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Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Harvard Business Review Launches HBR Executive, a New Premium Subscription for Senior Leaders
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Harvard Business Review has announced the launch of HBR Executive, a premium subscription designed for senior business leaders navigating an increasingly complex and volatile world. Built on HBR's longstanding role as a trusted source for C-suite leaders, HBR Executive delivers insights, strategies, and tools to help executives make sense of the moment, make smarter decisions, and solve problems more effectively. 'It's never been harder to be a leader,' said Adi Ignatius, Editor at Large of Harvard Business Review. 'HBR Executive aims to help CEOs and their top teams tackle the most pressing issues of our time—from the rise of AI to rapidly shifting political and geopolitical landscapes.' The new offer is presented in partnership with Egon Zehnder, the premier global leadership advisory and executive search firm. As part of this collaboration, Egon Zehnder will contribute content to HBR Executive on a regular basis, drawing from their work with leading companies and executives. 'We're thrilled to partner with Harvard Business Review on HBR Executive,' said Francesco Buquicchio, CEO of Egon Zehnder. 'From our work with leaders, we know the landscape is complex—but we also see them rising to the challenge. This offering provides more of the context they need to succeed, bringing the best thought leadership and real-world experience to support them on their journeys.' HBR Executive subscribers receive exclusive access to: HBR Executive Agenda A weekly newsletter from Adi Ignatius highlighting emerging challenges and their impact on organizations, with contributions from senior leaders who've navigated similar issues. HBR Executive Playbook A biweekly series offering curated advice and actionable guidance from leaders on common executive challenges such as board dynamics, talent strategy, and crisis communication. HBR Executive Masterclass Short, practical videos on essential leadership skills, with topics including Leadership in the Age of AI and Becoming an Empathetic Leader. HBR Executive Live A monthly virtual Q&A hosted by Adi Ignatius, featuring subject-matter experts on topics ranging from geopolitical shifts to organizational resilience. The subscription also includes unlimited digital access to six print issues of Harvard Business Review annually, four complimentary e-books per year, and a curated selection of Harvard Business School case studies. Current HBR subscribers have the option to upgrade to HBR Executive directly through their account settings. To learn more, visit HBR Executive. Harvard Business Review is the leading destination for smart management thinking. Through its flagship magazine, nine international licensed editions, books from Harvard Business Review Press, and digital content and tools published on Harvard Business Review provides professionals around the world with rigorous insights and best practices to lead themselves and their organizations more effectively and to make a positive impact.
The Star
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Is cabin crew still a coveted career? These flight attendants prove so
During the 'Golden Age' of aviation, lasting throughout the 1920s to 1960s, there was a certain glamour associated with the flight attendant profession. Perhaps the novelty and perks contributed to this perception, but whatever it was, it certainly was enough to entice young women to join the glamorous world of stewardesses. ('Stewardess' was the common term used to refer to a female flight attendant at the time). To don the often-fashionable uniform, mingle among the rich and famous, and travel to exotic destinations – this was many a young woman's dream. Civil aviation has undergone significant changes throughout the decades, however, leading to the question of whether a cabin crew career is still one coveted in modern time. Puteri Arianna Balqish Megat Arizal Izram, 22, assures that it very much is. Unsurprisingly, it is still 'the glamour' that attracts some people's attention to the job, Arianna adds. Understandably so, because who wouldn't want to look as poised and be as well travelled as the women and men whose profession is celebrated globally every May? On May 31, 2015, the first International Flight Attendant Day (IFAD) was established, initiated by a Canadian cabin crew union. It has since expanded beyond the Canadian borders and is now celebrated worldwide. This year, a decade since its inaugural celebration, IFAD is observed with the theme, Legacy & Individuality: Wings Passed Down, Paths Made New. Arianna embodies the theme well. She is relatively new to the industry, having only become fit to fly as part of Malaysia Airlines' cabin crew in 2022, but this has long been her dream job, Arianna says. Her interest stems from being exposed to the aviation industry at a young age; her father is a long-serving pilot for the same airline. 'I used to follow my father on his flights,' Arianna explains, adding that seeing the cabin crew onboard inspired her to become one. Her enthusiasm in becoming part of the team is encouraging for the aviation industry, as it signals that the career continues to be an attractive option for the younger generations. Specifically, the Gen Z crowd, which currently encompasses youth in their early teens (who will be entering the workforce in a few years) to the late twenties. Arianna is far from the only Gen Z interested in the profession, as multiple comments and direct messages (DMs) on her social media would prove. 'It's still a thing,' she reassures. 'I get so many DMs of people asking me how to join or how to start their career as a cabin crew member.' Shazni is celebrating her 10th International Flight Attendant Day this year. Evolution of aviation To withstand the test of time, a profession must constantly evolve and continuously improve. The history of flight attendants exemplifies this. During the early 1900s, commercial aviation was still in its nascent stage. It would be another decade or so before the concept of 'stewards' aboard planes was introduced. Young men typically from the service industry, such as luxury hotel waiters or ship's boys, were hired to assist passengers in terms of luggage and safety. According to the United States' Federal Aviation Administration, it was only in 1930 that a woman named Ellen Church convinced Boeing Air Transport (now known as United Airlines) to give her a chance in the predominantly male profession. Church – a trained nurse, with a private pilot's license to boot – reasoned that nurses could provide better medical assistance to passengers. The planes' non-pressurised cabins at the time led to constant nausea and vomiting. Church's successful inclusion opened the door for more women to secure the stewardess role. After that the pendulum did swing too far to the other side for a time, when it became more accepted for stewardesses to do the job, while stewards were sidelined. It was only in the 1970s that it became the norm for both genders to be working in the field. The decade also saw the more gender-neutral term 'flight attendant' come into common use – flight attendants would collectively be referred to as cabin crew. However, it would take another four decades before the special day that is IFAD is designated to celebrate these hardworking women and men. Shazni is celebrating her 10th International Flight Attendant Day this year. Unsung heroes of the sky 'We just wish our colleagues (Happy IFAD),' Shazni Shazwani, 31, says with a laugh, referring to how they typically celebrate the day. As most cabin crew members would still be busy working on the day, huge celebrations aren't exactly feasible. With her 11 years of experience, 10 in commercial flights and one in Amal (Malaysia Airlines' Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage arm), Shazni has assimilated well to the cabin crew lifestyle. She says there are times she would have to celebrate festivities, like Hari Raya, away from home. But far from being down about it, she would instead happily celebrate with her fellow flight attendants. Forming a connection with each other is seamless for them. Because even if the cabin crew didn't know each other, the moment they were assigned to work together, they would 'just click', Shazni shares. She has also seen how the industry has changed over the years. There is a misconception among the public nowadays that flying is getting increasingly dangerous. But that really is only due to videos of flight incidents and mishaps being more easily accessible now, thanks to technological advancement and social media. Passengers can whip out their phones at any time to film seemingly out-of-the-ordinary occurrences. To Shazni, turbulences and aircraft issues are part and parcel of her job. There is that added sense of responsibility she feels when she is in her cabin crew uniform, she says. Safety becomes the priority. 'I become more aware of my surroundings,' Shazni says, adding that she will also 'think about the outcomes and what to provide in case of emergency'. Arianna agrees with Shazni's sentiments, sharing how on a recent flight, she herself had to maintain her composure during a particularly bad turbulence. 'The passengers were facing me, I had to just keep on smiling,' Arianna laughingly shares. She admits she was actually scared, but on the surface she remained composed to ensure that the passengers remained calm as well. Both of them lament the fact that there is also still this misconception of cabin crew being 'waitresses/waiters (or servers) in the sky'. These women and men, with their perfectly coiffed hair and brilliant smiles, do more than just serve passengers with 'coffee or tea?' – they silently work in the background making sure that everyone onboard stays comfortable and safe. Thankfully, because of IFAD, this fallacy is fading with time. As the celebration continues to shine the spotlight on these unsung heroes, cabin crew like Shazni and Arianna continue to pave the way for the future generations of more appreciated flight attendants.
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Science
- The Irish Sun
Stone age bed bugs were humanity's first pests, scientists reveal
STONE Age people had a far more troublesome enemy than sabre-tooth tigers — bed bugs. Their first settlements — like Fred Flinstone's fictional home of Bedrock — would have been crawling with the blood-suckers. 2 Stone age people had a problem with bed bugs Credit: Getty The bugs' numbers exploded when humans moved out of caves, making them the first household pests, researchers say. In the study, DNA analysis was used to trace back the species found in homes today to those feeding off cave dwellers. Cimex lectularius was found to have had a 'close relationship' with humans for 50,000 years. The team from Virginia Tech University in the US confirmed the bugs first lived on bats before some switched to Stone Age humans in caves. But the population took off only 13,000 years ago — when people quit cave life and began farming and building settlements While its numbers rocketed, the bat bed bug species fell away. Researcher Dr Linsday Miles said: 'Both populations saw a general decline that is consistent with the last ice age. 'The bat-associated lineage never bounced back and it is still decreasing in size. Most read in Health 'The really exciting part is that the human-associated lineage did recover and their population increased.' The researchers say bed bugs, which live in furniture and bite to feed on blood, predate rats and even cockroaches as domestic pests. Rats moved in to homes 2,000 years ago, and cockroaches 5,000 years ago. 2 Blood sucking bed bugs were the first pest Credit: AFP I was homeless so I carved myself a CAVE house with incredible sea views – but officials are trying to kick me out
New York Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Broadway's Patti LuPone says Trump-led Kennedy Center ‘should get blown up'
Broadway veteran Patti LuPone lashed out at President Donald Trump for his overhaul of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., and called for the building to 'get blown up,' in an interview published Monday. In February, Trump fired several Kennedy Center board members, including the president and chairman, and replaced them with pro-Trump figures, who then named the president as chairman. In a post to Truth Social announcing the changes, Trump vowed to make the performing arts center 'great again,' by removing board members who did not share his administration's 'vision for a Golden Age in arts and culture.' Trump said that drag shows 'targeting' children were one example of programming at the Kennedy Center that would end under his leadership. 4 Broadway star Patti LuPone called for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to 'get blown up,' after President Donald Trump's overhaul of it in an interview. Variety via Getty Images His actions stirred backlash in the theater and film world, with multiple artists resigning from their roles or canceling upcoming performances at the Kennedy Center in protest. LuPone, 76, slammed the Trump takeover in new comments to New Yorker writer Michael Schulman. 'She's even angrier at the rest of the country,' Schulman wrote. 'She told me, more than once, that the Trumpified Kennedy Center 'should get blown up.'' LuPone also told the outlet that she wished that the Trump administration would 'Leave New York alone.' She has been an outspoken critic of Trump over the years. 4 Trump fired several Kennedy Center board members and replaced them with pro-Trump figures, who then named the president as chairman. REUTERS 4 Trump walks down the stairs at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on March 17. REUTERS Ahead of the 2020 election, LuPone said she was considering moving to Ireland if Trump won. On the Tony Awards red carpet in 2017, she said that she would not perform for Trump if he came to one of her shows, 'because I hate the mother—.' Richard Grenell, president of the Kennedy Center, slammed LuPone's comments in a statement to Fox News Digital. 4 LuPone in 'Hollywood.' Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection 'The far left has morphed into violent extremists. This is completely unacceptable – from the same people who claim to be for tolerance and diversity. Everyone should condemn these radicals,' Grenell said. LuPone did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told Fox News Digital, 'President Trump cares deeply about American arts and culture, which is why he is revitalizing historic institutions like the Kennedy Center to their former greatness.'
The South African
6 days ago
- Business
- The South African
Elon Musk 'disappointed' by Donald Trump's 'One Big, Beautiful Bill Act'
South Africa-born billionaire Elon Musk, who has stepped back from his role of slashing US government spending by firing tens of thousands of people, has criticised President Donald Trump's signature spending bill. The 'One Big, Beautiful Bill Act' – which passed in the House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate – would usher into law Trump's vision for a new 'Golden Age,' led by efforts to shrink social safety net programmes to pay for a 10-year extension of his 2017 tax cuts. But critics say it will decimate health care for the poorest Americans and cause the national debt to balloon. 'I was disappointed to see the massive spending bill, frankly, which increases the budget deficit, not just decreases it, and undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing,' Musk said in an interview with CBS News. An excerpt was aired on Tuesday evening with comments that put him at odds with Trump, who tasked Musk with cutting government spending as head of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. The spending bill is the centerpiece of Trump's domestic policy agenda and could define his second term in the White House. Independent analysts have warned it would increase the deficit by as much as $4 trillion over a decade. 'I think a bill can be big or it can be beautiful,' Musk told CBS News, 'but I don't know if it can be both. My personal opinion.' The full interview will be aired on Sunday. In a separate interview with the Washington Post, Elon Musk, the head of Tesla and SpaceX, looked back on his work leading the reforms, in which many civil servants lost their jobs with little or no warning. 'The federal bureaucracy situation is much worse than I realised,' he said. 'I thought there were problems, but it sure is an uphill battle trying to improve things in DC, to say the least.' Musk announced in late April he was stepping back from government to run his companies again. He said in May that he did not achieve all his goals with DOGE even though tens of thousands of people were removed from government payrolls and several government departments were gutted or shut down altogether. Musk told the Post he would keep working with DOGE, but focus on upgrading federal government computer systems rather than firing more people. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
