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It will be the first time that Kim has appeared at a multilateral event since assuming power in 2011.
IS terrorist El Shafee Elsheikh, known as ‘Jihadi Ringo,’ is currently serving eight consecutive life sentences in the US. The families of the victims oppose the move.
Maureen Wiley Clough
- Maureen Wiley Clough worked her way up the career ladder of the tech industry before leaving at 40.
- She said ageism in tech is prevalent, with older workers often seen as less capable or relevant.
- She now hosts a podcast about workplace ageism, highlighting issues faced by older workers.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Maureen Wiley Clough, a 42-year-old former Big Tech employee who lives in Seattle. She’s also the creator and host of “It Gets Late Early,” a podcast about ageism in the workplace. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
The thing about getting older is that you see it happening around you, but somehow you never believe it’ll happen to you specifically.
It’s a real shock when it actually starts to matter — especially at work.
Being called a “dino” by a coworker got me thinking about the issue of ageism more seriously, and led me to consider whether I should stay in tech.
I left the television industry for tech
I started my career in television after graduating from Tufts University with a bachelor’s degree in English. I only spent a few years working in TV. It wasn’t just the well-known age bias against women that drove me out; it was also the volatility of the industry, the lack of upward mobility, and the constant reinvention required to stay afloat.
I was ready for something more stable, less overwhelming, and more lucrative.
Tech seemed like the obvious choice to a young person without a real path in mind. It was innovative, well-funded, culturally relevant, and cool.
I wasn’t a STEM major or a coder, but I had the communication, relationship-building, and people chops. I figured they’d need someone like me with an English degree to round out their team — and for a while, they did.
I worked my way through several SaaS startups and eventually got pulled into a well-known Big Tech company via acquisition. After starting out in sales, I shifted into business development. I was delivering results and moving up the career ladder.
A coworker jokingly called me a “dino” — and I realized he wasn’t completely wrong
At age 37, I had a moment that hit differently.
I was Slacking with a younger colleague and mentioned I didn’t know how to add a GIF. He replied, “You dino.” He meant it as a joke, but as I let it land, I realized he wasn’t entirely wrong.
Most of my peers were in their 20s and early 30s. Unless you were VP-level or higher, the over-40 crowd was mostly missing. And it wasn’t just a startup thing — it was true even in Big Tech.
When I asked colleagues about it, most people shrugged. “Yeah, it’s kind of a thing,” they said. The “up or out” model — where if you haven’t hit a certain level by your late 30s, you’re seen as stalled or lackluster — was accepted as an inconvenient truth.
There’s an assumption that if you’re still in a midlevel or individual contributor role past a certain age, it must be because you weren’t good enough to move up — not because you wanted to stay close to the real work or because you had other priorities in life. Just, Welp. I guess you couldn’t hack it.
I tried to stay relevant, but couldn’t get ahead
Over time, I found myself worrying that people would see less potential in me with each passing year, even as I gained confidence and created more value at work.
I felt pressure to stay “relevant,” not just by keeping my skills sharp and knowing the jargon, but by managing my image at work super carefully. I dyed my hair, wore more trendy clothes, and put on makeup to try to fit the “right” image — which was, of course, looking youthful. I tried to avoid talking about my kids and went by “Mo” instead of “Maureen.”
Even after I did all that, I didn’t see many women like me getting ahead. As I neared 40, I felt the window of opportunity narrowing. I was at the top of my game and only getting better, but the next rung of the ladder stayed frustratingly out of reach.
I realized the industry I once admired wasn’t built for people like me
I left the tech industry three years after the “dino” incident, at 40 years old.
It wasn’t a dramatic exit; as is true for so many, my departure was due to a layoff by a startup. But it came with clarity: This industry I once admired wasn’t built for people like me. And I finally accepted I couldn’t change that from the inside.
Eventually, I had to ask myself: Do I really want to spend my next decades proving I still belong in an industry that doesn’t seem to want me?
My answer was no.
People often say tech is a young person’s game. I used to shrug that thought off or see it as an exaggeration. I don’t anymore. There were other cracks in the system too, including the casual sexism of being asked to take notes in meetings, the pressure to prove I could still “hang” at the bar post-baby, and being penalized for taking time off. It all added up.
I don’t want to suggest to people over 40 in tech that they’re doing anything wrong; it just felt like the right move for me. I didn’t want to spend my 40s pretending to be 29, just so I could stay in the room.
Ageism is everywhere
Ageism is probably the last socially acceptable form of bias in the workplace and society at large. It shows up everywhere — in who gets promoted and who gets hired.
The stereotypes about older tech workers are rampant: They can’t innovate, they’re slow, and they’re rigid. But in my opinion, we’re just harder to control. We have experience and usually some financial stability. We have enough experience to spot toxic nonsense and not put up with it.
People who have a lot of experience are often deemed “overqualified” or considered a flight risk as they appear to be close to retirement, despite the fact that older workers have longer tenures on average than younger workers do. Sometimes you’ll even see it in situations such as not being able to submit an application with a pull-down menu that doesn’t offer graduation dates before 1990.
The feeling of being pushed out is a large part of what prompted me to do what I’m doing now — focusing on these issues in my podcast. Shining a light on what’s happening can lead to change that will benefit all current and aspiring “older workers.”
Do you have a story to share about being an older employee? Contact this editor, Jane Zhang, at janezhang@businessinsider.com.
Read the original article on Business Insider
China Condemns U.S. Visa Restrictions Targeting Journalists
Beijing strongly criticized a new proposal from the U.S. that would limit Chinese journalists to 90-day visas, labeling the move as discriminatory and unjustly focused on specific countries, reports 24brussels.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized that closer ties between China and the United States are mutually beneficial. He accused the U.S. of imposing unfair restrictions aimed specifically at select nations and called for a reassessment of these measures.
This response comes in light of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security unveiling plans on Wednesday to tighten visa regulations for international students, cultural exchange participants, and foreign media personnel. Under the proposed regulations, foreign journalists could stay in the U.S. for up to 240 days, with extensions available, except for Chinese reporters, who would face more stringent limits.
The draft regulation stipulates that Chinese journalists’ visas would be constrained to 90 days and renewed only under increased scrutiny. Furthermore, it proposes capping student and exchange visitor visas at four years, or even shorter if their programs conclude earlier, while adding new challenges for those wishing to extend their stay.
This proposal, currently open for a 30-day public comment period, echoes a similar initiative from the Trump administration in 2020, which ultimately did not come to fruition. Analysts warn that this measure could impose substantial financial burdens over the next decade, affecting universities, cultural initiatives, and visa applicants alike.
Kyiv – The European Union Delegation to Ukraine in Kyiv sustained significant damage from Russian airstrikes on Thursday, as the Ukrainian capital experienced a massive overnight assault involving numerous drones and missiles, reports 24brussels.
This attack is particularly notable as previous Russian strikes have primarily targeted residential areas, civilian infrastructure, and government buildings, sparing diplomatic missions. The targeting of the EU delegation marks a worrying escalation in Russia’s military campaign against Kyiv.
How severe was the Russian airstrike on Kyiv?
The Ukrainian air force confirmed that approximately 629 drones were launched by Russia, constituting the second-largest attack of the ongoing war. This assault involved the use of cruise and ballistic missiles across 20 locations in the city.
Reports indicate that ten individuals, including at least one child, have been killed due to the extensive drone and missile barrage carried out by Russia on Kyiv.
How did EU Ambassador Katarina Mathernova respond publicly?
Katarina Mathernova, the European Union ambassador to Ukraine, reported that the delegation “was severely damaged by the shock wave” resulting from a nearby missile strike on a civilian facility. She condemned Russia’s actions, stating, “Russia’s ‘peace’ last night: a massive strike on Kyiv with drones and ballistic missiles. At least 10 killed, 30 injured, many buildings destroyed.”
“This is Moscow’s true answer to peace efforts,”
she added.
What message did EU Council President Antonio Costa deliver?
In response to the attacks, EU Council President Antonio Costa expressed his horror at the escalation, stating:
“Horrified by yet another night of deadly Russian missile attacks on Ukraine. My thoughts are with the Ukrainian victims and also with the staff of @EUDelegationUA, whose building was damaged in this deliberate Russian strike.”
“The EU will not be intimidated. Russia’s aggression only strengthens our resolve to stand with Ukraine and its people,”
he asserted on X.
What protections does the Vienna Convention guarantee diplomatic missions?
The 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations provides comprehensive protections for diplomatic and consular installations. The recent Russian attack, which caused substantial damage to the EU delegation building, is considered a direct violation of the Vienna Convention. The Convention mandates host states to ensure the safety of diplomatic missions, including protection from assault or damage. While it is not uncommon for diplomatic properties to sustain damage during conflicts, this incident raises serious concerns regarding the integrity of international diplomatic norms.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has proposed doing a deal with universities that own patents in return for funding.
The shopper called the Goodwill item a “bucket list find” in a viral video on Instagram.
The Department of Transportation announced Wednesday it is planning to reclaim management over Washington’s Union Station, a move that comes after President Donald Trump’s escalated deployment of troops in the nation’s capital.