Daily Archives: June 22, 2022

Why this Metaverse Casino is Poised to be Web 3.0’s Next Big Thing? – CoinQuora – Live Crypto News

Posted: June 22, 2022 at 12:34 pm

The concept of the Metaverse still might seem like it came straight out of science fiction, But, the exciting new era in the tech world is now officially a reality.

As a refresher, the Metaverse is an interconnected virtual space that merges the virtual versions of elements of the physical world and the physically persistent virtual world. Within the alternate digital reality, people can play, work, socialize, and even create an entirely new system of economy.

The possibilities with the metaverse are endlessusers can go on a date, travel to another country, play video games, and now even make new friends by attending a party. The dawn of the new technology has created an abundance of unforeseen opportunities across an array of different industries that benefit from blockchains increased security and transparency.

But despite metaverse technology taking off, there have still been limitations to the technology, including storage capability, the inability to create a fully immersive experience, and physical limitations like bulky virtual reality headsets.

Newcomer to Web 3.0, Planet Maya powered by Champion Games, plans on changing these limitations through its state-of-the-art platform that boasts the worlds first collaborative open-source virtual reality casino.

Through its economy and community of game developers, odds-makers, and players, Planet Mayas platform aims to change the perception of online skill-based gaming. This is by building global play-to-earn experiences that converge sports, technology, and entertainment.

The company aims to not only solve the common pain points discussed above but also take betting back to what it used to be, fun interaction between peers. It aspires toward a world where players are playing for the love of the sport, and not being taken advantage of by finance.

At the end of the day, we strive to foster a healthy yet competitive environment for those who love sports and gaming and place the financial power back in the hands of the players by creating an economy where players and platforms are equal, the company states in its whitepaper.

Digital money-making games are already an incredibly profitable industry. But, by merging metaverse technology with skill-based gaming, metaverse casinos have the keys to bringing more regulation and transparency to the online betting world.

So how exactly does it work? The platforms sustainable software ecosystem leverages the technology of smart contracts which control both the incoming revenue from customers and rewards allocated to the makers and miners.

Its token mechanism helps developers tap into this new source of revenue by generating the smart contracts needed for a new game. These smart contracts can then be deployed to a public blockchain and upgraded with new logic to reflect the latest odds through the odds-making mechanism.

In a nutshell, users spend tokens ($MAYA) in their wallet to get access and wager on a game. A smart contract, acting as the billing agent for the game, allocates a portion of these tokens to the creators of the open-sourced code or the provided services.

Users who spend tokens gain access to wagering on a game. A smart contract, acting as the billing agent for the game, allocates a portion of these tokens (rake) to the creators of the open-sourced code or the provided services.

How exactly can this help give the power back to the end-user? When every user is a paying customer, the relationship between the user and the team behind the game is leveled. Users can now wager on a game using crypto knowing that the teams behind the scenes will be incentivized to keep this revenue flowing by providing new features, upgrades, and player support. To find out about Planet Mayas exciting new platform, check out its website today.

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Casino stocks are taking a hit as consumers struggle with inflation and recession fears – CNBC

Posted: at 12:34 pm

Shares of casino companies have plummeted even as inflation has soared at rates not seen in four decades and fears of a recession rattle consumers and investors alike.

Caesars Entertainment stock has plummeted 50% so far this quarter. Bally's has dropped 40% over the same time period, and Penn National Gaming and MGM Resorts shares have declined 35%. To compare, the S&P 500, which recently entered a bear market, is down nearly 19% this quarter.

Yet, the nation's commercial casinos just had their best April ever, according to the American Gaming Association. The industry posted $4.99 billion in revenue, up 12.4% year over year. It's the second-highest grossing month ever, following March of this year.

On earnings calls in April and May, casino executives collectively denied seeing any slowdown in customer spending, in spite of soaring gas, housing and food costs, except in the very lowest demographic of customer.

In a note published this week, Jefferies gaming analyst David Katz wrote that meetings with management teams in Las Vegas provided "evidence of the dichotomy between the current operating strength and the markets' expectation of a recession."

Danny Owens of Sacramento, Calif. plays a slot machine in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada, June 4, 2020.

Steve Marcus | Reuters

Katz wrote that MGM, Caesars, Wynn Resorts, Boyd Gaming, Golden Entertainment, and Red Rock Resorts, which owns Stations casinos, say business levels continue to be "very strong" in the second and third quarter, with demand pricing and volume levels above 2019 and strong bookings into 2023, as conference business and international travel rebound in Las Vegas.

But Derek Stevens, owner of three downtown Las Vegas properties, including Circa, is telling a different story. In April, he told CNBC he was beginning to see the impact from inflation based on the amount of cash being withdrawn from casino ATMs.

There has been no letup since then, he told CNBC this week.

"It's just really accelerated," Stevens said. "Every weekend has been worse than the prior weekend."

He described it as a downward spiral: Bars have suffered the biggest percentage decline, and gaming has seen the biggest impact as slots and table games have experienced a slowdown.

And yet, Stevens said, demand for travel is still there: Reservations at his Las Vegas hotels are holding steady, without any room discounts. Hotel guests are limiting their spending elsewhere, he added, noting that customers are spending less on restaurants and extra amenities at the pool and other discretionary items.

"If you're on the West Coast, you might have felt it a little bit quicker because gas prices," Stevens said, referring to California's super-high fuel costs. "You can immediately see it in discretionary consumer spending."

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Sri Lanka bets on casino magnate to revive wrecked economy – RFI English

Posted: at 12:34 pm

Issued on: 22/06/2022 - 09:00

Colombo (AFP) Sri Lankan casino magnate Dhammika Perera entered parliament on Wednesday with a mandate to revive the bankrupt island nation's wrecked economy -- working alongside a premier who once accused him of corruption.

The 54-year-old Perera is a long-time loyalist of the powerful Rajapaksa clan, whom protesters have accused of mismanaging the country into its current predicament.

He replaces President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's youngest brother, Basil, who resigned from parliament this month after stepping down as finance minister in April.

"He was nominated by the president and will shortly take over the investment promotion portfolio and enter the cabinet," a ruling party official told AFP.

Perera will serve in a unity government formed to tackle the crisis alongside Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, who in 2015 accused the casino boss of being a "demon who protected the corrupt regime of Rajapaksas".

Wickremesinghe has also described Perera as one of four most corrupt businessmen in the country.

Both men shook hands on Wednesday soon after Perera was sworn into parliament before the chamber's speaker.

Perera -- who also has interests in banking, hotels, manufacturing, logistics and exports -- takes office at a time when Sri Lanka is suffering through months-long shortages of food, fuel and other essential goods.

Long queues form outside gas stations each day for scarce petrol supplies, while regular blackouts and runaway inflation have made life difficult for the island nation's 22 million people.

The government has defaulted on its $51 billion foreign debt and is seeking an International Monetary Fund bailout.

Perera has claimed to have devised a plan to raise Sri Lanka's per capita income more than threefold to $12,000 -- a figure higher than China's.

He has also pledged to address Sri Lanka's critical foreign currency shortage by selling 10-year visas to foreigners willing to deposit at least $100,000 in local bank accounts -- a scheme already in place since April.

2022 AFP

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Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide How to Get Started at the Casino – Socialpost

Posted: at 12:34 pm

Many beginners in the field of gambling are often interested in how to choose a reliable casino and start playing in it. This article was created to help players who want to maximize their joy and income from the gambling game. So if you feel lost along your gambling journey and are looking for a way to get the max out of online gambling, we have something great to share with you.

Of course, you can always Sign Up To Zodiac Casino Now and get a top-notch gambling experience. But there are always alternatives. Read this step-by-step guide to the best registration process and other important aspects when joining an online casino.

Click on the homepage and select your preferred software. Some casinos only allow certain software. Thus, players may check whether their site loads fast and if the software they want is allowed to us.

Look for any special offers such as bonuses or promotions. There are a few things to consider when choosing the bonuses you want to accept at a casino. First, look for those bonuses that really bring you money. Free play bonuses are simply added to your account balance. It is very easy to score a large number of free games. A bonus that is not tied to any money is simply a bonus in your account. Many casinos offer point bonuses. These bonuses are good because the points can be converted into money. There are many casinos that offer point bonuses.

Once you have found a suitable offer, you can register at the casino you have found. If you wish to accept this offer, all you have to do is use your billing information to complete the registration process. Many casinos have a verification process in which players are asked to verify certain details about themselves. For example, you may be asked to provide a scan of your drivers license. In some cases, you are asked to provide an address.

The process may also require you to upload a photo of yourself, and many casinos may even require you to provide proof that you are 21 years old. All these things can be done in several ways. For example, you can take a photo of your drivers license with a webcam. You can ask the casino owner to call a friend and ask them to verify your age. The list goes on and on, but well leave it up to you to decide how best to go about it. If you are unsure about this process, simply ask the host you are dealing with to explain how to verify that you are 21 years of age or older.

Once your account is set up, you can start playing at the casino. First, you must visit the promotions page and view all available bonuses. You will be able to choose which bonus you like the most. Just register and log in with the account you found at the casino. After you sign up and log in, click on the deposit button for the bonus you want to claim. You will be asked to specify the method of deposit and payout. Once you have decided how much you would like to wager, you must go ahead and pay. Once your money has been deposited, you can start playing.

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Do Casino Movies Depict the Reality in Casino Gaming? – Entertainment Focus

Posted: at 12:34 pm

Casinos are the most prominent form of gambling that is featured in movies. From Hollywood to Bollywood, and other movie industries, finding a movie with a casino gaming reference is as easy as breathing.

No doubt, these movies help to shine a light on casino gaming. In many cases, using casino gaming elements in these movies actually contributes to the popularity of casinos.

However, there is a problem, and that problem is affecting top casinos listed by Suomennetticasino.com today. The problem concerns finding the distinction between art and reality in casino-related movies.

Most peoples first experience with casino gaming is usually through movies. The way movies depict casino gaming sticks helps the individual form a perception of casinos and what casino gaming entails in general. This perception may be positive or negative, but the image it forms in the viewers mind depends on the context of the movie.

Unfortunately, art doesnt always clearly interpret reality. For casino gaming, many wrong perceptions have been passed down from movies through different generations that separate the art from the reality of casino gaming.

Casino gaming and movies are inseparable. Art grows drastically every day, and it gets better. Casino gaming movies have also evolved over time. Still, certain elements have stuck out with these movies that do not precisely reflect the reality of casino gaming. Some of the popular misconceptions about casinos in film include:

Usually, in movies, especially James Bond movies, casinos are presented as shady establishments where wanted criminals hold sway and run a criminal business out of the publics view. The narrative of casinos being set up for sinister purposes has sadly remained consistent in many movies, but this is not exactly true. Casinos are businesses that pay taxes and are subject to government rules and regulations. Casinos lead a lot of social endeavours and often contribute back to society. They are not criminal enterprises.

Another wrong interpretation of casino gaming in movies is making an intelligent character beat the casino gaming system. Casino gaming systems are very complex, and yes, smart players can study these systems to increase their chances. Still, it is not possible, as depicted in movies. The returns on most casino games are relatively low, and you cannot make riches quickly just by spinning a wheel or playing a straight-hand card.

This scene is quite common in casino movies. A player wins a couple of rounds. Rather than allow them to continue playing, the casino authorities who have been monitoring the player will throw them out and try to steal their money. This is a wrong interpretation. Casinos never throw players out unless they discover that the player is manipulating games. Usually, this is not because the casino does not want the player to succeed but because game manipulation erodes a fair gaming environment for other players.

Movies are one of the biggest art forms that highlight casino gaming, but misinterpreting the art does a lot more disservice to casino gaming than not highlighting it at all.

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Muskegon shocked by Whitmer rejection of casino project – Bridge Michigan

Posted: at 12:34 pm

Whitmer said she was concerned that the location of the proposed casino was close to the site of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, which is attempting to gain federal recognition as a tribe. If they are successful, the Grand River Bands could also want a casino in the area.

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Without that information (about whether the Grand River Bands application for federal recognition will be approved), I am unable to concur at this time and remain disappointed in the (U.S.) Department (of the Interior)s lack of flexibility in this process.

The deadline for Whitmer to make a decision on the casino was Thursday.

Larry Romanelli, leader of the Little River Band Ottawa Indians said he thinks Whitmer was misinformed about the project, stating the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians petition for federal approval has nothing to do with the casino project. He said he felt frustrated and disappointed.

The whole community is going to suffer from a no decision, he said.

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians invested more than $30 million into the project, and the casino was expected to provide more than 3,000 jobs, Todd Dunham, Fruitport Townships town supervisor, said.

In a letter to Secretary of the Interior Debra Haaland, Whitmer requested the deadline extension because the determination could frustrate the Grand River Bands. The letter said she wants the decision on their recognition to be made in case they want to open a casino in the area.

Muskegon Sen. Jon Bumstead, R-Newaygo said he was frustrated with how long it took Whitmer to make a decision about the development.

The project was originally approved by former President Donald Trumps administration in December 2020, but the project must also be approved by the state. Whitmer was originally supposed to make a decision by December 2021, but she requested and was given a six-month extension by federal officials.

Im like the rest of the folks in Muskegon disbelief, total shock, after all these years, millions of dollars invested, that she decided not to sign off for reasons we dont know, Muskegon Sen. Jon Bumstead, R-Newaygo, said.

During a speech on the Senate floor Thursday, Bumstead called Whitmers rejection shameful.

Your denial of this project instantly killed 3,000 good-paying jobs in west Michigan, he said. You would rather protect the interests of your supporters in Southeast Michigan and play politics rather than upgrade new economic opportunities for families in west Michigan.

When he heard the news Dunham said, it was a blow.

It was like I got punched in the stomach, Dunham told Bridge.

He said hes not spoken to anyone in the area who agrees with Whitmers decision.

Dunham was baffled by Whitmer citing the Grand River Bands petition for federal recognition as a reason for her rejection of the casino project. He said it would likely take another 12-18 years before the Grand River Bands could have a realistic casino project, even after becoming federally recognized.

Im not buying any of this, Dunham said of Whitmers reasoning. I think this was all smoke and mirrors.

Romanelli was supposed to meet with Whitmer last week, but the governor's office pushed the meeting back until Wednesday afternoon. When the meeting was originally scheduled, he was under the impression Whitmer had not yet made up her mind. By the time they actually met, she had.

I wanted to make some last minute discussions with her, he said. I was left without being able to speak to her about the project. That was a little disheartening.

Muskegon historically was a more industrial area of the state, although more recently it has become more tourist-centric. The casino was expected to help with further development of the county by increasing tourism and investments in hotels.

Muskegon Heights City Manager Troy Bell told reporters Thursday that the area had been underinvested for years. He said the governors rejection means the opportunities for tourism revenues virtually went out the window.

The message I believe (the governors decision) is sending is that Muskegon doesnt matter, Bell told reporters.

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Constricted devolution of fiscal power – The Kathmandu Post

Posted: at 12:33 pm

All seven provinces of Nepal presented their fiscal bills (budgets) for the next fiscal year beginning mid-July in their respective Provincial Assemblies last Wednesday. The cumulative allocation of Rs305.46 billion is only about 17 percent of the budget of Rs1,794.83 billion that is in the process to be ratified by the federal parliament. All 753 local units have to present their budgets by mid-July, and are set to table their policies and programmes by June 25 in their municipal/rural municipal assemblies. The policies and programmes, in principle, provide the basis for the budgets.

The local units, barring a few large urban municipalities, are almost entirely dependent on formula-based fiscal transfers in the form of grants and revenue sharing, mainly from the federal, and to some extent, from the provincial treasuries. Their own source revenue contributes only marginally to their income. Nevertheless, a local unit receives at least Rs150 million in the upcoming fiscal year from the higher tier of government. The continuation of such a top-heavy allocation practice is a clear revelation that devolution of budgetary power to subnational governments or implementation of fiscal federalism, in the true federal spirit, is severely constricted.

Chronic ailments

The budgetary practice of the provincial and local governments during the last five years of their existence neither captured the federal spirit of fiscal independence nor shook off the chronic malaise of Nepal's budget system. The capital expenditure allocation in Nepal's national budget has barely crossed 25 percent of the total funding over the past two decades. According to the latest economic survey published by the Ministry of Finance, the capital budget allocation, even at the local level, is less than 40 percent of their total budget. It defeats the very objective of federalism with the substantially empowered local government meant to deliver services to the people at their doorsteps by spending most of the funds on developmental, not recurrent, expenditures.

The disconnect between the policies and programmes and the budget allocation has now extended up to the local level. The local government budgets have also become victims of ritualism, cheap populism and pork-barrel disbursement. The most problematic feature in local and provincial fiscal governance is no longer scarcity of financial resources, but rather a stark absence of absorption capacity and lack of accountability wherever major expenditures were made. In the fiscal year 2021-22, the total capital expenditure of the local governments stood at 56.6 percent of the capital allocation, while at the provincial level, it was 64.6 percent. The year before that, it was even less, 46.2 percent, at the local level. Projects to be implemented by local governments are essentially small and in the interest of the direct users. As such, the expenditure of the total capital allocation is an ideal possibility. For the new set of local executives elected for the next five years, an impressively improved level of capital expenditure must be on top of their budget implementation plan.

Undoubtedly, this imperative can be addressed only with adequate political will, the required expertise in budget formulation, and a thorough understanding of the issues surrounding the low capital expenditure. The provincial budgets presented last week blatantly missed taking corrective measures even though it was the fifth and the last budget to be presented by the current set of elected executives as the elections for the Provincial Assemblies are due in less than a year. The newly elected leadership at the local level certainly needs to demonstrate its understanding in finding ways for better fiscal governance in general, and augmenting capital expenditure in particular to address the development needs of their electorates better.

Low spending

At the local level, the challenge of formulating a budget generally in an acceptable format persists. Local governments are almost entirely dependent on the windfall grant amount rather than rooting the budget in own predictable sources. The freedom of budget-making is thus constrained, and it is always possible that even the amount allocated for supply-driven projects is difficult to spend compared to demand-driven projects.

Legally, the deputy chief in each municipality is the coordinator of the local revenue advisory committee. In practice, this is akin to the "finance minister" at the municipal level. However, this arrangement has not been able to deliver the goods in the same spirit and output. The gap between the knowledge of public financial management of the elected deputy mayor (deputy chair in rural municipalities) in particular and the role assigned to them by the Intergovernmental Fiscal Arrangement Act 2017 is glaring.

Another reason for low capital expenditure is the lack of institutionalisation of the process from project identification to budget allocation. The projects are often picked on the basis of political self-interest without any cost-benefit analysis. Other project readiness parameters like a detailed project report (DPR), project implementation, environmental impact assessment (EIA), land acquisition plan and approval to cut down trees are seldom considered before earmarking. The practice of creating a project bank is still a pipe dream even at the centre, let alone at the local level.

Confusion pertaining to public procurement is a critical factor contributing to the low level of capital expenditure by the local government. The law directly related to public procurement, even at the local level, is the Public Procurement Act 2007. It has seen 11 amendments putatively to make it usable even to local levels but has failed to facilitate the process.

The highly centralised mindset of carrying out public procurement under a single federal law proves counterproductive. If the idea of forcibly enforcing this law even at the local level is the effectiveness of resource mobilisation, cost reduction and enhancing transparency, the federal authorities failed to understand that it can be better done by making the provincial and local levels responsible and accountable within their respective jurisdictions according to the laws or mechanisms like public hearings designed and implemented by themselves. It is an appropriate time while visioning and scoping for their next five-year term for local governments to consider these factors in their development plans and budget allocation. The new leaders must dare to depart from the beaten path for the better.

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Public office and accountability issues in Nigeria – Daily Trust

Posted: at 12:33 pm

Sometimes, people in the position of authority tend to get annoyed when citizens approach them or demand information about the resources or the office entrusted to them for the citizens. Some public officers hate to see the freedom of information requests in their offices, especially when it has to do with the accountability of public resources utilisations, or how they exercise the power and authority given to them. Some even ignored, neglected, failed, or refused to respond to the Freedom of Information (FOI) request issued to them because they feel not obligated to do so, which is a fragrant disobedient to the rule of laws.

It is important we get this message clear. Nobody has the right to investigate your private life if you are not working for or depending on the governments money for daily survival. Public monies are peoples money, and people deserve the right to know how its being used. Public office holders should know that they are holding the office in trust for the people, and it is not their personal property or inheritance from their ancestors.

It is a choice whether to remain in the private life or to come into the public office and start living on peoples expenses. Living a private life and taking care of personal expenses are decisions that many people have made over time, who do not want interference with their private lives.

Occupying public office and living on peoples money comes with a lot of responsibilities. Going into public office is a tradeoff of private life or secrecy to some extent, which many people occupying the public offices failed to understand. The scrutiny started even before they assume the office, by compulsory filling of the Asset Declaration Form by the Office of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). It is expected that they declare all that they have and worth, which is expected to be investigated and validated. It is a signal that they are no longer living a private life, and they ought to know and behave as such

It is part of the price they have to pay for the powers and authority they have and exercise, such that, they decide who gets what, when, and how. So, there must be checks and balances to ensure that absolute power does not corrupt absolutely.

Nigerian government officials should know this and remember the oath of office they took to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other relevant laws that govern their conduct, the office, and mode of operations. Accountability mechanisms are put in place to guide the conduct of the public officers, which also give powers to the citizens to hold the people in the position of authority accountable. Even the government envisages a situation where the occupants of public offices can be lorded over, and do as they wish, which may not be the will of the people. That is exactly what brought the issues of rules, guidelines, policies, code of conduct and enactment of some laws to checkmate their excesses.

The laws such as the Freedom of Information Act, Fiscal Responsibility Act, Public Procurement Act, 2007, and Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 1991, among others, are meant to provide checks and balances in the way public officials behave, operate, and how government businesses are being managed by the people entrusted to. The grand norm of all the laid down procedures is the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, upon which all other laws draw their powers, validity, and consistency. But it has been abused and disobeyed over time.

Thus, all government officials must subject themselves to the authority of these laws for effective and efficient management of the public resources that are entrusted to them for the people. It is pertinent to note that people have the right to ask and know how these resources are being managed on their behalf. Public officers should not be offended or get annoyed when citizens start asking relevant questions that concern the resources entrusted to them because the sovereignty belongs to the people. Public officials should be reminded that they are holding the office in the trust of the people because everybody cannot be there at the same time.

Omale Omachi Samuel, Special Duties Officer, Centre for Social Justice, Abuja

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Shaheen, Portman Participate in Discussion Hosted by Dartmouth on Russia’s Unprovoked Invasion of Ukraine | US Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire…

Posted: at 12:33 pm

June 17, 2022

(Hanover, NH) Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), chair of the SFRC Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation, and a member of the bipartisan Ukraine Caucus, and U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), co-chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, member of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee and a Dartmouth College alumnus, participated in a discussion hosted by Dartmouth on Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The event, entitled, The Defense of Ukraine: A Conversation with Senators Rob Portman and Jeanne Shaheen, was hosted by Professor Jason Barabas, who serves as Director of the Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences at Dartmouth College, and moderated by Victoria Holt, Director of the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding.

I appreciated Dartmouth hosting Senator Portman and me for a discussion today on the far-ranging consequences of Putins bloody further invasion of Ukraine. Senator Portman has been a steadfast partner of mine in the Senate, and together weve channeled bipartisan momentum to combat Russian aggression and aid Ukraine in its fight for survival. Ukrainians have shown remarkable resolve in the face of brutal atrocities committed by Russian forces, and they deserve all the support available to defend their people and land, said Shaheen. This war in Ukraine isnt just about Ukraine. Its about the U.S., Europe and the survival of democracies across the globe. We must meet this pivotal moment in history with unwavering resolve and ensure democracy and independence prevail over authoritarianism.

I was honored to be back at my alma mater today and thank Dartmouth for hosting Senator Shaheen and I as we discussed President Putins unjustified invasion of Ukraine. Throughout my time in the Senate, I have made it a priority to work across the aisle and find common ground with my colleagues from both parties because I believe that is the best way to get things done for the American people. The issue of Ukraine is yet one more example where there is broad bipartisan support in the Senate and House to support the people of Ukraine as they fight for freedom against a brutal regime that wants to take over their country. The United States must continue to stand on the side of freedom over tyranny and democracy and self-determination over authoritarianism and conquest, said Portman.

You can watch the full discussion here.

Shaheen and Portman have led bipartisan action in the Senate in support of Ukraine in response to Vladimir Putins unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, which threatens the stability and security of Eastern Europe and NATO allies. As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Shaheen helped to secure $800 million in the fiscal year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed the Committee earlier this week to advance additional aid to Ukraine and regional allies. In January, Shaheen and Portman led a bipartisan delegation to Ukraine, where they met with President Zelenskyy and members of his administration to discuss support efforts ahead of Russias unprovoked invasion. In February, Shaheen and Portman successfully led a bipartisan resolution reaffirming support for Ukraine amid increased Russian aggression. Shaheen also serves as co-chair of the Senate NATO Observer Group, which she re-established in 2018.

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Unleash the Superpowers of Your One and Only Employees – MIT Sloan

Posted: at 12:31 pm

Topics Column

Our expert columnists offer opinion and analysis on important issues facing modern businesses and managers.

Jackie Robinson syndrome is the condition where, as a member of an underrepresented group, you are the first in something, the One and Only, and there is a perception that you must be both exceptional and perform at a higher standard than others. (This syndrome is named for the American superstar athlete who, in 1947, became the first Black player invited into Major League Baseball.) Many who operate with this status are often seen as anomalies.

Although embracing these anomalous qualities can cause isolation, especially at the beginning, as anomalies continue to survive, over time they set new baselines for normal. One and Onlys are often seen as trailblazers because they show us what is possible. They instinctively understand this human peculiarity: They work hard to embrace their differences, to stand out and not blend in. When a One and Only lives their life always being different, it means they inherently have learned to think outside the box.

Providing support for unique employees doesnt come naturally in most organizations. There can be bias against embracing the exceptions, even when they are exceptional. But One and Onlys have the power to lead change, which organizations should embrace and provide scaffolds to amplify.

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In the engineering world, we are typically encouraged to get rid of anomalies. Since they can negatively impact our data analysis or how we design a normative solution, anomalies are often discarded.

This bias against outliers and difficult-to-measure data can get baked into processes in extremely detrimental ways. In 1977, for instance, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration policy recommended excluding women of childbearing age from early drug trials following the discovery that a drug used to prevent morning sickness could cause severe birth defects, such as missing limbs. Many absurdities ensued, including a trial that studied whether hormone therapy was an effective treatment for mitigating heart disease after menopause that had 8,341 men enrolled and zero women. It wasnt until 1993 that the FDA explicitly reversed the recommendations from its 1977 policy. The damage they caused has yet to be fully resolved, because most of the advances the medical sciences have made are still rooted in original studies involving the male body. A 2020 study based on data from over 2 million patients revealed that women with heart disease are less likely than men to receive the recommended medication.

A similar bias to test with the male as the norm has plagued the auto industry. Since the 1970s, most crash tests designed to assess car safety designs have used crash test dummies that are standardized to the average American male body. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an agency of the U.S. federal government that has oversight of automobile safety, didnt begin to make wider use of female dummies in crash tests until 2003. The consequences are sobering: A 2019 University of Virginia study provided evidence that a female car occupant has a 73% greater chance of being seriously injured in a frontal car crash compared with a male occupant.

These are two real-world examples of what can happen when the experiences and voices of those outside the defined normal become muted during the innovation process.

Sometimes scientists choose to deal with anomalies not by discarding them from the data set but by analyzing them to figure out why they exist. How is it that a few metastatic breast cancer patients survive when most do not? How is it that, when an entire community contracts COVID-19, one or two people fly through with no symptoms? How is it that most people die before the age of 100, but a select few live to be centenarians? These are questions that are obviously worth embracing.

We dont need to look far to find proof that when anomalies are not discarded but treated as royalty, they can change the world. Just think about the story of Henrietta Lacks, an African American woman who was diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer in 1951. After her cancer cells were collected and cultivated, they were found to be unusually resilient in the lab, and they were used to unlock some of the biggest advances in medical science. They were the first immortal cells to live outside the human body, and for the past 60 years, Lackss cells, called HeLa cells, have been essential to marvelous medical advances ranging from the polio vaccine to chemotherapy and gene mapping. Of course, her cells were taken without her explicit permission , which is counter to the practices that organizations should follow when they encounter anomalies.

Anomalies have the ability to make a big difference, both in laboratories, like with Lackss cells, and in the professional world, the way Jackie Robinson did.

For organizations, anomalies can be seen as that talent that lies within their own ranks people who stand out from their peers and whom many might consider an unexpected success.

To maximize their competitiveness, businesses should not only lean into cultivating One and Onlys but also create a supportive environment where they can thrive even before they are identifiable as that rare anomalous gem.

Here are three ways businesses can utilize differences to lead in change:

Put anomalies in positions of leadership. The fact that One and Onlys are present in worlds where they stand alone in the first place means theyve navigated tougher challenges than most. One study, for instance, found that while the number of women-owned businesses grew nationally by 21% from 2014 to 2019, the numbers for African American/Black women grew even faster, by 50%. When One and Onlys are put in positions of leadership, they must be actively supported by management especially as many are less likely to receive help from organizational structures, be openly provided the resources they need to succeed, or have their accomplishments promoted.

Support bravery. It can take a huge amount of courage for One and Onlys to speak up, especially if their opinions are different from whats being voiced by everyone around them. Leaders have an important role in creating an environment that encourages divergent viewpoints. Leaders must explicitly ask for everyones opinion during team meetings to encourage that anomalous discovery. Dont shut down any ideas, even if they make you uncomfortable. Just like when working with neurodiverse talent, giving feedback that is tailored in response to the individuals diverse viewpoint can help create a more inclusive work environment.

Go back to the well. Companies should revisit the sourcing pipelines that got them to a broader range of job candidates. There are other One and Onlys who may be in the same place where the first one was found. Once Jackie Robinson broke through into the mainstream major leagues, the baseball world realized there was an entire group of players in the Negro Leagues who could be tapped. It changed the normative for the entire sport.

Our expert columnists offer opinion and analysis on important issues facing modern businesses and managers.

Ayanna Howard (@robotsmarts) is dean of the College of Engineering at The Ohio State University.

Link:
Unleash the Superpowers of Your One and Only Employees - MIT Sloan

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