices high. Aid groups say they struggle to reach the most vulnerable as warring parties limit access, especially in North Darfur province. Ahead of the IPC’s report, Sudan’s government said it had suspended its participation in the global monitoring system, according to a senior United Nations official with knowledge of the move. In a letter dated Dec. 23, Agriculture Minister Abu Baker al-Beshri accused the IPC of “issuing unreliable reports that undermine Sudan’s sovereignty and dignity,” said the U.N. official, who spoke in condition of anonymity to discuss the letter. Sudan’s 20-month war has killed more than than 24,000 people and driven over 14 million people — about 30% of the population — from their homes, according to the United Nations. An estimated 3.2 million Sudanese have crossed into neighboring countries including Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. The war began in April 2023 when tensions between its military and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exploded into fighting in Khartoum before spreading to other areas. The conflict has been marked by atrocities including ethnically motivated killing and rape, according to the U.N. and rights groups. The International Criminal Court is investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Related Articles Dervla Cleary, a senior emergency and rehabilitation officer at the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization, said 638,000 people are experiencing famine. “The situation in Sudan is just awful. It is unacceptable in a world like today,” she said. The IPC report called for a ceasefire, calling it the only way to reduce the risk of famine spreading further.” Sudan is the third country where famine was declared in the past 15 years, along with South Sudan and Somalia. The IPC comprises more than a dozen U.N. agencies, aid groups and governments that use its monitoring as a global reference for analysis of food and nutrition crises. The organization has also warned that large parts of Gaza’s Palestinian population face the threat of famine.doesn't need to know everything about you. The famous VC dismissed the notion of "bringing your whole self to work," arguing that certain things aren't appropriate to share in the office and beyond. "Leave your full self at home where it belongs and act like a professional and a grownup at work and in public," the cofounder and general partner of Andreessen Horowitz wrote in a recent . Andreessen isn't the first to reject the idea. Yet his remarks come as workplace norms appear to be drifting further from pandemic-era mores around everything from office attire to to efforts. Megan Reitz, coauthor of the book "Speak Out, Listen Up," previously told Business Insider that bringing your whole self to work might sound good — or at least make some workers feel like their bosses care about their people as, well, people. Yet the advice often comes with limits, she said. "When managers and leaders say, 'Bring your whole self to work,' they're leaving out the terms and conditions," Reitz said. Those terms might involve sensitive topics like politics. In April, over two dozen employees who staged sit-ins at the company's California and New York offices. At the time, CEO Sundar Pichai warned in a memo to employees that some actions weren't . "This is a business, and not a place to act in a way that disrupts coworkers or makes them feel unsafe, to attempt to use the company as a personal platform, or to fight over disruptive issues or debate politics," he wrote. Andreessen's comments follow a . On an episode of their podcast, "The Ben and Marc Show," Andreessen and A16z cofounder Ben Horowitz celebrated . Andreessen said Trump's win was an antidote to the "repression" that he and other crypto industry founders had experienced under President Joe Biden's White House. The idea of with all of your flags flying grew in popularity in the 2010s, Ella Washington, a professor of practice at Georgetown University, has told BI. However, she said, it has to be within reason and in accordance with what's acceptable at an organization. "It is said in a way that is supposed to encourage authenticity, but the reality is in most workplaces, you can't bring your whole self. You can likely bring your whole professional self," Washington said. She said that those in charge at work need to define what's acceptable, and then workers can determine whether the organization's stated values comport with their own. "When it comes to business, it shouldn't be just based on our personal politics. And I know that's difficult for people to say because it's like, 'OK, wait. I can bring my whole self to work, but I can't talk about politics,'" she said. Jake Telkamp, an assistant professor at the Hull College of Business at Augusta University in Georgia, previously told BI that fraught discussions over politics at work tend to leave people feeling depleted. That, in turn, can leave them feeling less inclined to help their coworkers, he said. Besides, Telkamp said, the fights aren't likely to change someone's mind. He said leaders and workers should instead focus on making people feel valued regardless of their background. "When there was a high level of that, it reduced that negative effect of having liberals and conservatives on a team together," Telkamp said. Read the original article on(The Center Square) – Although it remains unclear how many Democratic Senators will vote for the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, some House members in the party have explained why they voted yes, despite a provision restricting military-funded transgender surgeries for minors. The nearly $900 billion bill passed the House 281-140 Wednesday, with 200 Republicans and 81 Democrats voting in favor versus 124 Democrats and 16 Republicans voting against it. Most of the NDAA consists of bipartisan agreements, such as pay raises for service members, strengthened ties with U.S. allies, and funding of new military technology. But a critical point of contention is a Republican addition that would prohibit the military’s health program from covering any gender dysphoria treatments on minors that could "result in sterilization.” The must-pass bill is so critical that nearly 40% of House Democrats voted in favor–but not without expressing their disappointment. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., condemned Republican colleagues who, she said, “chose to sully this bill with political culture wars;” nevertheless, she voted in favor. “While it doesn't address everything we asked for and consider important, including the full ability of parents to make their own decisions about healthcare for their children, it marks a rare moment of productive bipartisan agreement on what is arguably the most crucial legislation we take up as a body each year,” Houlahan said. The bill’s provision does not forbid service members’ children from receiving transgender therapy. It forbids the military’s health insurance provider, TRICARE, from covering treatments on minors that “may result in sterilization.” Reps. Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, and Terri Sewell, D-Ala., also voted in favor of the bill despite their displeasure at the ban. “The NDAA is a hugely important bill. We had to pass it, which is why I voted yes,” Landsman posted on X Friday. “However, the anti-trans language that was attached to it was mean and awful and should never have been included.” “I have serious concerns about some remaining provisions that were placed in the bill for political purposes,” Sewell said Wednesday. “Still, the responsibility to support our service members and provide for our national security is one that I do not take lightly, which is why I ultimately chose to support the bill.” Besides the importance of annual military funding, another reason some House Democrats assented to the legislation is because they were successful in axing other House Republican amendments, such as a plan to eliminate reimbursements for service members who travel to obtain abortions. The Senate is expected to pass the bill within the next few days, after which President Joe Biden is expected to sign it into law.

Analysis: Week 12 full of sloppy play, especially on special teamsG7 foreign ministers push for Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire in final G7 of Biden administration

(BPT) - The holidays are almost here! It means parties and events, hustle and bustle ... and figuring out what to buy for everyone on your list. Sometimes it's hard to get inspired with great ideas that your nears and dears will love at a price you can afford, right? The good news? Inspiration + savings are covered this year. One of the top gifts of Holiday 2024 is technology, and there are a lot of deals out there right now. Done and done! Here are 5 ideas for hot tech gifts for everyone on your list. Smartphones for the family T-Mobile is running a hot deal right now. Get four new smartphones at T-Mobile — this includes Samsung Galaxy S24 and other eligible devices — and four lines for just $100/month . It doesn't get better than that! These new Galaxy phones are tech-tastic, too, with features like AI, Circle to Search with Google, which can be used to help solve math problems and translate entire pages of text in a different language, and Note Assist with Galaxy AI, which lets you focus on capturing your notes and then Note Assist will summarize, format and even translate them for you. High tech spiral notebook for students We've got to admit, this is pretty cool. The Rocketbook looks (a bit) like a regular spiral, paper notebook. Here's the high tech twist: You can take notes, capture ideas, brainstorm, draw — whatever you do on paper — on the pad, and the Rocketbook digitizes your doodles and saves to the cloud device of your choice. Then you simply wipe the pad clean and it's good to go. Look for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales at your favorite online retailer. Wrist-worthy smartwatches for athletes (or those who want to be) Everyone loves smartwatches (if you're not already tracking your sleep and heart rate, where have you been?) and the Google Pixel Watch 3 (41mm & 45mm) takes it to the next level with features for athletes or anyone who may be setting fitness goals for the coming year. The watch has workout prompts like Real Time Guidance — audio and haptic cues for when to sprint, cool down or maintain pace. It gives you the ability to program your workouts and even monitors your cadence and stride. It also has Offline Maps, with driving navigation, search and maps. Here's the deal of the century: Get it for free at T-Mobile when adding a qualifying watch line. Cute wireless keyboard for people who are all thumbs Who else is annoyed by typing email or texts or social posts on a smartphone? The Logitech Multi-Device Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard solves that problem with style! It comes in sweet colors like lavender, it's wireless, it's small and portable, and it works with just about any device. Pop it into your backpack or purse and you'll never have to thumb-out a message again. Speakers perfect for hosting and giving Have a music lover in your life or need the perfect hosting gift? T-Mobile has you covered. For a limited time, you can get the JBL Clip 5 for free when you pick up a Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 . The JBL Clip 5 is an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker perfect for those on the go and the Onyx Studio 9's sleek design and booming sound will take care of all your holiday hosting needs. For more tech-tastic holiday gift inspiration, check out T-Mobile's holiday gift guide at t-mobile.com/devices/tech-gifts .