Latest news with #LaborDay
Politico
an hour ago
- Business
- Politico
Majority of staff axed at Voice of America
The Trump administration on Friday sent out termination notices to hundreds of employees at Voice of America. Included in that group are employees working for the network's Persian-language service who were called back from administrative leave just last week in the wake of Israel's attack on Iran, according to two people familiar with the decision. The move — which makes official what has long been expected since hundreds of contract employees got termination notices in early May — is a part of the Trump administration's sweeping target to downsize the government and remake America's role in the global order. Critics of the administration's focus on VOA have said that the network has played a vital role in combatting disinformation abroad. But the administration says these cuts are in service of 'cutting waste' and putting 'American taxpayers first.' 'Today, we took decisive action to effectuate President Trump's agenda to shrink the out-of-control federal bureaucracy,' senior presidential adviser Kari Lake said in a statement released Friday . The move eliminates 1,400 jobs at U.S. Agency for Global Media, VOA's parent agency, roughly an 85 percent cut to the workforce. The last day on payroll for the employees will be Labor Day. Some of those affected by Friday's cuts who are not old enough for mandatory retirement, are being terminated without severance pay, according to one of the people. The move would contradict USAGM's policy on severance. 'As our legal team fight[s] for our rights under the law, we call on Congress to continue its long tradition of bipartisan support for VOA,' the named plaintiffs in VOA's lawsuit against the Trump administration said in a statement. 'Moscow, Beijing, Tehran and extremist groups are flooding the global information space with anti-American propaganda. Do not cede this ground by silencing America's voice.' Lake said in her statement that 250 employees will remain across the USAGM, VOA and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. She noted that none of the OCB's 33 employees were terminated. The government-funded network, which was founded 80 years ago to combat Nazi disinformation during World War II, has — largely unsuccessfully — fought the administration's decision in court. The administration sent RIF notices to employees in small batches for weeks. But Friday's notice could deliver the coup de grâce for Voice of America after decades of providing the world with accurate information in countries where media is state-run.
Time Out
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The best 4th of July events in NYC for 2025
Don't bother with Orlando. Coney Island is its very own magical kingdom, setting off free, sensational fireworks every Friday night all summer long. Grab a frank and get yourself a comfortable spot on the boardwalk to celebrate the end of the work-week every week. Friday Night Fireworks run from Friday, June 20 through Labor Day. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:45pm and typically launch from the beach at West 12th Street, providing a breathtaking backdrop to the iconic boardwalk and amusement parks.
Korea Herald
12 hours ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Long Weekend Stays Driving Asian Travelers to Regional Destinations According to Agoda
Hoteliers advised to take advantage of additional public holidays to maximize occupancy and revenue SINGAPORE, June 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Asia's diverse and regular stream of public holidays is proving to be a boost to the Asia Pacific (APAC) travel industry as Asian tourists look to maximize their leisure time. Digital travel platform Agoda reveals that Asian travelers looking to travel long weekends are largely opting to stay in the APAC region, highlighting an opportunity for hoteliers to capture rising demand for more frequent, short stays. Agoda saw an 80% month-on-month increase in accommodation searches from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore ahead of the Eid long weekend. Favored destinations were Japan, Thailand, China, South Korea and Taiwan. There was a similar trend during the Songkran long weekend in Thailand - with Hong Kong, Osaka, Shanghai and Seoul proving to be top choices. The recent long weekend in Vietnam, which encompassed Liberation Day and Labor Day, saw Bangkok, Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul being the most searched destinations. "The opportunity for hotels and airlines to secure bookings and incentivize travelers to extend their trips and add ancillary items to boost revenue over long weekends has never been greater," said Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President of Supply, Agoda. "Hotels should ensure they are using the right data to target the hottest consumers from across the Asia Pacific region and ensure that their service offerings are tailored to their regional tastes. For example, catering for visitors with large families by ensuring they are able to access larger and joined rooms for family travel." There are still multiple long weekends to come in the region in 2025 including: By proactively offering packages that cater to long weekend stays and micro-vacations, hotels can capitalize on these trends. Some strategies include: Agoda offers a wide range of options to suit these preferences. With over 5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda provides endless possibilities for creating unforgettable travel experiences.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bill Belichick's (likely) first UNC QB is impressing — with his 'violent' golf game
Bill Belichick's (likely) first UNC QB is impressing — with his 'violent' golf game CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Christo Kelly hasn't blocked for Gio Lopez or seen the South Alabama transfer make plays in a practice setting for UNC football. But Kelly, a Holy Cross transfer and veteran offensive lineman, can vouch for Lopez's golf game and the 6-foot, 200-pound lefty's aggressive willingness to win. "Gio's a great competitor, and obviously he had a great career at South Alabama. He's a pretty good golfer, too. Very good club head speed,' Kelly said June 10 during a summer press conference at the Kenan Football Center. BLOCKING THE NOISE: Bill Belichick ignores off-the-field 'noise', describes what he's seen from UNC football Described by Kelly as a golfer who is 'violent with the hips' and 'hits it very hard' – evidenced by their shared experience at Topgolf during a long-drive competition – Lopez comes to Chapel Hill as the favorite to be the Tar Heels' starting quarterback in UNC's debut season under head coach Bill Belichick. "Just like everything, everything's a competition, day in and day out. Everyone's really just focused on taking it one day at a time. No one's really viewing anything as a starter or non-starter, whatever that is,' Kelly said. 'Guys were brought in here to compete. And the message has been sent that you're going to earn everything every day. So you've got to come with your A-game, and iron sharpens iron. So it's good to be in this position where you have so many great players in the quarterback room. And really, all the rooms in general, where guys are just going to be pushing each other every day." Sophomore wide receiver Jordan Shipp threw a jab at Lopez's accent, but went on to praise the QB's presence around the team. "Gio's a great guy outside of ball. I haven't had a rep with him in pads yet, but I still feel like my trust in him is just as high as everybody else. We can plug-and-play any quarterback. All of them are good. All of them can ball. All of them can play. So I feel good with anybody,' Shipp said. "But off the field, Gio's a great guy. He comes from a great family. He's from Alabama, so he throws that accent in a little bit. But I love Gio, and I'm excited for what he's going to bring to the program." Bill Belichick discusses Gio Lopez, UNC football quarterback competition In just under 50 days, UNC will begin preseason practice in preparation for the Tar Heels' season opener against TCU on Labor Day. But who will be taking first-team reps at quarterback on the first day of training camp in Belichick's first season? There are three candidates to be that guy on Aug. 1, the date of the first practice, and Sept. 1, the date of the first game: freshman Bryce Baker, veteran Max Johnson and Lopez. 'Bryce is the only one that was here in the spring. Max was here, but wasn't able to participate much (because of his recovery from a leg injury). And, of course, Gio is new. So I think, as we see the offense evolve, it'll obviously be reflective of how those quarterbacks do and how that position shapes up,' Belichick said on June 10 during a summer press conference at the Kenan Football Center. 'So I think we have good competition there, and our offense is our offense, and we'll be able to adapt to whoever it is. … But we'll see how it all plays out. So right now, that position is one that we just don't have a lot of on-field experience with. And again, even though Max was here, he just wasn't able to participate in any of the team drills. So you know, it kind of also includes him, even though he's a very experienced player." There isn't a lot of clarity, but there seems to be a clear choice as the favorite: Lopez. Five days after UNC's open practice on April 12 at Kenan Stadium, Lopez committed to the Tar Heels. Lopez finished with 2,559 passing yards and 25 total touchdowns, completing 66% of his passes with 18 passing TDs in 11 starts last season with the Jaguars. He also showed an ability to make plays out of the pocket, logging 465 rushing yards and seven TDs on the ground. In his lone start against a high-major program, Lopez had 173 yards and a TD in a loss at No. 14 LSU. "Gio was really productive at South Alabama. He's a dual-threat quarterback. He's had plenty of production, yardage, both running game and passing game experience. Tough kid, played well against some good competition, teams like LSU,' Belichick said. 'So, looks like he's definitely ready for this level. And we're excited to work with him, as we are with everybody else. … We'll see how it all plays out, honestly.' Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Burlington Vermont is renaming a street in Canada's honour (for a while)
The City of Burlington, Vt., has announced it will rename one of its central avenues from Church Street to Canada Street, from now until Labour Day (or Labor Day as it's known there). The name change was presented by a group of city councillors at their June 16 meeting, led by Councillor Becca Brown McKnight, who wore a maple leaf shirt and handed out Canadian flags to the other councillors. 'We have been fed up with Donald Trump's damaging and insulting rhetoric towards Canada,' Brown McKnight told CTV News this week. 'Renaming a street is something quick and easy for us to do, but also sends a message that we are in this fight with you.' Church Street, named after the First Unitarian Universalist Church that sits at its north end, is a pedestrian-only retail hub of downtown Burlington and home to its popular Church Street Marketplace. Vermont's most populous city at 45,000, Burlington is less than 100 kms from the Quebec border by car, and is in one of two states where French is the second most common language spoken after English, the other being Louisiana. So it has also offered Rue de Canada as the French-language name for the street. Back in 2011, Burlington's city council also voted to add French to its local signage, though the move was a recommendation rather than a law. The new resolution passed unanimously, although one councillor expressed frustration with 'performative' actions and said she hopes there will be further actions taken to support tourism and local businesses. Burlington city council says that more than 15 per cent of its summer tourism dollars typically come from Canadian visitors. However, visits by Canadians to the U.S. have fallen off since Donald Trump's tariff threats and talk of annexation. In the 1960s, the city joined with Burlington, Ont., to found the Burlington International Games, which eventually expanded to include Burlington, Iowa, and some non-Burlington cities, before ceasing in 2010 due to limited participation. The city says it will spend US$3,000 to change signage and hold celebratory events in honour of the designation. Trump says steep drop-off in international travel to U.S. is 'not a big deal' California governor appeals to Canadians to please come back Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
