Paul Alexander

1 week ago | washingtonpost.com | Paul Alexander

How C. Everett Koop transformed the office of surgeon general (washingtonpost.com) How C. Everett Koop transformed the office of surgeon general By Paul Alexander 2025041112000000 In early 1981, newly elected President Ronald Reagan was considering whom he should appoint for the role of surgeon general, a position that had become so marginal the officeholder played little more than an advisory role.

2 weeks ago | customerthink.com | Paul Alexander

LinkedIn has just released a powerful snapshot of how the world of work is changing — and fast. Their latest survey of the UK’s fastest-growing skills highlights the 15 areas that employers are prioritising as they navigate the disruptive rise of AI, evolving customer expectations, and a radically different workforce dynamic. Among the top in-demand skills?

Nov 25, 2024 | theconversation.com | Paul Alexander

Remember back at the turn of the millennium, when sending a small letter only cost 45 cents? If you haven’t used the postal service recently, you might be in for a rude shock. Late last week, Australia Post applied to the Australian Competition and Consumer Authority (ACCC) to increase the price of stamps. If approved, the current basic postage rate for a small letter, $1.50, will rise to $1.70 by mid-2025. Stamps for regular large and priority small letters will go from $2.20 up to $2.70.

Jun 20, 2024 | washingtonpost.com | Paul Alexander

On a recent May evening, Madeleine Peyroux stood backstage in her dressing room at Sony Hall in Manhattan greeting friends and fans after a performance. The renowned jazz vocalist still wore her stage attire — black slacks, blue blouse, blue velvet jacket, a pink scarf tied around her neck — having just charged through a spirited 75-minute set that included most of the tracks from her upcoming album, “Let’s Walk.”A fan pointed out how different her new songs are.

Mar 30, 2024 | washingtonpost.com | Paul Alexander

On Oct. 5, 1958, Billie Holiday took the stage at the inaugural Monterey Jazz Festival. Then America’s preeminent jazz singer, she closed the event with aneffortlessly sophisticated11-song set that mirrored the image she had carefully crafted for herself over the years: makeup perfectly applied, ebony hair pulled back into her trademark ponytail. Her shimmering strapless evening gown was patterned with stars and complemented by dangling earrings and a mink stole.