Month: August 2025

While the word small business often conjures up images of a mom-and-pop establishment like a neighborhood diner or restaurant, independent retail operation or start-up manufacturing company, these enterprises can be found in all shapes and sizes. Regardless of their organizational structure — sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or limited liability company — many small businesses are nimble and drive economic growth in local communities.

The federal government defines what constitutes a small business by comparing a company to its peers in its industry and using specific size standards. It’s important to know these definitions because many small businesses receive funding from the government, specifically in the form of loans and grants. These funds come with benefits that larger businesses can’t compete with, such as flexible terms and fewer hoops to jump through.

To determine whether a business is considered small, the government looks at a number of factors, including the average annual revenue of a business and the number of employees. Some industries have a maximum limit for how large a company can be and still qualify as small, such as the mining and traditional power sectors which cap their size at 500 employees.

In other industries, the minimum threshold varies from industry to industry. For example, the software and information technology sector has a lower minimum than other industries because their companies are generally less labor intensive. Other criteria include whether a business is family-owned, female-owned, veteran-owned, or minority-owned. This data, along with the Census Bureau’s County Business Patterns survey and other economic statistics, can help chambers of commerce and other business groups tailor their resources to the needs of small business owners in their community.

Global affairs involves the interactions and relationships between countries, organizations, and non-state actors on a worldwide scale. This broad discipline encompasses issues such as diplomacy, trade, security, human rights and development. The global dimensions of these subjects became increasingly important after World War II as many nations established themselves on the world stage and engaged in international relations for the first time. Additionally, the establishment of international organizations like the United Nations enhanced global governance and facilitated dialogue, collaboration, and problem solving amongst states.

The interdisciplinary field of global affairs encompasses an array of subjects including transnational crime, terrorism, the global economy, and regional and international conflicts. By studying these issues, students can gain an understanding of how they intersect and have an impact on the political and social landscape.

As our world becomes more interconnected, career opportunities in the field of international affairs have grown to be more varied than ever before. From nonprofit organizations and international education to large technology corporations and the government, employers require a well-rounded knowledge of the world to compete in the global market and succeed.

With a bachelor’s degree in global affairs, you can explore a wide range of potential careers. Whether you want to manage crises between nations, oversee foreign relations, address conflicts beyond borders or collaborate on policy formation, this program will provide you with the tools you need for success.

A news feature is an in-depth piece that combines journalistic skills with storytelling artistry. This type of article focuses on a topic like crime or poverty, and it uses real-world stories and facts to make the subject come alive for readers. The article can be about a particular person, such as an author, singer, or entrepreneur, a group of people, a specific location, or a trend.

A story about a historical or cultural phenomenon is often a good example of a news feature, as it takes an unexpected slant on current events. For example, a feature article about the latest below-the-knee fashion craze might explain how the hoop skirt became popular and who started it. Alternatively, a news article about upcoming meteor showers could explain how telescopes were developed to observe the event.

A good news feature can be a powerful tool for public relations, especially when it highlights an issue that is relevant to a large audience. The article can also be used to educate or inspire the reader, and it may include a call to action. For instance, a story about people struggling with environmental issues might include the WaterAid campaign to encourage the reader to fight climate change. Unlike breaking news pieces, a news feature is usually not time-sensitive and has a longer shelf life. Whether it is newsworthy or not, a well-written news article should be accurate, entertaining, and informative. Double-check the facts and check your writing for grammatical errors using free tools like Grammarly or Hemingwayapp.

Interest rates are a key part of many financial transactions. They affect what it costs to borrow money, how fast a savings account grows, and the return on certain types of investments. Understanding how they work can help individuals make better financial decisions and manage their debt.

The interest rate is the amount paid by a borrower to a lender for the use of the latter’s assets. It is calculated as a percentage of the principal sum borrowed or lent, and it is usually expressed in annual terms. A borrower’s creditworthiness plays a significant role in the interest rate they receive; lower-risk borrowers typically get better rates. Economic factors like inflation and the relative scarcity of loanable funds are also major influences.

In general, the higher the interest rate, the faster a borrowed sum will grow. However, there are some exceptions. In the case of investments such as stocks and bonds, a higher rate may reduce the investor’s return because it compensates for the time value of money (the fact that the invested capital could be put to other uses in the meantime).

The exact formula used to calculate interest depends on whether the rate is simple or compounded. The latter takes into account the number of payments made over the term of the loan and may be used to determine an amortization schedule, which can help a person plan their budget or track the repayment of a personal loan.

Editorial is an opinion-based article that offers a unique perspective on an important topic or issue. Typically, editorial is written in first person and leans on research, supporting evidence and objective analysis rather than emotion. Editorial can be a great way to land a byline with a media publication and assert your viewpoint more forcefully than in an interview or quotation.

When a publication’s editorial writers write an op-ed, they share their opinion on a topical subject with the goal of persuading readers. Whether it’s a political, social or economic issue, editorial pieces speak to timely topics that are a reflection of the public’s interest.

News interpretation editorials are designed to frame recent news reporting in a specific light or to position current events in a larger context. These editorials often reference reported stories from other parts of the same publication or from other news outlets.

Praise editorials champion a particular person, institution or work of art. This type of editorial is a bit lighter and can go the humorous route or the slightly satirical one.

Critical editorials disagree with the status quo on a particular topic and can be controversial, although they should be well-researched.

Using editorial in your content marketing strategy can add credibility, improve the buyer’s journey and grow your business by offering actionable insights that your audience finds value in. By carefully crafting a thoughtful strategy and documenting it, you can set yourself up for success as you explore how to leverage this powerful form of content.

With current events, teachers must teach students to distinguish between true and false news stories. They also must help students understand the impact of terrorism, natural disasters, war, political unrest and other global issues. In addition, because many of these topics are negative, educators must teach students to find positive aspects in the news as well.

A trove of resources on current events is available online. Some sites provide a wide range of lesson plans and activities, while others offer general guidance on teaching these topics to students. For example, KQED offers a guide on teaching current events that encourages educators to let students take the lead by providing them with a variety of options for research and investigation. Another resource, from Education World, features twenty-five great ideas for teaching current events.

Another useful tool for teaching about current events is the concept of green, yellow and red lines. This approach helps students determine the extent to which a specific piece of news impacts their emotions and feelings. The goal is to protect their mental health and well being by limiting exposure to things that cross the red line (such as school shootings) and focusing on those things that fall within the green or yellow lines.

The American Historical Association has compiled a series of resources to help educators and students understand the history of racism and racist violence. These resources are a great starting point for educators seeking background on the current crisis; journalists can use them to add historical context to their reporting; and scholars can draw on them to inform future scholarship.

A summit meeting is a high-level conference that usually involves dignitaries and is focused on solving certain issues. Often, the attendees will hold a similar position within their organization or industry and they will come together to share information that will make a positive impact both in the short-term and long-term.

It is considered a bonus to have prior knowledge of the topics that will be discussed at the summit, and it’s a good idea for attendees to keep notes during the event so they can reference them later when they are able to discuss it in more detail. It’s also a good idea to connect as a team at the summit so that each member can participate in micro discussions with other dignitaries while still having a common or shared opinion.

While most of the summit meetings that have been held in history have been centered around political dignitaries, businesses and even some nonprofit organizations can host their own summits to achieve their goals. These events can be a great way to encourage creativity and collaboration, and they can help attendees gain valuable insight into the future of their organization. Summits can also be a great opportunity to promote an initiative or a new project, and they can help raise awareness among the audience about their mission. As a result, summits can have a positive impact on the economy and the world in general. They can also inspire others to take action and make a difference.

Diplomacy is the process by which states, groups, or individuals manage their affairs with other states, regions, or organizations in ways to safeguard their interests and promote peace and goodwill. It is also the framework that brings nations together to discuss global issues such as climate change, which may affect different countries in differing ways. Diplomacy is an essential tool for anyone interested in building relationships with other nations or solving international problems.

A diplomat’s main functions are negotiation and representation. Negotiation involves advancing an ambassador’s goals and interests through a complex process of compromise. In many cases, the objective of a negotiation is not necessarily to reach agreement but rather to prevent a crisis or confrontation. Representativeship entails protecting the ambassador’s interests and nationals within the host country, as well as providing information and maintaining an image of goodwill.

Historically, diplomacy was largely concerned with bilateral relations, involving negotiations between a single country and another. These were often protracted and difficult. More recently, however, a number of important diplomatic successes have been achieved through multilateral negotiations. This is particularly true of the successful peace settlement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was led by a remarkably skillful Finnish diplomat named Martti Ahtisaari, who was later awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.

Diplomats often find themselves on the edge of a precipice, navigating cultures with vastly different values. In addition, they are often tasked with representing their own country’s interests abroad even when that does not sit well with their home governments. As a result, many diplomats are withdrawn for safety reasons or reassigned to lower-level positions if their host government is unfriendly.

A political campaign is an effort to promote the ideas of a candidate or cause through a variety of methods. It typically involves public advocacy, paid advertising, and direct outreach to voters. Political campaigns can be organized by partisan groups, political action committees, and even candidates themselves. They can also be sponsored by organizations such as trade unions, employers, or groups of citizens.

Often, political campaigns are highly competitive. Those who run for office will seek to distinguish themselves from other candidates through the use of slogans and graphics, and they may hire political consultants to help them reach potential supporters. They will also engage in fundraising, volunteer recruitment and engagement programs, and voter contact strategies to meet campaign goals and achieve electoral success.

In most cases, campaign staffers will work on both sides of the aisle. They can serve as volunteers for a given campaign or be hired as paid professionals. They may be tasked with a specific set of responsibilities, such as data analytics and polling, finance and fundraising, or organizing and call time management.

A career in politics can be personally and professionally rewarding. It can also be demanding and stressful, especially in contested or competitive races. Prospective staffers are encouraged to assess their career goals before deciding if a political campaign is the right path for them. They should consider their political and geographic preferences, the policy positions they want to advance, and which party, if any, they will affiliate with. They should also read online testimonies from those who have worked on campaigns and speak with professionals who have campaign experience.

In the world of broadcasting, breaking news is when an event occurs that warrants an immediate interruption of current non-news programming. When this occurs, the network will alert all of its affiliates, telling them to “stand by.” Then, a countdown sequence will appear on the lower thirds (or other graphics) to let the affiliates know that the network feed is about to begin. When the countdown reaches zero, the news anchor will take the air and introduce the story at hand.

Breaking bad news is never easy. It’s even harder when it comes out of left field or at an inconvenient time. NPs may find themselves in the position of having to break bad news to patients and their families, ranging from a diagnosis of cancer to an unfavorable prognosis.

The ability to deliver bad news effectively is an essential skill for NPs. While it’s impossible to turn bad news into good, there are a number of things that can be done to make it as less stressful as possible for all involved.

In addition to knowing the basics of how to break bad news (listening to what a patient wants to hear, providing information in manageable amounts, checking for understanding) it’s important to consider the bigger objective of the conversation. For a doctor, this might be getting the patient to pursue their treatment plan or for a police officer it might be helping a victim stay calm and seek support.