PR in the Philippines

NORFOLK, Va. — Like other Founding Fathers, George Washington was hesitant about celebrating his life publicly; he saw himself as a republican leader, not a monarch. Nevertheless, the U.S. will again commemorate its first president on Monday, 293 years after his birth. Presidents Day's significance has changed drastically, evolving from a largely unremarkable workday in Washington's time to today's consumerist extravaganza. Some historians believe the holiday has lost all meaning. Historian Alexis Coe, author of “You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington,” reflects on Presidents Day similarly to how she views the Washington Monument in D.C. “It’s supposed to be about Washington, but can you really point to anything that looks or sounds like him?” she noted in a 2024 interview with The Associated Press. “Jefferson and Lincoln are depicted as individuals with features and words associated with their memorials. Washington is just a massive, granite obelisk; he's been simplified to have no distinguishing characteristics.” Here's how the holiday has changed: Washington’s birthdays were sometimes celebrated Washington was born Feb. 22, 1732, on Popes Creek Plantation near the Potomac River in Virginia. However, using the Julian calendar then in use, his birthdate was February 11. The Gregorian calendar, adopted in 1752, added 11 days. Regardless, Washington largely ignored his birthday, according to Mountvernon.org. Records show no celebrations at Mount Vernon, and his diary indicates he frequently worked on his birthday. “If he had his way, he'd be at home with family,” Coe stated. “Perhaps some beloved nieces and nephews (and friend) Marquis de Lafayette would be ideal. And Martha's cake recipe. But that's about it.” Washington's birthday was sometimes commemorated by government colleagues during his presidency. Congress took brief commemorative breaks annually during his first two terms, except for his last birthday in office, Coe noted. By then, Washington's popularity had waned, partisanship was high, and many original cabinet members, including Thomas Jefferson, had left. “One way to show their disdain for his Federalist policies was to continue working on his birthday,” Coe explained. The Library of Congress mentions a celebration: French military officer, the comte de Rochambeau, held a ball for Washington's 50th birthday in 1782. After his death, a market for memorabilia emerged Washington understood his inaugural role's difference from the British crown. He didn't desire royal-like honors, Seth Bruggeman, a Temple University history professor, told the AP last year. However, a market for Washington memorabilia arose soon after his death in 1799 at age 67, with people acquiring pottery and etchings depicting him as a heavenly figure. “Even then, Americans linked consumerism with patriotic remembrance,” said Bruggeman, whose books include “Here, George Washington Was Born: Memory, Material Culture, and the Public History of a National Monument.” Official recognition through parades and festivals Congress established a committee to arrange national “parades, orations, and festivals” for the centennial of Washington's birth in 1832, according to the Congressional Research Service. His birthday didn't become a federal holiday until 1879. The holiday's official name is Washington's Birthday, though it's informally known as Presidents Day. Some argue for including President Lincoln, whose birthday is February 12. A few states, including Illinois, observe Lincoln's birthday as a public holiday, per the Library of Congress. Some commemorate both Lincoln and Washington on Presidents Day. Federally, the day remains officially Washington's Birthday. A shift towards consumerism By the late 1960s, Washington's Birthday was one of nine federal holidays on specific, varying weekdays, according to a 2004 National Archives’ Prologue magazine article. Congress moved some to Mondays, partly due to government worker absenteeism on midweek holidays. Lawmakers also noted economic benefits, such as increased retail sales and travel during three-day weekends. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act (1971) moved Presidents Day to the third Monday of February. Sales campaigns surged, historian C. L. Arbelbide wrote in Prologue. Bruggeman suggested Washington and other Founding Fathers would be deeply concerned about the holiday's commercialization. “They were wary of corporations,” Bruggeman stated. “Not that they prohibited them, but they viewed corporations as potential threats to the Republic’s power.” Coe, a New America fellow, says the day lacks recognizable traditions. “There’s no reflection,” Coe said, adding that with today's cynicism toward the presidency, such reflection “would be a good idea.” ```

Severe winter weather across the U.S. has resulted in at least nine fatalities, eight of which occurred in Kentucky due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall and inundated roads. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear reported Sunday that hundreds of flood-stranded individuals required rescue operations. Governor Beshear attributed many deaths, including a mother and her 7-year-old child, to vehicles becoming trapped in floodwaters. He urged residents to avoid travel, emphasizing the ongoing search and rescue efforts and commending the first responders. Approximately 39,000 homes experienced power outages, with potential for further disruptions due to strong winds. Beyond Kentucky, the U.S. faced widespread severe winter weather. The Northern Plains experienced life-threatening cold, while tornado watches were issued for parts of Georgia and Florida. Hart County Coroner Tony Roberts confirmed the deaths of the mother and child, who were swept away in Bonnieville. In southeastern Kentucky, a 73-year-old man perished in Clay County floodwaters, according to County Emergency Management Deputy Director Revelle Berry. Intense weekend storms delivered up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain to parts of Kentucky and Tennessee, as reported by Bob Oravec, a senior forecaster with the National Weather Service. Oravec noted the lingering impact of the flooding, with swollen streams and prolonged inundation expected. In Atlanta, a falling tree resulted in a fatality after striking a home early Sunday, according to Atlanta Fire Rescue Capt. Scott Powell. Sub-zero temperatures are anticipated for the Northern Plains, with lows in the minus 30s F near the Canadian border. Wind chills ranging from minus 40 Fahrenheit (minus 40 Celsius) to minus 50 F (minus 45.6 C) are expected in the Dakotas and Minnesota. Heavy snowfall is predicted for parts of New England and northern New York, with potential wind gusts up to 60 mph (about 97 kph) creating hazardous conditions, according to the NWS. Kentucky faces severe flooding Kentucky and Virginia experienced significant flooding, with submerged vehicles and buildings, and mudslides obstructing roads. Flood warnings were in effect for these states, along with Tennessee and Arkansas. The National Weather Service advised residents to remain off the roads. Following heavy rains, parts of Kentucky experienced snowfall early Sunday. The Kentucky River Medical Center in Jackson temporarily closed its emergency department, transferring patients to other hospitals. The hospital planned to reassess conditions to determine reopening time. The north fork of the Kentucky River was projected to crest nearly 14 feet (4.3 meters) above flood stage. Images shared on social media depicted submerged vehicles and buildings in south-central and eastern Kentucky. In Buchanan County, Virginia, numerous roads were blocked by mudslides, according to the sheriff’s office. The Simpson County Office of Emergency Management in Kentucky reported conducting several rescues of stranded motorists. “Stay home if you can,” the office advised on Facebook. New England faces snow, then sleet Heavy snowfall is expected across much of New England, transitioning to sleet. Oravec stated that snowfall was relatively light due to the freezing rain and sleet mix. Snow and frigid temperatures affected the Midwest and Upper Plains Saturday, impacting roads in eastern Nebraska, northern Iowa and Wisconsin. Winter weather advisories were issued for parts of these states and Michigan, with up to 4 inches (10.6 centimeters) of snow predicted. Frigid polar vortex Meteorologists anticipate the tenth and coldest polar vortex event of the season, impacting the northern Rockies and northern Plains initially. Arctic weather patterns are driving frigid air southward into the U.S. and Europe. In Denver, anticipating temperatures as low as 14 degrees (minus 10 degrees Celsius), the city opened shelters for the homeless. —Sophia Tareen contributed to this report from Chicago. ```

The "White Lotus" Season 3 crew departs the Four Seasons Koh Samui beach for dinner, while Patrick Schwarzenegger arrives with his family, giving them a set tour. Schwarzenegger introduces his family to Aimee Lou Wood, who expresses delight at meeting his mother. Her enthusiastic greeting seems unaffected by Maria Shriver's political background. Wood, a rising star from British television's "Sex Education," plays Chelsea, the girlfriend of Walton Goggins' character in "White Lotus." She identifies strongly with the role. Wood describes Chelsea as "a bit otherworldly," relating to her astrology obsession and romantic nature, calling her "crazy in the best way." She credits Mike White's writing and directing for the show's success, enjoying the tense dinner scenes and lengthy dialogues. White praises Wood's comedic talent, highlighting her contribution to the season's humor. Wood kept her Northern English accent for the role, a choice White appreciated, finding it unique and effective. Despite the intense heat and sunburnt cast members, Wood found the shoot fulfilling. The Koh Samui setting impacted Wood's pace of life, allowing for relaxation, although being away from loved ones proved challenging due to the close quarters of the cast and crew living and working together in the same resort, which she likened to "The Truman Show." She anticipates gaining resilience and improved work-life balance from the experience. Filming presented personal challenges due to Wood's history with eating disorders; however, her character's carefree nature helped counter insecurities. Despite "Lotus"'s potential to increase her fame, Wood prefers staying in Britain, recently completing a Netflix drama based on a true story about mothers fighting for justice. At the time of the interview, Wood hadn't been to Los Angeles, expressing reluctance to move there, but plans to attend the "Lotus" screening in the city.

In 1988, Presidents Reagan and Mulroney signed a free trade agreement eliminating tariffs between the U.S. and Canada. While the treaty lacked controversy in the U.S., many Canadians feared a loss of sovereignty. Mulroney faced accusations of selling out Canada during that year's election. Liberal leader John Turner criticized the agreement, arguing it would make Canada a U.S. colony due to economic dependence. Mulroney won reelection, securing the deal's survival. However, 36 years later, Trump's repeated tariff threats are proving Turner's concerns prescient. Trump's threats have fueled Canadian anxieties about U.S. influence. Polls indicate increased openness to measures promoting national independence, despite Canada's vulnerable trade position with the U.S. Since the agreement, Canadian trade with the U.S. has significantly increased, becoming a substantial portion of Canada's economy. Trump's 25% tariffs could trigger a Canadian recession. Canada's economic reliance on the U.S. exceeds that of the U.S. on Canada. Even for Michigan, Canada-U.S. trade represents only 11% of its economy, in contrast to approximately one-third of Canada's. Canada has long navigated the U.S.'s influence. Canada's first Prime Minister built a transcontinental railway to counter U.S. expansion. Post-World War II, Canada's resistance lessened, culminating in the 1965 Auto Pact. Nixon's 1972 policies prompted Trudeau Sr. to pursue reduced economic dependence through initiatives such as a foreign investment review and the National Energy Program, which ultimately failed due to regional opposition. Subsequent Canadian governments have pursued trade diversification with limited success, continually grappling with the powerful U.S. economic pull. In 1969, Pierre Trudeau likened Canada's relationship with the U.S. to a mouse sharing a bed with an elephant, highlighting Canada's vulnerability. Trump's actions now go beyond mere twitches and grunts; he temporarily delayed the 25% tariffs, but this respite is insufficient for Canada to adjust decades-old trade relationships. Canada lacks the infrastructure to quickly redirect exports if the U.S. curtails demand for Canadian goods like aluminum and potash, or its significant crude oil exports. Trump's threats have spurred a shift in Canadian public opinion on issues such as pipelines. Premiers are committed to dismantling internal trade barriers; even Stephen Harper urged prioritizing national independence. Canada has responded with retaliatory tariffs and removed U.S. alcohol from liquor stores, yet this represents a small fraction of U.S. alcohol production. The 2019 USMCA negotiations offered limited progress. Canada employed targeted tariffs hoping to influence U.S. lawmakers, but a subsequent White House visit resulted in a deputy chief of staff suggesting annexation as a goal. U.S. opposition to Trump's tariffs might emerge from affected workers and consumers. However, Republican support for Trump and his dismissal of price increases hinder this opposition. Canada faces an upcoming election, with Trudeau and Poilievre vying for leadership. Carney's potential role is also relevant, given his experience managing complex economic situations. Canadians will choose between leaders committed to confronting Trump and bolstering Canadian resilience. Ironically, Trump's actions may have inadvertently prompted necessary changes in Canada. The mouse, startled, is actively seeking self-preservation.