Latest news with #Bureau
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Talent Strategies Should Be Proactive In The Face Of Market Chaos
Laura Coccaro is the chief people officer at iCIMS, where she leads all people functions, from talent acquisition to employee engagement. During an uncertain economic period, all eyes are on federal labor reports. But in recent months, the data has told a confusing story of a labor market in flux, and employers are struggling to make sense of it. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' latest Employment Situation report continues to show payroll growth and steady unemployment, suggesting resilience. However, the Bureau's recent Job Openings and Labor Turnover (JOLT) data tells a contradicting story of cooling demand, with job openings and hires gradually declining. So, are we in a strong labor market or one that's slowing down? The reality is that both can be true. These reports reflect different parts of the employment picture, and that disconnect is exactly what's leaving many employers hesitant to hire. While the broader economy appears stable, the talent market feels anything but. As businesses struggle to interpret the noise, HR teams are caught in a cycle of "on-again, off-again" hiring. Behind The Numbers: HR Teams Caught In The Middle The latest JOLT report shows 7.8 million job openings but only 5.5 million hires, and data from my company, iCIMS, mirror this trend. Our 2025 "Workforce Report" found that while job openings have been holding steady year-over-year (YoY), hires are down 8%. The gap between jobs posted and jobs filled is growing, and that friction is being felt across recruiting teams. It's a disconnect that underscores the on-the-ground realities and chaos recruiters and HR teams face every day. Teams face real challenges around hiring, retention and workforce strategies as they wait to see the impact from macroeconomic headwinds and policy changes. As a result, hiring teams are immobilized and, in some cases, unable to effectively deliver. Budgets are in limbo. Roles are posted, then paused. Teams get approval to hire only to have it rescinded a week later. It's a perfect storm of chaos and caution, as some recruiters find themselves tasked with finding the best-in-class hires faster and cheaper than the current economic environment allows. In fact, a recent SHRM study found nearly two-thirds of HR professionals have been working beyond their capacity, while 57% said their department was understaffed. The U.S. labor market is telling us what we don't want to admit: HR's approach to talent is off course. It's reactive, slow and lacks agility. While the strategic use of labor market data can empower smarter, more agile talent decisions, relying on it after the fact leaves organizations vulnerable to constant disruption. Hiring shouldn't be a lever that's only pulled based on the economic policies of the day or the latest reporting. To break this cycle, businesses need a more sustainable approach to hiring that prioritizes consistency over reactionary swings. Instead of fluctuating between periods of rapid expansion and hiring slowdowns, companies should empower recruiters to develop adaptable strategies that bridge talent acquisition and management. A whopping 88% of HR leaders already believe their functions have evolved beyond administrative tasks, and they consider themselves strategic advisors to the overall business. HR Can Make Proactive Strategic Decisions With AI Achieving this strategic evolution requires more than a mindset shift. We also need the right tools to make it possible. Embracing AI-driven innovation is one way to power strategic evolution, enabling HR teams to move beyond reactive patterns fueled by conflicting labor market data. According to a 2024 BCG survey of CHROs, 92% of respondents said they'd benefited from using AI in the hiring process, with some reporting productivity gains of 30%. Of the companies using GenAI, 70% are implementing or already have implemented it to create job descriptions and schedule interviews. Agentic AI will likely be a fundamental evolution from basic automation in most recruiting organizations. These intelligent systems can reason, operate across platforms and make decisions without constant human input. They can be a co-pilot or even act from the pilot's seat. Organizations can then build hiring functions that adjust in real time with help from AI, freeing recruiters from admin work and amplifying their impact. This kind of workforce shift could help HR teams stay focused on long-term goals, even as economic signals remain mixed. It's not about ignoring the data. It's about building the capacity to act with confidence and intention, regardless of what the next report says. With the right strategy that's powered by data, guided by people and enabled by AI, talent teams can finally stop reacting to economic forces and start shaping their own path through them. Forbes Human Resources Council is an invitation-only organization for HR executives across all industries. Do I qualify?
Sky News AU
3 days ago
- Climate
- Sky News AU
Australia's incoming deluge: 'Strong odds' of significantly wetter than usual weather in the NT, Queensland as Pacific Ocean gives clues that La Nina could return
There are strong odds of Australia's late winter and spring months being wetter than usual - and significantly so in the NT and Queensland - with Pacific Ocean indicators pointing to a potential La Nina event in 2025. The year so far has been marked by rain and floods in the east and drought in the south, with wet weather now suddenly picking up in the drought-stricken southern growing regions that need it most. Now, this Sky News Weather climate analysis can reveal that many more rain-bearing systems are on the way. Indian Ocean Avid weather watchers will no doubt be aware that there is plenty of talk about a negative phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (-IOD) developing and aiding rainfall across Australia. The Indian Ocean lies to Australia's west. It is currently in a neutral state with the IOD sitting at -0.04C. This value needs to fall below -0.4C for at least eight consecutive weeks for these developments to be declared a -IOD event. It's still a long way off, but forecast models have been in strong agreement for some time that an event is a significant chance to take place. Its influence could be noticeable from as early as late August if it drops below the threshold in the coming weeks. Pacific Ocean The ocean to our east is the largest in the world – covering more than 30 per cent of the world's surface. Its size and proximity have contributed to its outsized influence on our weather. This mass expanse of water has played a significant role in helping the last five financial years exceed the nation's median rainfall. We had three back-to-back La Ninas, then an El Nino then a 'La Nina-like' pattern that was declared by Sky News Weather and US Government's climate organisation NOAA, but not by the Bureau of Meteorology. Right now, the official value of the Nino3.4 index is –0.14C. However, when comparing the temperatures in the middle of the Pacific Ocean to those through the rest of the world's tropics we can see that we are more clearly on the La Nina side of neutral. The Relative NINO index is therefore more appropriate to use in a changing climate – currently sitting closer to –0.4C. Forecast models have suddenly come into line agreeing that significant cooling of the central Pacific is likely. Between July and September, the median of nine leading models cools the NINO region by between 0.2C and 0.7C with an average of 0.45C. Therefore, there is a significant chance that the September value of the Relative NINO index will be close to -0.8C. This puts us on the border of a weak La Nina event. But like last year, even if it cools a bit further than that, the Bureau will probably say we are experiencing 'La Nina-like conditions' without declaring an event - as official thresholds are unlikely to be met. Rain odds increasing for most According to the average of the nine aforementioned models – including the Bureau's – there is between a 60 per cent and 90 per cent chance of above median rainfall across Australia from August to October. This is a notable increase on the previous forecast for the same period – indicating the growing confidence in the upcoming rainfall pattern. The odds are strongest in the NT and Queensland – meaning that parts of the dry season and 'build-up' months could be significantly wetter than usual – but this is still nothing compared to the wet season. Further south, rainfall should also be very handy in drought affected regions of SA, Victoria and possibly Tasmania and Western Australia – although their rain chances are not quite as high. Many farmers will remember the last time we had strong rain odds at this time of year. Rain gradually picked up through the winter of 2022 before the country saw its second wettest spring on record. Forbes experienced near-record flooding and the Murray had its biggest flood since 1956. Models are not quite as extreme in their forecasts this year as they were in the lead up to that event. However, similar rainfall patterns cannot be ruled out through the coming months as evidenced by this week's uptick in wet weather. Sydney and the NSW coastline could miss out Sydney and the NSW coast have been pretty wet this year. Historically the first half of the year is the wetter time of year in these areas. It's therefore unlikely that the second half of the year will be wetter than the first half. Further to that – a lot of the upcoming rainfall is expected to favour the NSW ranges and areas further west. Therefore, it seems likely that rainfall in Sydney and up and down the NSW coast should be somewhat closer to normal. Locals in those areas may not notice the drenching affecting much of the country. Watch Sky News Weather on the Sky News App or on Foxtel's Channel 601 for the latest forecasts and seasonal outlooks.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
First major arrest made under AMLA: Probe ordered into ‘Future Vision' scam: DG NAB
LAHORE In pursuance of the public welfare-oriented vision of Chairman NAB, the National Accountability Bureau, Lahore convened mega open court chaired by Director General NAB Lahore, Ghulam Safdar Shah. The event was marked by the substantial participation of victims from various high-profile corruption scandals, reflecting public confidence in NAB's redressal mechanisms. Victims of Future Vision scam, Bahria Cuisines scam, Omega Housing scandal, New Lahore City, Pak-Arab Housing Society, Khayaban-e-Amin Housing Society, Eden Garden, and Professional Cooperative Housing Society earnestly approached the forum to present their grievances by seeking institutional support and intervention for their redressal. While addressing the open court, DG NAB Lahore, Ghulam Safdar Shah reaffirmed the Bureau's unwavering commitment to safeguarding public interest and upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and justice. He stated that NAB Lahore has executed its first major arrest under the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA), marking a pivotal milestone in the Bureau's pursuit against financial misappropriation. He further disclosed that, in response to a multitude of complaints received from the general public, a direct inquiry has been formally authorised in the Future Vision Scam. However, in order to prevent further financial exploitation, categorical instructions have been issued that individuals operating fraudulent Ponzi schemes be immediately placed on the Exit Control List (ECL). The DG underlined that all operations are being undertaken in strict compliance with the directives of the Honourable Chairman NAB, whose guidance remains instrumental in driving the institution's citizen-centric agenda. NAB's resolve remains firm to bring all culpable elements to justice and to ensure that the aggrieved parties are duly compensated, he added. He further remarked that, unlike prior practices, the current model of Khuli Katcheri encourages direct interface between victims and housing society administrations, thereby facilitating pragmatic and result-oriented dispute resolution. Weekly monitoring of progress on individual cases is being conducted under his supervision is meant to maintain fair momentum and institutional vigilance. Owing to the relentless efforts and dedicated interventions of NAB Lahore, billions of rupees have been recovered, benefitting thousands of citizens who had fallen prey to fraudulent schemes. The victims present on the occasion expressed profound appreciation for the dynamic leadership and proactive measures taken by DG NAB Lahore, and acknowledged that the regular convening of open courts, is a reflection of Chairman NAB's unwavering commitment to public facilitation and institutional transparency. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
UPI
5 days ago
- Science
- UPI
NASA: Senegal is 56th country to sign Artemis Accords
From left, Ambassador of Senegal to the United States Abdoul Wahab Haidara, Director General of the Senegalese space agency Maram Kairé, NASA Chief of Staff Brian Hughes and Department of State Bureau of African Affairs Senior Bureau Official Jonathan Pratt pose for a photo during an Artemis Accords signing ceremony Thursday at the Mary W. Jackson NASA Headquarters building in Washington. Photo by Keegan Barber/NASA July 25 (UPI) -- Senegal has become the 56th country to sign the Artemis Accords for peaceful space exploration, NASA announced Friday. Signing the Artemis Accords means to explore peaceably and transparently, to render aid to those in need, to ensure unrestricted access to scientific data that all of humanity can learn from, to ensure activities do not interfere with those of others, to preserve historically significant sites and artifacts, and to develop best practices for how to conduct space exploration activities for the benefit of all, a NASA press release said. "Today, NASA built upon the strong relations between our two nations as the Senegalese Agency for Space Studies signed the Artemis Accords," acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy said. Director General of the Senegalese space agency Maram Kairé signed the accords on behalf of Senegal. Jonathan Pratt, senior bureau official for African Affairs at the U.S. State Department, and Abdoul Wahab Haidara, ambassador of Senegal to the United States, also participated in the event. "Senegal's adherence to the Artemis Accords reflects our commitment to a multilateral, responsible, and transparent approach to space," Kairé said. "This signature marks a meaningful step in our space diplomacy and in our ambition to contribute to the peaceful exploration of outer space." Astronomers from Senegal have supported NASA missions by participating in multiple observations when asteroids or planets pass in front of stars, casting shadows on Earth. In 2021, NASA also collaborated with Kairé and a group of astronomers for a ground observation campaign in Senegal. As the asteroid Orus passed in front of a star, they positioned telescopes along the path of the asteroid's shadow to estimate its shape and size. NASA's Lucy spacecraft will approach Orus in 2028, as part of its mission to explore Jupiter's Trojan asteroids. More countries are expected to sign the Artemis Accords in the months and years ahead, as NASA continues its work to establish a safe, peaceful and prosperous future in space, the release said.
Politico
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
The Epstein crisis hits escape velocity
Presented by With help from Eli Okun, Bethany Irvine and Ali Bianco On today's Playbook Podcast, Adam Wren and Dasha Burns talk about the opportunity costs of delaying a vote on the Jeffrey Epstein files, how Dems are going to press the issue and what President Donald Trump finds most frustrating about all of this. Good Wednesday morning. It's Adam Wren. Get in touch. In today's Playbook … — An exclusive look at how Dems are preparing to press the Epstein issue during August recess. — As Washington obsesses over Epstein, Trump's agenda marches forward. — The GOP is souring on throwing further resources at the Virginia gubernatorial race, Jonathan Martin reports. DRIVING THE DAY ESCAPE VELOCITY: For the last 16 days, the Epstein saga has blotted out the sun inside Washington, the kind of evanescent Beltway fodder the White House insists won't break through outside of newsletters like this one. Now, with Speaker Mike Johnson adjourning House business this afternoon — last votes are scheduled for 3 p.m. — and canceling further action ahead of August recess in order to quash an effort to force a floor vote that would hasten the release of the Epstein files, the storyline is threatening to break out of the bubble and follow congressional Republicans back to their districts — nudged along by gleeful Democrats, who are 'plotting how to capitalize' on it all, as a team of our colleagues report, and have finally 'found their mojo,' as POLITICO Capitol Bureau Chief Rachael Bade writes this morning. In short: We're about to find out what kind of legs the Epstein issue truly has. But there's another thing to consider: There's a substantial opportunity cost to the GOP leadership's gambit. With a discharge petition ripening in the House when members return in September, the Epstein storyline promises to eclipse everything else in the Washington news cycle for many more days to come. Back home in their districts, Republican members may well see the issue burn up any oxygen they might otherwise use to sell their perceived wins in the One Big Beautiful Bill. 'The best hope of getting OBBB to break through is having Trump hammer it home,' one prominent Republican strategist who has worked on Senate races tells Playbook. 'So anything that knocks him off of that message and steers the conversation to things that divide Rs and force members onto the defensive is a hindrance.' Expect tense town halls and in-district dynamics for members. 'I don't suppose that this is the number-one issue for voters in America by any stretch, but it may be the number-one issue for the loudest voters,' Brendan Buck, the former top adviser to Republican Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan, tells Playbook. 'It's very clear that there are going to be a lot of people asking a lot of questions over recess when they get back home.' First in Playbook — We have some fresh details on what to expect … 1. The oppo files: American Bridge 21st Century President Pat Dennis tells Playbook the organization now has a dozen trackers they plan to deploy over recess and that they are recruiting more volunteers as they plan to press members on Epstein. 'They're going to hear about it from their constituents,' Dennis tells Playbook. 'We're going to be there to record it.' 2. How Dems are going to talk about it: At a 9 a.m. whip meeting this morning — their last one before recess — House Democrats will receive some direction from leadership about how to make the most of the issue. Some talking points, according to a messaging document obtained by Playbook: 3. Beyond the talking points: Democratic leadership is urging members to use official paid communication to get the word out about the issue. One email template reads: 'House Republicans voted to effectively block a debate on whether or not the Department of Justice should release the Epstein files. Congress must pursue the truth. No one in the government should be trying to keep the facts on these child predators hidden.' The joy ride: 'It should be very clear that Democrats are having a very good time with this at Republicans' expense,' Buck tells us. 'And Republicans don't seem to quite appreciate that, and are kind of letting themselves be taken for a ride.' One House Democratic aide tells Playbook that members' messaging priorities over the recess will not exclusively center on Epstein, but will also focus on affordability. In that sense, there's a potentially huge opportunity cost for Democrats, too: Any time they spend talking about Epstein is time not spent talking about, say, cuts to Medicaid in the Republican megalaw, which is likely to be more salient with voters in 2026. But the drip-drip of stories isn't stopping. The latest and most interesting revelations came from CNN's Andrew Kaczynski and Em Steck, who filled in some of the blank spaces in the historical record of Trump and Epstein's relationship, scouring archives and yielding photos from 1993 that 'confirm for the first time that Epstein attended Trump's 1993 wedding to Marla Maples,' they write. They also found footage from a 1999 Victoria's Secret fashion event in New York that 'shows Trump and Epstein laughing and chatting together ahead of the runway event,' and photos from 2000 showing Trump, Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and Prince Andrew at a charity fundraiser at Mar-a-Lago. What does Trump think of it all? He had a brief interaction on the phone with Kaczynski. 'You've got to be kidding me,' the president said before repeatedly calling CNN 'fake news' and hanging up. He could have more to say today, though there aren't natural set pieces for him to respond. At the Mellon Auditorium at 5 p.m., he's signing executive orders and speaking at an AI summit connected to David Sacks and the 'All In' podcast crew. Back at the White House, expect Epstein-related questions to dominate the 1 p.m. briefing by press secretary Karoline Leavitt. COUNTDOWN TO RECESS WILL THE SENATE STAY?: Senate Majority Leader John Thune hasn't canceled recess outright like Trump wanted, but he told senators in a closed-door lunch yesterday to hold off on making any plans for next weekend, Axios' Stef Kight and Hans Nichols report. It's looking more possible that votes on Trump nominees will bleed into August, though for how long is unclear. (If no one else, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) is fine with it.) BIG THINGS ON THE AGENDA: Yesterday, the Senate cleared its first hurdle toward passing a government funding bill, voting 90-8 to advance a procedural motion on a bill that would in part fund the VA and some military projects. But the show of bipartisanship may not keep until September, POLITICO's Jennifer Scholtes and colleagues report. 'Nothing is guaranteed,' Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said after yesterday's vote. What's the plan?: 'Schumer is trying to hone the Democratic government funding strategy after caving to Republicans' strong-arm tactics in March,' Jennifer and colleagues write. '[There] are competing factions split over how hard the party should fight against even bipartisan funding bills in the wake of Republicans green-lighting Trump's $9 billion funding clawbacks package.' The factions: Some Democrats want to make the bipartisan appropriations process work and avoid that all-or-nothing scenario come September, as Semafor's Burgess Everett reported last night. Others want to make sure that there won't be any more rescissions. 'Why would anyone trust the Republicans at this point?' Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) told Axios' Hans Nichols and Stephen Neukam. Right on time … Rescissions, part two: The White House is planning a second rescissions package to send over to Congress, which will include cuts to the Department of Education, The Daily Signal's Elizabeth Troutman Mitchell scooped. 'We've got a number of items we're looking at also, obviously talking to the senators too,' White House deputy chief of staff James Blair said. 'You'll obviously see that very soon.' Before all of that: The Senate narrowly advanced a procedural motion yesterday on Emil Bove's bid to serve on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, POLITICO's Hailey Fuchs reports. His confirmation is still facing resistance, with Susan Collins (R-Maine) saying yesterday she will vote no, per NBC's Frank Thorp. Also running into some trouble: Paul Ingrassia, who's nominated to serve in the Office of the Special Counsel. His hearing is on Thursday, but Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) is already a no. 'It's January 6th, it's a number of other things,' Tillis told NBC. 'I think he's one of these people that's checked all the boxes and they're all the wrong boxes.' THE MAGA REVOLUTION FULL STEAM AHEAD: Even as the Epstein ordeal soaks up much of Washington's attention, Trump's policy and political agenda is advancing on multiple fronts. TRADING PLACES: New details on trade agreements with Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia were announced yesterday. In the 'largest trade deal,' Trump set Japan's tariffs at 15 percent, down from 25 percent, and said Japan will invest $550 billion in the U.S. plus opening to trade cars and rice, WSJ's Gavin Bade and Megumi Fujikawa report. … The Philippines will also get a 19 percent tariff, Trump announced yesterday after his meeting with President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., though the final terms have yet to be confirmed, POLITICO's Ari Hawkins and Phelim Kine write. … The U.S. will maintain a 19 percent tariff on Indonesian goods, and the Indonesian government agreed to drop some of its restrictions to buy American oil, gas, airplanes and agricultural products, per NYT's Ana Swanson. Coming attractions: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he'll be talking with his Chinese counterparts in Sweden next week, the third round of trade talks which may extend the trade truce past Aug. 12, Bloomberg's Daniel Flatley reports. He said trade with China is in a 'very good place,' and Trump also said yesterday that his own visit to the nation could happen 'in the not too distant future.' How it's playing: The S&P 500 reached a new high yesterday buoyed by Bessent's China announcement, per WSJ's Alexander Osipovich. But with tariffs looming to take effect in a little over a week, concerns about inflation are growing: Goldman Sachs is getting worried about the economy, CNBC's Jeff Cox writes, and suggested inflation may hit 3.3 percent this year. VS. THE JUDICIARY: With the expiration yesterday of Alina Habba's 120-day term as interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey, a panel of federal judges moved to appoint Desiree Leigh Grace as the new top U.S. attorney. But hours later, AG Pam Bondi took to X to blast the panel of 'rogue judges' and announce that the DOJ had fired Grace. NYT's Tracey Tully and Jonah Bromwich have the full readout. It has the makings of the next big Trump legal fight over the judiciary, even though the place of courts in filling U.S. attorney roles until Senate confirmation has been upheld by Congress before, POLITICO's Kyle Cheney notes on X. VS. THE MEDIA: By now, it's well known that Paramount decided to cough up $16 million to Trump in a settlement over his lawsuit stemming from former Vice President Kamala Harris' '60 Minutes' interview. But yesterday, Trump announced that Skydance Media — the company in the process of merging with Paramount, and which is awaiting FCC approval of the pending deal — will give him an extra $20 million worth of advertising, WSJ's Joe Flint reports. VS. CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS: House Republicans are using the appropriations process to attempt to rename the Opera House at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts after first lady Melania Trump, NYT's Michaela Towfighi and Robin Pogrebin write. VS. HIGHER EDUCATION: The Education Department paused a student loan forgiveness program — Income-Based Repayment, which includes about 2 million borrowers — with little notice yesterday, and did not say if or when the program would resume, WaPo's Danielle Douglas-Gabriel reports. … The next Virginia university figure on the Trump administration's target list is George Mason University President Gregory Washington, who had previously thrown his support behind DEI programming, NYT's Stephanie Saul writes. VS. EXISTING CONGRESSIONAL MAPS: New Democratic polling found 63 percent of likely voters in Texas think the state's Trump-backed mid-cycle redistricting plan is unnecessary, with 53 percent saying they believe the Texas Legislature is prioritizing the new map over flood disaster relief, POLITICO's Andrew Howard scooped. … But the White House's push for new, even more GOP-friendly maps doesn't stop at the Lone Star State: it's also backing a growing effort in Missouri to create a new map that could give Republicans seven of the state's eight House seats, Punchbowl's Ally Mutnick and Jake Sherman report. BEST OF THE REST FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — GOP sours on Virginia: The Republican Party is not looking to throw more money at what they increasingly see as a losing campaign by Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears to succeed Gov. Glenn Youngkin, our colleague Jonathan Martin reports this morning. 'The convergence of paltry fundraising, weak polling and a candidate seen as incapable of fixing either has some in the RGA's orbit unenthused, I'm told, about giving much more than the $500,000 the group has already contributed to Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears … And while Sears and Trump met privately earlier this year in the White House, the president has yet to embrace her candidacy, a non-endorsement that stems from her criticism of him between his two terms.' TRAIL MIX: Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), who's been mulling a gubernatorial run in New York, will be making an 'important announcement' at 7:40 a.m. on Fox & Friends. … Evan Hutchison is fundraising for a primary challenge against Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), per POLITICO's Jeff Coltin. ... Kevin Lincoln is making another run for California's 9th district, setting up a potential rematch between him and Rep. Josh Harder (D-Calif.), who narrowly beat him last year, Roll Call's Daniela Altimari reports. MEANWHILE IN GAZA: Special envoy Steve Witkoff is again traveling to the Middle East with 'strong hope' of getting a ceasefire deal and establishing a new humanitarian corridor for aid in Gaza, AP's Farnoush Amiri and Michelle Price report. The State Department did not provide more details on when and where Witkoff is going. But it comes as food distribution has found itself at the center of negotiations on peace talks, with both sides disputing who will control the aid distribution sites, WSJ's Summer Said and colleagues write. Meanwhile, Agence France-Presse said yesterday that 'without immediate intervention,' their reporters in Gaza will die of starvation and dehydration, per AP's David Bauder. FOR YOUR RADAR: 'The Forest Service Claims It's Fully Staffed for a Worsening Fire Season. Data Shows Thousands of Unfilled Jobs,' by ProPublica's Abe Streep TALK OF THE TOWN JD Vance led a big-dollar fundraising dinner last night in Nantucket, bringing in $3 million in donations for the GOP, per the NY Post. Beto O'Rourke said he regrets not going negative against Ted Cruz. Gabe Evans reportedly mischaracterized how his immigrant family arrived in the U.S. Previously touting that his grandfather came 'the legal way,' INS records reveal his family arrived illegally and lived undocumented in Texas for over a decade. THE AFTER-PARTY: Today, Trump will deliver the keynote address at the 'Winning the AI Race' summit, hosted by the All-In Podcast and the Hill & Valley Forum. But really, the summit will be the starter course to a meaty late night: the exclusive afterparty at Ned's Club, which will be 'a who's who of Silicon Valley's AI and tech elite,' our West Wing Playbook colleagues scooped yesterday. READING CORNER: There's a new Trump book slump, writes our colleague Daniel Lippman. Nonfiction book sales on the whole are down, and it's much lower compared to the sales from Trump's first term. 'The days of just writing a book to write a book and checking the box for someone's career — those days are over,' a book agent told Daniel. PLAYBOOK METRO SECTION: 'Trump's Effort to Quash DC's NFL Team Has Some Lefties Celebrating,' the latest column from POLITICO's Michael Schaffer: '[Adam] Eidinger said, Trump's culture-war intrusion could upend the deal by prompting a distracting debate — thus giving his group time to get the no-stadium initiative in place. 'Anything that slows it down is good,' Eidinger told me, who opposes the stadium because he thinks the land should be used to build housing and cut into D.C.'s soaring cost of living. 'I never thought I'd be happy about him doing something toxic and racist.'' SPOTTED at Vice President JD Vance's ritzy fundraiser in Nantucket last night: Michael Minogue, Stefan Passantino, Colin Greenspoon, Henry Howard, Kristan Nevins, Ozzie Palermo, James Pallotta and David Urban. MEDIA MOVES — Amanda Friedman is now a health care reporter at POLITICO. She previously was a breaking news intern. … Karen Tumulty is now chief political correspondent at WaPo. She previously was one of the paper's opinion columnists. … Perry Bacon Jr. is joining The New Republic as a staff writer. He previously was an opinion columnist at WaPo. TRANSITIONS — Cecili Wake, Anna Dardick, Melody Mohebi and Ade Salami have joined Democracy 2076. Wake, now the group's deputy director, was previously a strategy consultant at NTI. Dardick, now program director of A Constitution for 2076, was previously a campaign strategist at the ACLU. Mohebi, now program director of Imagining 2076, was previously the director of social impact, measurement and insights at Participant Media. Salami, now program director of Pro-Democracy Political Coalitions in 2076, was previously a senior policy aide for the City of Minneapolis. … David Johnson is now a partner at Holtzman Vogel. He previously was policy director and general counsel at the Republican Attorneys General Association. … Mary Springer Sforza is now SVP of government relations for Rolls-Royce. She previously was director of legislative affairs at Lockheed Martin. … Ash Jain is now a senior fellow with the House Select Committee on China Strategic Competition. He previously was a senior policy adviser at the Department of Homeland Security. ENGAGED — Robby Soave, a senior editor at Reason magazine and host of The Hill's morning news show Rising, and Jie Jung Shih, a medical student at Georgetown University, got engaged on July 2 in Taormina, Sicily. They first made eye contact at a bar on U Street and connected on social media, and it was love at first sight. Pic … Another pic WEEKEND WEDDING — Anais Carmona, director of congressional affairs at Microsoft, and Antonin Picou, CEO of PastryStar, got married this weekend at the National Cathedral in Mexico City. Pic … SPOTTED: Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), Carlos Sanchez, Ingrid Duran, Cathrine Pino, Lena Hernandez, Candy Citron, Roberto Fierro, Angela Arboleda, Norberto Salinas, Gisel Aceves, Mayra Macias, Daniela Fernandez, Marian Martin, Lisa Strikowsky Gillman, Tomas Kloosterman, Mariafernanda Zacarias and Raegan McDonald-Mosley. HAPPY BIRTHDAY: Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) … POLITICO's Lisa Kashinsky and Jake Traylor … Stephanie Grisham … DOT's Aaron Moore … Fritz Brogan of the Mission Group … Melissa Braid … Dean Aguillen of OGR … David Brock … Matt Jeanneret of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association … Mary Crane of Targeted Victory … Will Mesinger of West End Strategy Team … Reuters' Erin Banco … Judy Lichtman … FGS Global's Craig James and Josh Gross … Edelman's Courtney Gray Haupt … Tracie Pough … former Rep. John Hall (D-N.Y.) … Gabriel Barnett … Jane Rayburn of Workbench Strategy … Newsmax's Jon Glasgow … Monica Venzke of American Bridge 21st Century … State's Kenya James … Monica Lewinsky … former Justice Anthony Kennedy … Eric Werwa … URAC's Shawn Griffin Did someone forward this email to you? Sign up here. Send Playbookers tips to playbook@ or text us on Signal here. Playbook couldn't happen without our editor Zack Stanton, deputy editor Garrett Ross and Playbook Podcast producer Callan Tansill-Suddath.
