Latest news with #21stCentury


Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
David D'Alessandro Joins IDC as Chairman of the Board
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--International Data Corporation (IDC), the trusted technology intelligence leader, today announced the appointment of David D'Alessandro as Chairman of its Board of Directors. A seasoned executive with a career spanning financial services, sports, and entertainment, D'Alessandro brings a legacy of leadership grounded in brand transformation, operational rigor, and ethical governance. IDC, the trusted technology intelligence leader, today announced the appointment of David D'Alessandro as Chairman of its Board of Directors. Share He succeeds Steve Singh, who will continue to serve as a director on the Board. Singh, the former Chairman and CEO of Concur and a former Member of the Executive Board of SAP, recently stepped into the role of interim CEO at Spotnana. 'David is a strategist, a brand visionary, and a respected leader who understands the power of data to drive meaningful outcomes,' said Genevieve Juillard, CEO of IDC. 'His experience leading through complex market transitions and advising organizations through transformation will be invaluable as IDC continues its path of innovation and growth." D'Alessandro spent two decades at John Hancock, where he rose from marketing executive to Chairman and CEO. He led the company through a high-profile IPO and its subsequent merger with Manulife Financial. Under his leadership, John Hancock became a globally recognized sponsor of events like the Boston Marathon, the New York City Marathon, and the Olympic Games. He later served as Chairman and CEO of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and held a seat on Major League Baseball's Special Task Force on the 21st Century. D'Alessandro currently serves as Chairman of Encore Event Technologies. D'Alessandro is also the author of three best-selling books on leadership and ethics in business: Brand Warfare, Career Warfare, and Executive Warfare. He owns Toscano restaurants in Boston and Cambridge and remains a strong voice on corporate responsibility and performance. 'IDC is entering an exciting new chapter,' said D'Alessandro. 'The strategic divestment of Foundry — completed in March 2025 — frees up capital and focus for IDC's core strength: delivering sharp, data-driven technology intelligence. This transition positions us to double down on innovation and AI-powered insights that empower businesses to navigate complex market shifts with confidence.' D'Alessandro joins a board committed to supporting IDC's mission to deliver trusted tech intelligence that illuminates the path forward for technology buyers and suppliers worldwide. About IDC International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights.


Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US Education Department releases $1.3 billion for after-school programs after legal and political pressure
The US Department of Education has announced the release of $1.3 billion in federal funding earmarked for after-school and summer programs, bringing partial relief to school districts and nonprofit organisations across the country. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The decision follows mounting political pressure from Republican lawmakers and a legal challenge launched by more than 20 states against the Trump administration's controversial freeze on more than $6 billion in federal education grants. The released amount pertains to the 21st Century Community Learning Centres (CCLC) program, which supports before-school, after-school, and summer enrichment activities, especially in underserved and low-income areas. These programs had been abruptly stalled after the administration initiated a spending review on July 1 to assess whether the grants aligned with federal priorities. What the funding supports The 21st Century CCLC program has long been a key federal initiative designed to provide safe, structured learning opportunities outside regular school hours. It serves millions of children nationwide, especially those from working-class families who depend on free programming for child care, homework help, and enrichment in STEM, arts, and literacy. Beyond academics, the centres also serve as community hubs—offering meals, counselling, and recreation. In many rural and economically marginalised communities, they are the only structured options available to families after school. The $1.3 billion now being released will allow these programs to proceed with hiring, contracts, and scheduling for the 2025–26 academic year. However, many organisations report having already faced severe setbacks, including the loss of staff, cancellation of summer initiatives, and withdrawal of enrolled students due to uncertainty. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Delay triggers nationwide disruption The decision to withhold funding came without prior notice, catching states and districts off guard during a critical planning period. As schools and nonprofits scrambled to adjust budgets and operations, many were forced to cancel fall programming, halt hiring processes, and cut back on planned services. Administrators in several states reported that the two-week delay led to furloughs, reduced staffing for the summer term, and delays in opening registrations for the fall. Some rural and inner-city programs, where budgets operate on razor-thin margins, have already experienced lasting damage. Education advocacy organisations said the temporary freeze had real-world consequences for vulnerable children and families who rely on these services for both academic support and basic care. States push back: Lawsuit filed over $6 billion freeze While the administration's review of the 21st Century program is now complete, approximately $5 billion in additional education funding remains frozen. These include grants for adult literacy, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, teacher training, and other state-administered initiatives. On Monday, a coalition of more than 20 states, led by California, filed a federal lawsuit challenging the legality of the funding freeze. The states argue that the money was already approved by Congress and signed into law by President Trump earlier this year, and that withholding it unilaterally violates both constitutional and administrative protocols. The suit also asserts that delaying these funds threatens public education systems, especially in high-poverty districts, and undermines bipartisan efforts to improve literacy, language access, and adult education outcomes. Political pushback from Republican senators Adding to the pressure, 10 Republican senators, led by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, sent a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) urging the administration to lift the freeze. The senators emphasised that the affected programs enjoy longstanding bipartisan support and are critical for communities in both red and blue states. The letter clarified that while lawmakers are aligned with the administration's efforts to prevent misuse of federal funds, there is no indication that these particular grants are being used inappropriately or to advance political agendas. Several of the letter's signatories serve on education-related committees and expressed concern that the freeze undermines local control of education—an issue frequently championed by conservative leaders. Education groups demand immediate action Education policy experts, school administrators, and nonprofit coalitions have called on the White House to expedite the release of the remaining funds. The AASA (School Superintendents Association) warned that continued delays would lead to staffing cuts, halted adult education programs, and reduced ESL services, just as schools are preparing for the new academic year. These programs often support recent immigrants, job seekers, and parents returning to the workforce—groups that are already vulnerable and have fewer alternatives. With school budgets already strained due to inflation and rising operational costs, federal funding plays a crucial role in keeping these services afloat. As of now, there is no confirmed timeline from the Office of Management and Budget on when the rest of the education funds will be released. School districts continue to navigate uncertain conditions, with many fearing they will have to make staffing and programming decisions without clarity on federal support. Funding future still undecided While the release of $1.3 billion is a relief for many after-school programs, the broader issue of federal interference in already-appropriated funds has raised concerns across the education sector. Many see the freeze—and the method by which it was implemented—as a dangerous precedent that could impact future grant cycles. Educators, lawmakers, and community leaders alike are watching closely to see how and when the administration resolves the remaining $5 billion freeze. For now, schools are being asked to plan for the academic year with limited certainty—placing crucial programs, jobs, and student services at continued risk. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us .


Time of India
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
More than 20 states sue Trump administration over frozen after-school and summer program funding
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel More than 20 states have sued President Donald Trump 's administration over billions of dollars in frozen funding for after-school and summer programs and other Cazares is one of 1.4 million children and teenagers around the country who have been attending after-school and summer programming at a Boys & Girls Club, the YMCA or a public school for free thanks to federal taxpayers. Congress set aside money for the programs to provide academic support, enrichment and child care to mostly low-income families, but President Donald Trump's administration recently froze the money for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers is among more than $6 billion in federal education grants Trump's Republican administration has withheld, saying it wants to ensure recipients' programs align with the president's Monday afternoon, more than 20 Democratic-led states sued the Trump administration to force the release of the money. Led by California, the lawsuit alleges withholding the money violates the Constitution and several federal laws. Many low-income families will lose access to after-school programs if the money isn't released soon, according to the suit. In some states, school restarts in late July and early programs for the fall are in jeopardy In Rhode Island, the state stepped in with funding to keep the summer programs running, according to the Boys & Girls Club of East Providence. Other Boys & Girls Clubs supported by the grants have found ways to keep open their summer programs, said Sara Leutzinger, vice president for communications for the Boys & Girls Club of America. But there isn't the same hope for the after-school programming for the of the 926 Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide that run 21st Century Community Learning summer and after-school programs stand to close if the Trump administration doesn't release the money in the next three to five weeks, Leutzinger YMCA and Save the Children say many of the centers they run are also at risk of shuttering."Time is of the essence," said Christy Gleason, executive director of Save the Children Action Network , which provides after-school programming for 41 schools in rural areas in Washington state and across the South, where school will begin as soon as August. "It's not too late to make a decision so the kids who really need this still have it."Schools in Republican-led areas are particularly affected by the freeze in federal education grants. Ninety-one of the 100 school districts that receive the most money from four frozen grant programs are in Republican congressional districts, according to an analysis from New America, a left-leaning think tank. Of those top 100 school districts, half are in four states: California, West Virginia, Florida and Georgia. New America's analysis used funding levels reported in 2022 in 46 officials have been among the educators criticizing the grant freeze."I deeply believe in fiscal responsibility, which means evaluating the use of funds and seeking out efficiencies, but also means being responsible - releasing funds already approved by Congress and signed by President Trump," said Georgia schools superintendent Richard Woods, an elected Republican. "In Georgia, we're getting ready to start the school year, so I call on federal funds to be released so we can ensure the success of our students."The Office of Management and Budget said some grants supported left-wing causes, pointing to services for immigrants in the country illegally or LGBTQ+ inclusion clubs provide instruction for children At the East Providence summer camp, Aiden, a rising third grader, played tag, built structures with magnetic tiles, played a fast-paced game with the other kids to review addition and subtraction, learned about pollination, watched a nature video and ate club-provided chicken teachers from his school corrected him when he spoke without raising his hand and offered common-sense advice when a boy in his group said something inappropriate."When someone says something inappropriate, you don't repeat it," teacher Kayla Creighton told the boys between answering their questions about horseflies and it's hard to find a more middle-of-the road organization in this country than the Boys & Girls last month, a Republican and a Democrat sponsored a resolution in the U.S. House celebrating the 165-year-old organization as a "beacon of hope and opportunity." The Defense Department awarded the club $3 million in 1991 to support children left behind when their parents deployed for the Persian Gulf. And ever since, the Boys & Girls Club has created clubs on military installations to support the children of service members. Military families can sign up their kids for free."I suspect they will realize that most of those grants are fine and will release them," said Mike Petrilli, president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a conservative education policy think tank, speaking of the Trump administration's review of the 21st Century Community Learning Center not everyone is so see few affordable child care alternatives Aiden's mother has started looking into afternoon child care for September when kids return to school in Rhode Island."It costs $220 a week," Aiden's mother, Darleen Reyes, said, her eyes expanding. "I can't afford that."The single mother and state worker said she'll probably ask her 14-year-old son to stay home and watch Aiden. That will mean he would have to forgo getting a job when he turns 15 in the fall and couldn't play basketball and football."I don't have any other option," she home, Aiden would likely stay inside on a screen. That would be heartbreaking since he's thrived getting tutoring and "learning about healthy boundaries" from the Boys & Girls Club program, Reyes Berard learned about the funding freeze and possible closure from a reporter after dropping off her three young boys for summer camp. "I would be really devastated if this goes away," said the nurse. "I honestly don't know what I would do."Her husband drives an Uber much of the day, and picking up the kids early would eat into his earnings. It's money they need to pay the mortgage and everything her boss approves, she'd likely have to pick up her children from school and take them to the rehabilitation center where she oversees a team of nurses. The children would have to stay until her work day ends."It's hard to imagine," she said.


Winnipeg Free Press
14-07-2025
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
Boys and Girls Club programs threatened by Trump grant freeze serve thousands of families
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — After driving through a downpour to take her son to day camp, Darleen Reyes told camp administrators the rain would have kept her away but her son insisted on going. As she marked her son's name present on a clipboard at the Boys and Girls Club camp, she laughed about braving a flash flood warning to get there. Before kissing his mother goodbye, Aiden Cazares, 8, explained to a reporter, 'I wanted to see my friends and not just sit at home.' Then he ran off to play. Aiden's one of 1.4 million children and teenagers around the country who have been attending after-school and summer programming at a Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA or a public school for free thanks to federal taxpayers. Congress set aside money for the programs to provide academic support, enrichment and child care to mostly low-income families, but President Donald Trump's administration recently froze the funding. The money for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers is among more than $6 billion in federal education grants Trump's Republican administration has withheld, saying it wants to ensure recipients' programs align with the president's priorities. After-school programs for the fall are in jeopardy In Rhode Island, the state stepped in with funding to keep the summer programs running, according to the Boys and Girls Club of East Providence. Other Boys and Girls Clubs supported by the grants have found ways to keep open their summer programs, said Sara Leutzinger, vice president for communications for the Boys and Girls Club of America. But there isn't the same hope for the after-school programming for the fall. Some of the 926 Boys and Girls Clubs nationwide that run 21st Century Community Learning summer and after-school programs stand to close if the Trump administration doesn't release the money in the next three to five weeks, Leutzinger said. The YMCA and Save the Children say many of the centers they run are also at risk of shuttering. 'Time is of the essence,' said Christy Gleason, executive director of Save the Children Action Network, which provides after-school programming for 41 schools in rural areas in Washington state and across the South, where school will begin as soon as August. 'It's not too late to make a decision so the kids who really need this still have it.' Schools in Republican-led areas are particularly affected by the freeze in federal education grants. Ninety-one of the 100 school districts that receive the most money from four frozen grant programs are in Republican congressional districts, according to an analysis from New America, a left-leaning think tank. Of those top 100 school districts, half are in four states: California, West Virginia, Florida and Georgia. New America's analysis used funding levels reported in 2022 in 46 states. Republican officials have been among the educators criticizing the grant freeze. 'I deeply believe in fiscal responsibility, which means evaluating the use of funds and seeking out efficiencies, but also means being responsible — releasing funds already approved by Congress and signed by President Trump,' said Georgia schools superintendent Richard Woods, an elected Republican. 'In Georgia, we're getting ready to start the school year, so I call on federal funds to be released so we can ensure the success of our students.' The Office of Management and Budget said some grants supported left-wing causes, pointing to services for immigrants in the country illegally or LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts. Summer clubs provide instruction for children At the East Providence summer camp, Aiden, a rising third grader, played tag, built structures with magnetic tiles, played a fast-paced game with the other kids to review addition and subtraction, learned about pollination, watched a nature video and ate club-provided chicken nuggets. Veteran teachers from his school corrected him when he spoke without raising his hand and offered common-sense advice when a boy in his group said something inappropriate. 'When someone says something inappropriate, you don't repeat it,' teacher Kayla Creighton told the boys between answering their questions about horseflies and honeybees. Indeed, it's hard to find a more middle-of-the road organization in this country than the Boys and Girls Club. Just last month, a Republican and a Democrat sponsored a resolution in the U.S. House celebrating the 165-year-old organization as a 'beacon of hope and opportunity.' The Defense Department awarded the club $3 million in 1991 to support children left behind when their parents deployed for the Persian Gulf. And ever since, the Boys and Girls Club has created clubs on military installations to support the children of service members. Military families can sign up their kids for free. 'I suspect they will realize that most of those grants are fine and will release them,' said Mike Petrilli, president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, a conservative education policy think tank, speaking of the Trump administration's review of the 21st Century Community Learning Center grants. But not everyone is so sure. Families see few affordable child care alternatives Aiden's mother has started looking into afternoon child care for September when kids return to school in Rhode Island. 'It costs $220 a week,' Reyes said, her eyes expanding. 'I can't afford that.' The single mother and state worker said she'll probably ask her 14-year-old son to stay home and watch Aiden. That will mean he would have to forgo getting a job when he turns 15 in the fall and couldn't play basketball and football. 'I don't have any other option,' she said. At home, Aiden would likely stay inside on a screen. That would be heartbreaking since he's thrived getting tutoring and 'learning about healthy boundaries' from the Boys and Girls Club program, Reyes said. Fernande Berard learned about the funding freeze and possible closure from a reporter after dropping off her three young boys for summer camp. 'I would be really devastated if this goes away,' said the nurse. 'I honestly don't know what I would do.' Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Her husband drives an Uber much of the day, and picking up the kids early would eat into his earnings. It's money they need to pay the mortgage and everything else. If her boss approves, she'd likely have to pick up her children from school and take them to the rehabilitation center where she oversees a team of nurses. The children would have to stay until her work day ends. 'It's hard to imagine,' she said. ___ The Associated Press' education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find the AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at

News.com.au
13-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Who is the greatest Aussie cricketer of the 21st century?
Australia has no shortage of cricketing legends, but one player in particular can be considered the greatest of the 21st century. Australia has no shortage of cricketing legends, with the country consistently producing an array of stars. But as the 21st century continues to unfold, almost weekly through the Aussie summer, fans and pundits debate who is the greatest cricketer of the modern era. Our 25@25 series will finally put to bed the debates you've been having at the pub and around dinner tables for years – and some that are just too much fun not to include. From the pace and leadership of current Australian Test captain Pat Cummins to the unparalleled batting prowess of Ricky Ponting, to the spin king himself Shane Warne, each player has a serious claim to GOAT (greatest of all time) status. But after delved into the debate, it can be settled once and for all as former cricket greats and those closest to the players themselves unanimously declared without missing a beat that one man in particular stands above the rest. Which Aussies can stake a claim as the 21st century cricket GOAT? We're including cricket played from 2000 onwards. So for this reason Steve Waugh, who retired from Test cricket in January 2004, is a tough omission. In 1999 he was appointed Test captain and led an Australian team that in the years ahead scored a record 16 successive straight victories, truly incredible. And while his crowning year was 2001 when he won the Allan Border medal, Tugga and his lucky red handkerchief didn't quite squeeze into our top 10. Who is the greatest Aussie female cricketer of the 21st century? The two women up for consideration are Elysse Perry and Meg Lanning. They are unanimously considered the best two women to ever play the game for Australia. The only others who could possibly be in that conversation are Karen Rolton and Belinda Clark. However, Clark retired at the end of 2005 and her body of work in that time isn't enough to lay claim to being the greatest of the 21st century. West Indies vs Australia Test & T20I Series | Watch every ball LIVE with ESPN, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. While Rolton is an Australian cricket icon, it would be a hard case to make that she has a superior resume this century than the aforementioned duo. And when asked sports presenter Mark Howard who springs to mind, he immediately said it is between Lanning and Perry. 'It's very hard to split Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry. Meg Lanning is the best batter in the female game I've ever seen and just gets runs when required,' Howard told 'Ellyse in the last three or four years she's completely changed her game and been truly exceptional. Perry has been the most dominant female cricketer around the world for the 20th century no doubt. 'And the fact that she's represented her nation in World Cups in two different sports and has scored a goal shows she's just a phenomenon.' Who is the greatest Australian male cricketer of the 21st century? Australia has been blessed with some incredible cricketers in the past few decades but there can only be one GOAT. Ponting completely transformed what it meant to be a No.3. With an average of 51.85 and a highest score of 257, he lays claim to the third most Test hundreds in the history of the game. Ponting was also the definition of a true leader, someone who when he opens his mouth, you stop whatever you are doing to listen. Then there are the likes of Smith and Clarke, whose batting statistics hold them among the greats not just in Australian cricket but world cricket. While with the ball Cummins and McGrath both revolutionised fast bowling in their own way. Cummins has also won everything possible as captain of Australia, and McGrath is seen by many still as Australia's greatest-ever fast bowler. Then there's Lyon, the only spinner since Warne to be a regular in the Australian Test side, undroppable throughout his Test career and a bowler who thrives on any pitch condition. The tweaker sits third on the list of most wickets in Australian Test cricket history with 556, just one behind McGrath, and by the time he retires will almost certainly be second behind only Warne. While Gilchrist revolutionised what it means to be a wicketkeeper. Before 'Gilly' you could be just a quality keeper who could barely bat but his range of free-flowing strokes and quick game-changing runs has changed the requirements of modern wicketkeepers. But when asking who is the best player of this century, there was one name I kept hearing, Shane Warne. When I asked fellow Aussie cricket legend Adam Gilchrist he didn't even hesitate. 'There is more to it (the GOAT debate) than just statistics,' Gilchrist told earlier this year. 'Shane Warne is the greatest ever. 'Away from his wickets, Warnie was also an incredible batsman. He just left way too many runs out there when he played. I don't even think he knew his own batting talent. 'When it comes down to pure batting and bowling talent, catching and just all-round brilliant cricket brain, Warnie is No.1. 'For Warnie to achieve what he did and especially living the way he did and still managed to achieve it all, it shows he is a true champion.' Howard echoed a similar sentiment. 'Without a doubt number one I would say Warnie because he changed the game. We hadn't seen a leg spinner like Shane before Shane and we haven't seen a spinner like Shane since,' Howard said. 'So if you compare him to all other leg spinners he's that far in front statistically and then you can get to the bums on seats factor. 'Any time Warnie was bowling you couldn't get out of your seat. At the game or watching on telly, which I've got some extremely fond memories of growing up, you are glued to the game. 'He is best clearly even though only half his career was in this century for me. He's not just the best but the most exciting, the most effective, the most captivating, the most controversial and the most extraordinary.' 'Every time I sat next to Shane in a commentary box, which was one of the great experiences of my life, he would say stuff that I would think just think wow,' Howard added. 'You would be blown away every time he talks and think gee he would have made a fantastic captain of Australia.' Warne truly revolutionised the art of leg-spin bowling and had a staggering tally of over 700 Test wickets. His ability to turn matches single-handedly, coupled with his charisma, captivated fans worldwide and left an indelible legacy in Australian cricket, making him the Aussie cricket goat of the 21st century. More Coverage Warne's daughter's heartbreaking admission 'Crying in dressing room': Icon sees sad detail But at the end of the day like with any GOAT debate, it is all a matter of opinion and goes far further than just statistics.