The first two days of President Donald Trumps second term have already been catastrophic, and hes wasted no time igniting controversies on issues that dont really matter rather than issues that do.Among those was an executive order that declared only the binary male and female genders would be recognized henceforth and that those definitions are based solely on reproductive biology at conception. (@) While the order immediately drew fire from LGBTQ+ advocates, Delaware Rep. Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, dismantled its premise with sharp humor and undeniable science.Well, it appears that he just declared everyone a woman from conception based on the language of the executive order, McBride told The Independent, highlighting a glaring flaw in Trumps rigid definitions.The order claims that a female is a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the large reproductive cell, while a male is a person belonging, at conception, to the sex that produces the small reproductive cell. (@) Although they tried to make that seem so simple, it actually goes much deeper than that.In fact, experts note that all human embryos start with a female developmental pathway.Yes, you read that correctly: All human embryos start with a female developmental pathway,According to the National Library of Medicine, sexual differentiation doesnt begin until six weeks into gestation, when the SRY gene activates in embryos with an XY genotype. Before that, embryos are phenotypically female.Trump presented the policy during his inaugural address, framing it as a stand against gender ideology. The order directs federal agencies to remove policies acknowledging gender identity, blocks federal funding for gender-affirming healthcare for inmates, and bans transgender women from being housed in womens prisons. (@) The impact of such a policy is far-reaching, but McBrides pointed response highlights the absurdity of its biological claims. She has long been a target of Republican-led anti-trans initiatives, but her advocacy remains steadfast.Trumps latest actions may signal another uphill battle for trans and nonbinary rights, but McBrides clarity and courage serve as a reminder that the fight is far from over.

Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn watches during warmups before an NFL football divisional playoff game against the Washington Commanders, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Mike Mulholland)2025-01-22T19:05:07Z The New York Jets and Aaron Glenn agreed to terms on making the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator their head coach on Wednesday, according to a person with knowledge of the hiring.Glenn, who oversaw the Lions defense the past four years, beat out 15 other candidates for the job as the Jets went through an extensive search to find their next coach.And they ended up choosing one of their former players a first-round draft pick in 1994 who now gets the chance to try to turn around the fortunes of the franchise 31 years later as its coach.The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not yet announced the hiring. ESPN first reported that Glenn agreed to coach the Jets.The 52-year-old, who turned Detroits defense into one of the best in the league, has been one of the most sought candidates during the NFLs past two hiring cycles. He interviewed with Washington, Atlanta, Tennessee and the Los Angeles Chargers last year, and he met with the Jets, Jacksonville, Las Vegas and Chicago this year. Glenn spoke with the Jets during a video call on Jan. 9 and then interviewed in person Tuesday. The Jets also interviewed Brian Flores, Jeff Hafley, Vance Joseph, Mike Locksley, Josh McCown, Matt Nagy, Ron Rivera, Darren Rizzi, Rex Ryan, Bobby Slowik, Arthur Smith, Steve Spagnuolo, Jeff Ulbrich, Mike Vrabel and Joe Whitt Jr. for the job. But only Glenn received a second interview. And New York didnt need to think twice about talking to anyone else again.The Jets also are going through a lengthy search for a general manager, and Washington assistant general manager Lance Newmark also was at the teams facility Tuesday.Newmark, one of 15 candidates to interview for the GM job, was the first to get a second meeting with the Jets like Glenn but hasnt agreed to a deal.Glenn and the new GM will be tasked with trying to revamp a franchise that has the NFLs longest active playoff drought at 14 seasons. Glenn played eight seasons with New York and was selected as one of the cornerbacks on the franchises All-Time Four Decade team in 2003.He later had stints with Houston, Dallas, Jacksonville and New Orleans and finished his career with 41 interceptions, including six returned for touchdowns, and made the Pro Bowl three times.After his 15-year playing career, Glenn had a stint as the general manager for the Houston Stallions of the Lone Star Football League in 2012 before coming back to the Jets as a personnel scout later that year. He served as Clevelands assistant defensive backs coach from 2014 to 2015 before being hired for the same position in New Orleans. After five seasons with the Saints, he was hired by the Lions as defensive coordinator in 2021.Joe Namath, the quarterback who led the Jets to their only Super Bowl victory, in 1969, was pleased with the hiring of Glenn.Im hoping all @nyjets fans are as thrilled as my family and I are that Aaron Glenn is our new Head Coach, Namath wrote on X shortly after the news broke. I wish the season would start next week!___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL DENNIS WASZAK JR. Waszak is an NFL writer for The Associated Press who has covered the New York Jets as the beat writer since 2006. He also is an editor on the APs national sports desk and has worked in AP Sports since 1996. twitter mailto

This photo provided by Metro Nashville Police, emergency personnel gather outside Antioch High School after a shooting incident on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 in Nashville, Tenn. (Metro Nashville Police via AP)2025-01-22T18:21:55Z NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Authorities say one person is dead and two others have been wounded by gunfire at a Nashville high school. Vanderbilt University Medical Center spokesperson John Howser says one person is dead after the shooting at Antioch High School on Wednesday. Howser says two others were taken to the hospital with injuries. The school has about 2,000 students and is located in a neighborhood of Nashville about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of downtown. The shooter is believed to have shot two students before shooting themself, according to spolice spokesperson April Weatherly, who could not immediately say if the shooter was a student.School officials are asking parents not to go to the high school to pick up their children. They were asked to go to a nearby hospital instead. Students will be bused there as they are released from the school by police. The FBI in Nashville referred questions to the Metro Nashville Police Department, which is leading the investigation, spokesperson Elizabeth Clement-Webb said in an email. She said Nashville police had not asked for the FBIs help in the investigation as of early Wednesday afternoon.School shootings have been top of mind in Nashville. In March 2023, a shooter killed three 9-year-olds and three adults at a private Christian elementary school in the city, The Covenant School. KRISTIN M. HALL Hall is an Associated Press video journalist based in Nashville, Tennessee. She helps lead the video report in the Mid-South region.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg loved an AI-generated slop image of a horse made out of bread posted by a spam page on Facebook that also posts AI-generated images of children with amputations and regularly circumvents Facebooks algorithm to link users offsite to ad-laden AI-generated content farms.The page, Faithful, is verified, operated out of Romania, has 1.1 million followers, and regularly goes mega viral with the exact type of AI slop that I have been writing about over the last year. In that sense, it is the perfect encapsulation of the type of spam page that has become dominant on the platform as Meta continues to lean into AI-generated content and pays people for going viral on the site.I made every detail with love, but it seems no one cares, reads the caption of the image, which has 2.7 million reactions, 193,000 comments, and 98,000 shares as of the time of this writing. Zuckerbergs interaction with the page was first noticed by Gazpacho Machine, a man who posts reviews of food he eats while taking showers.When Gazpacho Machine posted about this, I was initially skeptical that Zuckerberg's real account had liked the page (as in, it could have been an imposter), and the image had so many likes that Facebook was initially having trouble loading information about which accounts actually liked the page. Gazpacho Machine sent me a screen recording showing that it was indeed Zuckerberg's real "@zuck" account, and I was later able to verify for myself that this is Zuckerberg's real account: 0:00 /0:10 1 This bread horse is a variation on a classic type of AI slop that made its way into my very first story about the phenomenon of AI spam on the platform in December 2023, when AI spammers were taking already viral images and running them through image-to-image AI tools to create slight variations of the original viral image.The origin story of bread horse is The Bread House man, a viral Russian image from the 2010s of a man next to a house he had created from various rolls and baguettes. Catherine Hall, a Facebook user who tracked the early spread of AI spam on Facebook, originally found dozens of AI-generated variations of the Bread House Man.The Faithful page, whose header image says I Love God. I am proud to say that, has posted hundreds of AI-generated images over the last few years across a host of genres that are now very familiar to me, and are similar to many pages that are operated by people in the global south trying to make money on Facebook. It has repeatedly posted the same image of an AI generated child who is missing an arm and whose caption says My mother said I was beautiful, but so far I have not liked anyone at least three times. It has gotten thousands of likes each time. The page has also posted various images of AI-generated elderly people who are supposedly older than 100 celebrating their birthday, AI sand sculpture images, AI-generated variations of American Idol and Americas Got Talent, AI wood sculptures, AI photos of aging couples, AI ice sculptures, AI knitting, AI I drew a picture images, AI families who are also onion farmers, and AI recycled bottle sculptures. Faithful has also posted a fair bit of Donald Trump content, as well as lots of inspirational screenshots of the Bible, reels that are seemingly automatically created from Reddit posts or written by AI, and inspiration porn.Many of the images are monetized in ways that I have previously reported on. For example, many of the images have captions that ask users to read the first comment for more information; a pinned top comment posted by Faithful will then link off of Facebook to a website that is absolutely loaded with ads. I clicked on a recent link posted by both Faithful and a related page called "Faith Space" about an AI generated stepfather who stood up for his AI generated stepdaughter when she was being bullied and was taken to a website called Daily Home Gardening, which served me many ads for products called Levitox and GlucoReNu, which showed images of worms and had captions that read The Lump Of Worms Will Come Out Of You In The Morning. Try It.I do not know why Zuckerberg loved the AI generated bread horse, but it should be noted that it is harder to errantly love something on Facebook than it is to errantly like it. Meta did not respond to a request for comment. It is just one small action by one very rich and powerful person. But it is further evidence that strengthens what we already know: Mark Zuckerberg is not bothered by the AI spam that has turned his flagship invention into a cesspool of human sadness and unreality. In fact, he thinks that AI-generated content is the future of social media and Meta believes that one day soon we will all be creating AI-generated profiles that will operate semiautonomously on Metas platforms.While I was writing this, Faithful posted another AI-generated image of a grave with the caption NEW TOYS APPEARED ON MY SON'S GRAVE EVERY DAY, SO I DECIDED TO FIND OUT WHO WAS DOING IT. The image links in the comments to Daily Home Gardening, which loaded 64 distinct ads, plus an infinite scroll of ads at the bottom of the page.

The Long Island Roller Rebels suffered a defeat on Tuesday when a judge blocked the roller derby teams effort to temporarily halt Nassau Countys ban on transgender athletes competing on female sports teams.Nassau CountySupreme Court Judge Bruce Cozzens claimed in his ruling that the county law passed last summer doesnt exclude transgender women and girls from public facilities based on their gender identities because they can still play in coed sports leagues. Related Judge strikes down Long Island countys anti-trans sports ban Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R) acted beyond the scope of his authority, according to the decision. There can be no question (even without discovery) that a biological male regardless of transitioning would be possessed of greater athleticism and speed, strength, muscle mass, stronger hearts and greater bone density, Cozzens asserted. The goal of the local law is to provide a safe environment for individuals who are born female to play. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today He described transgender women playing on female sports teams as a potential liability for the local government.The loss comes as the county east of New York City is embroiled in a bitter fight over transgender athletes, which began with Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakemans unilateral decision in February last year to bar the countys parks department from issuing permits to womens and girls sports teams that include transgender athletes.They have a competitive advantage, the Republican official said, referring to transgender athletes. Its unfair, and its also unsafe.New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a cease-and-desist order to Blakeman, saying, Pernicious discrimination such as this is precisely what New Yorks Human and Civil Rights Laws proscribe. She gave the executive a week to repeal the law before she would initiate legal action.Instead, Blakeman filed a federal lawsuit asking the court to decide whether or not the ordinance passes legal muster an effort to delay repealing the mandate.A New York judge ruled in May that Blakeman acted beyond the scope of his authorityin issuing the order and overturned it. The countys Republican-controlled legislature responded by passing a local law to enshrine the ban, prompting the latest round of litigation, including a challenge to the new law by the Roller Rebels.Attorney for the New York Civil Liberties Union Gabriella Larios, who represents the Roller Rebels in the latest case, called the decision to deny the injunction while it makes its way through the courts an outlier. The Roller Rebels called it transphobic.At a time of rising anti-LGBTQ+ hate and violence across the country, keeping this ban intact is not only cruel, but it is also dangerous, said Amanda Curly Fry Urena, president of the roller derby team. We hope that New Yorks courts will ultimately strike down this unlawful ban and acknowledge it for what it is transphobic and unjust.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

(@) President Donald Trump's inauguration was always going to be a terrible day, and he didn't disappoint. Not only did he sign executive orders proclaiming that the U.S. government will now only recognize two genders and ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, but he also removed all LGBTQ+ references from the official White House website and invited every tech billionaire he could think of to attend as his guest.But he also got read for filth by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, who gave the inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral."In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared now," Budde said, directing her speech to Trump. "There are gay, lesbian and transgender children, and Democratic and Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives."Predictably, Trump hated being called out so publicly. Before villainizing immigrants, he said the reverend had a "nasty tone." Trump has a history of calling women "nasty," a moniker he has bestowed on at least a dozen women including Kamala Harris, Hilary Clinton, and Nancy Pelosi since he first ran for office. "The so-called Bishop who spoke at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday morning was a Radical Left hard line Trump hater. She brought her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. She was nasty in tone, and not compelling or smart," the MAGA leader wrote Truth Social.Trump may have thought he got in the last word with his post, but people across X (formerly Twitter) celebrated Budde's words and made fun of the president. From people joking that it's "shocking to fake Christians when they meet real Christians" to someone writing, "When your church calls you out for being a piece of shit," the responses are pointed and hilarious.Keep scrolling to see the best reactions to Budde's speech! (@) "It's always shocking to fake Christians when they meet real Christians." (@) "Trump just got called out BY THE CHURCH! While having to sit and listen to it. Republicans: We are going to use Christianity to justify our hate and authoritarian policies. The Church: The fuck you will." (@) "In a world of Donald Trumps, be a Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde." (@) "When your church calls you out for being a piece of shit." (@) "'The so-called Bishop' If Trump weren't such a thin-skinned crybaby, he would ignore what the Bishop said and move on, but he cant help himself. Our so-called president is a national embarrassment" (@) "Echoing the teachings of Jesus and calling out Trump's cruelty, ignorance, and bigotry to his face, Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde delivers a sermon for the ages. Bishop Budde stared down authoritarian fascism and said 'Not today, motherfucker.'" (@) "bishop budde before sermon vs after sermon" (@) "Jesus: Feed the poor, love your neighbor. MAGA: HOW FUCKING DARE YOU!!!" (@) "How dare she bring Christianity into Christianity?!" (@) "HAHAHA! Trump is FURIOUS after being called out by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde 'I didnt think it was a good service they couldve done much better.' Trumps fragile ego has been badly damaged!" (@) "Day 1: Nazi salutes Day 2: Threatening a bishop with deportation Pace yourself lads, youve got four years. At this rate youll be on drop-kicking infants into a volcano by Easter." (@) "Donald Trump is big mad about getting reminded of what it is to be an actual Christian at the National Prayer Service today by the Bishop." (@) "The folks with 'Christian' in their bio sure are pissed that a Bishop asked Trump to uphold Christian values." (@) "It didnt take long for Donald Trump to fall back into his favorite White House habitlate-night rants on social media. His first target post-inauguration? The Episcopal Bishop who had the audacity to remind him of basic Christian values like mercy and compassion." (@) "Oh my gosh, she asked Trump, a man who claims to be a Christian, to honor the core principles of Christianity, in a church?" (@) "Wow. A bishop just called out Trump and Vance to their faces at church. 'The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. May I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those whose children fear their parents will be taken away.'" (@) "MAGA raging that: - a woman is a preacher in the Episcopal church - a woman is a bishop in the Episcopal church - a woman bishop has the "audacity" to speak truth to power to 47 and his cronies, who snickered and frowned. What Christianity is meant to be -- a call to justice." (@) "To recap, the MAGA religious who all put 'Christian' in their bios are super pissed at the Bishop who called for love, compassion & mercy towards immigrants. Do I have that right?" (@) "yeah nothing infuriates MAGA like being confronted with actual christianity" (@) "24 hours into the Trump administration, and you're defending insurrectionists, defending Nazi salutes, attacking a church for asking Trump to be more like Jesus, and prices are going up. There's still 35,016 hours of the Trump administration left. Good luck morons."

President Donald Trump has lashed out at Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde following her sermon at the National Prayer Service on Tuesday, criticizing her remarks as nasty in tone and demanding an apology. The bishop had directly addressed Trumps policies, particularly their impact on LGBTQ+ people and immigrant families.Related: Watch a bishop scold Donald Trump about attacks on LGBTQ+ and immigrants during inaugural prayer service In a post on his Truth Social platform, made after midnight on Wednesday, Trump described Budde as a Radical Left hard line Trump hater and accused her of bringing her church into the World of politics in a very ungracious way. He also labeled the service as boring and uninspiring, adding, She is not very good at her job! She and her church owe the public an apology!Buddes sermon at Washington National Cathedral highlighted the struggles faced by marginalized communities under Trumps administration. There are gay, lesbian, and transgender children in Democratic, Republican, and independent families, some who fear for their lives, Budde said. She defended immigrants by emphasizing that the vast majority are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors.Trumps response came hours after signing an executive order eliminating federal recognition of transgender and nonbinary identities, a measure that has drawn widespread condemnation from civil rights groups.Republican Georgia U.S. Rep. Mike Collins echoed Trumps sentiments on social media the previous day, calling for Budde to be added to the deportation list in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Collins comment referred to Trumps new immigration measures, including reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy and suspending the CBP One app, which facilitates appointments for immigration proceedings.During the prayer service, Budde urged Trump to show mercy, warning of the fear and uncertainty his policies have instilled in many communities. May God grant us the strength and courage to honor the dignity of every human being, she said in her closing remarks.Trump later dismissed the sermon to reporters, calling it not too exciting and expressing his belief that they can do much better.The Advocate has contacted Budde for comment but has not yet received a response.

A man waves a Palestinian flag as he returns home to Rafah, after a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas went into effect, in Rafah, Gaza Strip, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Mariam Dagga, File)2025-01-22T18:37:49Z Inside a lavish clubhouse on Dohas waterfront, tensions strained by months of fruitless back-and-forth weighed on negotiators as the hour neared 3 a.m.On the first floor, a Hamas delegation whose leader had once evaded an Israeli airstrike that killed seven family members, combed through the details of yet another proposal to halt the war in Gaza. On the second floor, advisers to Israels intelligence chief, who had vowed to hunt down those responsible for the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war, did the same.With Qatari, U.S. and Egyptian mediators pushing for resolution, did the sides such bitter enemies that they refused to speak directly to one another at last have a deal to pause the fighting and bring dozens of Israeli hostages home?They were extremely suspicious towards each other. No trust at all, said an Egyptian official involved in the negotiations, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The talks that night a week ago dragged on over disagreements about maps showing where Israel would begin withdrawing troops and its demand that Hamas provide a list of hostages who remained alive, he said. Both parties were looking at each word in the deal as a trap. By the time Qatars prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, announced a ceasefire deal last Wednesday evening, mediators had scrambled again to defuse objections by both sides. Even then, disagreements and delays continued over the two days that followed. But as the fighting in Gaza paused this week, three young Israeli women were released from captivity and dozens of Palestinian prisoners were freed by Israel, the agreement, however tenuous, has held. In this photo provided by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, meets with his security Cabinet to vote on a ceasefire deal that would pause the 15-month war with Hamas in Gaza, in Jerusalem, Jan. 17, 2025. (Koby Gideon/Israeli Government Press Office via AP, File) In this photo provided by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, meets with his security Cabinet to vote on a ceasefire deal that would pause the 15-month war with Hamas in Gaza, in Jerusalem, Jan. 17, 2025. (Koby Gideon/Israeli Government Press Office via AP, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More After months of deadlock, a singular moment for dealmakingThe story of how Israel and Hamas found their way to a deal stretches back over more than a year. But the timing and unlikely partners who coalesced to push negotiations across the line help explain why it finally happened now.Over the course of the last week all of the stars aligned finally in a way that, after 15 months of carnage and bloodshed, negotiations came to fruition, said Mehran Kamrava, a professor of government at Georgetown University in Qatar.The agreement was the product of a singular political moment, with one U.S. president preparing to hand power to another.Both were pushing for a deal to free some 100 Israeli hostages and bring an end to a conflict that began with the killing of about 1,200 in Israel and that Palestinian health officials say has killed more than 47,000 in Gaza. The health officials do not distinguish between civilians and militants, but say more than half of those killed were women and children.In tiny, but wealthy Qatar, the talks had a steward that positions itself as a go-between in a region on edge, one that hosts the largest U.S. military base in the Middle East even as it provides offices for leaders of Hamas and the Taliban. Egypt, eager to ease instability that has driven an influx of Palestinians across its border and sparked attacks on sea lanes by Houthi rebels, worked to keep the talks on track. President Joe Biden, center, with Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and Sec. of State Anthony Blinken, right, speaks at the White House on the announcement of a ceasefire deal in Gaza after more than 15 months of war, Jan. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) President Joe Biden, center, with Vice President Kamala Harris, left, and Sec. of State Anthony Blinken, right, speaks at the White House on the announcement of a ceasefire deal in Gaza after more than 15 months of war, Jan. 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani speaks at a joint press conference with the U.S. secretary of state in Doha, Qatar, June 12, 2024. (Ibraheem Al Omari/AP File) Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani speaks at a joint press conference with the U.S. secretary of state in Doha, Qatar, June 12, 2024. (Ibraheem Al Omari/AP File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More The circumstances partnered Sheikh Mohammed with improbable allies. Then-President Joe Biden sent Brett McGurk, a veteran Middle East hand in both Republican and Democratic administrations. Donald Trump dispatched Steve Witkoff, a Bronx-born real estate billionaire with little if any diplomatic experience, but a longtime friendship with the president-elect.The deal they brought together calls for continued negotiations that could be even more fraught, but with the potential to release the remaining hostages and end a war that has destroyed much of Gaza and roiled the entire region. Pressure mounted on Israel and HamasIn the end, negotiators got it done in a matter of days. But it followed months of deadlock over the number of Israeli hostages that would be freed, the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released and the parameters of a pullback by Israeli troops in the embattled enclave.In late May, Biden laid out a proposed deal, which he said had come from Israel. It drew heavily on language and concepts hammered out with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, calling for a phased agreement with continued negotiation toward a sustainable calm verbiage designed to satisfy both sides.But talks had stalled even before the detonation of a bomb, attributed to Israel, in late July killed Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas political bureau. And efforts by mediators to restart them were derailed when Israeli forces found the bodies of six hostages in a Gaza tunnel in August.Whoever murders hostages does not want a deal, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said.Pressure on Hamas increased after Israeli forces killed leader Yahya Sinwar an architect of the Oct. 7 attack and launched a devastating offensive against Lebanons Hezbollah, the groups longtime ally.But Qatari officials, frustrated by the lack of progress, announced they were suspending mediation until both sides demonstrated willingness to negotiate. Weeks later, Trump dispatched Witkoff, a golfing buddy whose most notable prior link to the Middle East was his $623 million sale of New Yorks Park Lane Hotel to Qatars sovereign wealth fund in 2023.Flying to Doha in late November, Witkoff asked mediators to lay out the problems undermining the talks, then continued on to meet officials in Israel. The talks restarted soon after, gaining ground through December.Witkoff and McGurk were pushing the Israelis. Qatar was pushing Hamas, said an official briefed on the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity.Cooperation between Biden and Trump advisers was keyAssigning credit for the progress depends on viewpoint. The Egyptian official recounted the frustration of successfully pushing Hamas to agree to changes last summer, only to find Netanyahu imposing new conditions.An Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity last week because the negotiations were ongoing, said Sinwars death and Irans weakening influence in the region forced Hamas hand, leading to real give-and-take rather than playing a game of negotiation.He and others close to the process said Trumps rhetoric and dispatch of an envoy had injected new momentum. The Egyptian official pointed to a statement by Trump on social media that there would be hell to pay if the hostages were not released, saying it had pressured both Hamas and Israeli officials to get a deal done.And mediators said the willingness of Witkoff and McGurk -- representing leaders loathe to give one another credit for the deal to partner up was critical.How they have handled this as a team since the election, without yet being in office, has really helped close the gaps that allowed us to reach a deal, Majed Al Ansari, the adviser to Qatars prime minister and spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement.In early January, there was a breakthrough in the talks when Hamas agreed to provide a list of hostages it would release in the first phase of a deal, an official briefed on the talks said.McGurk flew from Washington to Doha hours later. Witkoff followed at weeks end.The following day Saturday, January 11 Witkoff flew to Israel, securing a meeting with Netanyahu even though it was the Jewish sabbath. McGurk called in. Netanyahu agreed to send the heads of Israeli intelligence and internal security back to Doha for negotiations.That led to extended negotiations, most convening in the Qatari prime ministers private office, that lasted late into the night.At points, mediators shuttled back and forth between adversaries on different floors. At others, the chief negotiators for the two sides cycled separately into the prime ministers office to hash out details.But the Hamas and Israeli delegations never crossed paths, said the official briefed on the talks.Ceasefire conditions debated up until the last momentAfter the lead negotiators for each side left Sheikh Mohammeds office late Tuesday, the work shifted to the waterfront club owned by the foreign affairs ministry, where technical teams from both sides pored over the specific language, a floor apart.Until late the first hours of Wednesday we were working tirelessly to resolve last-minute disputes, said the Egyptian official involved in the negotiations. After extended discussions focused on the buffer zone Israel is to maintain in Gaza and the names of prisoners to be released, the long night ended with an agreement seemingly at hand, said the official briefed on the talks.But with reporters gathering Wednesday evening for an announcement, a last-minute hiccup, last-minute requests from both sides forced a delay, the official said.Israel accused Hamas of trying to make changes to already agreed upon arrangements along Gazas border with Egypt. Hamas called the claims nonsense.A senior U.S. official involved in the talks said Hamas negotiators made several last-minute demands, but we held very firm.After calling the Hamas negotiators into his office, with the media and the world still anxiously waiting, the Qatari prime minister met separately with the Israelis and U.S. envoys. Finally, three hours behind schedule, Sheikh Mohammed stepped to a lectern to announce the parties had reached an agreement.Even then, negotiations resumed the following day to wrangle with questions about final implementation of the deal and mechanisms for doing so. By the time the talks ended, it was 4 a.m.Hours later, Israeli President Isaac Herzog voiced his hope that the deal would bring a national moment of goodwill, healing and rebuilding.But no one can say how long it will last. The deal calls for Israel and Hamas to resume talks just over a week from now, to work out the second phase. That is supposed to include the release of all remaining hostages, living and dead, and a permanent ceasefire. But getting there, observers say, will likely be even tougher.-Magdy reported from Cairo, Geller from New York, and Madhani from Washington. Associated Press reporter Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this story. ADAM GELLER Geller is an Associated Press national writer based in New York. He is part of a team focused on in-depth enterprise reporting. mailto AAMER MADHANI Aamer Madhani is a White House reporter. twitter mailto

LGBTQ+ advocates have expressed alarm in recent weeks, as Meta has taken steps to undermine protections for queer youth and apparently worked to appease the incoming conservative administration in Washington.Meta, theparent companyof popular social media and messaging companies Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is owned by Mark Zuckerberg, who wasonce consideredto be an ally of the LGBTQ+ community.A week ago, theinternetwasafirewithdiscussion of Liv, the now-deleted Instagram profile of a proud black Queer momma of 2 AI made by Meta as part ofits AI user dreams.Then, last week, independent tech journalist Taylor Lorenz revealed that Instagram had beenblocking teensfrom searching LGBTQ+-related content for months.This comes as no surprise to Celia Fisher, a professor of Psychology and the Marie Ward Doty University Chair in Ethics at Fordham University who has spent her career studying children and adolescent health, especially for marginalized groups like the LGBTQ+ community.When speaking to theWashington Bladein November 2024 onTikTok, Fisher remarked that it was increasingly difficult to research the Meta platforms. Fisher and her team have used advertisements on social media to recruit youth for anonymous surveys for studies. One of the advantages of social media is that you can reach a national audience, she says.The advertisements are specifically linked to keywords and popular celebrities to reach LGBTQ+ populations of youth.When she spoke to theBladeagain this week, she was not surprised to hear that keywords were being blocked from youth. Now, there is a major barrier to being able to recruit when you are doing online studies.It makes her researchwhich has looked at the mental health of youth online, HIV prevention strategies, and COVID vaccine barriersimpossible. If Meta prevents researchers from using the platform, then the research cant be done, she said.The search blocks are not just a threat to the research, they are a threat to youth. Hiding those terms from youth means they cant see that there is a community out there. Thats a tremendous loss, especially for transgender youth, said Fisher.Fisher suspects where the restrictions are coming from, not that Zuckerberg has been particularly opaque ashe cozies upto the new administration. I think theres been a creeping fear on the part of companies not to do anything that might elicit the ire of more conservative politicians, she said.A Meta spokesperson toldLorenzthat the restriction was a mistake. Its important to us that all communities feel safe and welcome on Meta apps, and we do not consider LGBTQ+ terms to be sensitive under our policies, said the spokesperson.Meta backtracked immediately; the next day the companyremoved longstandinganti-LGBTQ+ hate speech policies.Zuckerbergannouncedlarge changes to the platform via video in which he sported a$900,000 watch. (More than1 in 5LGBTQ+ adults are living in poverty. More than1 in 3transgender adults are living in poverty.)The changes, which eliminate independent fact-checking for a system similar to Xs community notes, have been highly critiqued byjournalistsandfact-checking organizations. Many experts see it as abowto Trump.Zuckerberg also noted that the platform would remove restrictions on topics like immigration and gender that are out of touch with mainstream discourse. Hedirectly linkedthe changes to the recent election.Those changes happened quickly. That same day GLAAD, an LGBTQ+ media monitoringnon-profit, reported the changes to the hateful conduct policies. Changes include allowances for calling LGBTQ+ people mentally ill and the removal of prohibitions against the dehumanization of protected groups, among many. Notably, Metas guidelines include theright-wing transphobic dog whistle transgenderism.On Jan. 9, reporting fromThe InterceptandPlatformeron internal training documents revealed the use of even more slurs. Thet-sluragainst transgender people is now allowed on the sites with no restrictions. Phrases likeand this is a quoted exampleA trans person isnt a he or she, its an it are allowed on the sites with no restrictions.I shudder to think what these changes will mean for our youth.Arturo BjarNotably, the training manuals differentiate between different members of the LGBTQ+ community. For example,The Interceptfound that the phrase Lesbians are so stupid would be prohibited while trans people are mentally ill would not be.(These training manuals also include permissive use of racist and dehumanizing language for other marginalized groups.)And then, as a cherry on top, Meta removedDEI programsanddeletedthe transgender and non-binary Messenger themes, on Jan. 10.These changes are undeniably bad. Arturo Bjar, a former engineering director at Meta with expertise in online harassment, told theAssociated Press,heis horrified by the changes.I shudder to think what these changes will mean for our youth, Meta is abdicating their responsibility to safety, and we wont know the impact of these changes because Meta refuses to be transparent about the harms teenagers experience, and they go to extraordinary lengths to dilute or stop legislation that could help, he said.Fisher, who has researched the effects of hate speech online on LGBTQ+ youths mental health, agrees that the results will be devastating. We had many people who said they observed transgender harassment for others or were actually attacked themselves, said Fisher. This prevents people from wanting to come out online and to actually engage in those kinds of online communities that might be helpful to them.What is happening also confirms LGBTQ+ youths worst fears. Weve found that a major concern is that there would be an increased violation of civil rights and increased violence against LGBTQ individuals, she said.Fisher, a psychologist, sees this as putting us back into the dark ages of psychiatry and psychology when LGBTQ individuals were seen as having some kind of a mental health problem or disorder.Fisher emphasized: This kind of misinformation about mental illness is certainly going to be putting transgender people, especially at even greater risk than they were before.This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab through News is Out. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal.The post LGBTQ+ advocates warn Metas policy changes putting us back in the dark ages appeared first on News Is Out.

Taylor Zakhar Perez knows how to make an entranceby leaving little to the imagination.The Red, White & Royal Blue heartthrob turns heads as Lacostes fresh face for its global underwear campaign. The 33-year-old star smolders in two jaw-dropping looks: crisp white boxer-briefs with the iconic green waistband and sleek black briefs that practically redefine sultry.Its an honor to join Lacoste as an ambassador, Perez says. Ive always admired the history, legacy, and creativity of the brand, and its with great pride that I now carry the values of the crocodile.Turning Paris into His RunwayIn one steamy shot, Perez stands shirtless on a Paris balcony, flaunting his chiseled abs in white briefs. The bold green Lacoste logo on the waistband demands attention, perfectly paired with his smoldering gaze.Credit: Quentin de Briey for LacosteAnother photo takes the mood indoors, where Perez leans effortlessly against a wall in black boxer-briefs. Set in a shadowy bedroom, the scene feels intimate yet undeniably cinematic.The campaign, shot by Quentin de Briey and styled by fashion guru Jason Bolden, could not be any hotter. Head here to shop the look.A Rising Star on FireLacostes partnership with Perez isnt just about looksits a celebration of star power. Fresh off being named one of PEOPLEs 2024 Sexiest Men Alive, Perez continues to charm fans with his relatable personality and swoon-worthy style.When it comes to romance, the actor keeps it simple. Ditch the phones and have a quiet night in our out. Theres just always so much noise in everything we do, whether its a beeping on our phone or an email going out on our computer or Spotify playing in the background. I think its just [about] connection.Taylor Zakhar Perez stuns for Lacoste. pic.twitter.com/st8u4ZC5yP Pop Crave (@PopCrave) January 22, 2025Amplifying Latin Voices in MediaWhile turning heads in his briefs, Perez has his eyes on bigger goals. Hes launching a production company to spotlight untold Latin stories in mainstream media.The Latin talent in the mainstream media today is continuously underrepresented, he told Forbes. In the United States, 19% of the population is Latin, right? Thats not representative in TV/film.Perez plans to back talented creators who want to tell bold, authentic stories.Fans Await His Return to Red, White & Royal BluePerez gears up to reprise his role as Alex Claremont-Diaz in the highly anticipated sequel to Casey McQuistons beloved novel Red, White & Royal Blue. Amazon announced the sequel in May 2024, sending fans into a frenzy. While details remain under wraps, the film promises to explore more of Alexs journey alongside Prince Henry, played by Nicholas Galitzine.More Stories: Taylor Zakhar Perez Brings the Heat as Lacostes Steamy New Underwear IconLady Gaga Added a Countdown to Her Website and Fans Are Buzzing When Will the Album DropNonbinary Star Jack Haven Embraces New Name with Powerful MeaningLGBTQ+ Mental Health Crisis Hotline Sees Surge in Calls Following Trumps Inauguration and Anti-LGBTQ+ Policy MovesThailand to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage, Marking Historic Step for LGBTQ+ RightsThe post Taylor Zakhar Perez Brings the Heat as Lacostes Steamy New Underwear Icon appeared first on Gayety.

President Donald Trump supporter Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes convicted on charges relating to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, talks to reporters outside the DC Central Detention Facility, after being released from a jail in Maryland, in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)2025-01-22T19:26:22Z WASHINGTON (AP) Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes, the far-right extremist group leader convicted of seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, visited Capitol Hill on Wednesday after President Donald Trump commuted his 18-year prison sentence. Rhodes appearance came the day after he was released from prison as a result of Trumps order of clemency benefitting the more than 1,500 people charged with federal crimes in the Jan. 6 attack. Rhodes was convicted in one of the most serious cases brought by the Justice Department over the riot that left more than 100 police officers injured. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below.WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trumps mass pardons for rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol wont change the truth about what happened in the nations capital four years ago, two federal judges separately wrote Wednesday as they dismissed criminal cases stemming from the attack by a mob of Trump supporters. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly said evidence of the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the Capitol is preserved through the neutral lens of riot videos, trial transcripts, jury verdicts and judicial opinions. Those records are immutable and represent the truth, no matter how the events of January 6 are described by those charged or their allies, she wrote.U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who presided over Trumps election interference case before its dismissal, said the presidents pardons for hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters cant change the tragic truth about the attack. Chutkan added that her order dismissing the case against an Illinois man who was charged with firing a gun into the air during the riot cannot diminish the heroism of law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol. It cannot whitewash the blood, feces, and terror that the mob left in its wake, Chutkan wrote. And it cannot repair the jagged breach in Americas sacred tradition of peacefully transitioning power. Chutkan and Kollar-Kotelly are among over 20 judges to handle the hundreds of cases produced by the largest investigation in the Justice Departments history. Kollar-Kotelly issued her written remarks in an order dismissing the case against Dominic Box, a Georgia man who was among the first group of rioters to enter the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Other judges at the federal courthouse in Washington, D.C., spoke out against pardons for Capitol rioters before Trumps second inauguration on Monday, when the Republican president pardoned, commuted the prison sentences or ordered the dismissal of charges in all of the 1,500-plus Capitol riot criminal cases.District Judge Carl Nichols, a Trump nominee, said in November that handing out blanket pardons to Capitol rioters would be beyond frustrating and disappointing. Nichols expressed his criticism during a hearing at which he agreed to postpone a Jan. 6 riot defendants trial until after Trumps return to the White House.During a hearing last month, District Judge Amit Mehta said it would be frightening if Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes is pardoned for orchestrating a violent plot to keep Trump in the White House after he lost the 2020 presidential election. Rhodes was serving an 18-year sentence when he was released from prison this week. Box, who was featured in the HBO documentary Four Hours at the Capitol, was found guilty of charges including interfering with police during a civil disorder, a felony. The judge convicted Box last year after a stipulated bench trial, which meant she decided the case based on facts that both sides agreed to before the trial started.Box was scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 21. More than 130 other convicted rioters were awaiting sentencing when Trump issued pardons.John Banuelos, 39, of Illinois, was awaiting trial in a Washington jail when Chutkan dismissed charges that he climbed scaffolding outside the Capitol, pulled what appeared to be a gun from his waistband and fired two shots into the air. In hundreds of cases like this one over the past four years, judges in this district have administered justice without fear or favor, Chutkan wrote. The historical record established by those proceedings must stand, unmoved by political winds, as a testament and as a warning.Nearly 1,600 people were charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. More than 1,000 of them pleaded guilty. Approximately 250 others were convicted by a judge or jury after trials. Over 1,100 were sentenced, with more than 700 receiving a term of imprisonment ranging from several days to 22 years.Over 130 police officers were injured during the riot. At least four officers who were at the Capitol later died by suicide. And Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick collapsed and died after engaging with the protesters. A medical examiner later determined he died of natural causes. Kollar-Kotelly said the heroism of officers who defended the Capitol also cannot be altered or ignored. Grossly outnumbered, those law enforcement officers acted valiantly to protect the Members of Congress, their staff, the Vice President and his family, the integrity of the Capitol grounds, and the Capitol Building-our symbol of liberty and a symbol of democratic rule around the world, she wrote.President Bill Clinton nominated Kollar-Kotelly, who has served on the bench since 1997. President Barack Obama nominated Chutkan, who has served on the same court since 2014.

Oh, no! Now Im worried what will happen to these two. Thats what I thought, pulse racing, as I watched a dramatic cliffhanger scene in El secreto del ro (Secret of the River) on Netflix. Thats the power of good storytellingit makes your heart raceeven though you know very well youre watching a series, aka, [...]The post We Cant Stop Talking About the Latine GLAAD Awards Nominees! first appeared on GLAAD.

Worldwide, there have been more than 45 (and counting) seasons of Drag Race, and more than 600 queens have sashayed into the various Werk Rooms. So, to make a truly gagworthy and memorable impression with an entrance today is really saying something. Yet, season 17 queen Lucky Starzzz managed to do just that when she entered the room in a lewk that was pure performance art. In doing so, she immediately proved she was one of the most unique artists we have seen in the franchises history. She quickly followed up that glowing first impression with a lemonade-themed talent performance that had the girls screaming and RuPaul erupting in laughter all of which, Lucky tells PRIDE, was a literal dream come true. But Lucky wasnt only making an impression on the main stage; She was snatching the hearts of fans with her talent and her vulnerability and catching the eye of fellow competitor Arietty, who wasnt shy about admitting how much she admired her Drag Race sister both in and out of drag. We do love a budding showmance. Lucky also tugged at our heartstrings by revealing the moving motivation behind her decision to audition for the show: A desire to support her family, who had fallen on difficult financial times. Also, as she explains to PRIDE, her desire to be a beacon to other queer kids out there who need to see the light of drag right now, perhaps more than ever, while ultimately she would become the first-out queen this season, one thing is sure: she certainly did the latter.PRIDE caught up with Lucky to talk about all of that, plus what it meant to her to be seen and appreciated by RuPaul, the lip sync we missed out on, and if she thought the Rate-A-Queen robbed her of a win. PRIDE: Congrats on Drag Race and making such an incredible impression right out of the gate. Do you think if the judges had been judging versus the Rate-A-Queen, you would have been in the top two?Lucky Starzzz: Oh, of course. I definitely believe that I would have been in the top two. I am an honorary member of the top that week. You know what's crazy? [My performance] felt even bigger and even better when I was there. Not even the TV could do it justice in terms of how good, how crazy, and how much everybody there was living for that performance. RuPaul was cackling. The girls were cheering. It was crazy. It was wild. I definitely felt like I was about to either win or be in the top.I did too. What did it feel like to go on the biggest drag stage in the world and have RuPaul live for you the way that she did? It was one of my goals to make RuPaul laugh, and I achieved that times a thousand, so I'm very proud.Imagine being robbed. Imagine being told that you were robbed of a challenge win on Drag Race in the premiere. Starting off that strong is like a dream, honestly. You were so vulnerable when you talked about doing this for your family back home. Do you feel like you put an enormous amount of pressure on yourself going into the competition, and, if so, do you feel like it hindered you or helped motivate you?I see it as motivation, to be honest. I think if you have a story to tell, tell it. We are representatives of the queer community right now. We are the faces of Drag Race right now, so it's our job to share our stories. It's our job to use our time in the darkness and create a guidebook for those who are in that same darkness out there who haven't been able to get out of it. So it's kind of like we're beacons. We're meant to inspire. We're meant to motivate. So I thought of a motivation for myself, and I saw it as a way to motivate others who are going through the same thing or more. We got to see a little spark or two flying between you and Arietty. I'm curious; where do things stand between the two of you now?Arrietty honestly ended up becoming like my bestie from the cast. We don't talk often, but that's just because we're so busy. We're in different worlds, doing different things, but I've always respected her. I've always really appreciated her. She's really sweet. She really is my number one from the cast that I've connected to. I was not expecting it. It's so funny I knew of Arrietty before the show I was not expecting to end up living for her and connecting with her like I did.What do you think when you were watching that back and she was living for you in and out of drag?I was living. I was living for her living. I thought it was really cute, honestly.How did you feel when those Rate-A-Queen receipts came out? Were there any that really took you by surprise?I was excited for the world to see and for the girls to see that I was ranked high. I knew that I was probably third place in the results. I expected it. If it was any lower, that would have been just true, utterly disgusting robbery.Who was the person that should have been in the top with you, and whose place should you have taken?I'm a very honest person. Being there and seeing Katy [Perry's] critiques and Untucked, it kind of felt like the top two were going to be me and Suzie [Toot]. Yeah, that's the vibe that I was getting. But, you know, who doesn't love a cunty, gorgeous girl like Jewels? This is a young cast, so this cast is going to gravitate more towards something like what Jewels did. You know what I mean? Young drag culture these days, that's what the majority live for. Those types of performances. So of course, they were going to rank her top two. But I feel like if it was the judges, it seemed like it was about to be me and Suzie. That's what it felt like to me. But you never know.There is a parallel universe where we would have gotten to see you and Suzie face off in a lip sync.I was ready to spray all the lemonade all over that stage for that "Woman's World." I was going to do this move where I bend my legs and lay on the ground, and I shoot upwards. So I'm just like shooting at myself, basically. Does that make sense? I'm sorry y'all missed out on that crazy-ass lip sync. Is it too early to be manifesting an All Stars return?I would love to come back to Drag Race. I loved filming. I could use a vacation. I could use a hotel room stay for like two months. I could use that. No, honestly, I just enjoyed filming. I love the PAs and the production. I have literally no complaints about Drag Race. The only complaint that I have is that they sent me home.Well, you definitely left us wanting more Lucky Starzzz thats for sure!

The best part of January? Undoubtedly, the GayVN Awards.Adult entertainers around the world all head to Las Vegas to celebrate the hottest content created throughout the year.With plenty of spicy categories awarding the biggest and brightest in porn, the annual Sin City event is the best opportunity to get up close and personal with the top content creators.PRIDE spoke with the winners on the red carpet of the 2025 GayVN Awards, so check out their reactions to taking home the gold below.Rhyheim Shabazz - 2x WinnerSee on InstagramFor the second year in a row, Rhyheim Shabazz won Performer of the Year at the GayVN Awards! The star also secured an award for Best Duo Sex Scene alongside Sir Peter.It's no surprise that this sexy hunk continues his reign in adult entertainment as his spicy content continues to dominate worldwide."It would be surreal [to win again], but it would be motivating. It would let me know I'm on the right track. I'm appreciative of everything I've gotten so far, so it's not a must. I'm looking forward to 2025 and whatever opportunities come," Shabazz tells PRIDE.Cade Maddox - 3x WinnerSee on InstagramCade Maddox also had a big night at the GayVN Awards. The model took home earned the most amount of awards in the fan-voted categories by winning Favorite C*ck, Favorite Body, and Favorite Top."It's always an honor, especially how long I've been doing this. It's an honor to still be nominated with the young meat that's still coming up, but it's even cooler to win something. The big honor is just being nominated," Maddox says.Drake Von - 2x WinnerSee on InstagramHe may be one of the youngest gay porn stars out there, but Drake Von is now adding two more trophies to his shelf of accolades. The star won Favorite Twink and Hottest All-Male Creator Collab at this year's awards."Honestly, this has probably been the best GayVN Awards so far. I've had such an amazing time seeing all of my close friends. It's been such a great year for me. I couldn't ask for a better year," Von shares.