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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Trump admin now lets federal workers spread religion at work. Faith groups react
New guidance from President Donald Trump's administration outlining how federal employees may engage with faith practices in the workplace garnered mixed reactions from religious groups, with some raising concern about the blurring boundary between church and state. The guidelines, announced by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management in a July 28 memo, allow federal employees to display religious items, pray and attempt to spread their religion at work, so long as these practices 'are not harassing in nature.' The memo is the latest in a series of efforts by the Trump administration to bring religion to the forefront of American society. In February, Trump signed an executive order aiming to end 'anti-Christian bias' in the federal government and established a White House Faith Office, McClatchy News reported. 'President Trump is committed to reaffirming 'America's unique and beautiful tradition of religious liberty,' including by directing 'the executive branch to vigorously enforce the historic and robust protections for religious liberty enshrined in Federal law,'' Scott Kupor, director of the OPM, said in the memo. Focus on the Family, a Christian ministry dedicated to supporting families, celebrated the memo in a July 28 post on X, formerly known as Twitter. 'What an encouraging moment!' the organization said. 'As pressure mounts from every side to compromise our values, we are glad to see our country's leadership standing firm on our constitutional right to express our faith!' Other religious organizations, including the Freedom From Religion Foundation, called the move 'unconstitutional,' and said the memo could make employees feel forced to participate in religious discussion when there is a power imbalance in the workplace, according to a July 28 statement. 'This is the implementation of Christian nationalism in our federal government,' Annie Laurie Gaylor, FFRF co-president, said in the statement. The Rev. Karen Georgia A. Thompson, general minister and president/CEO of the United Church of Christ, said in a July 29 statement the memo unfairly prioritizes Christianity in the workplace. 'At a time when Christian nationalists are seeking to rewrite the historic narratives from a standpoint of American exceptionalism, with disregard for religious, racial/ethnic and gender minorities, the memo threatens the very freedoms it appears to be reinforcing,' Thompson said. While the guidelines mirror President Bill Clinton-era policies, that also allowed federal workers to speak about religion with each other and 'attempt to persuade fellow employees of the correctness of their religious views,' they go against a Department of Labor precedent that said workers 'who seek to proselytize in the workplace should cease doing so with respect to any individual who indicates that the communications are unwelcome.'
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
July 2025 federal holidays calendar: Full list of federal days off, Independence Day events, and what to mark this month
July 2025 federal holidays: Independence Day and key dates you should mark this month- July 2025 calendar is packed with summer vibes, fireworks, and a handful of memorable days. While Independence Day on Thursday, July 4, remains the highlight for many Americans, there's more to this month than just barbecues and beach trips. From federal holidays and religious observances to quirky national days and historical anniversaries, July offers a little something for everyone. Here's a full breakdown of what to expect and why some dates deserve a spot on your calendar. What federal holidays are in July 2025? The only federal holiday in July 2025 is Independence Day, observed nationwide on Thursday, July 4. This means a long weekend for many, as it falls just weeks after Juneteenth (which was observed on Thursday, June 19). With 12 federal holidays on the 2025 calendar, July's offering is modest but still highly celebrated. The next federal holiday after July will be Labor Day, which falls on Monday, September 1, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Olongapo Unsold Cars In 2024 Are Almost Donated. See Price SUV Deals | Search Ads Search Now Undo Where are the biggest July 4th celebrations happening? Independence Day 2025 celebrations will light up the sky across the country. Cities large and small will be hosting parades, concerts, and fireworks shows. Some of the most iconic events include: Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Show in New York City, a longstanding tradition with millions tuning in or attending. National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C., featuring marching bands and military displays. Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular in Boston, Massachusetts, combining live orchestra with a dazzling pyrotechnic show. Let Freedom Sing! in Nashville, Tennessee, where music meets patriotism. Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island, another quirky American staple held every July 4. If you're traveling, expect road closures and crowds—plan ahead. Live Events What religious holidays and cultural days fall in July? Several religious and cultural holidays in July 2025 reflect the diversity of traditions across the U.S. and around the globe. Some key observances include: Ashura – Begins the evening of Saturday, July 5 or Sunday, July 6, depending on moon sighting (according to Time and Date). Martyrdom of the Báb – Marked on Wednesday, July 9 by the Baháʼí community. Birthday of Haile Selassie – Celebrated by Rastafarians on Wednesday, July 23. Pioneer Day – Observed in Utah on Thursday, July 25, marking the arrival of Mormon pioneers in 1847. These dates may not be federal holidays, but they're significant to many and often include community events, religious gatherings, or public celebrations. What are some other major historical anniversaries in July? July is also filled with important historical milestones that have shaped the U.S. and beyond: Canada Day – Tuesday, July 1, celebrating Canada's confederation in 1867. Civil Rights Act signed – July 2, 1964, marking a turning point in American civil rights history. Independence Day – July 4, 1776, the birth of the United States. Disneyland opened – July 17, 1955, in Anaheim, California. Moon landing – July 20, 1969, when Apollo 11 made history. These anniversaries offer opportunities to reflect, teach, and appreciate the progress and stories that built our modern society. What fun and quirky national days can you celebrate this July? The National Day Calendar offers a fun lineup of unique days in July 2025 that range from silly to sentimental. Here are some lighthearted observances to spice up your month: National Postal Worker Day – Tuesday, July 1 National Eat Your Beans Day – Thursday, July 3 National Caesar Salad Day – Friday, July 4 National Fried Chicken Day – Sunday, July 6 National Dimples Day – Wednesday, July 9 National Kitten Day – Thursday, July 10 National French Fry Day – Friday, July 11 National Lottery Day – Thursday, July 17 National Ice Cream Day – Sunday, July 20 National Tequila Day – Thursday, July 24 These unofficial holidays offer an easy excuse to celebrate something different, whether it's indulging in fries or appreciating your local mail carrier. Why should you plan ahead for July? Even though July 2025 has fewer federal holidays than spring months like April and May, it still holds significance. Independence Day offers one of the biggest celebrations of the year, and the long weekend can be a great time to travel, unwind, or enjoy time with friends and family. Don't forget to check your local community events or religious calendars for observances that might impact you. From federal holidays to cultural celebrations, unique national days, and historic moments, the July 2025 calendar is more than just a page—it's a snapshot of tradition, fun, and reflection. FAQs: Q1: What is the main federal holiday in the July 2025 calendar? A1: Independence Day on July 4 is the only federal holiday in July 2025. Q2: Are there any fun national days in the July 2025 calendar? A2: Yes, days like National Ice Cream Day (July 20) and Fried Chicken Day (July 6) are celebrated.
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Business
- USA Today
5 surprising reasons you're not getting promoted — and how to fix them
Getting promoted isn't always just about working hard; sometimes, it's about putting your effort in the right direction. Even high-performing employees can unknowingly sabotage their progress and end up overlooked when it comes time for a promotion. From simply meeting expectations to overlooking key relationships, minor missteps can quietly stall your career growth. Here are five common mistakes to avoid at work — plus practical tips on how to get promoted. Showing up to one-on-ones unprepared Preparing for one-on-one meetings in advance is key, according to Jenny Wood, a former Google executive and the author of 'Wild Courage.' If you treat your weekly one-on-ones like a casual check-in instead of a strategic career-building moment, you're missing a valuable opportunity to shape your career trajectory. Reflecting on her own experience managing employees, Wood says, 'There were senior leaders who came with nothing, and those were not the people who got promoted.' She recommends coming to the meeting with a simple half-page document that outlines your key metrics, recent wins, roadblocks and career goals. Those bullets can include showcasing positive customer feedback or highlighting a spreadsheet you're currently working on. For Wood, this demonstrates a level of proactiveness that is far superior to arriving without notes and no preparation. Similarly, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recommends that employees structure an individual development plan (IDP) to allow supervisors to clarify performance expectations. 'IDPs should be viewed as a partnership between an employee and their supervisor, and involves preparation and continuous feedback,' according to the OPM. Spending all your time on 'nap work' instead of promotable work Not all work gets you noticed. Replying to a happy birthday email, volunteering to take meeting notes or arranging dinner when senior leadership is in town can make you appear helpful, but rarely move the needle when it comes to promotion. Tasks that are nice but not impactful are what Wood describes as 'nap work' — short for 'not actually promotable.' 'Some people think of this as glue work or invisible work,' Wood explains. 'It's nice for culture. It's good to do some of it, but no more than 10%. If you're doing more than 10% nap work, you're doing yourself a big disservice. Nobody in the history of the internet has ever gotten promoted for being ultra-responsive to email.' Instead, you want to say yes to the big and no to the small in your career. That could include taking on a high-impact marketing project that's a top priority for your VP or leading an initiative that boosts customer satisfaction by 12% year over year. These are the kinds of contributions that get noticed — and promoted. Building a relationship with just your boss People beyond your manager often make decisions regarding promotions. The last thing you want is for your boss to advocate for your promotion and for all the other decision-makers to respond, "Who?" Wood advocates for building relationships with your manager's boss and those who sit to the right and left of your boss on the organizational chart. It's what she calls "managing higher" and "managing diagonally." 'Think about who has the most influence, who has the big boss's ear, who is the most reputable and credible and who you want to spend time with,' Wood says. To build these relationships, you can offer to present at their team meeting, mentor someone on their team or ask for feedback on a major project. You can also add value by sharing a helpful podcast, book or article. Even if you're early in your career, you still have something to contribute. One caveat: Wood warns against trying to befriend these influencers right before promotions are decided. 'It looks disingenuous,' she explains. 'Start early — ideally a year in advance — and focus on building genuine relationships with two or three leaders.' Expecting a promotion for doing your job 'Don't chase a promotion six months into a gig — unless, of course, you've invented a new antibiotic,' says Wood. In other words, don't expect a promotion too early or for meeting the expectations of your current role. 'You get your paycheck for doing your job. You get promoted for showing you're capable of doing your job at the next higher level with greater scope,' she says. Draining your team's energy Being great at your job isn't just about getting results; it's also about how you show up. If you show up to work frustrated, short-tempered or constantly negative, it won't serve you, especially when promotion decisions are on the table. 'You have to ask yourself, 'Are you a radiator or are you a drain?'' Wood says. A radiator is someone who radiates positive energy, and a drain is someone who depletes it. 'Why would a manager promote somebody and have them continue to climb the ladder if they're the kind of person who doesn't inspire and motivate others?' Final takeaway Getting promoted isn't just doing what you have to do; it's about showing up with intention, building the right relationships and operating at the next level before you're officially there. By avoiding these common missteps and taking a proactive approach to your growth, you'll not only increase your chances of being promoted, but you'll also stand out as someone truly ready for it.
Miami Herald
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Map Shows How Many Federal Holidays US Has Compared to Other Countries
Newsweek has created a map showing how many federal holidays the United States has compared to other countries, after President Donald Trump said there were "too many non-working holidays in America." Trump called for the number of holidays to change in a post on Truth Social on Juneteenth, June 19, which celebrates the day when, in 1865, the last enslaved people in the United States learned they were free. It became a federal holiday in 2021 when President Joe Biden signed bipartisan legislation into law, but it has been celebrated by the African American community for more than 150 years and has been a recognized holiday in Texas for decades. Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Too many non-working holidays in America. It is costing our Country $BILLIONS OF DOLLARS to keep all of these businesses closed. The workers don't want it either! Soon we'll end up having a holiday for every once working day of the year. It must change if we are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Harvard University's Jeffrey Alan Miron, a senior economics lecturer, said that he does not think reducing the number of federal holidays would make an economic difference. This would "probably have only a minor impact on the economy," he told Newsweek. "Private efforts will end up replacing federal holidays to a significant degree. For example, many businesses will close on Christmas, regardless of federal policy." The United States, France, Canada, Ukraine, Ecuador, Israel, Singapore and Luxembourg have 11 federal holidays, according to the World Population Review. Nations that have fewer include the United Kingdom, Belgium and Ireland (10) as well as Netherlands and Serbia (nine) and Mexico (eight). India has the most public holidays (42), followed by Nepal (35), Iran and Myanmar (26) and Sri Lanka (25). Here is a list of each federal holiday in the United States, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. New Year's Day - January 1Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK Day) - third Monday of JanuaryWashington's Birthday (Presidents' Day) - third Monday of FebruaryMemorial Day - Last Monday in MayJuneteenth National Independence Day - June 19Independence Day - July 4Labor Day - first Monday in SeptemberColumbus Day - second Monday in OctoberVeterans Day - November 11Thanksgiving Day - November 27Christmas Day - December 25 White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, onwhether President Donald Trump would commemorate Juneteenth, told reporters on Thursday: "I'm not tracking his signature on a proclamation today. I know this is a federal holiday. I want to thank all of you for showing up to work. We are certainly here. We're working 24/7 right now." Democratic strategist Matt McDermott, on X, formerly Twitter: "There are too many holidays, Trump whines - after literally campaigning on making Juneteenth a federal holiday to pander to Black voters. No principles. No shame. Just the con." Former President Joe Biden,on X: "One of the proudest moments of my presidency was making Juneteenth a federal holiday. It's a day of liberation. It's a day of remembrance. And it's a day of celebration. Today, it was an honor to be in Galveston where freedom rang out 160 years ago." Trump has not said that he wants to cancel Juneteenth as a federal holiday, but if he wanted to, he would not be able to do so unilaterally. The only way to cancel a federal holiday would be for Congress to pass a bill, which the president could then sign into law. Related Articles Donald Trump's Approval Rating Is BackslidingUS Sends World's Largest Military Aircraft Near Iran's BorderFrance, UK, Germany Push Iran for Full Negotiations As Trump Weighs Role: Live UpdatesAnti-Trump Protests Update: 'National Day of Action' Planned for July 17 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
USA Today
19-06-2025
- General
- USA Today
Today is Juneteenth: Is there mail? Are banks closed? What to know about federal holiday
Today is Juneteenth: Is there mail? Are banks closed? What to know about federal holiday Show Caption Hide Caption New Yorkers honor lost African American holiday older than Juneteenth An African American holiday older than Juneteenth was almost lost. These New Yorkers are bringing back Pinkster, which was outlawed in the 1800s. Juneteenth will be marked on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Juneteenth commemorates the day — June 19, 1865 — when federal soldiers arrived in Galveston to take control of Texas and ensure the slaves were freed per the Emancipation Proclamation. It's known as America's Second Independence Day, and it's celebrated today, June 19. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. It's the longest-running African American holiday, and it became a federal holiday a few years ago. Juneteenth celebrations across the High Desert will include food, music, dancing, art and other activities. Here's what to know about the holiday. Is Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2025? Yes, Juneteenth is a federal holiday in 2025, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. It is one of 11 federal holidays observed every year. The others are: New Year's Day Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Washington's Birthday/Presidents Day Memorial Day July 4 Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Christmas Day When is Juneteenth observed in 2025? Juneteenth will be marked on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Unlike other federal holidays, such as Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving, which are observed on a specific day of the week, Juneteenth is celebrated on the actual day. What does Juneteenth celebrate? Juneteenth commemorates the day — June 19, 1865 — when federal soldiers arrived in Galveston to take control of Texas and ensure the slaves were freed per the Emancipation Proclamation, according to the History Channel. Juneteenth — short for June nineteenth — marks the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. Why is it called Juneteenth? Juneteenth is a portmanteau of June 19, the day Union troops arrived in Galveston. It became known as "Juneteenth" by the newly freed slaves of Texas, according to the National Museum of African American History & Culture at the Smithsonian. When did Abraham Lincoln issue the Emancipation Proclamation? President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863. But its effect was limited, according to the National Archives. It only applied to states that seceded during the Civil War, leaving slavery intact for slave states that stayed with the Union. It also could not be enforced until Confederate states were under Union control, according to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Therefore, it took until June 19, 1865, for slaves in Texas to be freed. Slavery in America was formally abolished with the 13th Amendment, which was ratified Dec. 6, 1865. When did Juneteenth become a federal holiday? Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021. President Joe Biden signed legislation on June 17, 2021, according to USA TODAY, after Congress passed The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act that same month. Juneteenth began rising to prominence in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, sparked protests across the country against police brutality, USA TODAY reports. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., first introduced the Juneteenth bill in 2020 following the killings of Floyd and Breonna Taylor of Louisville, Kentucky. His initial attempt to pass the bill was unsuccessful. Is there mail delivery on Juneteenth? Is the post office open? Does FedEx deliver? No. As a federal holiday, the U.S. Postal Service is closed that day, and there will be no mail delivered. FedEx pickup and delivery services will be available on June 19, according to the company's website. FedEx Office locations will also be open, USA TODAY reports. Are banks open on Juneteenth? Juneteenth is a Federal Reserve bank holiday, meaning the organization that regulates the nation's banking system is closed, according to Banks aren't required to close for Federal Reserve holidays, but they often do. Transactions made during these holidays won't be posted until the next business day. Branches of Capital One, Bank of America, PNC, Truist, CitiBank and JPMorgan Chase will be closed on Juneteenth, USA TODAY is reporting. Capital One Cafes will remain open. Is the stock market open or closed on Juneteenth? The New York Stock Exchange is closed on federal holidays and will be closed on Juneteenth, according to its website. Is trash pickup delayed for Juneteenth? Trash pickup may be delayed because of Juneteenth, depending on the hauler. Contact your municipality or private provider to learn more.
