A historic Brooklyn church suffered catastrophic damage Friday when a fire engulfed the landmark South Bushwick Dutch Reformed Church.
A fire destroyed the iconic South Bushwick Dutch Reformed Church in Brooklyn, causing the church’s iconic steeple to collapse. (Representative)(Unsplash)
Video captured using a citizen app shows a burning church in Bushwick. The building’s spire appeared to be engulfed in flames. The air was also filled with thick smoke. Residents reported seeing FDNY working to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring buildings.
Authorities have not released information about any injuries or the cause of the fire.
Japanese proverb of the day (image generated by Google Gemini)
We’ve all done it. Someone explains something and you don’t quite understand it, but you nod anyway. The moment to ask questions comes and goes because asking means admitting you don’t understand, which feels awkward. So you keep quiet. The problem is that your knowledge gap doesn’t go away. It’s just waiting there, ready to trip you up later. This old Japanese proverb saw this trap centuries ago and sums it up perfectly. One question can lead you to an awkward moment. Silence can cost you a lifetime.
“Asking is a temporary shame, not asking is a lifelong shame.”
What is the actual meaning of this proverb
This course is about overcoming a very specific fear, the fear of looking stupid.When you ask a question, you show that you don’t know the answer yet. For many people, this feels revealing, like holding up a sign that says you’re not as smart as you’d like to be. The point of this proverb is that the feeling is real, but small. Usually the awkwardness of asking disappears quickly the moment you get the answer and finally understand.Choosing not to ask feels safer in the moment, but it quietly traps you. You remain ignorant about this matter. You avoid conversations that might arise. You nodded, hoping no one noticed the gaps in your knowledge. That fake low buzz can last for years. This proverb urges you to endure the small, sharp pain now and skip the long, dull pain later.
Why a polite culture needs this proverb
It’s worth asking why this saying is so ingrained in Japan, and the answer is quite interesting.Japanese culture places a high value on harmony, modesty, and not losing face in front of others. In an environment where smooth integration into a group is important, appearing ignorant in a group can feel particularly uncomfortable. In other words, the fear the proverb warns about is extremely strong there. This is most likely why this quote exists and is often repeated. A culture doesn’t need a famous proverb telling people to ask questions unless a lot of people are trying to stay silent.So this sentence acts as a gentle counterweight. Yes, it admits, asking can sting your ego a bit. Do it no matter what. Compared with the alternatives, the temporary loss of face is a bargain. There is real wisdom in a culture that respects modesty, while also reminding yourself that false modesty, hiding what you don’t know, can cause lasting harm.
Hidden costs of not asking
The reason this proverb still hits home is because the price of silence is sneaky. It almost doesn’t happen right away.Imagine a person new to the job who doesn’t understand a basic part of the task but is too embarrassed to ask. For a while, they were okay. Then small misunderstandings lead to mistakes, which lead to bigger mistakes, and now they can’t ask because they should have known all along. The longer the silence lasted, the more horrifying the question became, until a tiny crack became a wall. The same thing happens with money you don’t understand, medical advice you don’t ask for, or a relationship where no one asks the tough questions early enough.This is the snowball the proverb warns about. Knowledge gaps don’t sit still. They tend to grow when alone, and they grow fastest in the presence of those who are too proud or too shy to shine their light. Brief discomfort at the time of inquiry is the cheapest insurance you will ever buy.
How to ask questions without feeling small
The good news is that asking well is a skill, and a few simple habits make it almost painless.
Ask early, before the gap turns into a hole. The easiest time to admit you don’t understand is at the beginning, before decisions and mistakes pile up onto the chaos.
Really try it first before asking questions. This proverb doesn’t tell you to skip thinking. Really trying before asking a question can help you learn more and make your questions sharper and easier to answer.
Redefine discomfort in your mind. That “I look stupid” thought lasted for a while, just as the proverb promised. The trust you gain from asking questions honestly tends to last longer.
Make it safe for others to ask questions too. If you lead a team or raise children, welcome questions rather than laughing at them. People who are afraid of looking stupid will hide their gaps, and hidden gaps are where real trouble creeps.
Why a moment of embarrassment is worth a lifetime of understanding
There is a quiet kindness to this proverb. It doesn’t pretend that asking is easy, or that pride is foolish. It just honestly weighs the two costs and points out how imbalanced they are. A momentary feeling of insignificance is compared to a lifetime of ignorance. When you put it like that, this awkward question starts to seem like the brave and smart choice it once was.Next time you find yourself nodding your head at something you don’t understand, remember ancient Japanese arithmetic. The shame of asking is measured in minutes. The shame of not asking is measured in years. Take notes of the meeting. They are by far the better deal.
Nearly half of American workers plan to look for a new job in the next six months, according to a new survey released by recruiting firm Robert Half. The number of workers considering changing jobs is growing rapidly. Robert Half found that 38% plan to look for work early in 2026, compared with 27% a year ago.
Nearly half of U.S. workers plan to look for work in 2026. (Pexel/Representative image) (Pexel)
Robert Half president of operations Dawn Fay said via Yahoo Finance that experts say many employees are now rethinking their careers and asking whether their current jobs still align with their personal goals and future plans. Fahey said the change isn’t just coming from workers. As the business environment improves, companies also start hiring more people. She added that some employers expect AI (Artificial intelligence) increases productivity more than it actually does. Because of this, many companies are now trying to hire employees to fill important skills gaps.
Recruitment confidence continues to grow
Increased recruitment activity makes employees more confident about exploring new opportunities and switching employers. Another survey by The Conference Board found that nearly 6 in 10 human resources executives expect their companies to increase hiring in the next six months.
Healthcare is by far the most popular industry for people planning to change jobs. Robert Half said via Yahoo Finance that more than half of potential job seekers said they were interested in health care positions. Tech jobs are the second most popular choice among workers looking for new opportunities, according to the survey. Marketing positions also attract many employees who plan to change jobs.
Young workers are leading this trend. Most people planning to change jobs belong to Generation Z and Millennials. Older workers are much less interested in moving. Only about 2 in 10 baby boomers say they want to change employers. In contrast, more than half of workers aged 45 or younger said they were considering changing jobs.
Better benefits and workplace benefits are the biggest reasons workers want new jobs. About 47% of respondents cited this as their main motivation. Career development is another important factor. About 43% said they wanted better opportunities for promotion and career development. Flexible work arrangements remain important. According to Yahoo Finance, about 39% of employees say they are looking for jobs that offer remote work options.
Higher wages also encourage workers to explore new positions. About 35% said higher pay was a key reason for their job search. Workplace burnout remains a problem. About 26% of employees said feeling exhausted or stressed forced them to look for another job. Recent economic data suggests that the U.S. labor market has improved compared with late last year, when it was much more difficult to find job openings.
U.S. job market improves
this U.S. economy There were 172,000 new jobs created in May, the third consecutive month of more than 100,000 jobs. A separate report from payroll firm ADP showed private employers added 122,000 jobs in the same month.
According to Yahoo Finance, Ruth Thomas, chief compensation strategist at Payscale, said many employees have been hanging on to their jobs because the uncertainty makes switching employers feel risky. Thomas said things are now starting to change as workers explore the job market more easily.
Thomas explained that in many white-collar and knowledge-based occupations, wages for new workers are growing faster than wages for existing workers. A new Payscale report identifies marketing operations, project management, compliance, quality control and risk analysis as the jobs that offer job seekers the biggest salary advantages.
Recruitment challenges remain
Despite these positive signs, experts warn that hiring conditions are not as strong as they appear. A recent report found that overall hiring demand has largely returned to early 2020 levels. COVID-19 pandemic. Data from Indeed shows job postings are now about the same as they were before the pandemic. Cory Stahle, senior economist at Indeed, said job seekers appear to be more proactive in their job search as the second half of the year begins, as reported by Yahoo Finance.
However, Stahler warned that workers are entering a labor market that still offers a mix of opportunities, depending on industry and occupation. He said health care jobs and skilled trade positions continue to perform well and remain in high demand.
Even so, he said overall hiring levels are still close to their lowest levels since 2013. Thomas agreed that caution remains despite recent improvements in the labor market. She said the hiring process was taking longer, competition for open positions remained fierce and employers now had more power in negotiations than they did two or three years ago. Thomas stressed, however, that the market was not frozen and there were still opportunities for workers with the right skills.
Hindu groups staged a massive protest in Dhaka on Friday over the desecration of photos of Lord Ram in northern Bangladesh.Protesters demanded the arrest of the perpetrators and held a large torchlight procession chanting “Jai Shri Ram”. The photo was allegedly vandalized during a demonstration in Gibanda district by a group of radical Islamists opposed to the construction of an 81-foot-tall statue of Lord Ram in the Muslim-majority country.The statue is part of a temple complex in Palashbari, Gaibandhar. The proposed project is expected to cost around BDT 220 million (roughly Rs. 156 million) and also includes a 50-foot-tall statue of Lord Krishna and a 30-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva.According to Haridas Chandra Das, chairman of the Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple committee behind the project, construction of the statue was suspended after Islamic groups issued “threats” against those involved in the project.Das said organizers’ “fear” was one of the main reasons for the suspension and called on Bangladeshi authorities, including Prime Minister Tariq Rahman, to ensure the project can be completed safely.Temple authorities claim that Islamic groups have been creating obstacles since construction work began, prompting them to temporarily halt the project to “maintain social harmony.”Hindus, with a population of about 130 million, are Bangladesh’s largest religious minority, accounting for less than 8% of the country’s more than 170 million people.
A Mexican mayor faces charges that she staged her own kidnapping to embezzle about $2 million in public funds in ransom.Nancy Napolis, the mayor of Tenancingo, a few hours’ drive from Mexico City, denied the accusations, saying they were politically motivated. She posted a video on social media insisting she was innocent and describing the case as “politicized.”“Napoli is a member of Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s ruling Morena party, which has made fighting corruption a central theme of its government.Prosecutors said they are seeking testimony from Naples on July 9 regarding a “mock kidnapping.” No arrest warrant has been issued for her at this stage, although her husband and brother-in-law are both wanted and are currently on the run.According to investigators, Naples was forced out of the vehicle at gunpoint by armed men. The case is based in part on confessions from three suspects who have been arrested. The group initially reported that the kidnappers demanded “40 million pesos” in exchange for her freedom, or about $2.3 million, and threatened to kill her and her family if payment was not made.A ransom demand is a scheme to conceal stolen public funds. Prosecutors said Napoli’s relatives suggested that if the ransom could not be raised, the money should be withdrawn from local government resources. The plot began to unravel after a witness saw the mayor being taken away and called the police. This led investigators to question the circumstances of the alleged kidnapping and uncover inconsistencies in the accounts.Authorities also released images they said showed evidence of a planned kidnapping. They further said Napoli’s husband and brother-in-law helped orchestrate the scheme, using funds that had been misappropriated and trying to “justify the money.”“#FiscalíaEdoméx detained three individuals, namely Karla Valeria ‘N’, Víctor Manuel ‘N’ and Christian ‘N’,” the state prosecutor’s office Fiscalía Edoméx said in a statement.“It also requested a hearing to establish charges against a municipal civil servant and holds valid judicial warrants for the arrest of two other men, all of whom are allegedly related to the ‘kidnapping’ of a woman with the initials NNP,” it added. He serves as City President of #Tenancingo and the incident occurred on May 31 this year.“These individuals would simulate the kidnapping of the president in exchange for a reward of 40 million pesos in exchange for the ‘victim’s freedom.’”Naples has denied the accusations and said she is ready to cooperate with investigators. “The guilty actors are punished,” she said, adding that she would help clarify what happened.
Dhir Patel, 22, was arrested for stealing designer clothes from a high-end Miami store over several months.
Dhir Patel, 22, was arrested for an elaborate theft of tens of thousands of dollars worth of designer clothing in the Wynwood neighborhood of Miami, Florida. From March 30 to last Monday, he did not run away after stealing clothes, but came back again and again to continue stealing. Investigators with the Miami Police Department said Dil Patel would go to the store “to sell items” in exchange for money. At the same time, he also stole some clothes and hid them, as was tracked by surveillance cameras after the store owner discovered some very expensive items were missing.Investigators said he stole about $41,550 worth of designer goods, but the store owner later estimated the amount could be much more.Store owner Louis Negrich later told Local 10 News, “We originally started at $41,000 and calculated that it’s now about $55 to $60,000.” He added that Patel also purchased some items from the high-end store, which is why his move didn’t initially raise alarm.An arrest report from the police department stated that Patel, of Boynton Beach, “would walk around the store selecting items” during his visits, and detectives said “CCTV footage reportedly showed the suspect concealing clothing items in a bag he was carrying.”Police department officials said they arrested Patel on a grand larceny charge Saturday after he returned to the store to sell more items. Authorities said he pleaded guilty, but that confession was redacted from the publicly released report. “Just don’t steal,” Negrich said. “It’s that simple. It’s just that everything comes back to bite you.”Court records show Patel posted $5,000 bail and was released.
Hunter Biden (right) jokingly challenges Donald Trump Jr. (left) to a brawl
Hunter Biden Donald Trump Jr has challenged plans for a cage fight after launching a blistering attack on plans to host a UFC event on the South Lawn of the White House.In a lengthy social media post, the former eldest son published an open letter to podcaster Joe Rogan, criticizing the proposed UFC Freedom 250 event and accusing US President Donald Trump of using the White House as a personal stage.Rogan dismissed criticism of the planned fight and told those who were offended to “shut up.”Biden believes that the White House is a national institution and not the property of any one president.“The White House does not belong to Donald Trump. It does not belong to any president. It belongs to the people,” he wrote.He went on to compare the planned event to ancient Rome, saying: “Treating it like Caesar treated the Colosseum goes against everything our founding fathers fought for.”“This is not Rome. The president is not an emperor, handing out bread to peasants and performing circuses,” he added.Biden made multiple references to the Roman Empire, claiming the event sent the wrong message about presidential power.“By hosting this event on the South Lawn, what he is saying to the rest of us is: ‘This is my house. I own it. I will do with it whatever I want. I will build a Colosseum and have gladiators fight under my watchful eye.'”Despite Biden’s criticism of the White House venue, he praised Rogan and UFC president Dana White for building the promotion into a successful American business.He wrote that the organization had become “a true American success story,” but argued that hosting the fight card at the White House turned it into “a display of imperial rule rather than a celebration of our 250th anniversary as a democracy.”Biden ended his letter with a pointed message about the role of the president.“The president is our servant. Not our Caesar,” he wrote.He then turned his attention to Donald Trump Jr., issuing an unexpected challenge.“PS Cage game between me and Don Jr.? The venue is up to you. Anywhere but the South Lawn.”Critics of Biden’s comments also pointed to controversies during the administration of his father, former President Joe Biden. They highlighted criticism of a 2023 Pride event at the White House, when the Pride flag was displayed alongside the American flag, as well as another event on the South Lawn that year involving a transgender social media influencer.
Florida Senator Rick Scott introduced a bill to end OPT for F-1 students.
Florida Senator Rick Scott has introduced a bill called the American Talent First Act to end the optional practical training program as a pathway to H-1B visas. Scott said Americans should have the first right to live the American Dream, and he was proud to introduce a bill opposing OPT, which allows employers to recruit foreigners under the guise of job training. Scott’s proposal would prohibit DHS funds from being used to run the program. Employers who hire graduates under the program would receive tax breaks, a double loss for the United States, the proposal said. The government is funding this program that essentially prevents Americans from being employed.“We need more jobs for hard-working Americans, not more jobs for foreign workers, including thousands from communist China who came over to take advantage of the system,” Scott said. “I am proud to introduce a bill to end the Optional Practical Training Program, which allows employers to import foreign labor under the guise of job training, thereby eliminating American workers’ opportunities for good jobs. We need to ensure that Americans who work hard and play by the rules still have a chance to achieve their American dream.“Scott told The Daily Signal that when he talks to people about OPT, people are shocked.“We need to make sure that Americans who work hard and follow the rules still have a chance to achieve their American dream,” Scott said.
Optional Practical Training is a temporary work authorization that allows international students holding an F-1 visa to gain practical work experience consistent with their field of study. STEM students can get OPT extensions, and eventually, many interns are hired by companies, which file H-1B petitions for them. OPT is considered a pipeline for H-1B, and American graduates have no chance here.“The OPT program is not authorized by federal law. Employers can even receive tax breaks when hiring foreign graduates under the program, giving foreigners an advantage over U.S. citizens. At the same time, it is difficult for U.S. graduates to find jobs in the industries occupied by OPT license holders,” the senator said in a statement.“By eliminating funding for the OPT program, we will provide more job opportunities for American workers and help them achieve the American dream. It also closes the door to threats posed by foreign adversaries gaining access to innovative technologies and sensitive data in U.S. industry. “
A new Department of Homeland Security rule stipulates that F-1 visas are valid for four years. After four years, students will have to seek an extension and pass procedures such as biometrics. Although DHS is not considering eliminating funding for the OPT program, this four-year rule will disrupt F-1 students’ OPT programs. Currently, F-1 students can stay in the United States as long as they maintain student status and comply with the terms of their visa.
Parastoo Ahmadi’s December 2024 performance has been viewed millions of times
An Iranian singer who performed without a headscarf in a viral online concert has been sentenced to 74 lashes.The case triggered condemnation from all walks of life human rights Groups and artists from around the world.Parastoo Ahmadi, 29, was punished for a live-streamed performance that attracted millions of viewers online. Eight members of the production team, including musicians, were also convicted in connection with the concert.An Iranian court sentenced him to 74 lashes, a two-year ban on leaving Iran, and a two-year ban on artistic activities. The charges include violating public morals by producing and posting what authorities described as “vulgar and immoral content” online.The case stems from a performance in December 2024 when Ahmadi sang the patriotic song Az Khoone Javanane Vatan (The Blood of the Youth of the Motherland) without wearing a hijab. The concert was broadcast live on her YouTube channel and quickly went viral.Ahmadi and several musicians were detained after the show was released. They were later released. Authorities launched formal legal proceedings over the video.Bahar Gandahari, advocacy director of the U.S.-based Center for Human Rights in Iran, said: “Ahmadi’s punishment of 74 lashes simply for singing and appearing without a headscarf is another reminder that the human rights situation in Iran has not changed despite the Iranian authorities’ wartime propaganda campaign aimed at improving its image.”Human rights lawyer Moein Khazaeli also questioned the legal basis of the verdict.“According to Iran’s penal code, it is not a crime for women to sing, perform music and produce or distribute musical works. Therefore, such activities cannot be reasonably interpreted as ‘production, dissemination or publication of obscene content’,” he said.The ruling also drew criticism from prominent figures in Iran’s art world.Iranian-British actor Nazanin Boniadi said: “The singer Palasto Ahmadi’s sentencing to be whipped for the simple act of singing in public without a headscarf is a stark reminder that despite talk in Washington of a ‘new regime’ in Iran, the Islamic Republic’s repressive machinery remains unchanged. Accommodating a regime that whips women for speaking out and kills citizens for demanding their rights will only embolden it to continue on its path of tyranny.”“Actor Setareh Maleki described Ahmadi’s performance as an act of resistance.“When I watched the videos of Palaszow Ahmadi’s concert, it rekindled the spirit of resistance within me. I watched the videos over and over for days and I was so proud of Palaszow,” she said.“Knowing all the consequences she would face, she still refused to give up her right to live, to sing, and to be heard as a woman. It is truly remarkable that Iranian women have never stopped fighting against tyranny, even for a moment.”
Sukhada Fadnavis poses with her parents and then-Caltech President Jean-Lou Chameau during the 2007 commencement ceremony.
Indian-born mathematician Sukhada Fadnavis has decided to start a scholarship in the name of her parents at her alma mater, Caltech, the Shubhangi and Sharad Fadnavis Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship. The scholarship will support undergraduate research through the institute’s signature programs.“The most important thing my parents did for me was let me explore. They didn’t try to change me or force me to follow a path,” Suhada said. “Caltech is also a place where I can be myself. It allows you to keep your inner child and come out of your shell. Caltech makes me feel like this is my place. I hope others can have the same opportunity to experience this environment.”“I love the idea that my daughters and nieces will remember my parents for things that are rooted in knowledge and research that ultimately benefit society,” Fadnavis said. “We look forward to learning about the SURF projects supported through this scholarship for many years to come.”
Fadnavis said her parents never stopped her from achieving her big dreams, even though she was the first in her Pune family to travel by air and the first to study abroad for college. Caltech’s financial aid program helped her, and now it’s time for her to give back to her alma mater. “My dad made sure I knew they were always there for me,” Fadnavis said. “My mom is a very brave person. She said ‘We’ll figure it out. Jump!'”“I feel very fortunate that I have had the opportunity to study at Caltech and benefit from unique programs like SURF. SURF is one of the most unique programs at Caltech, giving undergraduates the opportunity to spend a summer conducting original research and making a real contribution to their field. If you know an undergraduate who might enjoy a fun and intellectually challenging research experience, they should definitely check out SURF. So grateful to be able to honor my parents through this scholarship while supporting the curiosity of future generations! ” Suhada wrote.
Fadnavis received his PhD from Stanford University in 2007 after receiving his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Caltech. She wanted to stay in academia and taught mathematics at Harvard University for three years. She then spent a year helping a friend launch a startup promoting Indian artists, and ended up joining Google.
