After a successful inaugural season, Unrivaled's stakeholders must figure out how to build on the momentum.

The volley came just days before a planned parade in the capital to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe.

The two countries signed a deal three years after negotiations began to strengthen alliances in what the British prime minister called a new era of trade.

The strike came days after the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen fired a ballistic missile that struck near Israels main airport, wounding at least six people.

The United Nations and its partners have condemned the proposals by Israel, which has been barring deliveries of food and medicine for months.

What the setback for Merz means for the German economy.

It was so easy to make too!READ MORE...

Elon Musks Grok, an AI chatbot that people can interact with via X, is being used to undress photos women are posting to the social media platform, as first flagged t0 404 Media by Kolina Koltai, a researcher and trainer at Bellingcat. All a user has to do is reply to an image someone has posted to X with a request to Grok to remove her clothes. Grok will then reply in-thread with an image of the woman wearing a bikini or lingerie. Sometimes Grok will reply with a link that will send users to a Grok chat where the image will be generated.Musk has repeatedly positioned Grok as a less restricted and based alternative to other large language models like OpenAIs ChatGPT, which are known for having strong guardrails that prevent users from generating some controversial content, including nudity or adult content. Weve reported on undress and nudify bots and apps many times over the years, and they are usually more exploitative in the sense that they will produce full nude images of anyone a user provides an image of. But Groks remove her clothes function is particularly bad even if it only produces images of people in swimsuits and lingerie because of how accessible the tool is, because it allows users to reply to publicly posted images on X with a prompt that will undress them, and because the nonconsensual image if often posted in reply to the users original image.Searching X for the instruction to undress photos of users returns dozens of users who are attempting to do so. Judging by the large number of users who did this starting in early May, and who they were targeting, it seems the practice was first popularized by Kenyan X users. A Kenyan news site, Citizen Digital, wrote about users complaining about Grok doing this earlier today.Hi, @grok. Please review the attached screenshot containing both an image and prompt text. Deeply concerning, Phumzile Van Damme, a Harvard tech and human rights fellow, wrote on X. Do you have system-level safety and content moderation guardrails, such as fine-tuned refusal mechanisms, filtered decoding, or reinforcement learning from RLHF to prevent the generation of sexually explicit, non-consensual content, including prompts asking it to undress a person? If so, how are these safeguards implemented at model and output levels?Grok replied to this complaint, saying that I sincerely apologize to @[REDACTED] for the distress caused by the inappropriate alteration of her image. This incident highlights a gap in our safeguards, which failed to block a harmful prompt, violating our ethical standards on consent and privacy [...] We are also reviewing our policies to ensure clearer consent protocols and will provide updates on our progress.At the time of writing, however, Grok was still generating these images.Yall utilizing grok badly but also Im so ashamed that yall actually find this funny, another user wrote on X. Using AI to strip clothes off someone isnt curiosity, its violation. If thats your idea of fun, you need more therapy than tech.Grok will reject prompts that ask to make people entirely nude.Ethical concerns arise with this request, as altering images to depict nudity can violate privacy and consent, especially since the original poster (@[REDACTED]) may not have agreed to such modifications, Grok said in response to a request from a user to undress a photo of a woman after it had already modified her original photograph to make her seem like she was wearing just her underwear.X did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Nature, Published online: 06 May 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-01379-3Bringing together proponents of rival theories to test their ideas against each other can advance science but only if all sides can accept that they might be wrong.

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Jim Knowles moved from Ohio State's defensive coordinator to Penn State's DC this offseason.

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Drone strikes hit a fuel depot, airport and a hotel in Port Sudan, bringing violence to a city that had so far been spared in the devastating civil war.

Pop stars, club kids and the mayor of New York City kept the festivities going into the early morning hours.

Some said they worried that Californias planned ban on gas-powered vehicles would raise the price of cars. Another cited intense and misleading lobbying by the oil industry.

No gift receipts needed!READ MORE...

In this photo taken April 6, 2016, a sign at the federal courthouse in Tacoma, Wash., is shown to inform visitors of the federal government's REAL ID act. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, file)2025-05-06T15:32:15Z WASHINGTON (AP) Travelers who arent REAL ID compliant by the upcoming deadline this week will still be able to fly but should be prepared for extra scrutiny, the head of Homeland Security said Tuesday.Kristi Noem told a Congressional panel that 81% of travelers already have IDs that comply with the REAL ID requirements. She said security checkpoints will also be accepting passports and tribal identification when the deadline hits Wednesday.Those who still lack an identification that complies with the REAL ID law may be diverted to a different line, have an extra step, Noem said.But people will be allowed to fly, she said. We will make sure its as seamless as possible.REAL ID is a federally compliant state-issued license or identification card that Homeland Security says is a more secure form of identification. It was a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission and signed into law in 2005, but implementation has been repeatedly delayed. REBECCA SANTANA Santana covers the Department of Homeland Security for The Associated Press. She has extensive experience reporting in such places as Russia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. twitter mailto

Youth ballplayer Grayson Cole, left, waits for his game to get underway with his Savannah Banana sliding mitt in his back pocket on April 27, 2025 in Monroeville, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)2025-05-06T15:20:52Z PITTSBURGH (AP) Andrew McCutchen hasnt had the conversation with his 7-year-old son Steel yet, but the Pittsburgh Pirates star knows its probably coming at some point.Steel, already playing in a youth baseball league, will probably come home at one point and ask his five-time All-Star father if he can have whatever hot item his teammates might be rocking during a given spring.McCutchen plans to accommodate Steel up to a point. The oldest of McCutchens four children is already rocking an arm sleeve, just the way dad does.Yet if Steel is hoping his father will spring for a sliding mitt a padded glove a player can slip over one of their hands to protect it should the hand get stepped on while diving head-first for a base he probably shouldnt get his hopes up.McCutchen, who has stolen 220 bases at the major league level, has never worn one. And hes quick to point out the next time the cleat of a fielder mashes his hand will also be the first. Still, the 38-year-old understands. Once upon a time, he was a 20-something who epitomized baseball cool, from his dreadlocks (long since shorn) to his goatee to his rope chain to the occasional skull cap he wore underneath his batting helmet, all of it designed to accentuate McCutchens innate blend of talent and charisma. Its all about the drip, McCutchen said with a smile.Even if the drip (Gen Z slang for stylish clothes and their accessories) emphasizes fashion over function, particularly when it comes to the gloves which look a bit like oven mitts that are becoming just as ubiquitous in the Little Leagues as they are in the major leagues. Safety and self-expressionFormer major leaguer Scott Podsednik (career stolen base total: 309) is credited with inventing the sliding mitt during the late stages of his 11-year career. Tired of having his hand stepped on, Podsednik worked with a hand therapist for a solution. The initial mitts were relatively simple. A 2009 picture of Podsednik sliding into second base shows his left hand covered in what looks like a padded modified batting glove, all wrapped in black to match the trim on his Chicago White Sox uniform. Chicago White Soxs Scott Podsednik steals second base during a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, June 29, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File) Chicago White Soxs Scott Podsednik steals second base during a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, June 29, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan, File) Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Things have gotten considerably more intricate over the years. Google sliding mitt designs and youll find themes ranging from the American flag to an ice cream cone to aliens to a poop emoji ( yes, really ).Scott McMillen, a lawyer in the Chicago area, had no plans to get into the baseball accessory business. He first took notice of sliding mitts when his son Braydon, then 10, pointed out one of his teammates had one and said basically, Oh hey dad, wouldnt it be nice if I had one, too.They headed to a local sporting goods store, where McMillen was surprised at the variety available.That was around 2021. By early 2024, McMillen had launched Goatd, a specialty baseball accessory company with everything from sliding mitts to batting gloves to arm sleeves to headbands and more, many of them religiously inspired. Sales during their first full year? Over 1 million units. We were surprised at how large the marketplace is, McMillen said.Maybe he shouldnt have been.Youth sports have bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Aspen Institutes 2024 State of Play report noted that the participation levels in sports among children ages 6-17 were the highest theyve been since 2015. Baseballs numbers have steadied following a decline. Little League International told The Associated Press last fall that more than 2 million kids played baseball or softball under its umbrella across the world, an uptick over 2019.Many of those kids are also fans of the game, some of whom may have noticed their favorite major leaguer sporting a mitt when theyre on the bases. Yes, that was San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. sliding across home plate ( feet first, by the way ) with a bright yellow mitt on his left hand in the ninth inning of a 2-1 win over Pittsburgh last weekend.Its one of the many ways in which the game has evolved over the years. When McMillen grew up, there wasnt much swag to go around. We had our baseball uniform and our glove (and) everyone looked the same, everyone was the same, he said. Now, everyone wants to express themselves individually. The best way to do that without acting like a clown is to wear something that shows people who you are.Self-expression, however, doesnt exactly come cheap, particularly in an era where top-of-the-line bats are $400 or more. What amounts to an entry-level sliding mitt can go for $40, but Goatd and others have versions that can fetch double that. That hasnt stopped sales from being brisk, and McMillen points out its not merely a luxury item.We dont play football with 1940s safety equipment, he said. You feel better in the (batters) box when you have something that protects you, right? With a sliding mitt, its also like, Hey this is fun. Its cool. I want to be like my fave high school player, like my favorite college player. Its becoming increasingly common for McMillen and other members of the companys staff to spot Goatd gear at the field. In recent months, theyve popped up in youth tournaments from Georgia to Las Vegas, sometimes in the back pockets of players as young as 6 or 7. McMillen cant help but shake his head to see his product become part of the time-honored tradition of kids imitating their heroes.Which is good for business and, oh by the way, probably unnecessary.The pressure to keep upHeres the thing: In most if not all youth baseball leagues, head-first slides that would require a player to stretch out their hand to secure the bag are illegal.In Little League, for example, stealing bases for players 12-and-under is rare because the player can only take off after the ball has reached the batter. And even if they do bolt for the next base, they have to slide feet first. The only times in Little League that a baserunner can dive head-first toward a base is when they are returning to it while in a rundown or during a pick-off attempt, both of which are also rare.That doesnt stop the players from wanting a sliding mitt. It also doesnt stop their parents from buying them, all part of the pressure to keep up with the Jones that has practically been a part of youth sports culture since the first time somebody came to practice with a batting glove or wristbands.Its a phenomenon Chelsea Cahill and her family have known for years. The longtime educator who lives just east of Columbus, Ohio, has spent most of the last decade shuttling her three boys from practice to games to tournaments.What she and her husband have learned over the years is that some trends come and go, but the pressure to have the right stuff remains.Theres always that feeling of This is the next new thing or This is what youve got to get, Cahill said.They appeased their sons up to a point, but only up to a point.Last summer their youngest son Braxton, then 11, and the rest of the kids on his travel team kept pestering their parents to buy sliding mitts. Entering the final tournament, the team moms decided to give in. Sort of.Rather than plop down that kind of money for something they didnt actually need, the moms headed to a local dollar store and bought them actual oven mitts the kind used to pull tonights dinner from out of the oven. Average retail price? Less than a cup of coffee at the gas station.Oh, and the kids loved them, and wore them during the game. Cahill posted video of them playing with the mitts stuck in their back pocket to her TikTok account. The video is now at 12 million views and counting. @cahillcrew not a slide in sight though #baseballmoms #prank original sound - DJ KP They thought it was hilarious, but we didnt really think they would wear them for the rest of the tournament, Cahill said. We were wrong. They really embraced it!Among viewers of that TikTok, by the way, were the people at Goatd, who sent Braxton a couple of mitts as a result.The good news is, Cahill now wont have to buy one for Braxton this spring. Yet theres also something else she has learned through the years: this time in her boys lives is fleeting.For proof, just look at her calendar. Her two older sons the ones who played travel baseball just like Braxton, and asked for all the cool stuff their teammates had, just like Braxton has gave up baseball by the time they got to high school.Her advice to parents who might be feeling the financial pinch of what it takes to play these days: relax.Weve learned as parents is to stop taking it so seriously, she said. Theyre kids. Let them have fun.The realityA day after hundreds of members of the Monroeville Baseball and Softball Association marched through the Pittsburgh suburbs well-appointed community park, the regular season is in full swing.All four fields are alive with the chatter of coaches, parents and boys and girls aged anywhere from 5-12.Over on Field 1, the Rays are in the middle of their season opener. Playing first base, Josiah Jones has his glove at the ready, with a black sliding mitt noticeably sticking out of his left back pocket.Per the league rules, the Rays and the other players at the Bronco level (ages 11-12), play actual full-on baseball. They can take leads and steal bases whenever they like, though head-first slides are only allowed when returning to a base, just like in Little League.Longtime MBSA executive commissioner Josh Playssmeyer is milling about, trying to keep tabs on everything. Plassmeyer outlawed sliding mitts on his son Grants 10-and-under tournament team, calling them a distraction because players would spend so much time fiddling with them once they got to first base, they would miss signs from the third-base coach.About 50 feet away, Jones settles into the box and rips a ball to left-center field. His long legs carry him past first base, and he cruises into second with an easy double. As his teammates erupted in the dugout, Jones beamed for a brief moment. Then, as the opposing pitcher stepped onto the rubber, he took an aggressive lead off second and eyed third. His back pocket, the one where his sliding mitt had been 30 minutes before, was empty.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb WILL GRAVES Graves is a national writer for The Associated Press, based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NFL, MLB, NHL, the Olympics and major college sports. twitter facebook mailto

A patient receives a dental procedure at Salt Lake Donated Dental Services, a clinic serving low-income Utah residents, Monday, May 5, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)2025-05-06T15:03:49Z SALT LAKE CITY (AP) With Utahs first-in-the-nation ban on fluoride in public drinking water set to take effect Wednesday, dentists who treat children and low-income patients say theyre bracing for an increase in tooth decay among the states most vulnerable people.Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed the law against the recommendation of many dentists and national health experts who warn removing fluoride will harm tooth development, especially in young patients without regular access to dental care.The bills sponsor, Republican Rep. Stephanie Gricius, said she does not dispute that fluoride can have some benefits but thinks people should not be given it by the government without their informed consent.U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. applauded Utah for being the first state to enact a ban and said he plans to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoridation nationwide.Florida could soon become the second state to ban fluoride under a bill awaiting Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signature. The Ohio and South Carolina legislatures are considering similar measures. Many patients not in the knowA majority of Utah water systems already did not add fluoride. The state ranked 44th in the nation for the percentage of residents receiving fluoridated water, with about 2 in 5 receiving it in 2022, according to CDC data. The law will impact about 1.6 million people in Salt Lake City and elsewhere in northern Utah who are losing fluoridation, state officials say.Dentists in Salt Lake City over the past week said many patients were unaware of the upcoming ban, and most did not realize the city had been adding fluoride to their drinking water for nearly two decades.I did not know about a ban, said Noe Figueroa, a patient at Salt Lake Donated Dental Services, a clinic that provides free or heavily discounted dental treatment to low-income residents. Well, thats not good. I dont think thats good at all. At Donated Dental, providers expect their monthslong waitlist for childrens procedures to grow significantly and their need for volunteer dentists to skyrocket. The effects of the ban in childrens teeth will likely be visible within the next year, said Sasha Harvey, the clinics executive director.Right now, were scheduling into August and September for some 2-, 3-, 4-year-olds that are in so much pain that they cant eat properly, and theres nothing we can do but tell parents, Youre gonna have to wait. Its heartbreaking, Harvey said, adding that its likely to get much worse. A public health achievement under scrutinyThe fluoridation process involves supplementing the low levels of naturally occurring fluoride in most water to reach the 0.7 milligrams per liter recommended by the CDC for cavity prevention. Water treatment plants dump fluoride into the water in liquid or powder form and often use dosing pumps to adjust the levels.Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. population receives fluoridated drinking water, according to health officials. It was long considered among the greatest public health achievements of the last century.Fluoride fortifies teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost during normal wear and tear, according to the CDC. Its especially important to children whose teeth are still developing. For some low-income families, public drinking water containing fluoride may be their only source of preventative dental care. Some supporters of the Utah law pointed to studies linking high levels of fluoride exposure to illness and low IQ in kids. The National Institutes of Health says its virtually impossible to get a toxic dose from fluoride added to water or toothpaste at standard levels.The governor said that, like many people in Utah, he grew up and raised his children in a community without fluoridated water. Before signing the bill, Cox said there is no difference in health outcomes between communities with and without fluoride a statement Utah dentists say is false.Any dentist can look in someones mouth in Utah and tell exactly where they grew up. Did you grow up in a fluoridated area or a non-fluoridated area? We can tell by the level of decay, said Dr. James Bekker, a pediatric dentist at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. Barriers to fluoride supplementsThe law shifts responsibility to individuals, meaning all Utah residents will need to be proactive about their oral health, Harvey said. Most patients at her clinic only come in when a toothache becomes unbearable, and many cannot spare the few dollars a month needed to buy fluoride supplements to add to their drinking water at home.Figueroa, the free dental clinic patient, said other expenses take priority.Fluoride toothpaste alone is insufficient for children because it doesnt penetrate the tooths outer layer, Bekker said. When a person regularly ingests fluoridated water, their saliva bathes the teeth in fluoride throughout the day and makes them stronger. Bekker said he recommends Utah parents add fluoride supplements to their childrens drinking water. But for families who dont visit doctors regularly, that may prove difficult.Fluoride tablets require a prescription from a doctor or dentist. Utah providers are working to make the supplement accessible over the counter, but Bekker said that change may be months or years away. HANNAH SCHOENBAUM Schoenbaum is a government and politics reporter based in Salt Lake City, Utah. She also covers general news in the Rockies and LGBTQ+ rights policies in U.S. statehouses. twitter mailto

Youth ballplayer Grayson Cole, left, waits for his game to get underway with his Savannah Banana sliding mitt in his back pocket on April 27, 2025 in Monroeville, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)2025-05-06T15:20:52Z PITTSBURGH (AP) Andrew McCutchen hasnt had the conversation with his 7-year-old son Steel yet, but the Pittsburgh Pirates star knows its probably coming at some point.Steel, already playing in a youth baseball league, will probably come home at one point and ask his five-time All-Star father if he can have whatever hot item his teammates might be rocking during a given spring.McCutchen plans to accommodate Steel up to a point. The oldest of McCutchens four children is already rocking an arm sleeve, just the way dad does.Yet if Steel is hoping his father will spring for a sliding mitt a padded glove a player can slip over one of their hands to protect it should the hand get stepped on while diving head-first for a base he probably shouldnt get his hopes up.McCutchen, who has stolen 220 bases at the major league level, has never worn one. And hes quick to point out the next time the cleat of a fielder mashes his hand will also be the first. Still, the 38-year-old understands. Once upon a time, he was a 20-something who epitomized baseball cool, from his dreadlocks (long since shorn) to his goatee to his rope chain to the occasional skull cap he wore underneath his batting helmet, all of it designed to accentuate McCutchens innate blend of talent and charisma. Its all about the drip, McCutchen said with a smile.Even if the drip (Gen Z slang for stylish clothes and their accessories) emphasizes fashion over function, particularly when it comes to the gloves which look a bit like oven mitts that are becoming just as ubiquitous in the Little Leagues as they are in the major leagues. Safety and self-expressionFormer major leaguer Scott Podsednik (career stolen base total: 309) is credited with inventing the sliding mitt during the late stages of his 11-year career.Tired of having his hand stepped on, Podsednik worked with a hand therapist for a solution. The initial mitts were relatively simple. A 2009 picture of Podsednik sliding into second base shows his left hand covered in what looks like a padded modified batting glove, all wrapped in black to match the trim on his Chicago White Sox uniform. Things have gotten considerably more intricate over the years. Google sliding mitt designs and youll find themes ranging from the American flag to an ice cream cone to aliens to a poop emoji ( yes, really ).Scott McMillen, a lawyer in the Chicago area, had no plans to get into the baseball accessory business. He first took notice of sliding mitts when his son Braydon, then 10, pointed out one of his teammates had one and said basically, Oh hey dad, wouldnt it be nice if I had one, too.They headed to a local sporting goods store, where McMillen was surprised at the variety available.That was around 2021. By early 2024, McMillen had launched Goatd, a specialty baseball accessory company with everything from sliding mitts to batting gloves to arm sleeves to headbands and more, many of them religiously inspired. Sales during their first full year? Over 1 million units. We were surprised at how large the marketplace is, McMillen said.Maybe he shouldnt have been.Youth sports have bounced back from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Aspen Institutes 2024 State of Play report noted that the participation levels in sports among children ages 6-17 were the highest theyve been since 2015. Baseballs numbers have steadied following a decline. Little League International told The Associated Press last fall that more than 2 million kids played baseball or softball under its umbrella across the world, an uptick over 2019.Many of those kids are also fans of the game, some of whom may have noticed their favorite major leaguer sporting a mitt when theyre on the bases. Yes, that was San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. sliding across home plate ( feet first, by the way ) with a bright yellow mitt on his left hand in the ninth inning of a 2-1 win over Pittsburgh last weekend.Its one of the many ways in which the game has evolved over the years. When McMillen grew up, there wasnt much swag to go around. We had our baseball uniform and our glove (and) everyone looked the same, everyone was the same, he said. Now, everyone wants to express themselves individually. The best way to do that without acting like a clown is to wear something that shows people who you are.Self-expression, however, doesnt exactly come cheap, particularly in an era where top-of-the-line bats are $400 or more. What amounts to an entry-level sliding mitt can go for $40, but Goatd and others have versions that can fetch double that. That hasnt stopped sales from being brisk, and McMillen points out its not merely a luxury item.We dont play football with 1940s safety equipment, he said. You feel better in the (batters) box when you have something that protects you, right? With a sliding mitt, its also like, Hey this is fun. Its cool. I want to be like my fave high school player, like my favorite college player. Its becoming increasingly common for McMillen and other members of the companys staff to spot Goatd gear at the field. In recent months, theyve popped up in youth tournaments from Georgia to Las Vegas, sometimes in the back pockets of players as young as 6 or 7. McMillen cant help but shake his head to see his product become part of the time-honored tradition of kids imitating their heroes.Which is good for business and, oh by the way, probably unnecessary.The pressure to keep upHeres the thing: In most if not all youth baseball leagues, head-first slides that would require a player to stretch out their hand to secure the bag are illegal.In Little League, for example, stealing bases for players 12-and-under is rare because the player can only take off after the ball has reached the batter. And even if they do bolt for the next base, they have to slide feet first. The only times in Little League that a baserunner can dive head-first toward a base is when they are returning to it while in a rundown or during a pick-off attempt, both of which are also rare.That doesnt stop the players from wanting a sliding mitt. It also doesnt stop their parents from buying them, all part of the pressure to keep up with the Jones that has practically been a part of youth sports culture since the first time somebody came to practice with a batting glove or wristbands.Its a phenomenon Chelsea Cahill and her family have known for years. The longtime educator who lives just east of Columbus, Ohio, has spent most of the last decade shuttling her three boys from practice to games to tournaments.What she and her husband have learned over the years is that some trends come and go, but the pressure to have the right stuff remains.Theres always that feeling of This is the next new thing or This is what youve got to get, Cahill said.They appeased their sons up to a point, but only up to a point.Last summer their youngest son Braxton, then 11, and the rest of the kids on his travel team kept pestering their parents to buy sliding mitts. Entering the final tournament, the team moms decided to give in. Sort of.Rather than plop down that kind of money for something they didnt actually need, the moms headed to a local dollar store and bought them actual oven mitts the kind used to pull tonights dinner from out of the oven. Average retail price? Less than a cup of coffee at the gas station.Oh, and the kids loved them, and wore them during the game. Cahill posted video of them playing with the mitts stuck in their back pocket to her TikTok account. The video is now at 12 million views and counting.They thought it was hilarious, but we didnt really think they would wear them for the rest of the tournament, Cahill said. We were wrong. They really embraced it!Among viewers of that TikTok, by the way, were the people at Goatd, who sent Braxton a couple of mitts as a result.The good news is, Cahill now wont have to buy one for Braxton this spring. Yet theres also something else she has learned through the years: this time in her boys lives is fleeting.For proof, just look at her calendar. Her two older sons the ones who played travel baseball just like Braxton, and asked for all the cool stuff their teammates had, just like Braxton has gave up baseball by the time they got to high school.Her advice to parents who might be feeling the financial pinch of what it takes to play these days: relax.Weve learned as parents is to stop taking it so seriously, she said. Theyre kids. Let them have fun.The realityA day after hundreds of members of the Monroeville Baseball and Softball Association marched through the Pittsburgh suburbs well-appointed community park, the regular season is in full swing.All four fields are alive with the chatter of coaches, parents and boys and girls aged anywhere from 5-12.Over on Field 1, the Rays are in the middle of their season opener. Playing first base, Josiah Jones has his glove at the ready, with a black sliding mitt noticeably sticking out of his left back pocket.Per the league rules, the Rays and the other players at the Bronco level (ages 11-12), play actual full-on baseball. They can take leads and steal bases whenever they like, though head-first slides are only allowed when returning to a base, just like in Little League.Longtime MBSA executive commissioner Josh Playssmeyer is milling about, trying to keep tabs on everything. Plassmeyer outlawed sliding mitts on his son Grants 10-and-under tournament team, calling them a distraction because players would spend so much time fiddling with them once they got to first base, they would miss signs from the third-base coach.About 50 feet away, Jones settles into the box and rips a ball to left-center field. His long legs carry him past first base, and he cruises into second with an easy double. As his teammates erupted in the dugout, Jones beamed for a brief moment. Then, as the opposing pitcher stepped onto the rubber, he took an aggressive lead off second and eyed third. His back pocket, the one where his sliding mitt had been 30 minutes before, was empty.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb WILL GRAVES Graves is a national writer for The Associated Press, based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NFL, MLB, NHL, the Olympics and major college sports. twitter facebook mailto

The 2025 U.S. Presidential election has made things harderfor many within the LGBTQ+ community. With so much of our daily livesdedicated to our careers, remote work offers a unique opportunity to alleviate and manage some of the overall stress LGBTQ+ folks face.Benefits of Remote WorkWorking from home (WFH) can provide employees with a more flexible and supportive environment, allowing them to create a workspace that promotes well-being and balance.For some, remote work is little more than a benefit allowing folks to walk their dogs more frequently, or eat lunch at home, but for others remote work is pivotal. Working from home can create a barrier of safety around employees from marginalized communities. It is not a complete workaround fully sheltering them from bigotry or microaggressions, but at the very least it limits negative experiences.The option of remote work allows some LGBTQ+ employees to live in cities where they have built support systems and communities, while being employed by companies they find suitable. It also highlights the fact that some LGBTQ+ workers find remote work to be a safer environment for self-expression, where they experience less fear of discrimination. Recent pushes from political leaders to increase in-person work, including arequirement for federal employees to work on-site, have generated discussion about the potential effects of these policies on the safety and flexibility that remote work offers to marginalized groups. For instance, Portlands mayor has announced a full-timereturn-to-office policyfor managers and supervisors, which may signal a broader trend that could impact LGBTQ+ workers across various industries.For LGBTQ+ parents, remote work can also reduce stress by helping them save time and money on things like childcare and commuting.Analyst News writerFatima Minhashighlights how flexible work models, including remote and hybrid work options, have allowed many working mothers to be more present for their children and to find a more effective work-life balance.Remote work offers stay at home parents of all genders the flexibility to balance their professional responsibilities with the demands of childcare. They can create a schedule that better accommodates both work and family life, reducing stress and improving overall well-being.Working parents arent the only ones who win with thoughtful WFH policies. Remote teams are more cost-effective for companies, with the average U.S. employer saving up to$11,315annually on each part-time remote employee. For full-time roles, the financial benefits are even more significant. Remote work also helps the planet by reducing54 milliontons of carbon emissions each year, making it a win for both business and the environment.Making Digital Workspaces SafeBeyond the financial and environmental benefits, remote work also shapes the way teams interact and communicate in a digital space. As we shift to virtual workplaces,the question becomes how tech companies can ensure these digital spaces are inclusive for all employees.Tech companies possess the potential to be leaders in developing inclusive remote workspaces for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and diversely-abled employees. Leveraging their foundation in innovation and digital tools, these companies often have existing infrastructureplatforms like Slack, Zoom, and Google Workspacethat could be adapted to implement inclusive practices on a larger scale. This involves not only providing employees with thenecessary software for their work, but also considering how company use of these platformscan contribute to employees feeling supported, connected, and empowered.Remote work fosters office-space dynamics across digital spaces. Whether it be through Microsoft Teams or Slack, employees are engaging and communicating daily. There are endless ways, such as implementing a company-wide anti-online harassment policy, providing employees with the option of including their pronouns in email signatures, and more. When work environments are free of pressure for transgender and non-binary colleagues to share their identity, it can contribute to a more comfortable atmosphere.Additionally, employee resource groups (ERGs) and wellness programs play an important role in creating a supportive workplace where diverse employees can connect and share their experiences. McKinsey & Co. emphasizes that by aligning their work with corporate and employee expectations,employee resource groupscan help people feel more included in the workplace.By fostering an environment where queer, BIPOC, and diversely-abled employees have spaces to share personal stories and challenges alongside their work, companies can ensure their workforce feels supported beyond simply completing tasks.Remote Work & Employee WellbeingThe building of supportive professional relationships often masks another issue of remote work: the blurring oflines between work and home. For BIPOC/LGBTQ+ employees this can lead toadded stress. The pressure of navigating both personal and professional spaces can take a toll, especially in todays political climate. Its crucial that companies acknowledge this and prioritize their employees mental health.Building a culture where mental well-being is valued can help minority employees thrive in remote environments. Providingmental health days, fostering open communication, and offering a real support systemare essential for helping employees cope. Employment is not just about productivity: its about ensuring employees feel supported and cared for, even from a distance.One way to accomplish this is to create visible and authenticrepresentationacross all levels and departments. This fosters a sense of belonging and allows LGBTQ+ employees and those from other marginalized groups to see a future within the company. This means moving beyond simply hiring diverse individuals and actively ensuring their identities are reflected in leadership, project teams, and internal communications. When minority employees consistently see themselves represented, it reinforces their value and contributes to a more inclusive and equitable workplace where everyone feels seen and heard.On the topic of diversity and inclusion,Timot Geimerofproduct management firmDualoop asserts, If you want to remain relevant in any business, having a diverse team is something you should definitely consider Definitely a must-have Diversity is an essential asset. Moving beyond mere diverse hiring to actively reflect identities in leadership and communications is key. Having a diverse team is excellent, but having aninclusive teamis where the secret lies, Geimer says.Creating a truly inclusive workspace goes beyondsimplyhiring diverse talent; it requires that companiesfoster an environment where talent from all backgrounds can thrive. Most companies these days have some sort of diversity statement posted online. But is their culture really set up to retain minority talent?Tangible efforts includeoffering mentorship, ensuring inclusive practices, and creating pathways for career development. Trueinclusionhappens when the space is created to allow everyone to feel seen, valued, and empowered to advance.The tech industry is leading the charge in remote work, and the rest of the world is watching. Lets set the bar higher and make online workspaces truly inclusive for everyone.The post How tech companies can lead in building inclusive remote workspaces for LGBTQ+ employees appeared first on News Is Out.

TS Madison is expanding her media empire with the new original podcast series Outlaws on iHeartMedias Outspoken Podcast Network. The first episode will premiere May 13and feature a candid conversation with Tina Knowles, businesswoman, philanthropist, author and, of course, the mother of Beyonc and Solange. Listen to the trailer here. Each week on Outlaws, Madison [...]The post TS Madison Launches Outlaws on iHeartMedias Outspoken Podcast Network; Tina Knowles, Chappell Roan, Laverne Cox Among Guests first appeared on GLAAD.

Nature, Published online: 06 May 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09073-0Naturally ornate RNA-only complexes revealed by cryo-EM

Nature, Published online: 06 May 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09074-zMolecular basis of SIFI activity in the integrated stress response

Nature, Published online: 06 May 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09057-0A kinase mediator of rhizobial symbiosis and immunity in Medicago

The Browns on Tuesday announced jersey numbers for their rookies, and Shedeur Sanders will wear No. 12, as the No. 2 he wore in high school and college was selected by veteran DeAndre Carter.

Panthers forward Sam Bennett denied any "ill intent" after he elbowed Maple Leafs' goaltender Anthony Stolarz in the head during Game 1 of their second-round Eastern Conference playoff series on Monday.

Two-time Olympic alpine ski gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin has joined the ownership group of Denver's expansion National Women's Soccer League team.

Clemson and Notre Dame are set to announce a 12-year scheduling agreement that will pit the two college football powers against each other annually through 2038.

LIV Golf's Dustin Johnson has been given a special invitation to compete in next week's PGA Championship.

Facing long odds to retake a majority, Senator Chuck Schumer and his allies are trying to think outside the box and recruit candidates who might be able to pull off upsets in red states.

Demand for the U.S. auto makers vehicles slid amid stronger competition from Europe and China and rising anger at Elon Musks political forays.

Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark staged a predawn demonstration outside an immigrant detention center. He argues that the facilitys owner does not have valid permits to operate.

Efforts to take the edge off the nations racial past in compliance with White House executive orders are facing resistance from institutions and citizens determined to preserve the truth about Black history.

The rapper and musicians miniature Steinway teased his new album, 7 piano sketches, which he released on Monday.

WASHINGTONAngrily claimings the populace had neglected its patriotic duty to support domestic manufacturing, President Donald Trump issued a statement Tuesday decrying the lack of U.S.-made products lodged in American rectums. Sad how much cheap Made in China GARBAGE is still being stuffed into peoples asses while Great American flashlight and curtain rod makers suffer, Trump wrote in a fiery Truth Social post, adding that real Americans should be absolutely sure any long, cylindrical objects they had obtained for anal penetration were manufactured in the United States before inserting them. Same goes for imported cucumbers and carrots. Every one you get stuck in your rectum is a dollar stolen from proud American farmers! Back in the 1950s we lodged PURE AMERICAN STEEL in our backsides, but now we settle for chintzy Chinese knockoffs with NO FLARED ENDS. Its a national disgrace! And dont try to say you just fell on that permanent marker made in Mexicoyou should have had the handle of a beautiful American-manufactured feather duster crammed up there already! Many top economists criticized the presidents statement, claiming Trumps tariffs on foreign objects would not boost domestic manufacturing and would instead only leave American asses empty.The post Trump Decries Lack Of U.S.-Made Products Lodged In American Rectums appeared first on The Onion.

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A passer-by walks along a path on the campus of Brown University, in Providence, R.I., Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)2025-05-06T17:17:16Z WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trumps feud with Americas elite universities is lending momentum to Republicans on Capitol Hill who want to increase a tax on wealthy college endowments by tenfold or more.House Republicans already were considering a hike in the tax on college endowments earnings from 1.4% to 14% as part of Trumps tax bill. As the president raises the stakes in his fight with Harvard, Columbia and other Ivy League schools, lawmakers are floating raising the rate as high as 21% in line with the corporate tax rate. It appears no decisions have been made.In a letter blocking Harvard from new funding on Monday, the Trump administration drew attention to the schools largely tax-free $53 billion endowment, noting its bigger than some nations economies. Trump previously said he wants to see Harvard stripped of its tax-exempt status as he presses for reforms at colleges he accuses of indoctrinating students with radical left ideas. Similar rhetoric has been echoed by Republican lawmakers who question why wealthy colleges get tax breaks that businesses dont.In a letter to Brown University last month, Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas, who has proposed legislation with the higher rate, said lawmakers are concerned about the priorities of universities that operate in a largely tax-free world. He questioned whether their endowments contribute to the public good.Republicans appear to be chipping away at the long-held notion that colleges provide the kind of public benefit that deserves to be protected from heavy taxation. And its happening just as the House looks to cut or offset $1.5 trillion in spending as part of the presidents sweeping tax bill. Endowment taxes were introduced in Trumps first administrationColleges werent taxed on their investment gains until Trumps 2017 tax package, which applied a 1.4% levy to schools that enroll at least 500 students and have $500,000 per full-time student in the bank. A proposal floated by the House Ways and Means Committee in January called for a 14% endowment tax. Now lawmakers are looking at a 21% tax, among various options. As a senator, Vice President J.D. Vance proposed going further, to 35%.In 2023, the current tax generated $380 million from 56 colleges.Raising the tax to 14% would generate $10 billion for the federal government over 10 years, according to budget documents. On its own, it would have little impact on the Houses goals for slashing government spending.The momentum for an increase reflects a broader attack on higher education, said Steven Bloom, an assistant vice president of the American Council on Education, which represents the presidents of hundreds of colleges. Its not a lot of money, so that cant be the motivating factor, Bloom said.Multi-billion dollar endowments draw new scrutinyColleges see their endowments as stability for the future. The wealthiest ones run massive investment portfolios, and they usually draw about 5% of their returns to cover scholarships and other operating costs.Critics say colleges have been allowed to amass huge, tax-free returns while charging students as much as $95,000 a year for tuition and fees. They point to Harvard, Yale and others with tens of billions stored away. In total, roughly 50 colleges have endowments worth more than $1 billion, while the vast majority are much smaller. The tax proposals heighten financial uncertainty for colleges, including some that already are drawing deeper into endowment reserves to make up for federal funding cuts or grappling with budget gaps amid enrollment decreases.At Davidson College, the most modest proposal would add $11 million a year to the schools tax bill, which was about $1 million last year, President Douglas Hicks said in an interview. That amount of money would be astronomical for our budget, he said.Davidson is among a small group of colleges that dont consider students income in admissions and agree to cover their full financial need. Hicks said the proposed tax hikes would take away the equivalent of full scholarships for up to 200 students.If leaders are trying to reform higher education, there are much better incentives, Hicks said. Middlebury College in Vermont, a campus of about 3,000 students, cited the potential tax increase as a factor contributing to recent financial uncertainty. The school faces a budget deficit amid a dip in graduate school enrollment, but its opting not to pull more from its endowment over concerns of a tax hike.Endowment tax increases that are currently under consideration could raise our tax bill from $1 million to $12 million, university leaders wrote in an April update.___The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. COLLIN BINKLEY Binkley covers the U.S. Education Department and federal education policy for The Associated Press, along with a wide range of issues from K-12 through higher education. twitter mailto

She's so super fine!Rihanna Rihanna made a splash on the carpet not just with her Marc Jacobs ensemble and Stephen Jones-designed hat, but with the reveal that she is pregnant! MadonnaMadonna is always a classic and a sapphic fave and no wonder when she can rock a Tom Ford tux like this. Chappell Roan Oscar-winning costume designer Paul Tazewell created this stunning patchwork suit for Chappell Roan.Janelle Mone and Issa RaeJanelle Mone is another star who never disappoints on a red carpet, they rocked a custom Thom Browne two-piece look, and not to be outshone, Issa Rae hit the carpet in a tailored three-piece suit by British Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng. Aimee Lou WoodWhite Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood rocked this eye-catching ensemble by Priya Ahluwalia.Priyanka Chopra JonasPriyanka Chopra paired femme polka dots with a masc silhouette in this chic suit dress by Olivier Rousteing for Balmain. Hunter SchaferHunter Schafer is always a guaranteed serve! This time the actress sported a custom black-and-white multilayered suit by Prada.Alicia KeysAlicia Keyes stomped that carpet in a red pinstripe suit by Moncler, in collaboration with Vogue editor Edward Enninful.Ugbad AbdiThe influence of Andr Leon Talley is powerful in Ugbad Abdi's custom Michael Kors Collection ensemble.Jodie Turner-SmithStar Wars: The Acolyte starJodie Turner-Smith payed homage to Black equestrian Selika Lazevski, in her custom Burberry look.Angel ReeseHappy birthday Angel Reese! The basketball super star hit the carpet on her birthday in this two-piece black dress by Thom Browne, worthy of a celebration all on its own. DoechiiThis year may be Doechii's first-ever Met Gala, but it won't be her last! She kept it cute in a custom Louis Vuitton short suit designed by Pharrell Williams.Tracee Ellis RossTracee Ellis Ross rocked an eye-catching pink silk suit from Marc Jacobs.Andra DaySpeaking of eye-catching color, Andra Day stunned in a hot pink suit from designer Jerome Lamaar.Sabrina CarpenterNo pants? No problem. Ok this ensemble designed by Pharrell Williams for Louis Vuitton is more suit inspired, but on Sabrina Carpenter we'll allow it. Lupita Nyong'oLupita Nyong'o looked like a super fine superhero in this powder-blue Chanel suit. LisaLisa also rocked a suit, sans pants, from Louis Vuitton designed by Pharrell Williams. Trend alert! Joey KingJoey King sparkled and shone in this green suit from Miu Miu. Savannah JamesIs Savannah James technically wearing a suit? Ok fine it's gown by Hanifa, but its 50 percent suit and its fierce so we're counting it. JennieBLACKPINK singer Jennie strutted the carpet in a custom Chanel tuxedo gown.ZendayaOK seriously can Zendaya save a little fabulocity for the rest of us? Once again she served pure, simple, fashion excellence in this custom white three-piece Louis Vuitton zoot suit designed by Pharrell Williams.Whoopi GoldbergWhoopi played with both gender and proportion in this custom, sequined Thom Browne tuxedo dress.Kara YoungSpeaking of proportion, Broadway star Kara Young went for this exaggerated, sophisticated silhouette, and we're cheering. Breanna StewartBreanna Stewart looked like a fashion all-star in this all-white tuxedo designed by Sergio Hudson.Coco JonesThe details! The details! Coco Jones was pure opulence in this custom Manish Malhotra ensemble. Adrienne E. AdamsWe may not know who designed Adrienne E. Adams' suit, but what we do know is that was a serve. Ego NwodimCall it a peplum, call it a bustle, whatever you call it, Ego Nwodim did that in her custom Christopher John Rogers suit. Teyana TaylorWe're gonna need a moment just to take this all in. The shoulders, the shoes, the details. Teyana Taylor cut quite a striking figure on the runway in her custom ensemble designed by Ruth E. Carter.

The 2025 Met Gala, held Monday, May 5, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, ushered in a striking new era of red carpet style with the theme Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. For the first time in more than two decades, menswear and tailoring took center stage at fashions most-watched event and queer artists and celebrities did not disappoint. Celebrating Black sartorial heritage and genderSource

Musician Lorde used fashion as a form of self-expression at the 2025 Met Gala, offering subtle but powerful insight into her evolving sense of gender. The New Zealand-born artist appeared on the red carpet Monday night in a custom two-piece silver ensemble by designer Thom Browne, signaling what she described as a personal statement on gender identity and self-discovery. In an interview withSource

Sam Presti of the Oklahoma City Thunder was announced Tuesday as the NBA's executive of the year, the reward for building that team into a juggernaut that won a league-best 68 games this season.

Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty will not run in the Preakness Stakes and instead will rest before the Belmont Stakes, ending any hopes for a Triple Crown.

Florida coach Todd Golden, fresh off a national title, has agreed to a six-year, $40.5 million contract extension through the 2030-31 season.

The Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars face off in the second round after braving long live odds in Game 7's.

Check out our Top 25 poll, plus the play and player of the week.