Kashmiri villager women walk past the blown-up family home of Asif Shiekh, a militant who officials all is involved in the deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, at Monghama village in Tral, south of Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Friday, April 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)2025-04-25T11:03:57Z NEW DELHI (AP) India and Pakistan have intensified their hostilities over the hotly contested Kashmir region following a massacre of 26 mostly Indian tourists, which New Delhi linked to Pakistan. Pakistan denies it was behind Tuesdays attack by gunmen on a group of tourists in Kashmir. Both sides have since escalated the tensions by exchanging diplomatic and trade sanctions against each other and raising fears of a military conflict. Here are five reasons why a flare-up between India and Pakistan matters: The Kashmir attack can lead to an armed conflict between two neighborsUnder intense domestic pressure, India has hinted at the possibility of a limited military strike on Pakistan in response to what it called the terror attack with cross-border links. Pakistan made it clear that it will respond militarily to an attack.This raises fears that an escalation by any one side can lead to a wider war. The last time the two nations came to blows was in 2019, when a suicide car bombing killed 40 Indian soldiers in Kashmir.In 2021, the sides renewed a ceasefire agreement along their border, which has largely held. That relative calm was broken on Thursday after a brief exchange of fire between their armies. Kashmir is a nuclear flashpoint between the archrivalsBoth India and Pakistan are armed with nuclear weapons. There are fears that any conventional war or skirmish between them could potentially turn into a nuclear exchange.India and Pakistan have fought two major wars, in 1965 and 1971, but in 1974, India conducted its first nuclear tests, raising the stakes in any military conflict. It triggered a nuclear race and Pakistan reached that same milestone in 1998. Since then, India and Pakistan have had one major border skirmish in 1999 that killed at least 1,000 combatants. The fighting only stopped after U.S. intervened. A conflict could drag in ChinaIndia and China are geopolitical rivals whose armies clashed along the disputed Himalayan border in 2020. Ties between the Asian giants have improved since but they still maintain large numbers of troops on their borders. Their borders are also contiguous to Pakistans, making it the worlds only three-way nuclear junction.Beijing also controls a part of the Kashmir region that New Delhi says belongs to India.On the other hand, China is also a main ally of Pakistan and has helped advance its missile programs, creating additional military concerns for New Delhi. Meanwhile, India maintains strong defense ties with the U.S., which has long sought to limit Beijings rise in the Indo-Pacific region.Experts say any conflict between India and Pakistan is unlikely to stay strictly between them, as their strategic partners are likely to get involved.Kashmir tensions can lead to a war over waterIn response to the massacre, India suspended a crucial treaty that governs the flow of river waters into Pakistan. Pakistan said it would consider any attempt to stop the flow of water from India an act of war.Under the Indus Water treaty, India is obliged to let six rivers flow freely to Pakistan. If India follows through and restricts the flow, it can have a devastating impact on Pakistans agriculture as it battles acute water shortages.Its also also a major environmental issue. Water insecurity is a big concern in both India and Pakistan due to rapidly growing populations and climate change. Attacks by militants and rights abuses in Kashmir test worlds responseRights groups including the U.N. have blamed New Delhi for rights violations including civilian killings and arbitrary arrests in Indian-controlled Kashmir as a result of an intense crackdown by Indian forces. It has hurt Indias human rights record and raised concerns that global powers are not doing enough to pressure New Delhi and hold it accountable. Militants fighting against Indian rule have also killed scores of civilians, including Hindu pilgrims.India has used military response against militants as part of its efforts to eradicate terrorism, saying it threatens regional stability. SHEIKH SAALIQ Saaliq covers news across India and the South Asia region for The Associated Press, often focusing on politics, democracy, conflict and religion. He is based in New Delhi. twitter mailto

Every fan of queer cinema used to be pulling from the same limited number of options. Fortunately, that's shifted quite a bit in recent years, as queer protagonists have spread out into a wider variety of genres, tropes, and ever-afters. But having more films to watch means that it's more likely there are films we're missing.With that in mind, here are 20 underrated sapphic gems from the past 15 years that you probably haven't seen and may not even know about until now.The Four-Faced Liar (2010)It's a familiar premise: A group of twenty-somethings in New York navigate love, friendship, and betrayal after a chance meeting at a bar. But this take on relationships in the city centers queerness and questioning sexuality, as Molly (Emily Peck) begins to question her long-term relationship while growing closer to Bridget (Marja Lewis Ryan).Where to watch: Apple TV (rental)Codependent Lesbian Space Alien Seeks Same (2011)This low-budget sci-fi comedy with a genuinely unforgettable title follows three aliens sent to Earth because their emotions are too intense for their home planet. After they reach New York, one of them, Zoinx (Susan Ziegler), falls for a greeting card store employee, Jane (Lisa Haas). Of course, Jane has no idea Zoinx is an alien or that the trio is being pursued by government agents. Its a bizarre, endearing little film that fans of scrappy indie cinema will absolutely appreciate.Where to watch: FandangoLife Partners (2014)Gillian Jacobs and Leighton Meester star as inseparable best friends until one of them starts dating a guy, and everything shifts. Sasha, whos queer and feeling stuck, watches as her straight bestie moves on with her life, leaving her to question whats next and where she fits. It's the type of queer story that doesn't get a lot of on-screen exploration, despite how real it is.Where to watch: MaxGirltrash: All Night Long (2014)This musical prequel to the cult web series Girltrash! follows a group of queer women navigating hookups, heartbreak, and a Battle of the Bands, all over the course of one chaotic night in Los Angeles. Yeah, it's not going to be hitting Broadway and collecting Tony Awards anytime soon, but fans of South of Nowhere will be delighted to see Gabrielle Christian and Mandy Musgrave back together again.Where to watch: TubiAddicted to Fresno (2015)In this dark comedy from Jamie Babbit and Karey Dornetto, Natasha Lyonne, for once, plays the character who's more or less got her life together at least in comparison to her sister (Judy Greer), who's fresh out of rehab for her sex addiction. Soon, they find themselves embarking on a quirky quest to get rid of a dead body, all while Lyonne's Martha is romantically pursued by Kelly (Aubrey Plaza).Where to watch: Peacock, Prime Video, TubiThe Intervention (2016)Before Happiest Season, Clea DuVall dived into directing with The Intervention, a star-studded indie dramedy about a group of friends ambushing two of their own with an intervention about their marriage. It's definitely an ensemble piece, but it's particularly notable for sapphic fans in that it reunites DuVall and her But I'm a Cheerleader co-star Natasha Lyonne as a couple. Where to watch: Prime Video (rental)The Archer (2017)The Archer is a surprisingly fun little flick that follows Lauren (Bailey Noble) as she gets sent to a shady reform camp. She and another young delinquent (Jeanine Mason) end up escaping and are pursued through the wilderness, with Lauren pulling out her badass archery skills to defend them. The dark tone isn't for everyone, but if you want a queer thriller that doesn't end in burying your gays, check this one out.Where to watch: TubiGirls Like Magic (2017)Magic (Julia Eringer) moves to LA and quickly forms a close bond with her new neighbor Jamie (Shantell Yasmine Abeydeera). But as you might have guessed from its inclusion on this list, what starts as friendship begins to feel like more even if they aren't quite willing to admit as much. We love a messy queer protagonist, and Girls Like Magic definitely has that on offer.Where to watch: TubiHollow in the Land (2017)Hollow in the Land is a solid little crime thriller starring Dianna Agron, an outcast searching for her brother after he goes missing in their small town. Her character didn't necessarily have to be queer for this story to work, which makes it all the more meaningful that she was.Where to watch: TubiPrincess Cyd (2017)Princess Cyd is a coming-of-age film in which its titular character (Jessie Pinnick) explores her sexuality while spending the summer in Chicago with her aunt (Rebecca Spence). It's particularly notable for its inclusion of a non-binary character/love interest in Katie (Ro White). This quiet film is well-loved among sapphics who have seen it, but has still mostly flown under the radar.Where to watch: Prime Video, TubiLez Bomb (2018)Lauren (Jenna Laurenzo) heads home for Thanksgiving planning to finally come out to her conservative family and introduce them to her girlfriend. But thanks to bad timing and a surprise visit from a male friend, her big announcement spirals into a weekend of misunderstandings and chaos. This is definitely a low-budget film, but one that's decidedly rewatchable thanks to the humor and heart it brings to the table.Where to watch: TubiWild Nights with Emily (2018)Fans of sapphic media may be more familiar with Dickinson at this point, but that's no reason to sleep on Wild Nights with Emily. It's yet another enjoyable look into the life of one of our most well-known poets this time played by Molly Shannon.Where to watch: Strand Releasing via Prime VideoRafiki (2018)Set in Kenya, Rafiki follows the blossoming relationship between Kena (Samantha Mugatsia) and Ziki (Sheila Munyiva), two young women whose fathers are political rivals in a place where queerness is still criminalized. The film made waves for being banned in Kenya upon release, but it deserves to be more widely seen, controversial or not.Where to watch: TubiTwo of Us (2019)Most modern sapphic films revolve around teenagers or twentysomethings, but Two of Us offers something different. Nina (Barbara Sukowa) and Madeleine (Martine Chevallier) have been secretly in love for decades, living in separate apartments across the hall. Things get complicated when one has a stroke and they have to decide how to navigate their relationship with their clueless families.Where to watch: Prime Video, TubiParadise Hills (2019)Paradise Hills is weird let's get that out of the way up front. It's sort of Jupiter Ascending, but for lesbians. Is it disastrously bad? A quiet masterpiece? All I can say is that anyone who can confidently answer that question, no matter how they answer it, is somehow wrong. But any movie that reaches the mid-point and makes you go "lol wouldn't it be funny if this were suddenly gay?" and then it is deserves a spot on this list.Where to watch: StarzEllie and Abbie (& Ellies Dead Aunt) (2020)When Ellie (Sophie Hawkshaw) decides to ask her classmate Abbie (Zoe Terakes) to the formal, she gets some unexpected help in the form of her dead aunt, Tara (Julia Billington). Once a queer rights activist in the '80s, Tara is now a ghost determined to help her niece navigate the water of adolescence in this goofy but heartwarming Australian romcom.Where to watch: TubiSummerland (2020)Sapphic period pieces are a dime a dozen, but Summerland stands out for centering a love story that doesnt end in tragedy. Alice (Gemma Arterton), a reclusive writer in coastal England during WWII, is unexpectedly tasked with caring for a young evacuee. As they grow closer, flashbacks reveal her past relationship with Vera (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a woman she once loved.Where to watch: AMC+After Blue (Dirty Paradise) (2021)If French surrealist cinema is your thing, definitely check out After Blue (Dirty Paradise). Teen Roxy (Paula Luna) is banished alongside her mother (Elina Lwensohn) after accidentally freeing a dangerous criminal named Kate Bush. It's very gay, very bizarre, and the type of movie that's particularly enjoyable if you live somewhere with legalized weed.Where to watch: TubiAlone With You (2022)We got a lot of claustrophobic films with a tiny cast and minimal locations in the years immediately following the pandemic, but Alone With You is one where those constraints truly work. The story follows Charlie (Emily Bennett, who also co-wrote and co-directed), a young woman waiting for her girlfriend to come home but as time passes, reality starts to blur. Is something haunting their apartment, or is Charlie unraveling? As an added bonus for horror fans, Barbara Crampton makes a brief virtual appearance as Charlie's mother, giving this little flick some serious street cred in the genre.Where to watch: ShudderYou Can Live Forever (2022)Set in the 1990s, this Canadian drama follows Jaime (Anwen ODriscoll), a teen sent to live with relatives in a conservative Jehovahs Witness community after her father's death. There, she meets Marike (June Laporte), the daughter of a prominent elder, and the two begin a secret relationship. It's like Disobedience, but for teens and with less spitting.Where to watch: Prime Video (rental)

Nature, Published online: 25 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01319-1Firing tiny doses of laser light into peoples eyes allowed them to perceive a never-seen-before hue.

Vancouver Whitecaps took a decisive 2-0 victory over Inter Miami in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal in front of an attendance record of 53,837 spectators at BC Place.

Burnley will see reparations from the fans who invaded the pitch after their promotion-clinching win over Sheffield United and damaged the LED boards at Turf Moor.

Amherst was known for its diverse student population. Now it is trying to save that legacy without violating the law.

An American business group said that Chinese officials had been surveying companies about American products that are crucial to their supply chains.

Chipotle has announced plans to expand into Mexico, sharing that their first restaurant will open early next year. What do you think?Makes sense, Mexican food is big down there.Mary North, Book InscriberGreat, Ill finally be able to give restaurant recommendations in Mexico.Shawn Owen, Torrent DeleterIm surprised they hadnt tried to fail over there sooner.TJ Poppleton, Stapler RepairmanThe post Chipotle Planning First Location In Mexico appeared first on The Onion.

The post Prison Guards Burn Another Pile Of Used Underwear Sent To Luigi Mangione appeared first on The Onion.

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Youth take part in the "Run the Wall" activity to raise awareness on the ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip and in the West Bank, as they run past the Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Friday, April 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)2025-04-25T14:13:35Z DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) The World Food Program says its food stocks in Gaza have run out under Israels nearly 8-week-old blockade, ending a main source of sustenance for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the territory.The WFP said in a statement that it delivered the last of its stocks to charity kitchens that it supports around Gaza. It said those kitchens are expected to run out of food in the coming days.Some 80% of Gazas population of more than 2 million relies primarily on charity kitchens for food, because other sources have shut down under Israels blockade, according to the U.N. The WFP has been supporting 37 kitchens that produced some 500,000 meals a day. It was not immediately clear how many kitchens would still be operating in Gaza if those shut down.Israel cut off entry of all food, fuel, medicine and other supplies to Gaza on March 2, saying it aimed to pressure Hamas to release hostages it still holds. Rights groups have called the blockade a starvation tactic and a potential war crime.

Italian Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, center, takes an oath at the beginning of the conclave to elect the next pope in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, Monday, April 18, 2005. (AP Photo/Osservatore Romano via AP, File)2025-04-25T12:54:50Z Speculation surrounding a conclave to elect a pope is a time-honored tradition. But for the impending conclave following the death of Pope Francis, the ranks of armchair Vatican experts have swelled thanks to Hollywood.Conclave the film, a moody 2024 political thriller, introduced many laypeople to the ancient selection process with its arcane rules and grand ceremony, albeit with a silver screen twist packed full of palace intrigue and surprise.Though it has its critics, the film treats the gravity of a papal election with respect and accurately portrays many rituals and contemporary problems facing todays Catholic Church. But Vatican experts warn the movie doesnt get everything right.Heres a look at what Conclave does get right and wrong about conclaves. (Spoilers ahead.) Scenery and aestheticsThe movie excels at re-creating the look and feel of a conclave.The film gets a lot right. They tried to reproduce the mise-en-scene of the Vatican accurately, William Cavanaugh, a Catholic studies professor at DePaul University in Chicago, said in an email. They show that a lot of the drama is around the preconclave conversations among cardinals.Its not a perfect re-creation, according to the Rev. Thomas Reese, a senior analyst with the Religion News Service and a Vatican expert. He called the movies production values marvelous, but noted slight discrepancies in the cardinals dress.The red in the cardinals garments was a deep red, while the reality is more orange. Frankly, I like the Hollywood version better, Reese, a Jesuit priest who wrote Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church, said in an email. Papal protocolsThe movie aligns with real-life expectations for a quick conclave, said Massimo Faggioli, a historical theology professor at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.A long conclave would send the message of a Church divided and possibly on the verge of a schism. The history of the conclaves in the last century is really a story of short conclaves, he said via email.Reese pointed out other discrepancies. While the voting process was depicted accurately, he said, the ballots are burned not after each vote, but after each session, which is typically two votes. Holy plot holesThere are a few particularly egregious errors that, if corrected, would lead to a very different movie.A key character in the film, the archbishop of Kabul, Afghanistan, arrives just before the conclave with paperwork declaring the late pope had made him a cardinal in pectore in secret allowing him to vote for the next pope. The biggest mistake in the movie was the admission of a cardinal in pectore into the conclave, said Reese. If the name is not announced publicly by the pope in the presence of the College of Cardinals, he has no right to attend a conclave.Cavanaugh agreed and noted that while the movies twist about the Kabul archbishop was far-fetched, it does point to a certain truth about conclaves.The cardinals do not always know who theyre getting when they elect a pope, he said. If the cardinals knew how (Jorge Mario) Bergoglio would be as Pope Francis, many of them wouldnt have voted for him. Pius IX was elected as a liberal and turned into an archconservative. John XXIII was supposed to be a jolly caretaker pope, and he unleashed Vatican II, a series of modernizing reforms. Another of the movies more outlandish storylines involves the dean of the College of Cardinals breaking the seal of the confessional by revealing to another cardinal what a nun confessed to him, said Reese.He committed a mortal sin and would be automatically excommunicated. Such an action would be egregiously wrong, Reese said.In addition to that, a cardinal paying for votes, as shown in the film, is unheard of in modern times, said Cavanaugh, and the politicking is exaggerated. And so are the politics. The movie errs in making cardinals into either liberal or conservative champions, said Kurt Martens, professor of canon law at the Catholic University of America in Washington. Those labels dont help us, he said because cardinals are very cautious in expressing their opinions and even someone we think is a liberal cardinal is pretty conservative by secular standards. And he added that even in an unusually large conclave like this years, the rule requiring the next pope wins at least a two-thirds majority of the vote ensures that whatever we call extreme likely wont get enough votes.___Associated Press writers Giovanna DellOrto and Nicole Winfield contributed to this report. ___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. HOLLY MEYER Meyer helps lead the APs Global Religion team. She is based in Nashville, Tennessee. mailto

Fans first got to know the hilarious Mark Indelicatoon ABCs iconic GLAAD Media Award winning series Ugly Betty.From there, Indelicato went to star in PrimesWith Loveand now MaxsHacks.To talk about his character Damien on Hacks,Indelicato joined GLAADs Anthony Allen Ramos for a chat! My bruise has healed! Indelicato proclaimed, referring to when he and fellow [...]The post WATCH: Hacks Star Mark Indelicato on Hilarious LA Gay Episode with Deborah Vance; Talks Finding Family with Queer Cast-Members first appeared on GLAAD.

Nature, Published online: 25 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01218-5My work in making artificial intelligence fair has been noticed by US officials intent on ending class warfare propaganda.

Cam Ward and Ashton Jeanty have the best early odds to win offensive rookie of the year.

A judge declared a mistrial in the sexual assault case involving five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team. The ruling means a new trial will be held, and jury selection for it began Friday.

Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested on suspicion that she intentionally misdirected federal agents away from an immigrant being pursued by the authorities, the F.B.I. director said in a social media post that he later deleted.

Companies make packaged food without synthetic dyes in other countries. But despite pressure from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the change isnt likely to happen quickly in the United States.

Beginning May 7, Americans will not be able to go through airport security or enter federal buildings without Real ID. The Onion shares everything you need to know about Real ID amid the looming deadline.Q: What am I required to do to obtain a Real ID?A: Way, way too much.Q: Do I need an appointment to get my Real ID at the DMV?A: Your local DMV dares you not to make an appointment and see how that turns out.Q: Why did Congress pass the Real ID Act in the first place?A: You promised to never forget.Q: How will Glen Powell be affected by Real ID?A: Whether or not he applies before the deadline, Powell will likely remain one of the most promising up-and-coming movie stars able to please both critics and audiences alike.Q: As the U.S. teeters on the edge of authoritarianism, is opting into a federally mandated ID program a good idea?A: Depends how badly you want to visit Jacksonville.Q: What happens if I fail to get a Real ID by the deadline?A: You will have to find ways to confront your own mortality that dont include plane crashes.The post What To Know About The Real ID Deadline appeared first on The Onion.

ST. LOUISApologizing to all customers who had received a defective product, pet food giant Fancy Feast issued a massive recall Friday for 1 million cans of food that cats just kind of stared at before wandering away. Any cans of Fancy Feast Classic Pat, Grilled, or Gravy Lovers should be returned for a full refund due to an issue where cats sniff at them a few times and then leave without taking a single bite, said a recall announcement on the companys website, adding that cats would not even return to consume the affected cans later on, when they were meowing at their owners to indicate they were hungry. Weve received multiple reports that cats are giving the involved products blank, unimpressed looks despite the fact that they seemed to go nuts for the stuff just last week. Unfortunately, the problem appears to persist even after stirring in a few of those crispy salmon treats they love, since theyll just pick out the treats and leave the rest behind. Fancy Feast also recommended throwing out any cardboard boxes the cans had arrived in due to the risk of cats playing around in the containers instead of the enormous cat tree their owners dropped 200 bucks on.The post Fancy Feast Recalls 1 Million Cans Of Food That Cats Just Kind Of Stared At Before Wandering Away appeared first on The Onion.

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Kash Patel, former chief of staff to Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller, speaks at a rally in Minden, Nev., Oct. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Jos Luis Villegas, Pool, File)2025-04-25T14:52:41Z Follow live updates on President Donald Trump and his administration MILWAUKEE (AP) The FBI on Friday arrested a Wisconsin county judge accused of helping a man avoid immigration enforcement, Director Kash Patel said. Patel made the announcement in a post on X and said his office believes Judge Hannah Dugan intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse.Patel identified the subject as Eduardo Flores Ruiz and said Dugans actions allowed Ruiz to evade arrest.The Justice Department didnt immediately have a comment Friday. A person answering the phone Friday at Dugans office said he could not comment. The Associated Press left an email and voicemail Friday morning seeking comment from Milwaukee County Courts Chief Judge Carl Ashley.The arrest marks an escalation in the Trump administrations fight with the judiciary over the White Houses sweeping immigration enforcement policies. The Justice Department had previously signaled that it was going to crack down on local officials thwarting federal immigration efforts. The department in January ordered federal prosecutors to investigate state or local officials who they believe are interfering with the administrations immigration crackdown.

In this July 31, 2019, file photo, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference following a two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File)2025-04-25T14:58:54Z President Donald Trump is badgering the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, but even if the Fed gave in to the pressure, it wouldnt necessarily lead to lower borrowing costs for consumers. In fact, economists say, Trumps ongoing attacks on Fed Chair Jerome Powell and his tariff policies could keep the longer-term interest rates that matter for consumers and businesses higher than they otherwise would be. A less-independent Fed can lead, over time, to higher borrowing costs, as investors worry that inflation may spike in the future. As a result they demand higher yields to own Treasury securities.Trump has repeatedly urged Powell to cut the short-term interest rate that the central bank controls. The Fed typically reduces its rate during an economic downturn to encourage more borrowing and spending, and raises it to cool the economy and fight inflation when prices rise. But long-term rates on things like mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards are largely set by market forces. And in recent weeks, fears that Trumps sweeping tariffs could raise inflation, along with the administrations threats to the Feds independence, have led markets to push those longer term rates higher. Its not clear that the Fed can fully reverse those trends by itself. Its not automatically true that even if the Fed were to cut rates, that you would see a measured decline in long-term interest rates, Francesco Bianchi, an economist at Johns Hopkins University, said. This kind of pressure on the Fed might backfire...if markets dont believe the Fed has inflation under control. Trump renewed calls on Wednesday and Thursday for Powell to reduce the Feds short-term rate, telling reporters that the chair is making a mistake by not doing so. And last week, Trump suggested he could fire Powell, while a top aide said that the White House was studying whether it could do so. Stock markets plunged in response, the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond rose, and the dollar fell, an unusual combination that suggested investors were selling most American assets. Markets recovered those losses after Trump said on Tuesday that he had no intention of firing the Fed chair. Still, the threats to the Feds independence unnerved Wall Street investors, because they see a Fed free from political pressure as critical to keeping inflation in check. An independent Fed can take unpopular steps, such as raising rates, to fight inflation. Threatening the Fed doesnt soothe markets it spooks them, said Lauren Goodwin, chief market strategist at New York Life Investments. And the result is often the opposite of what any administration wants to see: higher rates, weaker confidence, and more market turmoil. Since Trump began imposing tariffs in early March, when he slapped duties on Canada and Mexico, the 10-year Treasury yield has risen from 4.15% to about 4.3%. The yield is a benchmark for mortgage rates and other borrowing. Mortgage rates, in turn, have increased during that time, from 6.6% to 6.8%. While Trump says he is negotiating over tariffs with many countries, most economists expect some level of duties to remain in place for at least this year, including his 10% duties on nearly all imports.The 10-year yield did fall Thursday when two Federal Reserve officials said that rate cuts are possible as soon as this summer, should the economy falter and unemployment rise. Yet last fall, longer-term interest rates also fell in anticipation of rate cuts, but then rose once the Fed cut in September and then continued to rise as the central bank reduced its rate again in November two days after the election and in December. Mortgage rates are now higher than they were when the Fed cut. A range of factors can affect longer-term Treasury rates, including expectations for future growth and inflation, as well as the supply and demand for government bonds. Bianchi worries that stubbornly high government budget deficits which are financed by trillions of dollars of Treasurys could also lift long-term rates. Should the Fed cut rates now, llonger-term borrowing costs would move in the opposite direction, absolutely, Goodwin said, because the threat of inflation is so palpable -- that move would call their credibility into question.Trump said in a social media post this week that there is virtually No Inflation and as a result, the Fed should lower its key rate, from its current level of about 4.3%. Many economists expect the central bank will do so this year. But Powell has underscored that the central bank wants to evaluate the impact of Trumps policies before making any moves. Inflation has fallen in recent months, dropping to 2.4% in March, the lowest level since last September. Yet excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core inflation was 2.8%. Core prices often provide a better signal of where inflation is headed. A key issue for the Fed is that the economy is very different now than it was during Trumps first term. Back then inflation was actually below the Feds target. At that time, it was a no-brainer to cut rates, Bianchi said, if there was a threat of a recession, because inflation wasnt an issue.But now, tariffs will almost certainly lift prices in the coming months, at least temporarily. That raises the bar much higher for a Fed rate cut, Bianchi said. Still, once there are clear signs the economy is deteriorating, such as a rising unemployment rate, the Fed will cut rates, regardless of what Trump does, economists said. Trump on Monday accused Powell of often being too late with his rate decisions, but ironically the Fed may move more slowly this time because of the threat of higher prices from tariffs. Without clear evidence of a downturn, Fed officials would worry about being seen as giving in to political pressure from Trump if they cut. Powell knows the irreparable damage that would occur if it was perceived that he cut because he was forced to by Trump, said Tom Porcelli, chief U.S. economist at PGIM Fixed Income. The Fed now will be even more delayed because I think youre going get more of an inflation lift initially, before you get the more pronounced slowing in growth, Porcelli said. Either way it may take more than a Fed cut or two to bring down longer-term borrowing costs, Bianchi said. To really lower long-term rates you need to provide a stable macroeconomic environment, and right now we are not there yet, he added. CHRISTOPHER RUGABER Rugaber has covered the Federal Reserve and the U.S. economy for the AP for 16 years. He is a two-time finalist for the Gerald Loeb award for business reporting. twitter mailto RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

The Outlook is our weekly roundup of political issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community.The LGBTQ+ youth option on the 988 crisis line may be shut down Oct. 1, per a draft U.S. Department of Health and Human Services budget. The line launched in 2022 to support queer youth at higher risk for suicide.The Trump administration has brought its request to deny transgender troops from serving in the Armed Forces to the U.S. Supreme Court.In California, LGBTQ+ Democrat Jake Rakovis looking to challenge his former boss, Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), for his seat in the 2026 primaries. Equality Michigan warns that federal actions may derail gender-affirming carein the state. California Congressman Robert Garcia traveled to El Salvador to inquire on the well-being of Andry Hernndez Romero, a gay asylum seeker who was detained and incarcerated in El Salvador.The post The OutLook: LGBTQ+ politics & policy: April 25, 2025 appeared first on News Is Out.

Ruben Amorim has been dealt another blow after confirming Diogo Dalot could miss the rest of the season with a calf injury.

The National Women's Soccer League has formally applied to the U.S. Soccer Federation to create a new Division II league.

President Trump said that were meeting with China on tariffs, comments aimed at soothing jittery financial markets. But Chinese officials say no talks have taken place.

Federal prosecutors wanted Mr. Santos, whose pattern of lies and fraud led to his expulsion from Congress, to receive a lengthy sentence to protect the public from future fraud.

CAMBRIDGE, MAUncovering a troubling disruption of Americas ecological systems, a study published Friday by researchers at Harvard University found that plants have become increasingly reliant on gig workers for pollination. Freelance pollen transfer has always been a part of seed plant reproductive strategies, but we were shocked to discover that the number of gig pollinators has nearly quadrupled from where it was a decade ago, said the studys lead author, Shelby Haskins, adding that stable, well-compensated positions pollinating a single plant had become virtually nonexistent in todays more cutthroat ecosystem. We found bees working 18-hour days for three, sometimes even four different plant genera just to make ends meet. And bats have been so hard hit by these bare-bones contracts lasting only a few weeks that a lot of them have stopped pollinating altogether. Its unsustainable. These contract pollinators are working twice as hard only to have a lower standard of living than their great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents did just a few years ago. At press time, Haskins added that efforts by gig pollinators to organize for better conditions had so far been hampered by the winds willingness to pollinate for free.The post Study Finds Plants Increasingly Reliant On Gig Workers For Pollination appeared first on The Onion.

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2025-04-25T16:44:14Z The federal government is reversing the termination of legal status for international students after many filed court challenges around the U.S., a government lawyer said Friday.Judges around the country had already issued temporary orders restoring the students records in a federal database of international students maintained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. The records had been suddenly terminated in recent weeks, often without the students or their schools being notified.A lawyer for the government read a statement in federal court in Oakland that said ICE was manually restoring the student status for people whose records were terminated in recent weeks. A similar statement was read by a government attorney in a separate case in Washington on Friday, said lawyer Brian Green, who represents the plaintiff in that case. Green provided The Associated Press with a copy of the statement that the government lawyer emailed to him. It says: ICE is developing a policy that will provide a framework for SEVIS record terminations. Until such a policy is issued, the SEVIS records for plaintiff(s) in this case (and other similarly situated plaintiffs) will remain Active or shall be re-activated if not currently active and ICE will not modify the record solely based on the NCIC finding that resulted in the recent SEVIS record termination. Green said that the government lawyer said it would apply to all students in the same situation, not just those who had filed lawsuits. SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems database that tracks international students compliance with their visa status. NCIC is the National Crime Information Center, which is maintained by the FBI. Many of the students whose records were terminated were told that their status was terminated as a result of a criminal records check or that their visa had been revoked. International students and their schools were caught off guard by the terminations of the students records. Many of the terminations were discovered when school officials were doing routine checks of the international student database or when they checked specifically after hearing about other terminations. RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

Firefighters battle a wildfire in Ocean County, N.J. on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection via AP)2025-04-25T12:39:41Z Forecasters on Friday warned low humidity and gusty wind increased the risk that fire could develop across parts of New Jersey, Philadelphia and its suburbs and Delaware as firefighters continued to battle a vast wildfire in the Pine Barrens. The National Weather Service discouraged any outdoor burning with low humidity, temperatures reaching near 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) and southerly winds that could gust up to 20 mph (32 kph) across a swath of the Mid-Atlantic. Theres a chance of rain over the weekend in the region, where officials said fires also burned uncontained in Pennsylvania on Friday.In its most recent update, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said about half of the fire spread over nearly 24 square miles (62 square kilometers) in the southern part of the state was contained. No injuries or deaths have been reported, but buildings have burned along with cars. Officials have charged a 19-year-old man from the area with starting the blaze that led to the wildfire. Prosecutors on Thursday said Joseph Kling, 19, from Waretown, New Jersey, was arrested and charged with arson and aggravated arson, saying he lit wooden pallets on fire and left the area before they were fully put out. A public defender representing him during the hearing said she had nothing further when asked by a judge.The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender cannot comment on pending cases at this early stage of the legal process, other than to remind everyone that individuals are presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law, said Cristina LiBassi a spokesperson with the Office of the Public Defender in an email Friday. Attempts to reach Kling by phone were not successful.Authorities first spotted the blaze Tuesday morning from a fire tower when a smoke column appeared amid the pines. Law enforcement said they used a GPS to plot the origin of the fire and determined the cause was a bonfire that hadnt been put out. Speaking Thursday afternoon at a news conference, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said we can confidently say that we think the fire was set intentionally. He declined further comment on why authorities believe the man they arrested was responsible and other matters related to the investigation since it remains ongoing.Its forest fire season in the pinelands, a wilderness that encompasses more than 1 million acres (405,000 hectares) an area roughly as large as the Grand Canyon. Firefighters are contending with low humidity and the aftermath of a monthslong drought in the region. New Jersey is the nations most densely populated state and officials have warned the fire could threaten developments nearby, although parts of the Pine Barrens are uninhabited. The fire had grown to more than 23.8 square miles (about 62 square kilometers) on Thursday.Officials said the fire is believed to be the second-worst in recent years in New Jersey, smaller only than a 2007 blaze that burned 26 square miles (67 square kilometers). Jim and Lenore Thoms, who own a business in an industrial park near the blaze, called the fire a very scary experience and praised the efforts of firefighters.The firefighters were phenomenal, they saved this whole park, Jim Thoms said. If they werent around, the way things were going on, you might not have seen any buildings at all.The fire is roughly 54 miles (87 kilometers) south of New York City. Its about 60 miles (97 kilometers) east of Philadelphia. Some 115 miles (186 kilometers) to the west of Philadelphia in south-central Pennsylvania, firefighters battled two fires around Michaux State Forest covering a combined 2.1 square miles (5.4 square kilometers), authorities said.A spokesman for Pennsylvanias Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said warm, dry conditions and winds made the fires difficult to contain, although no structures had yet been consumed by midday Friday.On Thursday, New York officials warned of higher-than-normal pollution levels were possible in New York City, Rockland and Westchester counties, and in Long Islands Nassau and Suffolk counties. Officials said New Jerseys fire is believed to be the second-worst in recent years, smaller only than a 2007 blaze that burned 26 square miles (67 square kilometers).Video released by the state agency overseeing the fire service showed billowing white and black clouds of smoke, intense flames engulfing pines and firefighters dousing a charred structure.The Pine Barrens sit between Philadelphia to the west and the Atlantic coast to the east. In the region with quick-draining sandy soil and trees with still-developing leaves, humidity remains low and winds can kick up, drying out the forest floor.___Associated Press journalists Tassanee Vejpongsa in Waretown, New Jersey, and Marc Levy in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania contributed to this report. MIKE CATALINI Catalini covers government, elections and news primarily in New Jersey for The Associated Press. He focuses on accountability and how policy affects people. twitter

Almost any job today requires knowledge of technological skills from things as simple as sending emails to coding complex programs. Yet for members of the LGBTQ+ community, it can feel like there is an absence of inclusive tech spaces. The nonprofitOut in Techis seeking to remedy this by creating a community of LGBTQ+ tech leaders and aspiring techies.Andrew Lowenthal founded the organization in New York City in 2013 with the goal of connecting all corners of the LGBTQ+ tech community. Since then, it has expanded to have chapters in over 30 cities across the world, bringing together LGBTQ+ people of all different backgrounds. Out in Tech connects its global members through its Slack channel, which currently has over 40,000 people. There are a variety of different channels to discuss all kinds of topics, from machine learning to employee resource groups. It is a place where members can find job opportunities, learn about community events, and connect with others from all over the world.In Texas, Out in Tech has chapters in DFW, Austin, and Houston. Kiro Louie is one of the founding members of theAustin chapter. Louie first connected with the organization while he lived in Brooklyn, where he felt the tech community was dominated by white engineers. When he moved to Austin in 2017, after assisting with marketing and social media for Out in Tech, he worked to start a local chapter in Austin.At the time we didnt really see a lot of diversity reflected in the tech community, and felt like we were missing perspectives, Louie explained. The leadership team made a concerted effort to diversify their outreach and events. The chapter hosted the first health and fitness panel, the first pride themed stand-up comedy show, and connected with Employee Resources Groups in Austin. Their numbers have now grown to over 2,000 chapter members.Out in Tech gather for a mixer in Austin, TX. Photo: Out in TechTroy Pacheco, the current chapter head for Out in Tech Austin, is excited to continue growing the group. For 2025, well continue hosting our monthly mixers, but were exploring new locations and leaning into partnerships with other local LGBTQ+ groups to co-host events, Pacheco said. This will give our community more ways to connect, collaborate, and expand their networks. Previously the organization has partnered with Austin Women in Technology to host the final mixer of 2024, which included food and gifts from The Little Gay Shop.Part of the programming Out in Tech offers includes career talks, mentorship opportunities, and monthly mixers. The organization is not limited to just those in traditional tech roles, such as engineers or software designers. Out in Tech is for anyone who works in a tech adjacent industry, which includes pretty much everything, Louie said. He shared that his background actually isnt in the tech industry, but hes found a space in the organization. You might work for a company doing marketing, or in the sales department for a tech company, or as an accountant who utilizes excel, and youre engaging technology, Louie said.Another program of the global organization isOut in Tech U, which focuses on equipping LGBTQ+ tech professionals between the ages of 18 and 25 with the skills needed to be successful in the tech industry. This program is a safe space for young tech enthusiasts to connect personally and professionally while expanding their capabilities. Mentees are connected with tech professionals and complete a capstone project. There are opportunities both in person and virtually. Its a program thats only gotten better over the years, Louie explained. Out in Tech U is an amazing chance for young professionals to learn more about what its like to be a queer individual in tech and start to develop skills that will jettison them forward. Applications for the fall semester will be opening soon.Johnny Taboada is the chapter head for the Dallas Fort-Worth area. The DFW chapter has around 300 members, who are able to connect both in person and online. The chapter also engages with other local LGBTQ+ organizations and events. Last year the chapter hosted in-person socials, Pride Panels, and coffee mixers. With the current administration, Taboada believes that LGBTQ+ community and joy matter more now than ever before.Out in Tech also has its own corporate council, Qorporate, for companies looking to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at work. These partners pay for an annual membership and receive access to talent acquisition, employee engagement, workplace inclusion, and a network of industry leaders. Members participate in roundtable discussions and receive resources on supporting their LGBTQ+ employees. The council began in 2019 with thirty-five member companies, as has now expanded to over 70 sponsors listed on their website.These kinds of partnerships help to put job opportunities directly in front of techie LGBTQ+ community members.Company partners also receive access toOut in Techs Belonging Toolkitthat provides guidance on building a more inclusive culture at work. In our current political climate, it is more important than ever for companies to show their commitment to DEI initiatives. Employee resource groups (ERGs) are one way Out in Tech suggests companies can support their LGBTQ+ employees. The organization reports that ERGs lead to employees feeling more empowered, foster efficiently, and attract diverse talent, as67% of job seekerscite diversity in the workforce as a crucial factor in considering job offers.Another way Out in Tech works to support queer people in the technology field is through career talks and networking. At the beginning of May the organization is hosting a virtual event where those looking for a job can meet with partner companies currently hiring engineers, product managers, and UI designers. The event will start off with career readiness workshops followed by informal round robins where participants can inquire about companies remote work policies, their healthcare benefits for queer and trans employees, and any other questions they may have.The best way weve found to make companies more diverse is to impact the hiring pipeline, said Louie. Panel discussions are a great opportunity to showcase queer people at all levels of the industry.The organization has also created what it calls Digital Corps, a group of volunteers who provide web services to activists and social entrepreneurs around the world. Since its inception in 2017, the corps has built over 250 websites for grassroots organizations in 70 countries. Organizations that are seeking support can apply on Out in Techs website to have a website built.Out in Tech is working to advance digital equity within the LGBTQ+ community. If youre looking to get involved, find out more on their website or by joining the Out in Tech slack channel. The local Texas chapters are also acceptingvolunteersand sponsorships. With the current political climate, now is an important time to connect with an LGBTQ+ organization that has such deep roots and expansive network, Kiro Louie concluded.This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBC Universal.The post Out in Tech is supporting queer people in the technology sector appeared first on News Is Out.

Every week, The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBTQ-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend. 1.) Daniel Minahans On Swift Horses hit theaters today! Adapted from Shannon Pufahls 2019 novel, the queer romance pic is set in the 1950s, following Muriel (Daisy Edgar-Jones) [...]The post The GLAAD Wrap: On Swift Horses in Theaters, Heartstopper Film Announcement, Sneak Peek of Below Decks, New Music by Ezra Furman, Staci Gruber, and More! first appeared on GLAAD.

Conor Jameshas already won over the hearts of millions with his show-stopping performances on NBCs The Voice. James started the show off with a bang when all four judges turned around for him during the Blind Auditions, now he is headed to the Playoffs Round! James, who is competing on Team Adam Levine, spoke with [...]The post GLAAD EXCLUSIVE: Conor James to Perform Pink Pony Club Monday Night on NBCs The Voice first appeared on GLAAD.

Pollinated by NostalgiaPicture it: you're curled up on a late Saturday night, sheet mask on, devouring pizza and reruns of Golden Girls under in your backyard when, suddenly, your phone lights up. It's the guy you were sure was permanently archived in the Museum of Bad Decisions. Your stomach does a synchronized cartwheel with your heart.And then, like clockwork, your internal monologue begins: Do I block, bless, or booty-call?Recycled romances occur when old flames and one-night stands circle back like daffodils. I've witnessed more comebacks than a mid-2000s boy band, pre- and post-transition. But when history repeats itself as an unexpected "hey stranger," a cocktail of nostalgia, ego, and questionable judgment begins to fizz.So, how do we decide whether to give them the key to our secret garden...or triple-bolt it shut?The Reality Check: Who Are You Now?Spring has sprung, which usually means old flames and one-night stands thaw out. Memory has the effect of smoothing the edges of what happened in previous relationships. Who hasn't found themselves romanticizing the good moments while minimizing the ugly ones? The cheating, the microaggressions, or the time(s) they voted for Trump.For trans folks, especially those who begin later in life, there are multiple layers in our experience. The version of us that a former partner knew may look different, whether it be our newly chosen name or how we look. Or, our trans journey has expanded into its own universe, and we need the right gardener with the right skills to tend to our needs.That's why the first step is a reality check: not on what was, but on who you are now:Did they respect your identity last time around? Have they shown genuine trans-affirmation since?Do you share fundamental values today, or does your new self have non-negotiables that would doom the sequel?People evolve, but not everyone levels up. Has your ex displayed tangible change, or is it the same old script with prettier fonts?Fail two out of three? Slam that door, love.Nostalgia is seductive. It wafts in with sweet notes of lazy Sunday pancakes, inside jokes, and attending events as a couple rather than solo. But nostalgia, like a TikTok filter, paints selective colors. Sometimes, you need to ask yourself if you're missing them or the you that existed back then.The Not-So-Secret Garden: The Case of Auntie and Mr. RosebudProof that Auntie doesn't always take her own advice, now picture this: early January 2025. I reconnected with an old flame, let's call him Mr. Rosebud. We first met on a dating app in 2019. Our moment wasn't a blooming one, ending disastrously as he always came around intoxicated. He apologized, and we shared our personal journeys since we met: I had gotten cuter and more fabulous; he was still handsome and sobered up, primarily due to a court order that forced him to quit drinking and take urine tests.But as the late, great Pope Francis once said, "Who am I to judge?"Our late-night conversation turned into a day of us hanging out together. My dog adored Mr. Rosebud but craved attention like her mother. He ended up spending the night after making dinner. The following day, he cleaned my apartment, cooked breakfast, and walked the dog while I worked. He stayed another night. Then another. Then another. On Friday, he was ecstatic as his urine test was clean. I didn't quite yet understand his excitement, but it was Friday, and I was ready to relax. He came back to my apartment with several bottles of alcohol. Then, he revealed his secret of manipulating the system for his benefit.Any respectable woman would've immediately bid him adieu and proceeded to live her best life. Sadly, nostalgia prevented me. It was not just the smoothed-out nostalgia that kept the attraction. It was the nostalgia of a younger meyes, five years younger, but one who was equally reckless with life. That recklessness was, in its own way, liberating. And I partially yearned for it from the rigors and rigidity I built around myself.I soon learned how nostalgia cost me my time, space, and energy.Mr. Rosebud practically lived in my apartment for over a month. It felt less like a lover and more like a roommate living in my apartment; he chose to stay up late and watch Netflix while I went to bed in preparation for the next work day. And, with him being jobless, he was always there. This was the first time I wished I had worked in an office: he was in my space from dawn to dusk, doing little save taking out the dog (he eventually groaned about cooking and cleaning). Somewhere, I lost the energythe courageof telling him to leave.Because with each charming smile and handholding, each kiss and sex session, the strength to say goodbye dissipated like a comet's tail.Fate would eventually get rid of him. My. Rosebud eventually went back into rehab after several failed tests. Meanwhile, I breathed a sigh of relief as he packed his belongings ahead of his sojourn.A Walk in the ParkA few weeks later, cozy and alone watching The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, I reflected on life over the past few years. From the name I gave myself to the circle I socialized in and how I crafted my presentation, I had truly become the woman I yearned to be in my youth. The confidence, self-assuredness, and self-sufficiency, especially as a Black trans woman, are empowering. But some men won't see it as enticing but as intimidating. In the brief re-tryst with Mr. Rosebud, I also yearned for another nostalgic feeling.The nostalgia of being "chosen" at a time when I felt deeply unseen.In a twisted way, I thought there was some comfort in letting a man pay for dinner despite knowing I could afford (and possibly eat) it all, deferring to him on the choice of movie to watch or (sighs) UFC match to buy. And that, instead of proving him right, allowing him to win an argument might boost his ego. The irony is that I was never raised to think this way (I grew up around equally empowering and ambitious women). But somehow, giving him a "win" in some form would make him stay.But I'm not a mere English roseI'm an exotic flower. This new person I had become, with a new name, voice, and everything, was far beyond his worth. And any hopes of continuing anything with him would hold no real value.Continuing to meddle in the garden of romantic nostalgia would have been interacting with a memory cosplayer, not a real partner.So, please take it from Auntie: When an ex reappears, hunt for the impulse underneath. Is it loneliness? Fear of dating apps? Hormonal chaos? That awareness is your seatbelt before you board the nostalgia rideand open your literal and emotional door to past hookups.Remember: Second chances are not freebies; they're loans with interest.The Glow-Up Audit: A Self-Love ToolshedLike a well-tended field, time apart should come with evidence of growth: therapy, accountability, activism, or at least no longer hating vegetables. So, take into account what I'd like to call the Glow-Up Audit:Accountability Letter. Have they articulated what they did wrong without deflecting? A genuine apology doesn't contain the phrase "if I hurt you."Effort Ledger. Are actions matching words? One apology does not make a pattern. Continuous respect is the new platonic-to-romantic currency.Support Statement. In the era of rising transphobia, will they show up publicly? They don't deserve you at midnight if they don't clap for you in daylight.They're not partner material if your ex can't pass the audit. That's just nostalgia with a side of crabgrass.Remember, whenever that ex tries to plant themselves back into your life, anchor every decision in radical self-love. Loving yourself so fiercely that it's mistaken for vanity is how we survive.Keep BlossomingAs for my quick romance with Mr. Rosebud, thankfully, he's still in rehab. When he finally reached out, I told him I couldn't afford to have him back in my life and wished him all the best. It still feels hard to say this to someone who has always been warm, open, and welcoming.Open the door or deadbolt it when it comes to an ex? Well, the answer isn't a universal rule. But know that whatever choice you make, Auntie is here, reminding you always, "Choose you first, darling. Always you."And remember, exes, like seasonal flowers, may come and go. But only you can decide when and to whom you give access to the inner garden of your heart.'Til next time,Your Lovable Trans AuntieYour Lovable Trans Auntie is our go-to advice column for lifes biggest (and messiest) questionslove, work, identity, and everything in between. With a signature blend of warmth, wit, and just the right amount of sass, Auntie offers readers a uniquely trans perspective thats as affirming as it is entertaining. Whether dishing out heartfelt wisdom, practical advice, or a little tough love, Auntie is here to remind everyone that theyre never alone on this journeyGot a crush but dont know how to tell them youre trans? Wondering how to deal with that coworker who still forgets your pronouns? Trying to navigate family drama, dating dilemmas, or just figuring out who you are? Aunties got you. Submit your questions to voices@equalpride.com.

The referee and video assistant referee who'll take charge of Saturday's Clsico Copa del Rey final hit out at Real Madrid's videos criticising officials and their decision-making, warning of the "consequences" of such attacks.

United States goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce has extended her contract at Manchester United until 2028, the Women's Super League side announced.

It was once a busy branch of the Long Island Rail Road. Now, coyotes prowl one of New York Citys last wild places. What will it become next?

The Trump administration has been saying that the two countries are engaged in talks to resolve the dispute, but Beijing asserts that no such discussions are happening.

Christine and Nik have spent the last two years making renter-friendly adjustments to their small Bed-Stuy loft to create an incredibly dreamy, DIY home. READ MORE...

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President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he and first lady Melania Trump depart on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Washington. The President and first lady will be traveling to Rome and the Vatican to attend the funeral for Pope Francis. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)2025-04-25T17:47:09Z WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump cant stop contradicting himself on his own tariff plans. He says hes on a path to cut several new trade deals in a few weeks but has also suggested its physically impossible to hold all the needed meetings. Trump has said he will simply set new tariff rates negotiated internally within the U.S. government over the next few weeks although he already did that on his April 2 Liberation Day, which caused the world economy to shudder.The Republican president says hes actively negotiating with the Chinese government on tariffs while the Chinese and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have said talks have yet to start.What should one believe? The sure bet is that uncertainty will persist in ways that employers and consumers alike expect to damage the economy and that leave foreign leaders scratching their heads in bewilderment. And the consequences of all this tariffs turmoil are enormous. Trump placed tariffs totaling 145% on China, leading China to retaliate with tariffs of 125% on the U.S. essentially triggering a trade war between the worlds two largest economies with the potential to bring on a recession. Trumps negotiating trade deals with himselfThe president told Time magazine in an interview released Friday that 20%, 30% or 50% tariffs a year from now would be a total victory, even though a financial market panic led him to temporarily reduce his baseline import taxes to 10% for 90 days while talks take place.The deal is a deal that I choose, Trump said in the interview. What Im doing is I will, at a certain point in the not too distant future, I will set a fair price of tariffs for different countries.If that is confusing for the nations trading partners, its also sowing anxiety at home. The Federal Reserves beige book, a compilation of anecdotes from U.S. businesses prepared eight times a year, on Wednesday reported a huge spike in uncertainty among American companies that has caused them to pull back on hiring and investment in new projects. The word uncertainty cropped up 80 times, compared with 45 in early March and just 14 in January. Beyond the idea that Trump plans to keep some level of tariffs in place, the world finance ministers and corporate executives who gathered this past week in Washington for the International Monetary Fund conference said in private discussions that the Trump administration was providing no real clarity on its goals for substantive talks.Theres not a coherent strategy at the moment on what the tariffs are supposed to achieve, said Josh Lipsky, senior director of the GeoEconomics Center at The Atlantic Council. My conversations with the ministers and governors this week at the IMF meetings have been they dont understand completely what the White House wants, nor who they should be negotiating with. Other countries trying to get talks goingSwiss President Karin Keller-Sutter, in an interview with broadcaster SRF released Friday, said after a meeting with Bessent that Switzerland would be one of 15 countries with which the United States plans to conduct privileged negotiations. But she said a memorandum of understanding would have to be reached for talks to formally begin.She was happy to at least know whom to talk to, saying that we have also been assigned a specific contact person. This is not easy in the U.S. administration.Nations are deploying various negotiating tactics.The South Korean officials who met with their U.S. counterparts this week say they specifically asked for the tariffs to be lifted with the goal of working toward an agreement by July. The European Union has pushed for cutting tariffs to zero for both parties, though Trump objects to European countries charging a value-added tax, which is akin to a sales tax that he says hurts U.S. goods.Trump continues to radiate optimism that negotiated deals with other countries will occur despite his claims that he will set his own deals and a lack of clarity about how the process goes forward.Im getting along very well with Japan, Trump told reporters on Friday. Were very close to a deal. As part of a deal with Japan, the Trump administration has publicly called on the Japanese government to change its auto safety standards that put a greater focus on pedestrian safety. But the steering wheels on autos sold in Japan are on the right-hand side, while U.S. automakers put their steering wheels on the left.I dont think left-hand drive cars sell in Japan, Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba told a parliamentary session this week.We want to make sure we arent seen as being unfair, Ishiba said, suggesting a possibility of reviewing Japanese car safety standards. Higher prices and shortages are likelyAs Trump continues to make conflicting statements about tariffs, companies are actively looking at higher prices, lower sales and possibly bare shelves in stores due to fewer shipments from China.Ryan Petersen, CEO of Flexport, a supply chain company, said on the social media site X: In the 3 weeks since the tariffs took effect, ocean container bookings from China to the United States are down over 60% industry wide.Consumers are getting notices via email and social media from retailers that lamps, furniture and other housewares will now include tariff-related charges.The showerhead company Afina on Wednesday reported on a test to see if people would buy an American-made product that cost more than an import. Their Chinese-made filtered showerhead retails for $129, but to manufacture the same product domestically would take the price up to $239. When customers on the companys website were given a choice between a showerhead made in the USA or a cheaper one made in Asia, there were 584 purchases of the $129 model made abroad and not one sale of the domestically produced showerhead.Ramon van Meer, Afinas founder, concluded in his written analysis: If policymakers and pundits want to rebuild American industry, they need to grapple with this truth: idealism doesnt always survive contact with a price tag.___AP economics writer Christopher Rugaber in Washington and AP writers Jamey Keaten in Geneva and Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report. JOSH BOAK Boak covers the White House and economic policy for The Associated Press. He joined the AP in 2013. twitter mailto

A view of the UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s campus is shown Oct. 16, 2012, in Minnetonka, Minn. (AP Photo/Jim Mone, File)2025-04-25T17:29:36Z NEW YORK (AP) Luigi Mangione pleaded not guilty Friday to a federal murder charge in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as prosecutors formally declared their intent to seek the death penalty against him.Mangione, 26, stood with his lawyers as he entered the plea, leaning forward toward a microphone as U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett asked him if understood the indictment and the charges against him.Mangione said, yes. Asked how he wished to plead, Mangione said simply, not guilty and sat down.Mangiones arraignment for the killing last December attracted several dozen people to the federal courthouse in Manhattan, including former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning, who served about seven years in prison for stealing classified diplomatic cables.Mangione, who has been held in a federal jail in Brooklyn since his arrest, arrived to court in a mustard-colored jail suit. He chatted with one of his lawyers, death penalty counsel Avi Moskowitz, as they wanted for the arraignment to begin. Late Thursday night, federal prosecutors filed a required notice of their intent to seek the death penalty. That came weeks after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that she would be directing federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for what she called an act of political violence and a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America. It was the first time the Justice Department said it was pursuing capital punishment since President Donald Trump returned to office Jan. 20 with a vow to resume federal executions after they were halted under the previous administration.Mangiones lawyers have argued that Bondis announcement was a political stunt that corrupted the grand jury process and deprived him of his constitutional right to due process. They had sought to block prosecutors from seeking the death penalty. Mangiones federal indictment includes a charge of murder through use of a firearm, which carries the possibility of the death penalty. The indictment, which mirrors a criminal complaint brought after Mangiones arrest also charges him with stalking and a gun offense.Mangione, an Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family, faces separate federal and state murder charges after authorities say he gunned down Thompson, 50, outside a Manhattan hotel on Dec. 4 as the executive arrived for UnitedHealthcares annual investor conference. The state murder charges carry a maximum punishment of life in prison.Surveillance video showed a masked gunman shooting Thompson from behind. Police say the words delay, deny and depose were scrawled on the ammunition, mimicking a phrase commonly used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims.The killing and ensuing five-day search leading to Mangiones arrest rattled the business community, with some health insurers deleting photos of executives from their websites and switching to online shareholder meetings. At the same time, some health insurance critics have rallied around Mangione as a stand-in for frustrations over coverage denials and hefty medical bills. Prosecutors have said the two cases will proceed on parallel tracks, with the state case expected to go to trial first, but Mangione lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said his defense team would seek to have the federal case take precedent because it involves the death penalty.Mangione was arrested Dec. 9 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City and whisked to Manhattan by plane and helicopter.Police said Mangione had a 9mm handgun that matched the one used in the shooting and other items including a notebook in which they say he expressed hostility toward the health insurance industry and wealthy executives.Among the entries, prosecutors said, was one from August 2024 that said the target is insurance because it checks every box and one from October that describes an intent to wack an insurance company CEO. UnitedHealthcare, the largest U.S. health insurer, has said Mangione was never a client. MICHAEL R. SISAK Sisak is an Associated Press reporter covering law enforcement and courts in New York City, including former President Donald Trumps criminal and civil cases and problems plaguing the federal prison system. twitter mailto RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

This is Behind the Blog, where we share our behind-the-scenes thoughts about how a few of our top stories of the week came together. This week, we discuss cheating in job interviews, "scary good" surveillance tech, and prudes in payment processing. EMANUEL: First I want to say that the response to our piece about economic headwinds has been really positive and energizing. Like we said in that post, we are doing just fine either way, but its nice to see that people continue to respond very well to us being transparent about how were thinking about and running 404 Media, so well continue to do that. That post also originated as a Behind the Blog, which we always wanted to be a weekly behind-the-scenes look at the site for anyone who was interested, but its also become a place for us to test out some ideas with our most loyal readers before we make them public and that is also working out nicely, so thank you!The other thing I wanted to talk about was this great story from Matthew Gault about Cluely, the AI app that helps you cheat on everything.

At the 36th GLAAD Media Awards, GLAAD honored the journalists who cover LGBTQ issues and people accurately and inclusively. These stories feature LGBTQ people in all walks of life and around the world, from the streets of Dallas, Texas, to the townships of South Africa. NPRs The Picture Show won the GLAAD Media Award for [...]The post NPR Presented with GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Online Multimedia Journalism first appeared on GLAAD.

2025 started off on a very devastating note.At least 29 people have died in the Los Angeles area wildfires and nearly 150,000 residents were displaced or lost their homes in the deadly travesty.Reality TV icon Spencer Pratt and his wife Heidi Montag's gorgeous Palisades house was one of the many buildings burned down back in January and the couple is still trying to move on in any way possible."This has been a really hard week. My parents just put their house, or the dirt that I grew up in, up for sale. I'm just realizing that Heidi and I probably need to that next. It just costs too much to rebuild in 2025. I try not even to think about it, like it didn't even happen. If you try to process it, it's just like spiraling out," Pratt tells PRIDE. See on Instagram Although his personal life is taking quite a toll, Pratt is thankfully staying booked and busy by doing what he does best competing on reality TV.The star is joining other legendary personalities such as Omarosa, Kim Zolciak, and Cynthia Bailey on the new Hulu show Got To Get Out. Twenty contestants are trapped in a house and those that are strategic enough to escape have a shot at winning the grand prize of one million dollars."I should only be focusing on our current reality, which is being on Hulu! I took this show too serious. If anything, I wish I had not. I may have lost some years off my life in stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep. Obviously, I need a lot of money and success to rebuild my house." Omarosa is also known for her unapologetic personality and wit, so The Apprentice star had no problem causing chaos right from the jump."My reputation precedes me. For one million dollars, they're lucky I didn't start backstabbing off the [bat]. I love Kim [Zolciak]. I'm glad I got to know her. She was going through a lot on the show. She was going through that divorce and I pray that everything works out," Omarosa tells PRIDE.With so many iconic reality TV shows like Celebrity Big Brother, House of Villains, and Fear Factor under her belt, Omarosa is just waiting for The Traitors to call her up next."If they call, I will answer! One of my good girlfriends, Phaedra Parks, did so well. I want a part of it! She did her thing, so I want to see if I could mix it up as well."Got To Get Out is streaming now on Hulu. To see the full interviews with Spencer Pratt and Omarosa, check out the videos at the top of the page.