Actor Gene Hackman with wife Betsy Arakawa in June 1993. (AP Photo, File)2025-02-27T09:04:08Z SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman, his wife and their dog were found dead in their New Mexico home Wednesday, authorities said.Foul play was not suspected, but authorities did not release circumstances of their deaths and said an investigation was ongoing.Santa Fe County Sheriffs deputies found Hackman, his wife Betsy Arakawa and a dog dead when they preformed a welfare check at the home around 1:45 p.m., spokesperson Denise Avila said.Hackman, 95, was a five-time Oscar nominee who starred in dozens of films and one of the industrys most respected and honored performers. His two Oscar wins, for The French Connection and Unforgiven, were spaced out 21 years apart. News of his death comes just four days before this years Academy Awards ceremony.The couples home is in a gated community just outside of Santa Fe, New Mexicos capital city. Hackman moved in the 1980s to the area, where he was often seen around town and served as a board member of the Georgia OKeeffe Museum in the 1990s, according to the local paper, The New Mexican. Hackman played a variety of roles, appearing in action movies, thrillers and even had a comedic part in Young Frankenstein.Aside from appearances at awards shows, he was rarely seen in the Hollywood social circuit and retired in his mid-70s.An email sent to his publicist was not immediately returned early Thursday.

FILE- Police officers escort Andrew Tate, center, handcuffed to his brother Tristan Tate, to the Court of Appeal in Bucharest, Romania, Monday, Feb. 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru, File)2025-02-27T08:37:46Z BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) Influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are charged with human trafficking in Romania, have left for the U.S. after a travel ban on them was lifted, an official said Thursday.The brothers are also charged with forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women.It is not clear under what conditions the Tates who are keen supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump and boast millions of online followers were allowed to leave Romania. An official at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case, said the decision was at the discretion of prosecutors.Romanias anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, said in a statement Thursday that prosecutors approved a request to modify the obligation preventing the defendants from leaving Romania, but that judicial control measures remained in place. The agency did not say who had made the request. These include the requirement to appear before judicial authorities whenever summoned, the statement read. The defendants have been warned that deliberately violating these obligations may result in judicial control being replaced with a stricter deprivation of liberty measure. Andrew Tate, 38, and Tristan Tate, 36 who are dual U.S.-British citizens were arrested near Romanias capital in late 2022 along with two Romanian women. Romanian prosecutors formally indicted all four last year. In April, the Bucharest Tribunal ruled that a trial could start but did not set a date. All four deny all of the allegations. The Tates departure came after Romanias Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu said this month that a U.S. official under the current Trump administration had expressed interest in the brothers legal case in Romania at the Munich Security Conference. The minister insisted it didnt amount to pressure. In December a court in Bucharest ruled that the case against the Tates and the two Romanian women could not go to trial because of multiple legal and procedural irregularities on the part of the prosecutors.That decision by the Bucharest Court of Appeal was a huge setback for DIICOT, but it did not mean the defendants could walk free. The case has not been closed, and there is also a separate legal case against the brothers in Romania.

Elon Musk, left, and President Donald Trump, right, are seen through the windows as Marine One lands on the South Lawn of the White House, Feb. 19, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)2025-02-26T15:05:52Z NEW YORK (AP) Shortly after becoming Wireds global editorial director in 2023, Katie Drummond acted on an early-morning idea. With a presidential election coming, the tech-focused news outlet needed a team to report on technologys intersection with politics.She couldnt have predicted how much the decision would pay off.Wired has attracted broad attention for its aggressive coverage of the Trump administration, particularly Elon Musks efforts at reducing federal employment. It has identified and traced the backgrounds of Musks young team and how they are burrowing their way into government operations.I think we were very well positioned to jump on that coverage, Drummond said.Wired has written about a 25-year-old engineer, Marko Elez, and his access to the sprawling Treasury Department systems that make government payments. Its stories about 19-year-old Edward Coristine, nicknamed Big Balls, included one about how hes on staff at a federal cybersecurity agency. In a hard-hitting piece this week, Brian Barrett outlined a weeks worth of mistakes by the young government efficiency team, including being forced to hire back employees belatedly deemed critical and claiming $8 billion in savings on a project when it was actually $8 million. Barrett wrote: Elon Musk is the undisputed champion of making money for Elon Musk. As effectively the CEO of the United States of America? Very bad. Embarrassing, honestly. The outlets coverage has paid off with new subscribersWired gained 62,500 new subscribers in the United States during the first two weeks of February alone. Last year it reported a total of 19.5 million subscribers, either digital or for the monthly printed magazine, or both. Its eight global editions reach 57 million total.When Wired set up a Zoom call for subscribers to talk with its journalists about their stories earlier this month, more than 1,000 people signed up, Drummond said.This is what adversarial journalism looks like, media critic Parker Molloy wrote on her blog, The Present Age. Instead of just transcribing what powerful people say, Wireds reporters dig into what theyre actually doing. They tracked down documents, spoke with sources inside agencies, and pieced together how Musks takeover is actually working in practice.Drummond stressed that Wired isnt part of any resistance. Its just reporting. This is all newsworthy, highly-consequential information, she said. This is not information that is being disseminated in a transparent way.Upon its launch as a magazine in 1993, Wired was an instant success as a chronicler of Silicon Valley, its people and its products. It was acquired by Conde Nast in 1998. Drummonds media career began as a Wired intern in 2009, and she returned home after being senior vice president of global news and entertainment at Vice Media.In hiring three reporters and two editors for a new politics team, Drummond said the bet that we made was that this sort of Venn diagram between business and politics would become increasingly vital for a publication like Wired to cover. At the time, there were worries about how technology would help flood the 2024 campaign with disinformation, and Drummond wanted to own that story.That didnt turn out to be as much of an issue as anticipated. Instead, Wired wrote about the rise in non-traditional media influencers and the increased coziness between the Trump campaign and Silicon Valley executives. In that context, one reporter was told to concentrate on Musk as a beat.Even though we had not anticipated that Elon Musk would become the story, we were ready to cover it, just because of our background in (covering) him as a business leader and personality, she said.With Trump in office and Musk assigned to make bold changes in the federal bureaucracy, finding out about the team he was putting to work became top priority. It was in Wireds wheelhouse. A prominent Trump supporter suggests Wired is doxxing workersNot everyone was happy. Remember when Wired was focused on cutting-edge technology and how young college dropout founders could change the world? conservative influencer Charlie Kirk wrote on X, including a screenshot of a Wired story. Not anymore. Now, theyre doxxing DOGE employees and whining that they are too young and inexperienced to reform Americas government.Kirks reference to doxxing the malicious publication of personal information that can be used to harass someone is a stretch in this case, said Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University communications professor with an expertise in social media.Theyre working for the government now, Grygiel said, so I dont see how that is doxxing.However, in a since-removed social media post, a Virginia college professor publicized the names of some of the workers, urging, Doxx them. Musk replied to that message, writing, you have committed a crime, according to The New York Times. Asked about the criticism, Drummond said that our coverage speaks for itself. It is rigorously reported and fact-checked.Initially, she said she was surprised that it took other news organizations some time to concentrate on the type of stories that Wired was writing, although the flood of news during the first month of the Trump administration has been hard to keep up with. She said she was excited to see others eventually jump in.What Im most proud of is that we blazed a trail and set the sights of other news organizations on this specific topic, Drummond said.And, she said, we dont plan on stopping. We are very committed to continuing to cover Musk and the Trump administration and the changes that are happening inside the federal government.___David Bauder writes about the intersection of media and entertainment for the AP. Follow him at http://x.com/dbauder and https://bsky.app/profile/dbauder.bsky.social DAVID BAUDER Bauder is the APs national media writer, covering the intersection of news, politics and entertainment. He is based in New York. twitter mailto

In this 1993 file photo, actor Gene Hackman is seen. (AP Photo/File)2025-02-27T10:09:15Z LOS ANGELES (AP) Gene Hackman, the prolific Oscar-winning actor whose studied portraits ranged from reluctant heroes to conniving villains and made him one of the industrys most respected and honored performers, has been found dead along with his wife at their home. He was 95.Hackman was a frequent and versatile presence on screen from the 1960s until his retirement. His dozens of films included the Academy Award favorites The French Connection and Unforgiven, a breakout performance in Bonnie and Clyde, a classic bit of farce in Young Frankenstein, a turn as the comic book villain Lex Luthor in Superman and the title character in Wes Andersons 2001 The Royal Tenenbaums.He seemed capable of any kind of role whether an uptight buffoon in Birdcage, a college coach finding redemption in the sentimental favorite Hoosiers or a secretive surveillance expert in Francis Ford Coppolas Watergate-era release The Conversation. Although self-effacing and unfashionable, Hackman held special status within Hollywood heir to Spencer Tracy as an every man, actors actor, curmudgeon and reluctant celebrity. He embodied the ethos of doing his job, doing it very well, and letting others worry about his image. Beyond the obligatory appearances at awards ceremonies, he was rarely seen on the social circuit and made no secret of his disdain for the business side of show business. Actors tend to be shy people, he told Film Comment in 1988. There is perhaps a component of hostility in that shyness, and to reach a point where you dont deal with others in a hostile or angry way, you choose this medium for yourself ... Then you can express yourself and get this wonderful feedback. He was an early retiree essentially done, by choice, with movies by his mid-70s and a late bloomer. Hackman was 35 when cast for Bonnie and Clyde and past 40 when he won his first Oscar, as the rules-bending New York City detective Jimmy Popeye Doyle in the 1971 thriller about tracking down Manhattan drug smugglers, The French Connection. Jackie Gleason, Steve McQueen and Peter Boyle were among the actors considered for Doyle. Hackman was a minor star at the time, seemingly without the flamboyant personality that the role demanded. The actor himself feared that he was miscast. A couple of weeks of nighttime patrols of Harlem in police cars helped reassure him.One of the first scenes of The French Connection required Hackman to slap around a suspect. The actor realized he had failed to achieve the intensity that the scene required, and asked director William Friedkin for another chance. The scene was filmed at the end of the shooting, by which time Hackman had immersed himself in the loose-cannon character of Popeye Doyle. Friedkin would recall needing 37 takes to get the scene right.I had to arouse an anger in Gene that was lying dormant, I felt, within him that he was sort of ashamed of and didnt really want to revisit, Friedkin told the Los Angeles Review of Books in 2012. The most famous sequence was dangerously realistic: A car chase in which Det. Doyle speeds under elevated subway tracks, his brown Pontiac (driven by a stuntman) screeching into areas that the filmmakers had not received permits for. When Doyle crashes into a white Ford, it wasnt a stuntman driving the other car, but a New York City resident who didnt know a movie was being made.Hackman also resisted the role which brought him his second Oscar. When Clint Eastwood first offered him Little Bill Daggett, the corrupt town boss in Unforgiven, Hackman turned it down. But he realized that Eastwood was planning to make a different kind of Western, a critique, not a celebration of violence. The film won him the Academy Award as best supporting actor of 1992.To his credit, and my joy, he talked me into it, Hackman said of Eastwood during an interview with the American Film Institute.Hackman played super-villain Lex Luthor opposite Christopher Reeve in director Richard Donners 1978 Superman, a film that established the prototype for the modern superhero movie. He also starred in two sequels. Eugene Allen Hackman was born in San Bernardino, California, and grew up in Danville, Illinois, where his father worked as a pressman for the Commercial-News. His parents fought repeatedly, and his father often used his fists on Gene to take out his rage. The boy found refuge in movie houses, identifying with such screen rebels as Errol Flynn and James Cagney as his role models.When Gene was 13, his father waved goodbye and drove off, never to return. The abandonment was a lasting injury to Gene. His mother had become an alcoholic and was constantly at odds with her mother, with whom the shattered family lived (Gene had a younger brother, actor Richard Hackman). At 16, he suddenly got the itch to get out. Lying about his age, he enlisted in the U.S. Marines. In his early 30s, before his film career took off, his mother died in a fire started by her own cigarette. Dysfunctional families have sired a lot of pretty good actors, he observed ironically during a 2001 interview with The New York Times.His brawling and resistance to authority led to his being demoted from corporal three times. His taste of show business came when he conquered his mic fright and became disc jockey and news announcer on his units radio station.With a high school degree he earned during his time as a Marine, Hackman enrolled in journalism at the University of Illinois. He dropped out after six months to study radio announcing in New York. After working at stations in Florida and his hometown of Danville, he returned to New York to study painting at the Art Students League. Hackman switched again to enter an acting course at the Pasadena Playhouse.Back in New York, he found work as a doorman and truck driver among other jobs waiting for a break as an actor, sweating it out with such fellow hopefuls as Robert Duvall and Dustin Hoffman. Summer work at a theater on Long Island led to roles off-Broadway. Hackman began attracting attention from Broadway producers, and he received good notices in such plays as Any Wednesday, with Sandy Dennis, and Poor Richard, with Alan Bates.During a tryout in New Haven for another play, Hackman was seen by film director Robert Rossen, who hired him for a brief role in Lilith, which starred Warren Beatty and Jean Seberg. He played small roles in other films, including Hawaii, and leads in television dramas of the early 1960s such as The Defenders and Naked City.When Beatty began work on Bonnie and Clyde, which he produced and starred in, he remembered Hackman and cast him as bank robber Clyde Barrows outgoing brother. Pauline Kael in the New Yorker called Hackmans work a beautifully controlled performance, the best in the film, and he was nominated for an Academy Award as supporting actor.Hackman nearly appeared in another immortal film of 1967, The Graduate. He was supposed to play the cuckolded husband of Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), but director Mike Nichols decided he was too young and replaced him with Murray Hamilton. Two years later, he was considered for what became one of televisions most famous roles, patriarch Mike Brady of The Brady Bunch. Producer Sherwood Schwartz wanted Hackman to audition, but network executives thought he was too obscure. (The part went to Robert Reed).Hackmans first starring film role came in 1970 with I Never Sang for My Father, as a man struggling to deal with a failed relationship with his dying father, Melvyn Douglas. Because of Hackmans distress over his own father, he resisted connecting to the role.In his 2001 Times interview, he recalled: Douglas told me, `Gene, youll never get what you want with the way youre acting. And he didnt mean acting; he meant I was not behaving myself. He taught me not to use my reservations as an excuse for not doing the job. Even though he had the central part, Hackman was Oscar-nominated as supporting actor and Douglas as lead. The following year he won the Oscar as best actor for The French Connection.Through the years, Hackman kept working, in pictures good and bad. For a time he seemed to be in a contest with Michael Caine for the worlds busiest Oscar winner. In 2001 alone, he appeared in The Mexican, Heartbreakers, Heist, The Royal Tenenbaums and Behind Enemy Lines. But by 2004, he was openly talking about retirement, telling Larry King he had no projects lined up. His only credit in recent years was narrating a Smithsonian Channel documentary, The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima.In 1956, Hackman married Fay Maltese, a bank teller he had met at a YMCA dance in New York. They had a son, Christopher, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Leslie, but divorced in the mid-1980s. In 1991 he married Betsy Arakawa, a classical pianist.When not on film locations, Hackman enjoyed painting, stunt flying, stock car racing and deep sea diving. In his latter years, he wrote novels and lived on his ranch in Sante Fe, New Mexico, on a hilltop looking out on the Colorado Rockies, a view he preferred to his films that popped up on television.Ill watch maybe five minutes of it, he once told Time magazine, and Ill get this icky feeling, and I turn the channel.___AP National Writer Hillel Italie in New York and Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton in Los Angeles contributed to this report. Bob Thomas, a longtime Associated Press journalist who died in 2014, compiled biographical material for this obituary.

Since 2012, Gallup has put out a poll outlining how likely Americans are to identify as LGBTQ. In their latest findings, released earlier this month, they found that 9.3% of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ. This figure has nearly doubled since 2020 and is up from 3.5% in 2012.Why are these numbers exploding?Well, as society and culture have become more accepting of LGBTQ peoplewith Gen Z leading the chargethere is less at stake when it comes to coming out. More than one in five (22.7%) Gen Z adults identify as LGBTQ. But each older generation of adults, from millennials to the Silent Generation, has successively lower identification rates, dropping down to 1.8% among the oldest Americansthose born before 1946.When I read the report, I was thrilled about how comfortable younger folks are with being LGBTQ in 2025. But it also made me feel sad for older Americans. There are likely millions of people in this country still trapped in a closet, living an unwanted life of heterosexuality or as a gender they dont identify with. I think about a 60-something-year-old Georgia cattle rancher I once interviewed, whos been married with kids for decades but who sneaks out to Atlanta to hook up with men on the low. I think about all the later-in-life lesbians who came out decades after having full-fledged families with male partners.These millions of stories involve lost years for closeted gay people. These folks never had a high school hook-up with a real crush. They didnt lose their virginity to someone they were actually attracted to. They didnt share the first dance of their wedding with someone they deeply, passionately and romantically loved. And every day, they have had to present in costume; lets call it heterosexual drag. They have had to perform straightness while concealing their real, human desires for the same sex.This suppression can cause real trauma. And there are closeted folks in every county of every state who have endured this trauma for a lifetime.What can we do?We need to show allyship. We need to open up space for folks to feel comfortable telling us a secret. And hopefully, every day that we inch toward more progress (even if the curve isnt linear), more and more folks in the older generations will muster the courage to come out. My hope is that every day, there will be 70-, 80- and 90-year-olds experiencing their first enjoyable hookup, their first romantic kiss and their first date with those nauseating butterflies that every human deserves to experience before they leave this earth.Upgrade to paid to support LGBTQ-focused accountability journalism. Lawmakers in 9 states propose measures to undermine same-sex marriage rights (NBC News)A Michigan Republican introduced a resolution Tuesday urging the Supreme Court to reverse its 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges same-sex marriage ruling.LGBTQ Federal Workers Brace for a McCarthyist Purge (Mother Jones) Theyre not asking people, Are you gay? Are you lesbian? Theyre asking, Who is participating in DEI?'Whitmer on Republican lawmakers same-sex marriage resolution: Hell no (The Hill)Michigan Democrats, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, are pushing back against a Republican-led resolution asking the Supreme Court to reverse its decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.Groups Helping LGBTQ Victims of Violence Could Face a Catastrophic Loss of Federal Funding (The 19th)These nonprofits say theres no way for them to do their work and comply with Trumps executive orders.Subscribe nowWe went live on Monday with Jax Seeger, a friend of Sam Nordquist, a trans man who was killed in New York. Jax spoke about why they think the seven suspects in their friends murder should have their charges elevated from second to first-degree. Watch the interview below: This weekend, be on the lookout for new Uncloseted reporting: West Wilson isnt your typical Bravo bro. Since he popped up the networks flagship show Summer House last year, he quickly became a fan favorite as the self-aware sports journalist who The New York Times described as The New Number One Guy in the Group. In the second installment of Beneath the Grid, we talk to West about masculinity in 2025, the loneliness epidemic among men, and how far-right influencers shape bro culture. He also explains why he proudly voted for Kamala Harris. Thanks for reading! Feel free to email me with questions, complaints, tips, and story ideas! Spencer Macnaughton, Editor-In-Chiefspencer@unclosetedmedia.comIf objective, nonpartisan, rigorous, LGBTQ-focused journalism is important to you, please consider making a tax-deductible donation through our fiscal sponsor, Resource Impact, by clicking this button:Donate to Uncloseted Media

Israeli soldiers take up positions next to the Philadelphi Corridor along the border with Egypt, in the Gaza Strip, Sept. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File)2025-02-27T11:39:44Z Israels refusal to withdraw from a narrow strip of desert on the Gaza side of the border with Egypt, as called for in the ceasefire with Hamas, could further threaten the fragile truce.An Israeli official said Thursday that Israeli forces would remain in the so-called Philadelphi corridor to prevent weapons smuggling. The official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.Under the ceasefire agreement reached last month, Israel was to begin withdrawing on Saturday and complete the pullout within eight days. Its refusal to do so would likely be seen by Hamas and key mediator Egypt as a breach of the agreement. There was no immediate comment from either.Saturday is also the final day of the first phase of the ceasefire. Negotiations have yet to begin on the second and more difficult phase, in which Hamas is to release dozens of remaining hostages in exchange for a lasting truce. The war could resume if an agreement is not reached.Heres a look at the Philadelphi corridor and why it las long been a source of tension. What is the Philadelphi corridor and why does Israel want it?The Philadelphi corridor is an empty strip only 100 meters (yards) wide in some places that runs the 14-kilometer (8.6-mile) length of Gazas border with Egypt. It includes the Rafah crossing, which was Gazas only outlet to the outside world not controlled by Israel until the Israeli army captured the entire corridor last May.At a September news conference, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas had been using tunnels under the border to import arms and was trying to rebuild the military machine it unleashed on Israel in its Oct. 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war.However, Israeli media reported in September that the tunnels had not been used for years. Israels Haaretz news outlet, citing military officials, said Israeli troops had found nine tunnels running under the Philadelphi corridor, all sealed from the Egyptian side since Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi came to power in 2013 and launched a campaign to destroy tunnels. It said the army believes most weapons in Gaza were produced locally, using some materials smuggled through the Rafah crossing and the nearby Kerem Shalom crossing, which is controlled by Israel. that the tunnels had not been used for years. Israels Haaretz news outlet, citing military officials, said Israeli troops had found nine tunnels running under the Philadelphi corridor, all sealed from the Egyptian side since Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi came to power in 2013 and launched a campaign to destroy tunnels.It said the army believes most weapons in Gaza were produced locally, some using materials smuggled through the Rafah crossing and the nearby Kerem Shalom crossing, which is controlled by Israel.On Thursday. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said he had seen unblocked tunnels between Gaza and Egypt during a recent visit to the corridor, without providing evidence. Egypt has denied the Israeli allegations, saying it destroyed hundreds of tunnels on its side of the border years ago and set up a military buffer zone that prevents smuggling. How does the corridor figure into the ceasefire?In January, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire and the phased release of hostages, pausing 15 months of war.Under the first phase, Hamas has freed 25 living Israeli hostages and returned the bodies of eight more, in exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Israeli forces have pulled back from most areas and there has been a surge in humanitarian aid.In the second phase, Hamas was to release the rest of the living hostages in exchange for more prisoners, a full Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire. The third phase would see the exchange of remains and the start of Gazas daunting reconstruction.Negotiations over the second phase were supposed to begin in early February, but so far only limited preparatory talks have been held.Netanyahu says he remains committed to bringing back all the hostages and destroying the military and governing capabilities of Hamas. Those aims are likely incompatible, however, as Hamas still rules Gaza and has ordered its fighters to kill hostages if their rescue appears imminent.The Trump administration has fully endorsed Israels war goals, but Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff says he hopes to reach the second phase of the ceasefire. He is expected to visit the region in the coming days. What would a lasting Israeli presence mean?Hamas is adamantly opposed to any lasting Israeli presence inside Gaza, which would be widely seen as a military occupation.Israel captured Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war, territories the Palestinians want for their own state. It withdrew soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005 but continued to control the territorys airspace, its coastline and all of its border crossings except Rafah.An Israeli decision to stay in the corridor could also further strain relations with Egypt, an American ally that has served as a key mediator with Hamas. Egypt has warned that it could undermine its nearly half century-old peace treaty with Israel, a cornerstone of American influence in the region.The United States has not taken a position on control of the corridor, and U.S. President Donald Trump has not said how it might figure into his proposal for Gazas roughly 2 million Palestinians to be relocated to other countries so the U.S. can redevelop the territory as a tourist destination. ___Associated Press writers Samy Magdy in Cairo and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed.___Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Pool via AP)2025-02-27T10:55:12Z BRUSSELS (AP) The European Unions executive branch said Thursday that the 27-nation bloc wasnt out to undermine the United States, as U.S. President Donald Trump put it, but instead was the worlds largest free market that has created an economic windfall for American companies working on and with the continent. The bloc also added it would vigorously fight a wholesale tariff of 25% on all EU products headed for the U.S., as Trump has threatened in the latest round of vitriolic comments aimed at an age-old ally and economic partner. Thursdays EU pushback came after Trump told reporters that the European Union was formed in order to screw the United States. Thats the purpose of it, and theyve done a good job of it, adding it would stop immediately under his presidency. He said that the tariffs would be on cars and all other things. The moment the tariffs would be announced, the EU has said it would trigger tough countermeasures, on iconic U.S. industries like bourbon, jeans and motorcycles.The EU will react firmly and immediately against unjustified barriers to free and fair trade, European Commission trade spokesman Olof Gill said in a statement. We will also protect our consumers and businesses at every turn. They expect no less from us. Trump said in comments late Wednesday that the United States stood ready.We are the pot of gold. Were the one that everybody wants. And they can retaliate. But it cannot be a successful retaliation, because we just go cold turkey. We dont buy any more. And if that happens, we win. Gill also countered Trumps caustic comments on the inception of the EU and its development as an economic powerhouse. The European Union is the worlds largest free market. And it has been a boon for the United States, he said, adding that the EU has facilitated trade, reduced costs for U.S. exporters, and harmonized standards and regulations, which makes it easier for U.S. exporters. The EU estimates that the trade volume between both sides stands at about $1.5 trillion, representing around 30% of global trade. Trump has complained about a trade deficit, but while the bloc has a substantial export surplus in goods, the EU says that is partly offset by the U.S. surplus in the trade of services.The EU says that trade in goods reached 851 billion euros ($878 billion) in 2023, with a trade surplus of 156 billion euros ($161 billion) for the EU. Trade in services was worth 688 billion euros ($710 billion) with a trade deficit of 104 billion euros ($107 billion) for the EU. The figures are so big that it remained essential to avoid a trade war, the EU has said. We should work together to preserve these opportunities for our people and businesses. Not against each other, Gill said. Europe stands for dialogue, openness and reciprocity. Were ready to partner if you play by the rules.

2025-02-27T11:46:33Z BUKAVU, Congo (AP) Dozens of people were reportedly injured Thursday after two explosions hit a meeting of M23 rebel group leaders and residents in the captured city of Bukavu in eastern Congo.Video and photos shared on social media on Thursday showed a crowd fleeing the meeting in Bukavu in panic and bloodied bodies on the ground. Leaders of the M23 rebel group were meeting residents when the explosions occurred in the central part of Bukavu. Among the rebel leaders present was Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), which includes the M23.The leaders, including Nangaa, were leaving the podium when two blasts rocked the scene, according to a journalist present at the meeting. Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have swept through the region seizing key cities and killing some 3,000 people. In a lightning three-week offensive, the M23 took control of eastern Congos main city Goma and seized the second largest city, Bukavu. The rebels are supported by about 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, according to U.N. experts, and at times have vowed to march as far as Congos capital, Kinshasa, over 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) away. Rwanda has accused Congo of enlisting ethnic Hutu fighters responsible for the 1994 genocide in Rwanda of minority Tutsis and moderate Hutus. M23 says its fighting to protect Tutsis and Congolese of Rwandan origin from discrimination and wants to transform Congo from a failed state to a modern one. Analysts have called those pretexts for Rwandas involvement. MONIKA PRONCZUK Pronczuk covers 22 countries across Central and West Africa for The Associated Press. She is based in Dakar, Senegal. twitter mailto

A view of an ilmenite open pit mine in a canyon in the central region of Kirovohrad, Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)2025-02-27T10:36:14Z PARIS (AP) France is also seeking access to Ukraine s deposits of critical minerals, with negotiations already underway for months, the French defense minister said Thursday, indicating that the United States isnt the only player.Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected Friday at the White House to sign a minerals deal with the United States. President Donald Trump made the announcement Wednesday.But France, too, is in discussions with Ukraine aiming, like the United States, to diversify its supplies of vital minerals, French Defense Minister Sbastien Lecornu told broadcaster France Info. He didnt specify exactly which minerals France is seeking. Ukraine has been offering to supply the U.S. with rare earth elements that are critical for various technologies, including lithium for batteries and uranium for nuclear power, medical equipment and weapons. Lecornu said: We are speaking about this issue for our own French needs. I have defense industries that will need access to a certain number of raw materials in the years to come. He said French President Emmanuel Macron mandated him to begin the discussions and that he has been dealing directly with his Ukrainian counterpart as part of efforts to increase the number of source countries for rare minerals. We have to diversify that. Emmanuel Macron has asked that I also start discussions with the Ukrainians .... I have been doing so since October, the minister said. He said France could possibly purchase minerals from Ukraine and isnt seeking access to them as a way to recoup the billions of euros (dollars) worth of military and other aid that Paris has supplied to strengthen Ukrainian defenses against Russias invasion. Trump has framed the emerging deal as a chance for Kyiv to repay aid already sent under Democratic President Joe Biden.We are not looking for payback, Lecornu said. But our defense sector will need a certain number of raw materials that are absolutely crucial in our own weapons systems ... for the next 30 or 40 years.He indicated that the discussions are in a preliminary stage, saying: Its the beginning of the story.

FILE -A sign is seen outside of Seminole Hospital District offering measles testing, Feb. 21, 2025, in Seminole, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez), File)2025-02-27T08:15:10Z BANGKOK (AP) The U.S. registered its first death from measles since 2015 this week, as a child who wasnt vaccinated died in a measles outbreak in rural West Texas.Normally, most U.S. cases are brought into the country by people who have traveled overseas. So far, Texas state officials have reported 124 cases. New Mexico has reported nine.Experts point to declining measles vaccination rates worldwide since the COVID-19 pandemic. In the United States, most states now are below the 95% vaccination threshold for kindergartners the level needed to protect communities against measles outbreaks.Britain reported 2,911 confirmed measles cases in 2024, the highest number of cases recorded annually, since 2012. Measles cases in the United States last year were nearly double the total for all of 2023, raising concerns about the preventable, once-common childhood virus. Health officials confirmed measles cases in at least 18 states in 2024, including in New York City, Philadelphia and Chicago. Measles anywhere is a threat everywhere, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control say on their website. Heres a brief look at the global measles situation. Are measles outbreaks common outside the U.S?According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 10.3 million people were infected with measles in 2023 and 107,500 died. Most were unvaccinated people or children younger than five. Cases were most common in parts of Africa, the Middle East and Asia where incomes are low and health services insufficient.In places where measles have largely been eradicated, cases have been spread by travelers from other countries.While measles-related deaths declined slightly in 2023, the number of outbreaks increased. Major outbreaks took place in 57 countries in 2023, including India and Indonesia, Russia, Yemen and Iraq. The largest number of cases in 2023 was 311,500 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. What is the impact of vaccinations?The worldwide rate of childhood vaccinations has fallen in recent years, to 83% in 2023 from 86% in 2019, partly due to disruptions in immunization and health care due to the pandemic. The WHO estimates that vaccination helped to prevent more than 60 million deaths worldwide between 2000 and 2023, as efforts to get the shots to more people ramped up. In 2000, 800,062 people are estimated to have died of measles. Before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, major epidemics caused about 2.6 million deaths a year.Measles is so highly infectious that 95% immunity is required to prevent epidemics, the WHO says. Put another way, it infects about 9 of 10 people exposed if they lack immunity.What international efforts are underway to prevent epidemics?The WHO and others are backing an effort called Immunization Agenda 2021-2030, to push for elimination of measles.Independent experts declared the Americas free of endemic measles in 2016 but that status was lost in 2018 due to measles outbreaks in Brazil and Venezuela. Reduced vaccination rates are undermining efforts to fully eradicate the disease, experts say. Global health organizations and other groups have increased their efforts to speed up immunization programs and close the gaps in prevention.

Pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Hector Granados poses for a photo outside his private practice in El Paso, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)2025-02-27T06:04:12Z EL PASO, Texas (AP) On the Texas border, Dr. Hector Granados treats children with diabetes at his El Paso clinics and makes hospital rounds under the shadow of accusations that have thrown his career into jeopardy: providing care to transgender youth.In whats believed to be a U.S. first, Texas is suing Granados and two other physicians over claims that they violated the states ban on gender-affirming care for minors, calling the doctors scofflaws in lawsuits filed last fall that threaten to impose steep fines and revoke their medical licenses. He denies the accusations, and all three doctors have asked courts to dismiss the cases. The cases are a pivotal test of intensifying Republican efforts to prevent such treatments, including President Donald Trumps executive order that would bar federal support for gender-affirming care for youth under 19. Some hospitals have already begun unwinding services for pediatric patients. But, so far, only Texas is demonstrating what punishing doctors looks like when bans are allegedly broken. Granados, in an interview with The Associated Press, said he was meticulous in halting transgender care before Texas ban took effect in 2023. He denied that he continued prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to transitioning patients and said he was initially unclear which patients, who are not named in the lawsuit, he is accused of wrongfully treating. The other accused doctors both in Dallas are under temporary court orders not to see patients and only practice medicine in research and academic settings. Looking at the patients was hard because they were kind of disappointed of what was going on, Granados said of ending their care. But it was something that needed to be followed because its the law.The lawsuits are believed to be the first time a state has brought enforcement under laws that ban or restrict gender-affirming care for minors, which Republicans have enacted in 27 states, including this month in Kansas over the Democratic governors veto. Although those accused of violating bans face criminal charges in some states, they do not in Texas. Nationwide, doctors and hospital executives are reevaluating transgender health programs that carry a widening risk of litigation and losing federal funding. For transgender Americans, the climate has narrowed options for care and deepened fears.Trump has launched a broad charge against transgender rights quickly in his second term, signing executive orders that include barring schools from using federal education dollars to support students who are socially transitioning. Supporters say restrictions protect vulnerable children from what they see as a radical ideology about gender and making irreversible medical decisions.The Texas lawsuits were brought by Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has previously gone beyond the states borders to launch investigations into gender-affirming treatment. Emiliana Edwards, right, former patient of pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Hector Granados chats with her mother Lorena Edwards, left, and Amber Perez, executive director of the Borderland Rainbow Center, in El Paso, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton) Emiliana Edwards, right, former patient of pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Hector Granados chats with her mother Lorena Edwards, left, and Amber Perez, executive director of the Borderland Rainbow Center, in El Paso, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More His office did not respond to requests for an interview. At a court hearing Wednesday involving the Dallas doctors, an attorney in Paxtons office declined to comment and referred questions to the agencys press office.I will enforce the law to the fullest extent to prevent any doctor from providing these dangerous drugs to kids, Paxton said in a statement this month. A practice in El PasoGranados is one of two pediatric endocrinologists in El Paso, a desert city of about 700,000 where mountains rise in the distance. Granados, 48, is from Ciudad Juarez, the neighboring Mexican city that sprawls out south of El Paso. He said that after attending medical school in Mexico he completed additional training in New York and Connecticut but he wanted to return to what he said is an underserved region.He opened a gender clinic at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in El Paso before starting his own practice in 2019. Before the ban, Granados said, treating transgender youth was just an extension of his practice that also treats youth with diabetes, growth problems and early puberty. He said he accepted transgender patients only if they had first received a diagnosis of gender dysphoria from a mental health provider.It was not different from doing everything else that a pediatric endocrinologist does, he said. It was just taking care of children who required that specific therapy. Emiliana Edwards, 18, former patient of pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Hector Granados speaks during an interview in El Paso, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton) Emiliana Edwards, 18, former patient of pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Hector Granados speaks during an interview in El Paso, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Lorena Edwards, mother of Emiliana Edwards, a former patient of pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Hector Granados, speaks during an interview in El Paso, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton) Lorena Edwards, mother of Emiliana Edwards, a former patient of pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Hector Granados, speaks during an interview in El Paso, Texas, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Emiliana Edwards was among them. Now 18, she called Granados an amazing caregiver who carefully explained her gender-affirming treatment. But at her first appointment after Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the ban in 2023, Edwards said the room felt different, like there were wires everywhere.It felt like we couldnt talk about anything really, even the most simple stuff, she said.Her mother, Lorena Edwards, said Granados put a cold stop to her daughters care. It was just: I dont provide that care anymore. And it was done, she said. Bringing cases to courtAt the heart of Texas lawsuits against Granados, Dr. May Lau and Dr. M. Brett Cooper are allegations of prescribing treatment to transition their patients sex after the ban took effect. In one instance, the state accuses Granados of prescribing testosterone to a 16-year-old, alleging that although the doctors records identify the patient as male, the teenagers sex assigned at birth is female. Granados and Lau are also accused of having instructed patients to wait until after the ban was in place to fill prescriptions.Granados does not dispute that he has continued prescribing puberty blockers and hormone replacement therapy. He said those treatments are not for gender transition but for children with endocrine disorders, which occur when hormone levels are too high or too low.He said he prescribes testosterone for many reasons, including for patients whose testicles dont work or had to be removed because of cancer. Others have brain tumors, or surgery or radiation to the brain, that impact puberty. Patients with early onset puberty also need puberty blockers, he said.Attorneys for Lau said she has always complied with the law and the claims have no merit. Attorneys for Cooper did not respond to requests for comment.This is really part of a bigger pattern of extremism within the state that even other states have shied away from replicating, said Sarah Warbelow, vice president of legal for the Human Rights Campaign.Transgender adults and youth make up less than 1% of the U.S. population, according to estimates by the Williams Institute, an LGBTQ+ research center at the UCLA School of Law. Going elsewhere for careGranados trial has been set for late October; trial dates have not yet been set yet for Lau and Cooper. While the cases are pending, Lau and Cooper agreed to practice medicine only in research and academic settings and not see patients. Neither Lau or Cooper attended the Wednesday hearing in their cases by a judge who is set to decide where their trials will be held.Under Texas ban, the state medical board is instructed to revoke the licenses of doctors who are found to have violated the law.Lorena Edwards said she watched her daughter thrive during her transition then descend into melancholy as laws targeting transgender rights gained steam. Emiliana Edwards has switched to receiving treatment in neighboring New Mexico where gender-affirming care is legal but she said attacks on the transgender community have taken a toll on her mental health. Were normal people, too, and were just trying to live, she said.

In this file photo dated Wednesday, March 21, 2018, a youth holds a flag with the image of Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the rebel Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, in Istanbul, Turkey. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis, File)2025-02-27T08:37:06Z ISTANBUL (AP) Imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his militant group on Thursday to lay down its arms and dissolve as part of a new bid to end a four-decade long conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.In a message from his prison on an island off Istanbul on Thursday, Ocalan said the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, should hold a congress and decide to disband.Convene your congress and make a decision. All groups must lay their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself, Ocalan said, according to a message that was relayed by pro-Kurdish party politicians who visited Ocalan earlier in the day.Ocalans momentous announcement is part of a new effort for peace between the group and the Turkish state, that was initiated in October by President Recep Tayyip Erdogans coalition partner, Devlet Bahceli. The far-right politician suggested Ocalan could be granted parole if his group renounces violence and disbands. Ocalan, 75, has been imprisoned on the island of Imrali, off Istanbul, since 1999 after being convicted of treason. Despite his incarceration, he continues to wield significant influence over the PKK. The groups leadership is widely expected to heed any call Ocalan makes, although some factions within the group could resist, analysts say. The peace effort comes at a time when Erdogan may need support from the DEM party in parliament to enact a new constitution that could allow him to stay in power. The Turkish Constitution doesnt allow Erdogan, who has been in power since 2003 as prime minister and later as president, to run for office again unless an early election is called something that would also require the support of the pro-Kurdish party.The DEM party has long pressed for greater democracy in Turkey and rights for the countrys Kurdish population, and also to improve conditions for the imprisoned Ocalan. Founded by Ocalan in 1978, the PKK has led an insurgency in Turkeys southeast since 1984. The group is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies. Previous peace efforts with the PKK have ended with failure the most recent in 2015.Even amid the latest peace efforts, Erdogans government has widened a crackdown on the opposition, arresting journalists and politicians. Several elected Kurdish mayors have been ousted from office and replaced with state-appointed officials.Thursdays meeting was the third time DEM party officials have met with Ocalan as part of the peace efforts. The officials have also met with Selahattin Demirtas, an imprisoned former pro-Kurdish party leader, and traveled to Iraq for talks with Kurdish leaders there.

President Donald Trump holds his first Cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Pool via AP)2025-02-27T14:10:22Z WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump says he plans to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting next Tuesday, in addition to doubling the 10% universal tariff charged on imports from China.Posting on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said that illicit drugs such as fentanyl are being smuggled into the United States at unacceptable levels and that import taxes would force other countries to crackdown on the trafficking.We cannot allow this scourge to continue to harm the USA, and therefore, until it stops, or is seriously limited, the proposed TARIFFS scheduled to go into effect on MARCH FOURTH will, indeed, go into effect, as scheduled, the Republican president wrote. China will likewise be charged an additional 10% Tariff on that date.The prospect of escalating tariffs has already thrown the global economy into turmoil with consumers expressing fears about inflation worsening and the auto sector possibly suffering if Americas two largest trading partners in Canada and Mexico are slapped with taxes.The prospect of higher prices and slower growth could create political blowback for Trump. JOSH BOAK Boak covers the White House and economic policy for The Associated Press. He joined the AP in 2013. twitter mailto

As Womens History Month quickly approaches, lets reflect back on GLAADsCreative Cuisine Brunch: Amplifying Black Queer Womenin New Orleans at the historic Treme Market Branch. On February 6, 2025, GLAADs Communities of Color and Media team, in partnership with Women With a Vision and hosted by Dawn Richard, hosted this powerful gathering bringing together Black [...]The post GLAAD Celebrates Black Queer and Trans Women, HIV Advocacy, and the Power of Storytelling at Creative Cuisine Brunch first appeared on GLAAD.

This combination of photos shows Gayle King, from left, Lauren Sanchez and Katy Perry. (AP Photo)2025-02-27T15:27:03Z CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) Katy Perry and Gayle King are headed to space with Jeff Bezos fiancee Lauren Sanchez and three other women.Bezos rocket company Blue Origin announced the all-female celebrity crew on Thursday. Sanchez, a helicopter pilot and former TV journalist, picked the crew who will join her on a 10-minute spaceflight from West Texas, the company said. They will blast off sometime this spring aboard a New Shepard rocket. No launch date was given. Blue Origin has flown tourists on short hops to space since 2021. Some passengers have gotten free rides, while others have paid a hefty sum to experience weightlessness. It was not immediately known whos footing the bill for this upcoming flight. Sanchez invited singer Perry and TV journalist King, as well as a former NASA rocket scientist who now heads an engineering firm Aisha Bowe, research scientist Amanda Nguyen and movie producer Kerianne Flynn.This will be Blue Origins 11th human spaceflight. Bezos climbed aboard with his brother for the inaugural flight. ___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Andrew Tate waves as he exits the Bucharest Tribunal with his brother Tristan, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)2025-02-27T13:00:29Z FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A travel ban was lifted on influencer brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate, who are both charged with human trafficking in Romania, and they are headed to the United States, officials said Thursday.The brothers are avid supporters of President Donald Trump and have millions of online followers. it wasnt clear under what conditions the Tates were allowed to leave Romania, or where in the United States they were headed. Here are some things to know about the Tate Brothers:Who are the Tate Brothers?Andrew Tate, 38, and Tristan Tate, 36 are dual U.S.-British citizens. Andrew Tate is a former professional kickboxer and self-described misogynist who has amassed more than 10 million followers on X. He also runs an online academy where he says he teaches young men how to get rich and attract women. Tristan Tate is also a former kickboxer.The Tates are avid supporters of President Donald Trump. What are they charged with in Romania?The Tate brothers and two Romanian women were arrested in Bucharest in late 2022. The Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism alleged the four defendants formed a criminal group in 2021 in order to commit the crime of human trafficking in Romania as well as the United States and Britain.They were initially formally indicted last year. In April, the Bucharest Tribunal ruled that a trial could start but didnt set a date. In December, a court in Bucharest ruled that the case against the Tates and the two Romanian women couldnt go to trial because of multiple legal and procedural irregularities on the part of the prosecutors. The case hasnt been closed, and there is also a separate legal case against the brothers in Romania.Andrew Tate has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors in Romania have no evidence against him and that there is a political conspiracy to silence him. But they were charged with forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, among other charges. What led to the travel ban being lifted?DIICOT, Romanias anti-organized crime agency, said in a statement Thursday that prosecutors approved a request to modify the obligation preventing the defendants from leaving Romania, but that judicial control measures remained in place. The agency didnt say who had made the request.The control measures include the requirement to appear before judicial authorities whenever summoned, the statement read. The agency said the Tates were warned that deliberately violating these obligations may result in judicial control being replaced with a stricter deprivation of liberty measure.Their departure came after Foreign Minister Emil Hurezeanu said this month that a U.S. official in the current Trump administration had expressed interest in the brothers legal case in Romania at the Munich Security Conference. The minister insisted it didnt amount to pressure. What about Tate brothers defamation case in Florida?A hearing was set Thursday in West Palm Beach, Florida, in a defamation lawsuit brought by the Tate brothers against a woman who accused them of imprisoning her in Romania. The hearing in Palm Beach County Circuit Court concerns a motion by the woman, identified as Jane Doe, seeking an indefinite delay in the lawsuit so that proceedings in Romania can continue. The Tates lawyers say there is no reason to delay the defamation case. The Romanian process is expected to take several more years, their lawyer said in a court filing.The Tate brothers filed the defamation lawsuit in July 2023._____Anderson reported from St. Petersburg, Florida.

Content warning: this article contains graphic descriptions of violence against people and animals.An error in Instagram Reels caused its algorithm to show some users video after video of horrific violence, animal abuse, murders, dead bodies, and other gore, Meta told 404 Media. The company said we apologize for the mistake.Sometime in the last few days, this error caused peoples Reels algorithms to suddenly change. A 404 Media reader who has a biking-related Instagram account reached out to me and said that his feed, which is typically dogs and bikes, had become videos of people getting killed: I had never seen someone being eaten by a shark, followed by someone getting killed by a car crash, followed by someone getting shot, he told 404 Media.To test this, the person let me login to his Instagram account, and I scrolled Reels for about 15 minutes. There were a couple videos about dogs and a couple videos about bikes, but the vast majority of videos were hidden behind a sensitive content warning. I will describe videos I saw when I clicked through the warnings, many of which had thousands of likes and hundreds of comments:An elephant repeatedly stepping on and flattening a manA man attacking a pig with a wrenchA close-up video of someone who had just been shot in the headA woman crying while laying on top of a loved one who had just been shot to deathA man on a motorcycle stopping next to a pedestrian and shooting them in the head with a pistolA pile of dead bodies in what looked to be a war-type situationA small plane crash in front of a crowd of peopleA group of people beating a crocodile to deathA few videos by an account called PeopleDeadDailyA man being lit on fireA man shooting a cashier at point blank rangeMost, but not all, of these videos were behind a sensitive content warning label, which wont play the video unless you click a button that says see reel. In this persons feed, I also saw video after video of people getting jumped, attacked, into fistfights, and being hit by cars, which were not behind sensitive content warning labels. A close-up video of a person falling out of a tower of terror-style amusement park ride, and patrons screaming, was also not behind a warning label. 0:00 /0:10 1 When this user reached out to me and told me he was seeing almost exclusively gore videos on his Reels algorithm, I wondered if it would be worth writing a story at all, because all of us at 404 Media regularly see incredibly disturbing content on Instagram. Was this any different than a normal day on Instagram, or had he just ended up on the death algorithm as Sam and Emanuel both called it and have both ended up on? Even the person who initially told me about this had this thought: Ive been telling people about this and hearing, Oh its cuz u liked something, maybe someone u followed changed their profile, he said. I feel like Im in the Twilight Zone. I feel like nobody Ive talked to today understands how disturbing what is being pushed is.Then I looked at the comments of many of these videos and it became clear that the issue was widespread. Here are comments I saw on the gore videos:What happened today? My feed is full of shoot, killing, thriller clips, fighting, killing human/animals, murder, and torture. Feed got f**ckedTodays algorithm showed me around 70 murders, 100+ accidents, and around 115 violence videos, is anyone on Instagram noticing it?Bro todays feed is not for beginnersPor que me sale Gore en mi ap de racismo? (Why am I getting gore on my racism app?)Yo wtf is ig becomingWhat is Instagram on today?Algorithm is insane todayWhy the fuck I have so many like this today???This isnt a normal day, some DARKWEB shit going on here.Not Instagram more like instagore.Nearly every recent post on the Instagram subreddit, meanwhile, is about gore. Post titles include Instagram is now 100% gore, Guys I cant literally sleep, Meta cant get away with this, This recent situation has finally helped me make the decision to delete Instagram, Whats happening with Instagram? Violent reels everywhere for the last 24 hours!, cant believe my feed full of cute cat videos got replaced with this shit, a video of someone scrolling through a dozen straight sensitive content label videos, a post referring to children being traumatized while scrolling, various conspiracies about why this may have happened, and more.I feel like I lost some humanity today when I exposed myself to seeing so many of those types of videos, Gore, deaths and what broke me the most was animal cruelty, one post read. Excuse me if I sound a bit exaggerated but death, pain and human suffering is something that makes me sick, I always imagine What would happen if I or my family were there? i can't sleep when my mind replays those videos.In an email, a Meta spokesperson told 404 Media We have fixed an error that caused some users to see content in their Instagram Reels feed that should not have been recommended. We apologize for the mistake. They said that the problem does not have anything to do with Metas recent announcement that it would loosen some content moderation rules.To prove that this was actually happening, I sent Meta six links to graphic reels. These included two videos of people getting shot in the face, a video of a dead body with no context or obvious news value, a person getting lit on fire, the account called PeopleDeadDaily, and the tower of terror video. None of these videos have been deleted.One of the many problems preventing people from actually holding Meta to account for any of this is that everyones feed is so incredibly personalized. Like I said, because we report on the darker corners of the internet, my Instagram feed is full of horrific things on a daily basis, which is probably not everyones experience.When we talk about things like content moderation, the vast majority of the job is deleting videos of terrorism, murder, horrific violence, and things like this, not censoring specific viewpoints, which is part of why the job itself is so traumatizing. Meta has signaled that it intends to do less content moderation overall. And so the future of Instagram, for us all, may be one where you login to see what your friends are up to and instead have videos of people getting murdered shoved algorithmically into your feed.

On Tuesday, Chinese tech giant Alibaba released a new open AI video generation model called Wan 2.1 and shared the software on Github, allowing anyone with the technical know-how and hardware to use and modify freely. It took about 24 hours for the model to be adopted by the AI porn hobbyist community, which has already shared dozens of short AI porn videos using Alibabas software. Elsewhere, in a community thats dedicated to producing and sharing nonconsensual AI-generated intimate media of real people, users are already salivating over how advanced the model is.This is the double-edged sword of releasing open AI models that users can modify, which on one hand democratizes the use of powerful AI tools, but on the other is often used by early adopters to create nonconsensual content. Big News from @alibaba_cloud! Meet WanX - our next-gen AI model redefining video generation ! Presenting mind-blowing demos from WanX 2.1 Even more exciting:WanX 2.1 will be OPEN-SOURCE !Coming soon #AIart #OpenSource pic.twitter.com/R1laOyJYAL Wan (@Alibaba_Wan) February 20, 2025Hunyuan just came out when? December? one user said Wednesday on Telegram channel dedicated to sharing nonconsensual AI-generated porn, referring to another open AI video generator developed by Tencent thats popular in that community. Now we get a better Text2Video Model [that] can handle more complicated motions c: This one just came out YESTERDAY and the first Lora which got made for this is a Titfuck .That user also shared a short video made with Wan 2.1 that was originally posted to Civitai, a site for sharing modified AI models that multiple 404 Media stories have shown is widely used by people who create nonconsensual content. By my count, however, this model, Better Titfuck (WAN and HunYuan), is not the first Wan 2.1 model on Civitai thats been modified to produce pornography. That dubious honor more likely goes to Wan-AI / Wan2.1 Video Model, which was shared a few hours earlier.According to statistics shared by Civitais model pages, each of these models has already been downloaded hundreds of times. Civitai model pages also allow people to share videos they created with the AI models, and both pages feature dozens of pornographic videos. Civitai allows users to share AI models that have been modified to produce the likeness of real people and models that have been modified to produce pornography, but does not allow users to share media or models of nonconsensual pornography. However, as 404 Medias previous stories have shown, theres nothing preventing Civitai users from downloading the models and using them to produce nonconsensual content off-site.Alibaba did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Black queer artists continue to shape the cultural landscape through bold storytelling, innovative visuals, and transformative sound. Their work not only reflects personal journeys but also amplifies the voices of marginalized communities. Here are five artists pushing boundaries and making waves in their respective fields. Sophia Yeshi (Illustrator & Graphic Designer) Sophia Yeshi is a [...]The post Black HERstory: 5 Black Queer Womxn in the Arts first appeared on GLAAD.

Spencer Stevenson recalls the first time he knew he wanted to be an actor. The second I discovered Raven-Symon in Thats So Ravenwas the moment for me! Stevenson told GLAAD in a recent interview. He added, I was like, Ihaveto be her! an icon! Originally from Texas, Stevenson has appeared in feature films Rosaline, Never [...]The post Spencer Stevenson Talks Strong LGBTQ Representation in The Z-Suite and Being Inspired To Act By Thats So Raven first appeared on GLAAD.

Lately, I've picked up the remote instead of grabbing a cocktail after work. Among the shows I watch is about a quirky family with a small business and many antics. And if you've ever found yourself humming a little ditty about passing cranberry sauce or cackling at an impeccably timed "All right!"congratulations, you're likely already in the John Roberts fan club. Best known as the voice behind Linda Belcher on Bob's Burgers, Roberts has spent over a decade breathing life into one of television's most beloved matriarchs, meme-able figure, and muse for Halloween costumes. But beyond the illustration, beyond the off-kilter charm of Linda's vocal inflections, is a man whose journey is as rich and layered as a perfectly constructed burger. "My kind of mom character is something that I've been doing my whole life," he shares. He reminisces about his Brooklyn-born mother, who passed away last August, and the signature accent that inspired his most famous role. "Since we had our first camera, I recall just kind of making fun of her or doing that voice, and she was always a really good sport about it." From the East Village to PrimetimeRoberts' path to Burgers wasn't paved with traditional industry stepping stones. Instead, it was a slow, organic burn of a character crafted through drag-inspired performances in New York's East Village in the early 2000s on stages of varying sizes and audiences. "Sometimes there were 40 people, sometimes five," he laughs. "But I had to do it every week, and it got me off my ass." His YouTube videos, The Tree and My Son Is Gay, became early viral sensations, leading to a manager, live gigs, and ultimately recognition from industry powerhouses like Bob Odenkirk and David Cross. The connection was immediate when Bob's Burgers creator Loren Bouchard saw Roberts' work. "Loren was a big fan and kind of wrote the role of me based on my character." And the rest, as they say, is history. Or, in this case, a 15-season love affair between Roberts and the burger-flipping Belcher family. "Probably the greatest job I'll ever have," he muses. The Queer Comfort of Bob's BurgersFor many LGBTQ+ audiences, Bob's Burgers is more than just a cartoon. It's a hug, a laugh, a safe space wrapped in pastel colors protecting one from a grim world. "I think it shows a family that really cares for each other and accepts each other for all their differences," John reflects. "And LGBTQ+ people need that. They need people to see them for who they are and accept them in a world that's increasingly turning violent and hateful towards us."He credits the show's "intelligent writing, humor, and heart" as the secret to its staying power, calling it "good mental healthcare." In all their quirky, nonjudgmental glory, the Belchers have become the TV family many of us wish we had. More Than Just a Voice: The Advocacy & Music of John RobertsRoberts is involved in activism, particularly AIDS United, where he works on the advisory council. "We're fighting to make sure PrEP is accessible," he says, noting that he'll be heading to D.C. to lobby for national programs. "They're being hateful and cruel, so it's going to be a real battle." While he's dedicated to advocacy, he's still focused on his creative pursuits. Music is another avenue of self-expression that blends fun with activism. It's about putting your voice out there," he says, "representing yourself and having fun."John's music is a celebration of queer identity, especially as someone who has never been in the closeta rarity for LGBTQ+ performers of his generation. He's collaborated with the likes of Kevin Rudolf and Junior Sanchez, the latter working on the album Lights Out, also the name of the first track, featuring iconic Debbie Harry. He plans to release new tracks this year, including Hotcore, now available, and a music video directed by Cody Critioli. He'll also be performing at New York City's Mercury Lounge on May 21st alongside Miss Guy from Toilet Boys. "More music, more videos, more live performances," he promises. "Because that's what keeps me alive and me happy." Despite Hollywood's evolving (and regressing) attitude toward queer representation, Roberts remains steadfast in his approach: "Being who you are as an artist is the most important thing."Linda's Wisdom and the Perfect BurgerI asked John what Linda Belcher would say if she were giving him life advice. Without missing a beat, he replies: "Find the good people in the room. Protect your joy. Always look on the bright side, if you can." And, of course, what would a John Roberts burger be? "A handmade veggie burger, maybe like the old-school Dr. Praeger's ones with the peas in them. No dairy, no lettuceSomething I could just chew with my gums," he laughs. Whether playing Linda, making music, or fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, John Roberts makes the world funnier, kinder, and more marvelous. I've fallen in love with Bob's Burgers and often turn it on after a long day at work. For half an houror longer if it's a Friday with takeoutI relax on the couch and let go of all the day's fears, worries, and chaos. Whether watching his character or jamming to his tunes, John is a source of laughter and comfort.Feelings and vibes any loving mother could provide.

The first teaser trailer for the upcoming sequel to the popular Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick thriller A Simple Favor has finally arrived, and while it might not be textually queer, the Sapphic subtext has us chomping at the bit to see it!Another Simple Favor, a sequel to the 2018 queer fave, finds main characters Emily (Lively) and Stephanie (Kendrick) reuniting at a book signing before heading to the island of Capri for a lavish wedding. Emily is now out of prison and is set to marry a wealthy Italian businessman, but of course, murder, mayhem, and betrayal soon take over the wedding itinerary. In the first film, there was so much chemistry between the two leads were still thinking about that kiss that while the trailer doesnt show any explicitly Sapphic moments, there is plenty of subtext that were hoping leads to actually textually queer scenes in the sequel.But even in the trailer, there is plenty for queer women to get excited about. From women in suits to longing looks to sexy femme fatales to queer actors rounding out the cast, were sure to be satisfied. Plus, icons Allison Janney and Elizabeth Perkins are also starring!Another Simple Plan will stream on Prime Video on May 1.1. Blake Lively rocking a sexy suit.Lively wore amazing suits in the first film, and it looks like the sequel is no different! This suspenders and fedora combo, paired with a smoky eye and fierce gaze has us salivating to see what the rest of her femme top wardrobe is going to look like. 2. Reminding us of the way the women look at each other.Before Lively and Kendrick's characters ever kiss in the first movie, their chemistry is off the charts. The trailer capitalizes on this by smartly flashback to a scene that shows the panty-melting way the pair looked at each other.3. The cast!Out gay actor Andrew Ranells, gender nonconforming actor and singer Alex Newell, and A League of Their Own star Kelly McCormack are all starring so, what we're saying is: this cast is queer AF!4. Anna Kendrick working that sporty style.In the first film, Kendrick wears a lot of preppy dresses and skirts so we're loving that we're getting to see her in something a little more butch and sporty and a little less put together in the sequel. 5. A bloody wedding.The plot of the upcoming film centers around Lively's character, Emily, getting married to hunky Michele Morrone (see, there is some eye candy for the gays too!), but the fact that her wedding dress was designed to look like it's dripping in blood feels like the movie might be trying to tell us something about her feelings about marrying a man.Watch the full trailer below.Make sure you have your popcorn ready on May 1!

Phoenix Mercury's Natasha Cloud dribbles during the first half of a WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever in Indianapolis, on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)2025-02-27T11:00:06Z For WNBA veteran Natasha Cloud, speaking up about social justice is just as important as winning basketball games. Cloud has had a successful nine-year pro career that includes a WNBA championship and being the career-assists leader for her former Washington Mystics. She has also used her platform for social justice advocacy from sitting out the 2020 WNBA season to focus on community reform efforts, to joining protests after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. If winning is all I do with my career, then I have failed, said Cloud, who now plays for the Connecticut Sun. Who would I be to not utilize practice time and camera time and all these things to create change within the communities that mean the most to me? Cloud believes its more imperative than ever for athletes across American professional sports to speak out against racial discrimination in the face of President Donald Trumps sweeping orders to end government diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and as corporations and major institutions face pressure to roll back DEI policies aimed at creating opportunities for minority groups.The systems of power are working as they always were intended to work, Cloud said. And its time to break down a system that has only been about white men. Heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali is escorted from the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station in Houston, on April 28, 1967, by Lt. Col. J. Edwin McKee, commandant of the station, after Ali refused Army induction. Ali says he was a conscientious objector who would not serve in the army of a country that treated members of his race as second-class citizens. (AP Photo/File) Heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali is escorted from the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station in Houston, on April 28, 1967, by Lt. Col. J. Edwin McKee, commandant of the station, after Ali refused Army induction. Ali says he was a conscientious objector who would not serve in the army of a country that treated members of his race as second-class citizens. (AP Photo/File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Athletes have long used sports as a forum for civil rights activism, but todays sports figures have a unique position of influence, with more money and celebrity status than ever, and social media to get their message to millions.With that also comes the potential for backlash and retaliation. Speaking out could cost their reputations, their connections, their careers, experts say.Its a danger Black athletes have always faced, whether boxing great Muhammad Ali risking his freedom to take an anti-war stance in the 1960s, or more recently, NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick putting his job on the line to denounce police brutality in Black communities. Black athletes who speak out for political or social change have often paid a price for their actions.One of the most definitive characteristics of pursuit of social justice, particularly by athletes today, is the idea of sacrifice, said Len Elmore, a former NBA player and now a senior lecturer in sports management at Columbia University. They have to be willing to sacrifice because the broad society for a period of time as it did to those past heroes is going to penalize you. Former baseball star Jackie Robinson holds a sign as he joins a picket line in Cleveland in 1960, to protest discrimination against Blacks at southern lunch counters. (AP Photo/File) Former baseball star Jackie Robinson holds a sign as he joins a picket line in Cleveland in 1960, to protest discrimination against Blacks at southern lunch counters. (AP Photo/File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Olympic sprint star Wilma Rudolph tries unsuccessfully to be served at a restaurant in her hometown of Clarksville, Tenn., along with 300 others, on May 30, 1963. With her are, from left: Dr. F.D. Coleman, Dr. Paul Dumas and the Rev. Carl Liggin, chairman of the local Christian Leadership Council. (AP Photo/File) Olympic sprint star Wilma Rudolph tries unsuccessfully to be served at a restaurant in her hometown of Clarksville, Tenn., along with 300 others, on May 30, 1963. With her are, from left: Dr. F.D. Coleman, Dr. Paul Dumas and the Rev. Carl Liggin, chairman of the local Christian Leadership Council. (AP Photo/File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Boston Celtics star Bill Russell talks with reporters about the boycott of Boston public schools by African Americans, in Boston, on June 18, 1963. Russell spoke to some of the estimated 3,000 children who stayed away from regular classes but attended special sessions called by Black leaders. Children were asked by their parents to stay away from regular classes in protest against what they said was actual if not legal segregation. (AP Photo/Frank Curtin, File) Boston Celtics star Bill Russell talks with reporters about the boycott of Boston public schools by African Americans, in Boston, on June 18, 1963. Russell spoke to some of the estimated 3,000 children who stayed away from regular classes but attended special sessions called by Black leaders. Children were asked by their parents to stay away from regular classes in protest against what they said was actual if not legal segregation. (AP Photo/Frank Curtin, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More A fight for human dignityWith his attempt to abolish diversity and inclusion programs, Trump has sought to ban transgender athletes from girls and womens sports and has directed schools and universities to eliminate diversity initiatives or risk losing federal money. That includes no longer teaching material dealing with race and sexuality part of his effort to end wokeness in schools.Companies including Target, Google, Walmart and McDonalds have scaled back or set aside diversity initiatives endorsed by much of corporate America during a 2020 nationwide reckoning on race to help root out systemic barriers that have hindered the advancement of marginalized groups. On a basic level, its just a fight for human dignity and human rights, said Joseph N. Cooper, a professor of Counseling, School Psychology and Sport at the University of Massachusetts Boston. FILE- In this combination of 2020 photos, Naomi Osaka, of Japan, wears face masks bearing the names of Black victims of police violence and racial profiling, during the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, Seth Wenig, File) FILE- In this combination of 2020 photos, Naomi Osaka, of Japan, wears face masks bearing the names of Black victims of police violence and racial profiling, during the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, Seth Wenig, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More While he doesnt believe the weight of social justice reform should solely fall on the shoulders of Black athletes, Cooper said its important for sports stars to leverage their visibility to champion causes theyre passionate about.Cloud, who used her social media to call for WNBA arenas to serve as polling places for the 2020 presidential election and helped with voter registration, believes the NBA and WNBA where African American players are in the majority should stand with the communities their players come from, as many feel the social and economic progress of Black Americans is in jeopardy.I understand the business aspect and I understand the human aspect, Cloud said. Too often this country has put the human aspect aside, and put profit and money over people. A Black Lives Matter sign is displayed on the court as Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James prepares to face the Denver Nuggets in an NBA basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Aug. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool, File) A Black Lives Matter sign is displayed on the court as Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James prepares to face the Denver Nuggets in an NBA basketball game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Aug. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Both the NBA and WNBA featured the Black Lives Matter rallying cry on the courts in 2020 and partnered with players to find outlets for tangible social justice action. This included creating the NBA Foundation to spur economic growth in the Black community, with an initial contribution of $300 million over the next decade. Often individual players have taken the first bold steps in mixing sports and politics.During Trumps first administration, the NBAs LeBron James and Stephen Curry were among athletes who declined visits to the White House normally given to championship-winning teams. Curry and his wife Ayesha endorsed Joe Biden for president during the 2020 Democratic National Convention. James headlined the More Than A Vote Campaign, formed soon after police shot and killed Floyd and Breonna Taylor, to target systemic voter suppression and encourage Black people to vote.Im not saying that their activism and decision to not go to the White House was a primary or even a major factor in the outcome of the 2020 election, Cooper said. But no doubt, those athletes and athletes who have similar profiles as them leveraging their platform to promote freedom, human rights ... its extremely powerful. Displayed on a screen, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File) Displayed on a screen, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry speaks during the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Thursday, Aug. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More It takes a special type of personJaylen Brown of the NBAs Boston Celtics has more than 4.7 million followers across Instagram and X and for years has used his social media accounts to draw attention to social justice causes and boost small businesses.Brown marched with protesters in Minneapolis in the days after video was released of Floyds May 2020 death. He created a foundation that partners with social justice organizations to create opportunities for youth in traditionally underserved communities. I use my platform to try to bring light to a lot of different things and situations to get people to think differently, Brown said. But also to provide solutions. Boston Celtics Jaylen Brown sits for a television interview during the NBA basketball teams media day, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File) Boston Celtics Jaylen Brown sits for a television interview during the NBA basketball teams media day, Monday, Oct. 2, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Elmore, who played in the American Basketball Association from 1974-1976 and with the NBA from 1976-1984 after the two leagues merged, said its not incumbent on any athlete to pursue social justice just because they have a platform. But, you know, it wasnt incumbent upon Ali, he said. It wasnt incumbent upon Colin Kaepernick. They did it because they recognized the righteousness of their actions. They recognized the need.Kaepernick, who led the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012, sacrificed his career. He has not played in the NFL since kneeling during the national anthem during the 2016 season, and became one of the most polarizing figures in modern sports. Fans urged boycotts of companies aligned with him. Trump denounced his actions and said he and any player who knelt during the anthem should be fired by the NFL. I think thats not lost on athletes today who are making an awful lot of money, gain a great deal of celebrity and adulation, Elmore said. Who really wants to lose that? Who wants to put that in jeopardy?It takes a special type of person a special group of people to be able to do that, he added. Or it takes a desperation. And the question is, are we at that desperate moment? San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) kneel during the playing of the national anthem before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) kneel during the playing of the national anthem before the first half of an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More ___AP Sports Writers Cliff Brunt and Tim Reynolds contributed to this report.___AP Sports: https://apnews.com/sports ALANIS THAMES Thames is an Associated Press sports writer based in Miami. She previously covered sports for the New York Times.

A woman grieves at a memorial for those killed and abducted during the Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border attack by Hamas militants, near the kibbutz Reim, southern Israel, May 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa, File)2025-02-27T17:03:28Z TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) An investigation by the Israeli military has determined that Hamas was able to carry out the deadliest attack in Israeli history on Oct. 7, 2023, because the much more powerful Israeli army misjudged the militant groups intentions and underestimated its capabilities.The findings, released Thursday, could pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch a widely demanded broader inquiry to examine the political decision-making that preceded the attack, which triggered the war in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a memorial ceremony for those killed by Hamas during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, in Jerusalem, Oct. 28, 2024. (Debbie Hill, Pool Photo via AP, File) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a memorial ceremony for those killed by Hamas during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, in Jerusalem, Oct. 28, 2024. (Debbie Hill, Pool Photo via AP, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Many Israelis believe the mistakes of Oct. 7 extend beyond the military, and they blame Netanyahu for what they view as a failed strategy of deterrence and containment in the years leading up to the attack. That strategy included allowing Qatar to send suitcases of cash into Gaza and sidelining Hamas rival, the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority.The prime minister has not taken responsibility, saying he will answer tough questions only after the war, which has been paused for nearly six weeks by a tenuous ceasefire. Despite public pressure, including from the families of the roughly 1,200 people killed in the Oct. 7 attack and the 251 taken as hostages into Gaza, Netanyahu has resisted calls for a commission of inquiry.The militarys main findings were that the regions most powerful and sophisticated military misread Hamas intentions, underestimated its capabilities and was wholly unprepared for the surprise attack by thousands of heavily armed militants in the early morning hours of a major Jewish holiday. The militarys findings are in line with past conclusions reached by officials and analysts. The military released only a summary of the report and military officials outlined its findings.Oct. 7 was a complete failure, said one military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.A central misconception was that Hamas, which seized control of Gaza from the Palestinian Authority in 2007, was more interested in governing the territory than fighting Israel, the inquiry found. Supporters of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip protest outside of the hotel where U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is staying during a visit with Israeli leadership, in Tel Aviv, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File) Supporters of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip protest outside of the hotel where U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is staying during a visit with Israeli leadership, in Tel Aviv, Oct. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More The military also misjudged the militant groups capabilities. Military planners had envisioned that, at worst, Hamas could stage a ground invasion from up to eight border points, the official said. In fact, Hamas had more than 60 attack routes. Intelligence assessed in the aftermath of the attack has shown Hamas came close to staging the offensive on three earlier occasions but delayed it for unknown reasons, the official said.The official said that in the hours before the attack, there were signs that something was amiss, including when Hamas fighters switched their phones over to the Israeli network.The perception that Hamas did not want war guided decision makers away from taking action that might have thwarted the attack. The Israeli military official said intelligence shows that Yahya Sinwar, a mastermind of the Oct. 7 attack who was killed last October, had begun planning it as early as 2017.With the military off guard on a holiday weekend, Hamas launched a heavy wave of rockets that allowed thousands of fighters to burst through the security fence or fly over it on hang gliders. They knocked out surveillance cameras and quickly overwhelmed hundreds of soldiers stationed along the border. Supporters of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza stuck a sticker with the face of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a road and poured red liquid, symbolizing blood, over it, in Jerusalem, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File) Supporters of Israelis held hostage by Hamas in Gaza stuck a sticker with the face of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a road and poured red liquid, symbolizing blood, over it, in Jerusalem, Feb. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More From there they advanced to key highway intersections and attacked troops dispatched to the area, including some senior officers, disrupting the militarys command and control, according to a second military official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity.For the first three hours after the attack, Hamas fighters marauded through border communities and a music festival with little resistance. That was when most of the 251 hostages were taken and most people were killed, the official said. The official said the chaos led to friendly fire incidents, although he said there were not many, without disclosing a figure. It took hours for the military to regain control and days until the area was fully cleared of militants.According to the first official, the report blamed the military for being overconfident in its knowledge and not showing enough doubt in its core concepts and beliefs. It did not place blame on any individual soldiers or officers, but is likely to pave the way for a reckoning in the military and eventual dismissals.Some high-ranking officers have already resigned, including the former head of military intelligence and Israels top general, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, who steps down next week. The home of David Cunio, a hostage who was abducted into Gaza by Hamas militants during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, stands empty in kibbutz Nir Oz, southern Israel, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File) The home of David Cunio, a hostage who was abducted into Gaza by Hamas militants during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, stands empty in kibbutz Nir Oz, southern Israel, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More TIA GOLDENBERG Goldenberg is an Associated Press reporter and producer covering Israel and the Palestinian territories. She previously reported on East and West Africa from Nairobi. twitter mailto

(@) MAGA diehard Marjorie Taylor Greene said that federal employees dont deserve their paychecks, and the internet immediately started reminding the congresswoman that means she should be fired too.While defending Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) at a House committee hearing on Tuesday, the Georgia representative went on a rant about her Democrat colleagues pitching tantrums because of Musks deep cuts to the federal governments workforce. Those are not real jobs producing federal revenue, by the way. Theyre consuming taxpayer dollars. Those jobs are paid for by the American tax people, who work real jobs, earn real income, pay federal taxes, and then pay these federal employees, Greene said during the hearing.Federal employees do not deserve their jobs. Federal employees do not deserve their paychecks. And these are jobs that can be fired at will, she continued. A clip of this moment is currently going viral on X (formerly Twitter), where people were quick to point out that Greene is herself a federal employee who doesnt produce federal revenue, as she put it. MTG is constantly putting her foot in her mouth. Not only did she once voice her opinion that Californias wildfires were caused by Jewish space lasers and called a Petri dish a peach tree dish, but she also accidentally implied that she wanted to be pardoned for a crime she committed.While some Trump loyalists approved of Musk gutting the deferral government, most commenters were clowning on Greene for not realizing she too is a federal employee who deserves to be fired, writing, "Well MTG is a federal employee and I definitely agree that she doesnt deserve her job and "Someone give her a mirror, quick." Keep scrolling to see the funniest reactions to MTG accidentally admitting she should be heading to the unemployment line! (@) "Well MTG is a federal employee and I definitely agree that she doesnt deserve her job." (@) "I think she should not be a federal employee, that's for sure, so she should give up her pay since it's paid by taxpayers." (@) "This federal employee does not deserve a paycheck." (@) "Projecting. What exactly does she do?" (@) "Someone give her a mirror, quick." (@) "Who does she think she works for?" (@) "@mtgreenee is the only federal employee today, that does not deserve a job." (@) "So we no longer have to pay our representatives in congress, is that what shes saying? Nice!" (@) "Guess this means we should stop paying MTG." (@) "Here comes Marjorie Taylor Greene with another hot take straight from the conspiracy cooker: "Federal employees? Pshh, those arent real jobsnone of em deserve a dime!" Yeah, Marjorie, because the folks keeping the country runningair traffic controllers, border agents, the people who make sure your mail doesnt end up in Canadaare just playing pretend for funsies. No federal revenue there, nope, just a bunch of freeloaders twiddling their thumbs while the real heroes, like, uh Bigfoot hunters, I guess, do the heavy lifting. Tell us more, MTGnext youll say the IRS is just a book club that got out of hand. Pure brilliance from the woman who thinks revenue is what you yell when you spot a deer." (@) "She couldnt sound any stupider or more ignorant if she *STRAINED*! Impressively moronic excuse for a human, and an American." (@) "So what kind of revenue @RepMTG is producing to deserve her paycheck?" (@) "Begs the obvious question: as a Federal employee, what revenue does her job produce?" (@) "Poor dumb Marge, queen of the self-own. She doesn't grasp that: she is a fed employee whose job does not produce revenue; the role of the fed gov't is to deliver services, NOT to produce revenue; she does not deserve her paycheck. She's a grotesque national embarrassment." (@) "Translation: 'I, Marjorie Taylor Greene, as a federal employee, do not deserve my job.'" (@) "Shes literally a federal employee. She just gets dumber every day" (@) "Unreal! I've never seen a pre-release of an SNL sketch this early in the week. Wait, what, this is real? Bahahaha. She's such a.....hmm, these is no word low enough."

Cynthia Erivo, the powerhouse actress and musician, is stepping into a new chapter with the announcement of her upcoming single, Replay. The 2024 Out100 Icon of the Year, known for her roles in Wicked, The Color Purple, and Harriet, revealed that the highly anticipated track will drop on Friday, February 28. Erivo has been teasing her fans with hints about new original music for monthsSource

FILE -A sign is seen outside of Seminole Hospital District offering measles testing, Feb. 21, 2025, in Seminole, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez), File)2025-02-27T18:29:34Z Measles is rarely seen in the United States, but Americans are growing more concerned about the preventable virus as cases continue to rise in rural West Texas.This week, an unvaccinated child died in the West Texas outbreak, which involves more than 120 cases. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the last confirmed measles death in the United States was in 2015. There are also nine measles cases in eastern New Mexico, but the state health department said there is no direct connection to the outbreak in Texas.Heres what to know about the measles and how to protect yourself. What is measles?Its a respiratory disease caused by one of the worlds most contagious viruses. The virus is airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It most commonly affects kids.On average, one infected person may infect about 15 other people, said Scott Weaver, a center of excellence director for the Global Virus Network, an international coalition. Theres only a few viruses that even come close to that.Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash. The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC. Theres no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.People who have had measles once cant get it again, health officials say. Can measles be fatal?It usually doesnt kill people, but it can.Common complications include ear infections and diarrhea. But about 1 in 5 unvaccinated Americans who get measles are hospitalized, the CDC said. Pregnant women who havent gotten the vaccine may give birth prematurely or have a low-birthweight baby.Among children with measles, about 1 in every 20 develops pneumonia, the CDC said, and about one in every 1,000 suffers swelling of the brain called encephalitis which can lead to convulsions, deafness or intellectual disability. Its deadly in a little less than 1% of cases, mainly in children, said Weaver, who works at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Children develop the most severe illness. The cause of death in these kinds of cases is usually pneumonia and complications from pneumonia.How can you prevent measles?The best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.Before a vaccine was developed in the 1960s, everybody got measles, Weaver said. But then when the vaccine came along, that was a complete game-changer and one of the most successful vaccines in the history of medicine.There is great data on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, he said, because its been around for decades. Any of these outbreaks were seeing can easily be prevented by increasing the rate of vaccination in the community, he said. If we can maintain 95% of people vaccinated, were not going to see this happening in the future. And weve slipped well below that level in many parts of the country.Vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic, and most states are below the 95% vaccination threshold for kindergartners the level needed to protect communities against measles outbreaks.Do you need a booster if you got the MMR vaccine a while ago? Health care professionals are sometimes tested for antibodies to measles and given boosters if necessary, Weaver said even if theyve already had the standard two doses as a child.He said people at high risk for infection who got the shots many years ago may also want to consider getting a booster if they live in an area with an outbreak. Those may include family members living with someone who has measles or those especially vulnerable to respiratory diseases because of underlying medical conditions.But I dont think everyone needs to go and run out to their doctor right now if they did receive two doses as a child, he said. If people would just get the standard vaccination, none of this would be happening. ___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. LAURA UNGAR Ungar covers medicine and science on the APs Global Health and Science team. She has been a health journalist for more than two decades. twitter mailto

President Donald Trump stands before British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives at the White House, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)2025-02-27T05:02:38Z Follow live updates on President Donald Trump and his new administration. WASHINGTON (AP) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is visiting the White House on Thursday to try to convince President Donald Trump that a lasting peace in Ukraine will endure only if Kyiv and European leaders are at the table as negotiations move forward with Moscow. Starmers trip, coming a few days after French President Emmanuel Macrons own visit, reflects the mounting concern felt by much of Europe that Trumps aggressive push to find an end to Russias war in Ukraine signals his willingness to concede too much to Russian President Vladimir Putin.Were going to do the best we can to make the best deal we can for both sides, Trump said Wednesday as he held the first Cabinet meeting of his second term. For Ukraine, were going to try very hard to make a good deal so that they can get as much (land) back as possible.But the Republican presidents rapprochement with Russia has unsettled Americas historic allies in Europe. They have found themselves on their heels with Trump returning to the White House with a determination to dramatically make over U.S. foreign policy to correspond with his America First world view. The Trump administration held talks last week with Russia without Ukrainian or other European allies represented. And this week, the U.S. refused to sign on to resolutions at the United Nations blaming Russia for the war, which began three years ago when Moscow invaded. The drifting White House view of Ukraine under Trump is leading to a tectonic shift in transatlantic relations. His administration is pushing back on the notion that Trump is ignoring Europe or is too eager in his push for settlement talks with Putin. He hasnt conceded anything to anyone, Vice President JD Vance said. Hes doing the job of a diplomat.Trumps meeting with Starmer comes a day before a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The two leaders are expected to sign off Friday on a contentious agreement that would give the U.S. access to Ukraines critical minerals, which are used in the aerospace, defense and nuclear industries. Zelenskyy had chafed at signing off on an agreement without specific security guarantees from Washington. Trump was noncommittal about any coming American security guarantees. Im not going to make security guarantees ... very much, Trump said. Were going to have Europe do that.If a truce can be reached, Starmer and Macron have agreed to send troops for a potential peacekeeping mission to Ukraine to ensure that fighting between Ukraine and Russia doesnt flare up again.But White House officials are skeptical that Britain and France can assemble enough troops from across Europe, at least at this moment, to deploy a credible peacekeeping mission to Kyiv. It will likely take a consensual peace settlement between Russia and Ukraine before many nations would be willing to seriously providing such forces, according to a senior Trump administration official who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity under ground rules set by the White House. Zelenskyy, while en route to Washington, met on Thursday with Irelands prime minister, Michel Martin, who said he told Zelenskyy that Ireland is open to helping, including sending peacekeepers to Ukraine.Zelenskyy and European officials have no illusions about U.S. troops taking part in such a mission. But Starmer and others are trying to make the case that the plan can only work with a U.S. backstop for European forces on the ground through U.S. aerial intelligence, surveillance and support, as well as rapid-response cover in case of breaches of a truce.Trump is also looking at the moment as an opportunity to potentially reopen economic relations with Russia after three years of U.S.-led sanction efforts to punish Moscow for the invasion. I think therell be plenty of of economic cooperation opportunities between the two countries, Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff said in an appearance Thursday on Fox News.Starmer is hosting a Sunday meeting in the United Kingdom of international leaders that will focus on Ukraine. Zelenskyy is expected to attend. The prime minister also announced plans this week for the U.K. to bolster defense spending. That should sit well with Trump, who has been critical that European allies are spending too little on defense. Starmers government will increase military spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2027, years earlier than expected, and aim to reach 3% by 2035. Beyond the war in Ukraine, Starmer said the talks will home in on a stable economy, secure borders and national security, as well as cooperation on AI and other cutting-edge technology. He will stress that Europe must play its part on global defense and step up for the good of collective European security.The world is becoming ever more dangerous, and it is more important than ever that we are united with our allies, Starmer said. Starmer is also keen to discuss the opportunities that further technology and AI partnerships could deliver, his office said, including ambitious but vague shared moonshot missions across top technologies including quantum and AI, and a deeper partnership on space.Britain has signaled it aims to eschew the European Unions high-regulation approach to AI as it seeks to become a leader in the field. The U.K. joined the U.S. in refusing to sign a joint declaration at an artificial intelligence summit hosted by Macron in Paris this month in what was seen as an attempt to curry favor with Washington and seek investment from American tech companies. Starmers office said the prime minister will make the case for further integration between the two countries tech sectors to make them the most efficient, ambitious technology sectors in the world.Peter Mandelson, Britains ambassador to the U.S., said the two allies should stand shoulder to shoulder at a very, very significant moment for our lives, between our two countries and indeed for all the freedom-loving democracies in the world.We share people, we share cultures, we share a lot of intelligence, we share technologies, and we also share some of the fighting of our adversaries as well, Mandelson said.___Associated Press writer Panagiotis Pylas in London contributed to this report. ___This story has been corrected to reflect that Emmanuel Macron is the French president, not prime minister. JILL LAWLESS Lawless is an Associated Press reporter covering U.K. politics and more. She is based in London. twitter mailto AAMER MADHANI Madhani covers the White House for The Associated Press. He is based in Washington. twitter mailto

Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Michelle Trachtenbergs death was ruled undetermined" on Thursday morning after being found dead by her mother earlier this week.According to a spokesperson of the city medical examiners office, the family objected to an autopsy, the New York Post reports. The states public health law precludes the medical examiner from conducting an autopsy without the family giving permission because of the state's public health laws. The 30-year-old actress, who was best known for her starring roles on Buffy, Gossip Girl, and Ice Princess, was found by her mother at 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning at a luxury apartment complex in Manhattan. Her family's desire not to have a formal autopsy means it is unlikely there will be any further investigation. Sources told the Post that Trachtenberg's death certificate lists "undetermined" as the cause and manner of death.While it is unlikely that a more specific cause of death will be made public, Trachtenberg had undergone a liver transplant within the last year. Former costars took to social media to express their condolences, share memories, and post photos of Trachtenberg. Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Trachtenberg's older sister on Buffy, shared an emotional tribute to the late star in her Instagram stories. Michelle, listen to me. Listen. I love you. I will always love you. The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it. I will be brave. I will live for you," Gellar wrote, alongside photos of the two women together.

In a recent interview with Fox News, National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard revealed that more than 100 federal employees working within U.S. intelligence agencies have been fired for participating in what conservative media outlets have described as sexually explicit group chats on the National Security Agencys (NSA) Intelink platform. The announcement was made during a February 25Source

Actor Gene Hackman reacts during an interview on March 24, 1972. (AP Photo/George Brich, File)2025-02-27T19:12:13Z NEW YORK (AP) One of the greatest American actors of the 20th century was voted least likely to succeed by his first theater school, wasnt a star until he was 40 and possessed a face he once described as your everyday mineworker.Gene Hackman, a 6-foot-2 ex-Marine from Denville, Illinois, and a self-described big lummox kind of person, was as hard to define an actor as he was an unlikely star. Everyman was the most common label for Hackman, but even that seems to fall short for a performer capable of such volcanic intensity, such danger.Hes one of the ones who are willing to plunge their arm into the fire as far as it can go, said Arthur Penn, who directed him in three films, including the one that earned Hackman his first Oscar nomination, Bonnie and Clyde.Hackman was found dead alongside his wife, Betsy Arakawa, and their dog in their Santa Fe, New Mexico, home, authorities said Thursday. He was 95. Hackmans death, mourned across the film industry, renewed an old conundrum: How do you describe Gene Hackman? It was never one, easy-to-pinpoint thing that epitomized the actor. It was the totality of his live-wire screen presence. His characters were so real, you could have sworn they walked in right off the street. Like Jimmy Popeye Doyle. Though one of Hackmans defining roles, in William Friedkins The French Connection, Hackman initially recoiled from the characters violence and racism. But in Hackmans hands, Popeye Doyle was a gritty artifact of real life. Guys like this exist. Whether a character was sympathetic or not didnt enter into it. Thats not important to me, Hackman once said. I want to make you believe this could be a human being.Across an incredible array of movies The Conversation, Night Moves, The Poseidon Adventure, Mississippi Burning, Hoosiers, The Birdcage, The Royal Tenenbaums Hackman was, unfailingly, real. At the time of his death, it had been more than two decades since Hackman retired from acting. But time has done nothing to diminish the pugnacious rage, or the sweet sensitivity, of Hackmans finest performances. American movies have always had certain kinds of self-styled actors who shouldnt be stars but are, Penn said. Gene is in the company of Bogart, Tracy, and Cagney.That he seemed so comfortable far away from Hollywood only furthered the mythology of Hackman, who never showed even a little bit of interest in celebrity. In 2001, Hackman told The Los Angeles Times he wasnt sure where his Oscar statues were. Maybe theyre packed somewhere, he said.If you look at yourself as a star youve already lost something in the portrayal of any human being, Hackman told The New York Times in 1989. I need to wear that hair shirt. I need to keep myself on the edge and keep as pure as possible.The nature of that edge propelled Hackman through a blazing career that compressed movie star and character actor into one. Hackman sometimes spoke about the source of his drive. His father left when he was 13, departing with only a wave to his son who watched him go from a friends yard. It was a real adios, Hackman told Vanity Fair. It was so precise. Maybe thats why I became an actor. I doubt I would have become so sensitive to human behavior if that hadnt happened to me as a child if I hadnt realized how much one small gesture can mean.Hackmans youth was spent drifting. He quit high school after a blow-up with his basketball coach an ironic beginning for an actor whose Norman Dale in Hoosiers is probably the quintessential hardwood mentor in movies. He joined the Marines at 16. He was a poor Marine, he said, who chafed at authority.Years later when he was a doorman in New York, Hackmans old drill instructor walked by and muttered that he was a sorry son of a bitch. Hackman resolved to redouble his efforts to make it as an actor. Maybe more than anything, he was fueled by an Ill show you attitude. It was like me against them, Hackman later said, and in some way, unfortunately, I still feel that way. Together with Robert Duvall and Dustin Hoffman (a friend from the Pasadena Playhouse, where their classmates named them both least likely to succeed), Hackman spent years working day jobs in New York while hustling for acting gigs.Our affectation was anti-establishment, Hoffman said. Making it meant staying pure, not selling out. Making it meant doing the work.All of that living, coupled with Hackmans resistance to anything peripheral, led to one of the great acting runs of the 1970s. Foremost in that streak was Francis Ford Coppolas The Conversation (1974). The role of surveillance expert Harry Caul, who overhears a murder, is unique in Hackmans filmography. Coppola had first wanted Marlon Brando for the part, and you can understand why Hackman wouldnt be your first instinct. Hackman called Caul a constipated character everything in him is churning below the surface and never comes out in any kind of release beyond melancholy saxophone playing while sitting in an apartment torn apart by paranoia. Its a straightjacket of a role for a loose-cannon actor, and it showed how Hackman can simmer without coming to a boil.After 1973s The Scarecrow, one of Hackmans personal favorites, he reteamed with Penn for 1975s Night Moves, which, like The Conversation, remains definitive of 70s New Hollywood. Hackman plays a classic archetype, a Los Angeles gumshoe, filtered through a different time and mood. Hackmans private eye, Harry Moseby, finds little moral clarity in a missing-persons case where any heroism, including his own, is hard to find. Malaise reigns.Hackman wasnt just a 1970s leading man, though, and some of his less typical performances highlight his limitless range.For an actor bristling head to toe with defiance to authority, he could be brilliant at embodying it. Thats true of his stubborn submarine captain Frank Ramsey in Crimson Tide (1995) a performance that, like Hackmans in The French Connection, is shaded with racism. Its also true of his close-minded Republican Senator Kevin Keeley in The Birdcage (1996), who enters the movie an up-tight homophobe and leaves it, bewildered, dressed in drag and singing We Are Family.But one of Hackmans most all-encompassing roles was also his last major one. In Wes Andersons The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) Hackman gave arguably the finest comedic performance of the 21st century. His Royal Tenenbaum is an absent father, an unrepentant liar, a jealous scoundrel and a total delight. Its the liveliest swan song youve ever seen.In the glint of Royals eye, Hackmans own zest for life comes through. (Outside of acting, Hackman wrote novels, raced cars and restored homes.) Before taking them on a city-wide escape scored to Paul Simons Me and Julio (Down by the Schoolyard), he tells his grandchildren to worry less and go have some fun: Im talking about taking it out and chopping it up.You couldnt memorialize Hackman anymore than you could Royal. The Tenenbaum patriarchs very fictious, self-penned gravestone read: Died tragically saving his family from the wreckage of a destroyed sinking battleship. Accurate? No. But close enough. JAKE COYLE Coyle has been a film critic and covered the movie industry for The Associated Press since 2013. He is based in New York City. twitter mailto

San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich during the second half of a preseason NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic in San Antonio, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)2025-02-27T19:30:56Z Gregg Popovich will not coach this season. He is not ruling out a comeback in the future.Popovich met with the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, releasing a statement afterward to make his decision on this season and hope for next season public. The 76-year-old Popovich, the NBAs all-time coaching wins leader, had a stroke at the teams arena in San Antonio on Nov. 2 and has been away from the team since.Ive decided not to return to the sidelines this season, Popovich said in a statement distributed by the team. (Acting coach) Mitch Johnson and his staff have done a wonderful job and the resolve and professionalism the players have shown, sticking together during a challenging season, has been outstanding.Popovich has been in regular contact with Johnson, some team officials and has talked with some players at times during his absence but he has not been seen at games or been known to be at any practices since the stroke happened. I will continue to focus on my health with the hope that I can return to coaching in the future, Popovich said.Popovichs visit to the team came a week after the Spurs announced that All-Star center Victor Wembanyama the defensive player of the year favorite at the time and someone who was a serious candidate to make the All-NBA team will not play again this season after deep vein thrombosis, or a blood clot, was found in his right shoulder. Wembanyama, who came to San Antonio as the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft after playing as a pro in France, has called Popovich his biggest basketball influence. Pop isnt just a coach or a boss, the 21-year-old Wembanyama said earlier this month. Pop is a leader.The Spurs have not updated Popovichs rehabilitation process in some time, other than saying that he is expected to make a full recovery. The team has not revealed what, if any, issues Popovich has been dealing with since the stroke. Popovich agreed to a five-year contract extension with the team in 2023, one that would have him signed to be on the sideline through the 2027-28 season. His only public comment prior to Thursday about his health and his future came in mid-December, when he said he and his family were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support weve received during this time.Popovich mentioned returning to coaching in that statement, but did not reveal any timetable in a self-deprecating quip. No one is more excited to see me return to the bench than the talented individuals who have been leading my rehabilitation process, Popovich said in the December statement. Theyve quickly learned that Im less than coachable.Popovichs record was 1,388-824 when he had the stroke, and the Spurs record since 22-30, all with Johnson serving as the active coach also goes toward his career numbers by league rule, since he is still listed as the teams head coach.No coach has been with one team for more games than Popovich, who has led the Spurs to five NBA championships and guided USA Basketball to an Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021. Popovich is one of only three coaches to win the NBA coach of the year award three times, Don Nelson and Pat Riley being the others. Hes one of five coaches with at least five NBA titles; Phil Jackson (11), Red Auerbach (nine), John Kundla (five) and Riley (five) are the others.Popovich has been part of the Spurs for 35 years. He was an assistant coach from 1988-92, then returned to the club on May 31, 1994, as its executive vice president for basketball operations and general manager. He fired coach Bob Hill and appointed himself coach on Dec. 10, 1996.Popovich has led the Spurs ever since.Ive been blessed to be able to grow in my voice and be empowered by him in many ways, Johnson said when the Spurs were in Paris for a pair of games against the Indiana Pacers last month. And we are in contact constantly. He is watching games, still as opinionated as hes ever been, and competitive, and what you would think giving praise and cussing me out, all at the same time.___AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA TIM REYNOLDS Reynolds is an Associated Press sports writer, based in South Florida. twitter mailto

A new Kelly Clarkson cover has left the Sapphics in shambles.During the Valentines Day episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, the American Idol alum took to the stage for her regular Kellyoke segment. Covering songs in various genres throughout modern music history has become one of the highlights of her show, and for this particular special episode, she went with "Your Love" by The Outfield.Now, if youve seen any of Clarksons other Kellyoke performances, you may already be aware of one delightful factor at play here: She never changes the pronouns in the lyrics. And while gendered pronouns dont come into play anywhere in "Your Love," Clarkson stuck to her guns with one key line:"So many things that I wanna say / You know I like my girls a little bit older."And she topped the whole thing off with a wink, seconds before every Sapphic fan melted into the floor, never to be heard from again. (@) "Kelly Clarksons wink has single-handedly thrown the lesbian community into a state of emergency," TikToker @thehaleybrook joked. "The gay panic is realand its serious. Lesbians, stay vigilant."Sure enough, even though the performance took place nearly two weeks ago, queer fans are still struggling to recover."Kelly Clarkson winking 'I like my girls a little bit older' has been living in my head rent free for 10 days," one wrote on X. (@) "anyone on here also crashing out over kelly clarksons cover of your love??? very on brand with me liking my girls a little bit older" (@) "kelly clarksons cover of your love and the way she sings 'you know I like my girls a little bit older' has sent me into a spirallllll" (@) If you're still jonesing for more Clarkson after rewatching that clip a hundred or so times, we've got great newsshe's actually covered a ton of songs by queer female artists as part of Kellyoke. Go forth and enjoy!Kelly Clarkson covering "Your Love" by The Outfield.

Its been almost five years since Supernatural went off the air after an epic 15-year run. Since then, fans have eagerly awaited a reunion between Sam and Dean Winchester and their most faithful angel ally, Castiel. Good news, Supernatural fans, we're getting one, at last. See on InstagramAlthough that wont come in the form of a Supernatural reunion (yet), fans will get to see actors Jared Padalecki (Sam) and Misha Collins (Castiel) reunite with Jensen Ackles (Dean) for his fifth and final season of the satirical superhero drama The Boys on Amazon Prime. Will the vibes be correct? Well, both shows were created by Eric Kripke, which is a great sign.See on InstagramKripke has long been vocal about his desire to cast Padalecki, especially after snagging Ackles to recur as Soldier Boy since season 3. Kripke previously told Variety, I feel like I have to complete my game of Supernatural Pokmon and I have my one big one very big one left to catch.And catch his Pokmon, he did.See on InstagramAckles shared a joint video of the announcement across his social media channels. Captioned, Season 5 just got a bit more supernatural, the video starts out with him walking through the backlot saying, Hey, Jared. We got work to do.After issuing a very Dean look, he adds, Again.The camera cuts to a concerned Padalecki, dressed in a beanie and zip-up, answering with, Okay, Ill tell Misha.After Padalecki agrees, he says, Misha, and then pans to an open trunk of the Impala with the Devils Trap and says, we got work to do.Collins, in true form, responds, Okay, with a thumbs-up, a smile, and the very fair question of, What are we doing?The video ends with confetti and The Boys and Amazon Primes logos, leaving everyone with the same question as Collins.See on InstagramDetails to that, of course, are still under wraps for now, but its hardly surprising to see this happen, considering other Supernatural alums like Jeffrey Dean Morgan (John Winchester) and Jim Beaver (Bobby Singer) have also appeared on the show.All we know is that we hope this is only the first of many times we see this trio back onscreen together in the coming months (and years.) If one thing is for sure, we definitely have some work to do, and the world could use a little more of the three of them coming back to save it.

A new report by PEN America reveals that more than half of the books banned in U.S. schools last year focused on people of color or members of the LGBTQ community, highlighting a disturbing trend of targeted censorship against marginalized groups. Released on Thursday, the analysis found that more than 10,000 instances of book removals took place across schools and districts last yearSource

Protestors hold signs during a rally for a nationwide economic blackout Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)2025-02-27T20:17:05Z NEW YORK (AP) A grassroots organization is encouraging U.S. residents not to spend any money Friday as an act of economic resistance to protest what the groups founder sees as the malign influence of billionaires, big corporations and both major political parties on the lives of working Americans. The Peoples Union USA calls the 24 hours of spending abstinence set to start at midnight an economic blackout, a term that has since been shared and debated on social media. The activist movement said it also plans to promote weeklong consumer boycotts of particular companies, including Walmart and Amazon. Other activists, faith-based leaders and consumers already are organizing boycotts to protest companies that have scaled back their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, and to oppose President Donald Trumps moves to abolish all federal DEI programs and policies. Some faith leaders are encouraging their congregations to refrain from shopping at Target, one of the companies backing off DEI efforts, during the 40 days of Lent that begin Wednesday. Here are some details about the various events and experts thoughts on whether having consumers keep their wallets closed is an effective tool for influencing the positions corporations take. Whos behind the 24-hour Economic Blackout?The Peoples Union USA, which takes credit for initiating the no-spend day, was founded by John Schwarz, a meditation teacher who lives near the Chicago area, according to his social media accounts. The organizations website said its not tied to a political party but stands for all people. Requests for comment sent to the groups email address this week did not receive a reply. The planned blackout is scheduled to run from 12 a.m. EST through 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday. The activist group advised customers to abstain from making any purchases, whether in store or online, but particularly not from big retailers or chains. It wants participants to avoid fast food and filling their car gas tanks, and says shoppers with emergencies or in need of essentials should support a local small business and try not to use a credit or debit card. Peoples Union plans another broad-based economic blackout on March 28, but its also organizing boycotts targeting specific retailers Walmart and Amazon as well as global food giants Nestle and General Mills. For the boycott against Amazon, the organization is encouraging people to refrain from buying anything from Whole Foods, which the e-commerce company owns. What other boycotts are being planned? There are a number of boycotts being planned, particularly aimed at Target. The discounter, which has backed diversity and inclusion efforts aimed at uplifting Black and LGBTQ+ people in the past, announced in January it was rolling back its DEI initiatives. A labor advocacy group called We Are Somebody, led by Nina Turner, launched a boycott of Target on February 1 to coincide with Black History Month.Meanwhile, an Atlanta-area pastor, the Rev. Jamal Bryant, organized a website called targetfast.org to recruit Christians for a a 40-day Target boycott starting March 5, which marks Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Other faith leaders have endorsed the protest. The Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, a civil rights organization, announced in late January it would identify two companies in the next 90 days that will be boycotted for abandoning their diversity, equity and inclusion pledges. The organization formed a commission to identify potential candidates. Donald Trump can cut federal DEI programs to the bone, he can claw back federal money to expand diversity, but he cannot tell us what grocery store we shop at, Sharpton said in a statement posted on the National Action Networks website. Will the events have any impact? Some retailers may feel a slight pinch from Fridays broad blackout, which is taking place in a tough economic environment, experts said. Renewed inflation worries and Trumps threat of tariffs on imported goods already have had an effect on consumer sentiment. The (market share) pie is just so big, Marshal Cohen, chief retail advisor at market research firm Circana, said. You cant afford to have your slices get smaller. Consumers are spending more money on food. And that means theres more pressure on general merchandise or discretionary products.Still, Cohen thinks the overall impact may be limited, with any meaningful sales declines more likely to surface in liberal-leaning coastal regions and big cities. Anna Tuchman, a marketing professor at Northwestern Universitys Kellogg School of Management, said she thinks the economic blackout will likely make a dent in daily retail sales but wont be sustainable.I think this is an opportunity for consumers to show that they have a voice on a single day, she said. I think its unlikely that we would see long-run sustained decreases in economic activity supported by this boycott. Other boycotts have produced different results. Target saw a drop in sales in the spring and summer quarter of 2023 that the discounter attributed in part to customer backlash over a collection honoring LGBTQ+ communities for Pride Month. As a result, Target didnt carry Pride merchandise in all of its stores the following year.Tuchman studied the impact of a boycott against Goya Foods during the summer of 2020 after the companys CEO praised Trump. But her study, based on sales from research firm Numerator, found the brand saw a sales increase driven by first-time Goya buyers who were disproportionately from heavily Republican areas. However, the revenue bump proved temporary; Goya had no detectable sales increase after three weeks, Tuchman said.It was a different story for Bud Light, which spent decades as Americas bestselling beer. Sales plummeted in 2023 after the brand sent a commemorative can to a transgender influencer. Bud Lights sales still havent fully recovered, according to alcohol consulting company Bump Williams.Tuchman thinks a reason is because there were plenty of other beers that the brands mostly conservative customer base could buy to replace Bud Light. Afya Evans, a political and image consultant in Atlanta, said she would make a point of shopping on Friday but will focus on small businesses and Black-owned brands.Evans is aware of other boycotts but she said she liked this one because she believes it could have some effect on sales.Its a broader thing, she said. We want to see what the impact is. Let everybody participate. And plan from there.___AP Business Writer Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit contributed to this report. ANNE DINNOCENZIO DInnocenzio writes about retail, trends, the consumer economy and hourly workers for The Associated Press. twitter mailto HALELUYA HADERO Hadero covers online shopping and technology with a focus on Amazon, TikTok and internet culture for The Associated Press. twitter mailto

A doctor holds a vial of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil in Chicago on Aug. 28, 2006. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)2025-02-27T20:12:23Z A new government report adds to evidence that the HPV vaccine, once called dangerous by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is preventing cervical cancer in young women.The report comes after Kennedy pledged to give a family member any fees he might earn from HPV vaccine litigation. In a 2019 video posted on the anti-vaccine nonprofit Childrens Health Defense website, Kennedy called Gardasil the most dangerous vaccine ever invented. The new report found that from 2008 to 2022, rates for precancerous lesions decreased about 80% among 20- to 24-year-old women who were screened for cervical cancer. The estimates were published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV, or human papillomavirus, is very common and is spread through sex. Most HPV infections cause no symptoms and clear up without treatment. Others develop into cancer, about 37,000 cases a year, according to the CDC. Women in their 20s are the group most likely to have been given the HPV vaccine, which has been recommended in the U.S. since 2006 for girls at age 11 or 12 and since 2011 for boys the same age. Catch-up shots are recommended for anyone through age 26 who hasnt been vaccinated. Jane Montealegre of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, who was not involved in the study, called the decline dramatic and said it can be attributed to the increasing use of the safe and effective HPV vaccine. This should reassure parents that theyre doing the right thing in getting their children vaccinated against HPV, said Montealegre, a cancer-prevention researcher.Other countries also have reported declining rates of cervical precancer in younger and more vaccinated cohorts, she said. The U.S. doesnt have a national registry but estimates whats happening across the country by monitoring five sites.Kennedys financial relationship with litigation against the maker of the HPV vaccine came under scrutiny during his confirmation hearings. The health secretary has since told lawmakers that he has referred hundreds of clients to the law firm suing vaccine-maker Merck in an arrangement where he would be entitled to 10% of contingency fees awarded.One of Kennedys sons, Conor, is an attorney at that law firm, WisnerBaum. In an amended ethics agreement, Kennedy said he will give any fees he earns from litigation over the HPV vaccine to a nondependent adult family member. ___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. CARLA K. JOHNSON Johnson covers research in cancer, addiction and more for The Associated Press. She is a member of APs Health and Science team. twitter mailto

Five years ago, Tate Smith, then a legal secretary, decided it was time to share something about himself at his workplace, Clifford Chance, a major law firm in London.I was like, OK, I havent spoken publicly since I was in high school, and I dont know if I can do it. But then I just kind of thought more about all of these things that were happening to me, Smith told the Bay Area Reporter in a Zoom interview.Smith, 25, was relatively new to the firm and had begun hormone replacement therapy (HRT) eight months prior. Physical changes were well underway, and his voice had deepened. His colleagues viewed and treated him as a man.I just wanted to get on with the job. I didnt want my transition to consume me, he said.Smith sought to disclose his transness in a way that not only suited him but also garnered receptiveness and empathy. So when a queer friend in the LGBTQ network at the law firm suggested doing a lunch and learn session, he was on board.I thought, Im not going to do a training session. Im not going to do a keynote. Im not going to tell my sob story. I am going to share my lived experience and educate people on my unique perspective on masculinity, and thats what Ive done ever since, Smith said.Coming out as transgender and speaking publicly about his transition at that initial lunch and learn, titled What Its Like to Be Trans, was a lightbulb moment for Smith in terms of embarking on a new career path.Hes now the director of Tate Smith Consulting, a London-based firm focused on providing companies with trans and diversity, equity, and inclusion guidance.Its evolved from just speaking about trans awareness to now speaking about lots of other different things, because I naturally fall into different strands under DEI, he noted.The firm, which he founded in May 2023, offers services such as fireside chats, policy reviews, panel discussions, and workshops, with the overarching aim to improve workplace inclusivity and culture. He speaks on gender-themed topics including toxic masculinity, male privilege, menopause, and gender equality, while also offering suggestions as to how to improve workplaces for trans people.Smith explained, I would not want to work somewhere that didnt have a trans policy, and I think companies need to hear that. A lot of them now are being told, because of the anti-DEI backlash, that basically anything thats not seen as business should not go on LinkedIn or on a website. But I think companies forget that it actually demonstrates the sort of unique and cool stuff youre doing, and it shows a bit of personality.Your clients are as diverse as you are, and theyll have trans kids or trans family members. They want to see you doing the work. And this is why its so important to speak about lived experience, he added.In the United States, President Donald Trump has backed a barrage of anti-DEI directives since taking office on January 20. His executive order, detailed in the White Houses Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Protects Civil Rights and Merit-Based Opportunity By Ending Illegal DEI includes the termination of federal agencies DEI programs and practices.(As the B.A.R. reported February 20, the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund is suing the Trump administration on behalf of organizations across the country, alleging the anti-DEI orders are illegal.)One section reads, Individual dignity, hard work, and excellence are fundamental to American greatness. This executive order reaffirms these values by ending the Biden-Harris Administrations anti-constitutional and deeply demeaning equity mandates, terminating DEI, and protecting civil rights.Trumps DEI-reversal is far-reaching, affecting companies and individuals in the U.S. and beyond. His actions do not sit well with many, including Smith.To say Im disappointed in President Trumps anti-DEI measures would be an understatement. DEI is not just about LGBTQ+ people it benefits everyone, he stated. Lets not forget that women, people of color, and disabled individuals have all gained opportunities through DEI policies, and many wouldnt have been able to work in the White House without them.He also considered the specific effects of Trumps actions on the trans community, including reinforcing outdated gender norms and restricting access to basic rights, like inclusive facilities.Several U.S. companies have rolled back their DEI initiatives and removed DEI references from their websites in response to Trumps executive order.Smith, with clients throughout the United Kingdom, hopes for companies to stand firm in their support of DEI, which in itself can be an impactful reaction.Now is the time for organizations to step up, not step back, he noted. Companies like JP Morgan, Costco, and Ben & Jerrys have shown that investing in DEI strengthens both communities and businesses alike. The best way to push back against this regression is to keep leading by example.The makings of a personal historySmiths intersectional approach to DEI guidance stems from his working-class background, identities, and corresponding life experiences. During his youth, he lived with his family in Essex, a county in southeast England, in a council estate, i.e. public housing, and received free school meals.He described his beginnings as humble, while also providing him with a sense of what he needed to do in order to achieve social mobility.My family was very, very poor, and so it was really important for me to have a successful career, Smith shared.On a whim, he enrolled in a legal secretary course at New City Colleges Epping Forest campus, located in Loughton, England. The course completion resulted in his earning of a legal secretary diploma and landing a job as a legal team assistant in 2018. The work, he found, suited him.I actually ended up being really, really good at it, and I thought maybe I could become a lawyer. So what I started doing was working nine to five and then studying law in the evening, 6 until 9 p.m. I did this for a couple of years, and it seemed to go really well. I thought maybe I could become a human rights lawyer, Smith said.In his initial employment as a legal assistant, Smith was living as a woman. Mens remarks and inappropriate behavior toward him often undercut the satisfaction he derived from the work itself. He asked that the name of the law firm not be published.I faced a lot of sexual harassment, sexual assault, casual sexism, and casual misogyny whilst in the role. I would have men making comments about the size of my breasts, making comments about wearing a dress and how nice my legs were. There would be men who would say, I would love to cheat on my wife with you, or If only I was 20 years younger, Smith shared.As Smith realized, the societal perception of the legal secretary role only exacerbated the issue.I was also working in the most stereotypical female job, so people felt like they could talk to me like shit. I was at the bottom of the food chain when it came to the people in the law firm, he noted.Things took a turn, though not for the better, when he began transitioning. Sexism and misogyny gave way to trans discrimination in those early years as a legal secretary, with the issues occurring across different organizations, Smith said.My line managers and the HR team suggested that I should be put in a separate room [from] my colleagues. They kept questioning me over how much I was going to change, if I was going to be difficult to work with, Smith commented.Tate Smith speaking at a presentation. Photo: Broadway StudiosAs a result of the lack of an inclusive culture, and altogether absent LGBTQ+ network and trans-supportive policies at his workplace, he sought employment as a legal secretary elsewhere. Once hired at Clifford Chance, he was prepared to go back into the closet, given his previous employers icy reception to his transness.I went stealth, Smith explained.And he could, since after many months on testosterone, his appearance and voice had changed, resulting in a noticeably different response from his new colleagues.As soon as I started working in this law firm, I was immediately met with so much respect, whereas a year prior to that, I would be shouted at by men just for doing my job. Every time I walked into a room, somebody wanted to be friends with me. People wanted to shake my hand and call me lad and sir and mate, Smith shared, referring to Clifford Chance.Clifford Chance officials declined to comment.Unfortunately, the firm doesnt provide commentary on or discuss current and former colleagues, a spokesperson stated in an email.Because Smith was a man, co-workers presumed that he took on the legal secretary role as a stepping stone to something bigger, which he was, in fact, doing with his evening law school classes.Theyd pat me on the back and go, Whats your story? Youre a legal secretary? No, you must be doing something else, he said.Taking the initiativeFor Smith, the lunch and learn at Clifford Chance was pivotal in that it inspired his eventual exit from the legal field, including his ambition to practice law.I had to take that leap of faith, because law was a very secure job for me, but I naturally outgrew it. I couldnt have continued there any longer, and because I had so much educating to do, particularly with the time that were living in now, I thought, If I dont do it now, Im never going to do it, he said of his decision to become an entrepreneur and own a business.Tate Smith Consulting, with clients such as Barclays, JP Morgan, McCann, and Arnold & Porter, has operated as a private limited company (referred to as an LLC in the United States) as of April 2024, 13 months after its official launch.That was the greatest achievement of my life, he said, because not only am I seeing on this company register, Mr. Tate Smith, which is so affirming for me and my transness, but Im also seeing next to it, company director and shareholder. As a working class kid from a very disadvantaged background, thats a really big deal for me.Via Tate Smith Consulting, he now helps other companies with setting up or refreshing their transgender policies, also known as transition at work or change of gender expression policies.Smith explained, A lot of companies still dont have them. Or, they have them but they havent been updated in many years, and they havent considered things around nonbinary people and things like, What if youre gender-nonconforming and the photo on your security pass doesnt match you on a particular day?But clients shouldnt expect a PowerPoint presentation or a terminology-laden sensitivity training session from Smith to glean insight into how to create a more inclusive work environment. Smiths approach is grounded in his willingness to talk openly about being trans.I always speak from the heart. Nuanced conversations are what Im best known for, because Im really good at explaining things to people in a calm way, he said.Fiona Fleming, Head of ED&I (equity, diversity, and inclusion) at the law firm Farrer & Co, invited Smith to speak to her colleagues in its London headquarters. At the lunch and learn, he talked about his trans journey and trans- and nonbinary-inclusive workplace features.Tates lunch and learn session helped to move trans inclusion conversations at our firm into trans inclusion actions. Since Tates session, the firm has produced a transition and change to gender expression policy, alongside supporting guidance documents for line managers, colleagues, and HR, Fleming wrote in an email to the B.A.R.Fleming, a member of the LGBTQ community herself, also shared that Smiths visit to Farrer & Co, and the insight he provided, prompted the firm to establish a suite of gender-inclusive bathrooms.Tate has passion, energy, enthusiasm, and expertise, and his work has truly been a catalyst for change in our firm, she commented.Oftentimes, companies reach out to Smith and request him as a guest speaker or panelist rather than for explicit assistance with their trans policies. They end up making improvements and continuing with DEI efforts based on what hes shared.Smith explained, What will happen is, Ill get feedback a couple of months later, or theyll say, Our board [has] just improved our trans policy because you spoke about it [and] the CEO or the managing partner was in that room; Someone sung your praises; or Weve decided to host another event.So I give them the basics, and I let them run with it, and if they want to come back to me for a policy, they can, he said.In 2024, one company a global mining operator sought direct guidance from Smith for its Corporate Office Trans Policy. The person was not authorized to share the name of the company. They shared the following statement:Tates review, input and challenges to the initial drafts allowed [the company] to ensure the policy used the right language, was appropriate and demonstrated support and commitment to ensuring all colleagues feel welcome, respected and supported, the spokesperson stated.To introduce the trans policy, Smith hosted a webinar for the companys colleagues during which he spoke about his lived experience as a trans man and related terminology.The companys statement continued, [Tates] engaging, open and honest approach allowed colleagues to engage with the policy, start conversations and increase awareness, understanding and empathy. The session was very well received and generated positive engagement in understanding through [a] live Q&A in, and after, the event. His experiences from when he presented as female, and the differences now, as a trans man, really helped frame and open up the conversation and understanding to a diverse global audience who would not usually get exposure to such content and experiences.The particularsIn his speaking engagements, Smith broaches topics such as misgendering a person and pronoun-sharing, using personal examples to emphasize their significance and effects.His firsthand account of being misgendered conveys the emotional impact of the experience to clients.He shared, What Ill say [to them], for example, is, Being misgendered would literally break my day. It would just make me upset. I could not bring my full self to work if someone did not call somebody out and correct that person. I didnt have the confidence, so Id stay silent, and then that behavior continued.When it comes to pronouns, he explains to his audience how he/him, she/her, and they/them in email closings and social media bios read as signs of acceptance and allyship for LGBTQ individuals.I tell them that when I see somebody email me with pronouns in a signature, I know that if at some point I subtly say Im trans in a conversation, then I would feel safe with them. Safety is paramount to us, Smith said.That explanation, hes discovered, gives clients the perspective they need. They go, Ah, I get it. Its not just this whole woke business, he said.And, in terms of adding or revamping trans policies, Smith advocates for companies to provide health care support to trans and nonbinary employees, citing his own uphill climb to top surgery, which his former law firms private medical insurance provider initially dubbed a boob job.I was like, Well, no, its not, because youre masculinizing my chest. Youre not amplifying anything. Its not cosmetic. Its corrective its for my identity. I had to explain to them how it was impacting my day-to-day life, Smith said.His communication with the provider included detailing his avoidance of white shirts because he didnt want people to see his binder through them, routine bathroom mirror checks to ensure his binder was in place, and wearing two jumpers (i.e. sweaters) to flatten his chest. Having breasts, in other words, was an endless discomfort, both physically and mentally.We [in the United Kingdom] are so lucky that we can still get access to our health care, as opposed to other places and countries, but its a fight. Its like presenting a court case when you go to the doctors. So what I do is I encourage organizations to cover that to take that emotional and financial burden away from the trans person. And a lot of companies do cover it, but they dont publicize it because they are worried about the public backlash, he said.Smiths interest in addressing health care inequalities for trans people extends to working with clients such as Egality, a UK-based community engagement agency that strives for more inclusive health care-related research and innovations.It was a pleasure to work with Tate. He brought both warmth and professionalism to our project, wrote Annette Crosse, CEO and founder of Egality, in an email to the B.A.R.Crosse, an ally, explained that the particular project involved developing inclusive and accessible communications materials about a study on the National Health Services care bundle for reducing heavy bleeding during childbirth. She reached out to Smith to support Egality with the effort. Crosse requested that the name of the study not be published.Tate brought in experts with lived experience to take part in workshops including two trans men who have given birth. Tate helped us design the workshops to be inclusive, and he co-chaired sessions in the workshop[s] as well, Crosse wrote.In the workshops, they also co-created some of the communications materials for the study.The outputs were patient information leaflets and films designed to share information with the LGTBQ+ community, who we know already face worse outcomes in our health system, and [with] parental care, she wrote.Reconceptualizing gender normsSmith, attuned to his own male privilege, also uses his platform to inspire progressive perspectives among men.Unfortunately, men only listen to other men, he said. So Im like, OK, well, Im now going to reverse male privilege on you and get you in that room to listen to me. [Y]ou think, Oh, theres a lad. Thats a nice looking boy. Lets go listen to him. And then I hit you with, Im trans. Im going through menopause. Im socially mobile. I care about gender equality, and I want you to as well.Their surprise gives way to a better understanding of what being a man and masculinity can entail.These men go, Oh my God, and it has a ripple effect. Thats the sort of man I want to continue being, he said.This story is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Fellowship lab through News is Out. The lab initiative is made possible with support from Comcast NBCUniversal.The post Lived experience guides Tate Smiths trans and DEI consulting firm appeared first on News Is Out.

Lately, I've picked up the remote instead of grabbing a cocktail after work. Among the shows I watch is about a quirky family with a small business and many antics. And if you've ever found yourself humming a little ditty about passing cranberry sauce or cackling at an impeccably timed "All right!"congratulations, you're likely already in the John Roberts fan club. Best known as the voice behind Linda Belcher on Bob's Burgers, Roberts has spent over a decade breathing life into one of television's most beloved matriarchs, meme-able figure, and muse for Halloween costumes. But beyond the illustration, beyond the off-kilter charm of Linda's vocal inflections, is a man whose journey is as rich and layered as a perfectly constructed burger. "My kind of mom character is something that I've been doing my whole life," he shares. He reminisces about his Brooklyn-born mother, who passed away last August, and the signature accent that inspired his most famous role. "Since we had our first camera, I recall just kind of making fun of her or doing that voice, and she was always a really good sport about it." From the East Village to PrimetimeRoberts' path to Burgers wasn't paved with traditional industry stepping stones. Instead, it was a slow, organic burn of a character crafted through drag-inspired performances in New York's East Village in the early 2000s on stages of varying sizes and audiences. "Sometimes there were 40 people, sometimes five," he laughs. "But I had to do it every week, and it got me off my ass." His YouTube videos, The Tree and My Son Is Gay, became early viral sensations, leading to a manager, live gigs, and ultimately recognition from industry powerhouses like Bob Odenkirk and David Cross. The connection was immediate when Bob's Burgers creator Loren Bouchard saw Roberts' work. "Loren was a big fan and kind of wrote the role of me based on my character." And the rest, as they say, is history. Or, in this case, a 15-season love affair between Roberts and the burger-flipping Belcher family. "Probably the greatest job I'll ever have," he muses. The Queer Comfort of Bob's BurgersFor many LGBTQ+ audiences, Bob's Burgers is more than just a cartoon. It's a hug, a laugh, a safe space wrapped in pastel colors protecting one from a grim world. "I think it shows a family that really cares for each other and accepts each other for all their differences," John reflects. "And LGBTQ+ people need that. They need people to see them for who they are and accept them in a world that's increasingly turning violent and hateful towards us."He credits the show's "intelligent writing, humor, and heart" as the secret to its staying power, calling it "good mental healthcare." In all their quirky, nonjudgmental glory, the Belchers have become the TV family many of us wish we had. More Than Just a Voice: The Advocacy & Music of John RobertsRoberts is involved in activism, particularly AIDS United, where he works on the advisory council. "We're fighting to make sure PrEP is accessible," he says, noting that he'll be heading to D.C. to lobby for national programs. "They're being hateful and cruel, so it's going to be a real battle." While he's dedicated to advocacy, he's still focused on his creative pursuits. Music is another avenue of self-expression that blends fun with activism. It's about putting your voice out there," he says, "representing yourself and having fun."John's music is a celebration of queer identity, especially as someone who has never been in the closeta rarity for LGBTQ+ performers of his generation. He's collaborated with the likes of Kevin Rudolf and Junior Sanchez, the latter working on the album Lights Out, also the name of the first track, featuring iconic Debbie Harry. He plans to release new tracks this year, including Hotcore, now available, and a music video directed by Cody Critioli. He'll also be performing at New York City's Mercury Lounge on May 21st alongside Miss Guy from Toilet Boys. "More music, more videos, more live performances," he promises. "Because that's what keeps me alive and me happy." Despite Hollywood's evolving (and regressing) attitude toward queer representation, Roberts remains steadfast in his approach: "Being who you are as an artist is the most important thing."Linda's Wisdom and the Perfect BurgerI asked John what Linda Belcher would say if she were giving him life advice. Without missing a beat, he replies: "Find the good people in the room. Protect your joy. Always look on the bright side, if you can." And, of course, what would a John Roberts burger be? "A handmade veggie burger, maybe like the old-school Dr. Praeger's ones with the peas in them. No dairy, no lettuceSomething I could just chew with my gums," he laughs. Whether playing Linda, making music, or fighting for LGBTQ+ rights, John Roberts makes the world funnier, kinder, and more marvelous. I've fallen in love with Bob's Burgers and often turn it on after a long day at work. For half an houror longer if it's a Friday with takeoutI relax on the couch and let go of all the day's fears, worries, and chaos. Whether watching his character or jamming to his tunes, John is a source of laughter and comfort.Feelings and vibes any loving mother could provide.

Alan Cumming is set to appear in the upcoming season of Doctor Who, marking his return to the beloved sci-fi series. The BBC announced on Thursday that Cumming, 60, will voice an animated character named Mr. Ring-a-Ding in the second episode of the new season, which is set to air on April 19. In a press statement, the BBC described Mr. Ring-a-Ding as a happy, funny, singalong cartoon who livesSource

In this file photo provided by Los Alamos National Laboratory, barrels of radioactive waste are loaded for transport to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) at the Radioactive Assay Nondestructive Testing (RANT) facility in Los Alamos, N.M., April 2019. (Nestor Trujillo/Los Alamos National Laboratory via AP, File)2025-02-27T20:48:14Z WASHINGTON (AP) Civilian federal jobs are being cut by the thousands, as Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency continues to shrink the government workforce at the behest of President Donald Trump.Thats brought a lot of churn and uncertainty in the nations capital, where 20% of the countrys more than 2 million civilian or nonmilitary federal workers are located. Its also affecting workers and communities outside the Washington, D.C. area, where about 80% of that workforce is based. Those cuts mean that members of Congress are now facing potential angst among the out-of-work federal employees in their districts across the country. The precise locations of all of the thousands of federal employees now out of work isnt yet known, but a look at the areas with the highest concentrations of civilian U.S. government jobs gives a glimpse at some places that could be most affected. Heres a breakdown of federal government jobs across the country by the numbers, surveying data from a Congressional Research Service analysis of Census Bureau estimates, as of 2023: D.C. area, represented by Democrats, has highest federal worker concentrationIts no surprise that the District of Columbia has the highest percentage of federal workers, who account for 18.5% of the total workforce.And the areas immediately outside the city, in whats known as the DMV which includes Washington and parts of Maryland and Virginia are next up with the highest concentrations of federal workers, with the top nine districts where percentages of federal workers range from 18.2% down to 8.4%. Most of those districts are represented by Democrats, meaning that some of the areas albeit those in the D.C. area likely to have the most significant impacts from DOGE cuts are represented by that party in the U.S. House.The one with the highest percentage of federal workforce is Marylands 5th District, represented by Democratic Rep. Steny Hoyer. There, about 18.2% of all workers are employed by the federal government. Republican districts are affected, tooAfter the districts closest to Washington, D.C., there are GOP-represented areas with high federal worker percentages.Virginias 2nd District, represented by Republican Rep. Jennifer Kiggans along the states southeastern border with North Carolina is the GOP area with the highest concentration of federal workers, at 8.1%. Home to Virginia Beach, and a large U.S. Navy presence, its considered among the nations most politically competitive districts.Central Oklahomas 4th District, represented by GOP Rep. Tom Cole, has a workforce where 7.7% is employed by the federal government. The district is home to Fort Sill Army Post and Tinker Air Force Base, the latter of which includes the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex. Oklahomas largest single-site employer, according to Tinkers website, the complex provides support for dozens of other Air Force Bases.Federal employees make up 7.6% of the workforce in Alabamas 5th District, which includes Huntsville and is represented by Republican Rep. Dale Strong. The area encompasses NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center, which has had a role in rocket engineering and U.S. space exploration efforts from the Saturn rockets integral to moon missions, the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Stations laboratory modules.The data examined here doesnt pertain directly to military jobs. Thousands of civilian government employees across the country work in areas near or attached to military installations. Alaska, represented by an at-large Republican, has a high concentrationAlaskas sole U.S. House member, Rep. Nick Begich, represents a state with a total federal worker percentage of 6.3%. Scott Goldsmith, an economist at the University of Alaska Anchorage, has described the states economy as a three-legged stool kept balanced by three components: the oil and gas industry, the federal government, and then all other industries combined.The federal government manages a significant amount of land in Alaska. Workers are employed by the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the Fish and Wildlife Service, among others. New Mexico has highest percentage of federal workers across all districtsAll three of New Mexicos House districts are represented by Democrats, and all of them have significant federal workforces. Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory, two major federal research institutions, are located in the state, where the federal government is the No. 2 largest employer, according to the New Mexico Partnership.Percentages of federal workers across the districts range from 6.3% in Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandezs 3rd District to 6.2% in Rep. Gabriel Vasquezs 2nd District. In the 1st District, represented by Rep. Melanie Ann Stansbury, the workforce is 6.8% federal employees.___Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP MEG KINNARD Kinnard covers national politics for The Associated Press. She lives in South Carolina. twitter instagram mailto

A Social Security card is displayed Oct. 12, 2021, in Tigard, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)2025-02-27T21:16:00Z WASHINGTON (AP) The Social Security Administration is preparing to lay off at least 7,000 people from its workforce of 60,000, according to a person familiar with the agencys plans who is not authorized to speak publicly. The workforce reduction, according to a second person who also spoke on condition of anonymity, could be as high as 50%.Its unclear how the layoffs will directly impact benefits of the 72.5 million Social Security beneficiaries, which include retirees and children who receive retirement and disability benefits. However, advocates and Democratic lawmakers warn that layoffs will reduce the agencys ability to serve recipients in a timely manner. Some say cuts to the workforce are in effect a cut in benefits.The layoffs are part of the Trump administrations intensified efforts to shrink the size of the federal workforce through the Department of Government Efficiency, run by President Donald Trump advisor Elon Musk. A representative from the Social Security Administration did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment.The people familiar with the agencys plans say that SSAs new acting commissioner Leland Dudek held a meeting this week with management and told them they had to produce a plan that eliminated half of the workforce at SSA headquarters in Washington and at least half of the workers in regional offices. In addition, the termination of office leases for Social Security sites across the country are detailed on the DOGE website, which maintains a Wall of Receipts, which is a self-described transparent account of DOGEs findings and actions. The site states that leases for dozens of Social Security sites across Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, and other states have been or will be ended. The Social Security Administration is already chronically understaffed. Now, the Trump Administration wants to demolish it, said Nancy Altman, president of Social Security Works, an advocacy group for the popular public benefit program. Altman said the reductions in force will deny many Americans access to their hard-earned Social Security benefits. Field offices around the country will close. Wait times for the 1-800 number will soar.Social Security is one of the nations largest and most popular social programs. A January poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that two-thirds of U.S. adults think the country is spending too little on Social Security.The program faces a looming bankruptcy date if it is not addressed by Congress. The May 2024 Social Security and Medicare trustees report states that Social Securitys trust funds which cover old age and disability recipients will be unable to pay full benefits beginning in 2035. Then, Social Security would only be able to pay 83% of benefits.Like other agencies, DOGE has embedded into the Social Security Administration as part of Trumps January executive order, which has drawn concerns from career officials. This month, the Social Security Administration s former acting commissioner Michelle King stepped down from her role at the agency after DOGE requested access Social Security recipient information, according to two people familiar with the officials departure who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said in a statement that a plan like this will result in field office closures that will hit seniors in rural communities the hardest.Other news organizations, including The American Prospect and The Washington Post have reported that half of the Social Security Administrations workforce could be on the chopping block. FATIMA HUSSEIN Hussein reports on the U.S. Treasury Department for The Associated Press. She covers tax policy, sanctions and any issue that relates to money. twitter mailto

Some queens burst into the Werk Room and put it all out there some take a little longer to reveal their layers and hidden depths. Acacia Forgot proved to be the latter kind. Acacia was initially on the quieter side, but by the time she sashayed out the door, shed shared with fans her love of music, her comedy chops, her ability to read a sister for filth, and the health struggles that shaped her young life. Despite her name, Acacia ultimately proved to be very memorable. PRIDE caught up with the queen to talk about her time on the show, how she created Acacia, her grandfathers reaction to that cheeky booty-flashing moment, and why Suzie Toot has earned her forgiveness, even if she hasnt forgotten. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Acacia Forgot (@acaciaforgot)How are you feeling about your time on Drag Race?I dont want to be like, I regret the way I did anything, but it can be hard to see how much I was in my head, and I wish I could have gotten myself out of my head a bit. I feel like I was getting myself out towards the end, but I wish I could have gotten out a bit sooner. But thats also just who I am. Im still very proud of what I was able to do.I want to talk about your aesthetic. I feel like you do not get enough credit. Lots of people have served the 80s, but nobody has served my favorite part of it, which is Dolly in her Best Little Whorehouse in Texas era. Im curious. Where does your aesthetic come from? I was homeschooled growing up, my whole life, and my family, they love what they love, and they dont like anything new. So everything we watched was old TV shows, old movies, nothing like hardly anything post-90s was ever played. So, I grew up on the hit movies of the 70s and 80s. We grew up listening to Pat Benatar, Heart, Aerosmith, and Motley Crue. So, all those kinds of things have always been what inspire me the most. Theres something about the 80s its just so sexy and so campy and... everything about it is just so mesmerizing to me.How are you feeling about your time on Drag Race?I dont want to be like, I regret the way I did anything, but it can be hard to see how much I was in my head, and I wish I could have gotten myself out of my head a bit. I feel like I was getting myself out towards the end, but I wish I could have gotten out a bit sooner. But thats also just who I am. Im still very proud of what I was able to do.I want to talk about your aesthetic. I feel like you do not get enough credit. Lots of people have served the 80s, but nobody has served my favorite part of it, which is Dolly in her Best Little Whorehouse in Texas era. Im curious. Where does your aesthetic come from? I was homeschooled growing up, my whole life, and my family, they love what they love, and they dont like anything new. So everything we watched was old TV shows, old movies, nothing like hardly anything post-90s was ever played. So, I grew up on the hit movies of the 70s and 80s. We grew up listening to Pat Benatar, Heart, Aerosmith, and Motley Crue. So, all those kinds of things have always been what inspire me the most. Theres something about the 80s its just so sexy and so campy and... everything about it is just so mesmerizing to me. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Acacia Forgot (@acaciaforgot)Yes! And your style is in this perfect pocket of 80s does 40s that I think is so cool and so chic. When you look at the 80s, a huge reference throughout the 80s is the 50s and the greaser style. So I feel like if youre referencing the 80s, youre referencing the 60s and 40s.Im also obsessed with your beat. I love blush, so I have to know what blush you are using because the pigment is so gorgeous.Thank you! We need to plug it. It is my boyfriends cosmetic company, Austie Cosmetics. We actually collaborated on a blush palette before Drag Race for his brand called Rodeo Rouge, and it is a six-pan blush palette. I literally layer it, like, three different times throughout my makeup process. It is just the best blush. That palette is just the only thing I use.Lets talk a little bit about this episode. It was so nice to see you excited and in your element, getting to do something you really love to do. Was this the Rusical challenge the one that you are most looking forward to?I was excited about anything music-related. Looking back, anything that I did that was musical the talent show, the Bitch, Im a Drag Queen challenge, or the Rusical I saw myself getting so in my head because music is something so important to me. So, I was so excited, but I also took it so seriously that I think that that could have been something that held me back a bit. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Acacia Forgot (@acaciaforgot)Do you feel like you put a lot of pressure on yourself in that moment? And did you feel like the eyes of your season 17 sisters were on you even more strongly this week?I do, yeah. One, its so important to me that I want to do well, because I love it so much. Then on the other side, its that thing of like, anytime you say, This is what I do, when it comes time for you to prove it, its almost always a miss.Yeah, I get that. Its so easy to get in your head instead of just trusting your instincts. It was great to see you really standing up for yourself this week. When you were selecting roles, you stuck to your guns, even when it got heated and a little Im not joking, bitch vibes. How were you feeling at that moment with Suzie Toot and where do the two of you stand now? Did you ever talk about it?At that point, she was just getting so arrogant, and really thought she was such hot shit, and I could not deal with that, especially after the Snatch Game. She was just so upset she wasnt at the top and its like, you didnt do well, why are you so arrogant? I felt that because she was getting so arrogant, she was kind of getting what she wanted. Im not gonna let her walk all over me or try to dictate what I should and shouldnt do. So, when we were divvying up the roles, we were talking about it and why we deserved the role. So I just explained why I deserved the role. Then when its her turn to describe or to say why, to fight for it, all she did was put me down. I was like, Oh, youre not going to use this time to put me down. When I get pissed about something, I get really fired up, and I get just very feisty. If theres one thing I love to do its hold a grudge. After that, I was just so bitter, and also let that kind of hold me back. But she did come out to apologize. She came up and apologized later and then she apologized again in Untucked. But even then, its still hard for me to fully let go. She even texted me the other day and apologized again. So I do think shes sorry. Were good, were definitely friends and everything, but I will never forget. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Acacia Forgot (@acaciaforgot)Do you feel like thats becoming a little bit of a pattern? It reminded me a bit of what happened with Onya Nurve, where Suzie criticized her Snatch Game and then apologized.Yeah. I think she talks a lot of talk. At times, she can be a lot of hat, no cattle. She says what she says, and then shes like, Oh, wait, I dont want to hurt any feelings. I dont want to ruffle any feathers and she backs down. Maybe she should time travel ahead, realize that, and then just not say it.This actually brings me to another point. I heard a rumor that you are the shadiest in the group chat. Can you confirm or deny it?I am the shadiest, but it all comes out of honesty. I feel like all I ever do is just ask a question and try to gain understanding, and it just comes off as shady. Its so funny that Arrietty and I are best friends because, well, we were just talking about this the other day. Shes the one who everyone thinks is the bitch, but shes actually really nice, and Im the one everyone thinks is really nice but is actually the bitch. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Acacia Forgot (@acaciaforgot)I love that we get to see so many sides to you: your shady side, your talented side, and your backside. Your butt broke the internet, how was that experience for you?It was the crack heard around the world. Yeah, I mean, Ive always been kind of the ugly duckling, I feel like. Ive never really felt attractive and seen so much love for my appearance. As shallow as it is, Im as shallow as a puddle, I like to say, and I have really loved it. I really didnt think that I would have old college teachers and all these different people messaging me, being like, Were watching the episodes, youre doing great! I didnt even think about that. My grandpa watched it. My brothers showed my grandpa all the episodes, and I was like, Oh yeah, my grandpas gonna see my butt, okay? He thought it was funny. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Acacia Forgot (@acaciaforgot)I love it! So, whats next for Acacia?I am focusing on my music. I have some music already recorded. I also have the rest of an EP coming out soon called The Farm, and then soon to be, starting to work on my debut full-length album.Exciting! Will we see any collabs in the future?I have so many dream collabs, but I would love to collaborate with Sierra Farrell. She is one of the biggest inspirations for me in music. I also would love to collab with, of course, Dolly Parton, Orville Peck, or Trixie Mattel.

It all started with these celebs!Whether you knew you were queer from a young age or it took a bit longer for you to figure it out, there is always that one crush usually a celebrity that gave you that a-ha moment. Maybe it was Gillian Anderson in the X-Files rocking a power suit, or Beyonc shaking it just so in a music video, or the entire Charlies Angels cast. The point is, when we saw them we learned something very important and exciting about ourselves. Recently the conversation about lesbian roots came up on the ActualLesbiansOver25 subreddit and the users revealed which celebs first made them realize they were queer. Thier answers were illuminating, to say the least, and so relatable. Answers are lightly edited for length and grammar.The cast of 'Living Single'The female cast of Living Single. And still today Im trying to find me a woman that looks like Khadija, has money like Maxine, taste like Regine, and a personality like Sinclair."Rene O'Connor from 'Xena: Warrior Princess'"Gabrielle from 'Xena: Warrior Princess.' I wanted to marry her. lol"In fact, Xena: Warrior Princess was responsible for a lot of queer awakenings: "Cleopatra from Xena. There was a scene with her in the bath and little me was totally besotted.""I was always [into] Xena and Callisto. I never missed an episode of Xena, there were signs.""Gabrielle on 'Xena.' I'm that clich dyke."Eliza Dushku & Kirsten Dunst in 'Bring It On'"Eliza Dushku and Kirsten Dunst in 'Bring It On.'"Kate Beckinsale in 'Underworld'"Mine was Eliza Dushku in 'Buffy.' Then Kate Beckinsale in Underworld...that skin-tight ensemble was enlightening."Gillian Anderson in 'X-Files''Dana F-ing Scully. I have loved Gillian Anderson since I was 11 (I'm 39 now lol).'t.A.T.u.in the 'All the Things She Said' music video"t.A.T.u. 100% .HAHHAHA! Especially cause Im European our uniform was the same style. My dream kiss: a girl on the rain at school."Shego from 'Kim Possible'"Shego from 'Kim Possible' when I was a kid. Then Catherine Zeta Jones and Queen Latifah in 'Chicago' a few years later."Michelle Pfeiffer in 'Catwoman'"Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman."Haley Williams"Genuinely as a teenager I thought 'Riot' era Hayley [Williams] was everything and now in my twenties, modern-day adult Hayley is STILL everything.""Very glad my lil 13yr old brain latched on to her, aging like fineeeee winneeeee.""I'd definitely had crushes on girls before her but that was the first time I knew my feelings were full-blown attraction and not just admiration.""when my room posters started changing from the full band pics to just her my sexuality flourishing like the autumn leaves."Drew Barrymore in 'Charlie's Angels'"'Charlie's Angels,' Drew Barrymore."Charlies Angels was another popular queer awakening for the Sapphics, and you can understand why. OG and films are pure lesbian eye-candy! "'Charlie's Angels': Jaclyn Smith (OG), Lucy Liu and Demi Moore."Reba McEntire"Tara from 'Buffy 'and Shego. Also, Reba McEntire, dont come for me.'Alyssa Milano in 'Charmed'"Alyssa Milano in 'Charmed.' Yet it still wasn't until years later that I realized I was gay. Had her poster in my room yet parents were still shocked I was gay."Charmed itself was a lesbian root.'Rose McGowan for me, but I already knew."Alyssa Milano, too. "Alyssa Milano in 'Whos the Boss.' Sharon Stone in 'Basic Instinct.'Sigourney Weaver in 'Holes'"Sigourney Weaver as the Warden from 'Holes.'"Mulan in 'Mulan'Mine was Mulan. Shes just got me so bad.Kelly Brown in 'Hey Dude''Melody was hot too, but Brad (Kelly Brown) cemented my lifelong love of mean, dark haired women.'Sara Gilbert in 'Rosanne'"Darlene from "Roseanne.'"Jenette Goldstein in 'Aliens'Ellen Ripley and I know she's problematic Vasquez from 'Aliens.'"Esmeralda in 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'"Esmerelda from Disney's 'Hunchback.' (,,>Rachel Leigh Cook in 'Josie and the Pussycats'"Rachel Leigh Cook in 'Josie and the Pussycats' (terrible movie). Milla Jovovich in 'The Fifth Element.'"Katie McGrath in 'Merlin'"Katie McGrath as Morgana from 'Merlin.' Honestly was both my 'I like women,' and 'I am a woman' awakening/realization."Naya Rivera & Dianna Agron in 'Glee'"Santana and Quinn from 'Glee.'"Sailor Moon"Sailor Moon."Kate Winslet in 'Titanic'"Kate Winslet in 'Titanic.'"Missy Peregrym in 'Stick It'"Haley Graham (Missy Peregrym) from 'Stick It.'"Beyonc in the 'Crazy in Love' music video"Beyonc in the 'Crazy in Love' video."Melissa Joan Hart in 'Clarissa Explains it All'"Melissa Joan Hart in 'Clarissa Explains it All.' Even as a kid I still liked aloof-looking cool girls. lol"Joanne Whalley in 'Willow'"Joanne Whalley as Sorsha in 'Willow. 'I watched that all through my childhood."Jurnee Smollett on 'Full House'"Ive known ever since I can remember but one of my first crushes was on Michelles best friend, Denise (Jurnee Smollett) on 'Full House' and Melanie Parker from 'My Brother and Me' (a '90s Nickelodeon show). They definitely made little me super sure I was [not] like the other elementary school kids!"Miranda Otto in 'Lord of the Rings: Return of the King'"Miranda Otto as owyn."Terry Farrell in 'Star Trek: Deep Space 9""Terry Farrell as Dax in 'Star Trek: Deep Space 9, 'followed quickly by Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle in 'Xena.' Strong beautiful women??? Who want to wrestle???????????? They still got it (power over me)!"

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, speaks during a hearing, May 8, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)2025-02-27T22:10:40Z WASHINGTON (AP) Five former secretaries of defense are calling on Congress to hold immediate hearings on President Donald Trumps recent firings of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and several other senior military leaders, according to a letter obtained by The Associated Press.The five men who represented Republican and Democratic administrations over the past three decades said the dismissals were alarming, raised troubling questions about the administrations desire to politicize the military and removed legal constraints on the presidents power.Late last week, Trump fired Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr. as chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth followed that by firing Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations; Gen. Jim Slife, vice chief of the Air Force; and the judge advocates general for the military services. Hegseth has defended the firing of Brown, saying that other presidents made changes in military personnel and that Trump deserves to pick his own team. Hegseth said he fired the JAGs because he didnt think they were well-suited to provide recommendations when lawful orders are given. The letter signed by William Perry, Leon Panetta, Chuck Hagel, Jim Mattis and Lloyd Austin said there were no real justifications for the firings because several of the officers had been nominated by Trump for previous positions. And it said they had exemplary careers, including operational and combat experience. We, like many Americans including many troops are therefore left to conclude that these leaders are being fired for purely partisan reasons, said the letter, adding that were not asking members of Congress to do us a favor; were asking them to do their jobs.In the meantime, they said, senators should refuse to confirm any new Pentagon nominations, including retired Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, who Trump has said should be the next joint chiefs chairman. Trumps choice of Caine is unusual. Caine, who is widely respected in the military, would have to come back onto active duty but he does not meet the legal requirements for the top post. According to law, a chairman must have served as a combatant commander or service chief. The president can waive those requirements. Hagel is a Republican and Mattis, an independent, was Trumps first defense chief. The other three are Democrats. Four of the five served in the military, including two Mattis and Austin who were four-star generals.The House and Senate should demand that the administration justify each firing and fully explain why it violated Congress legislative intent that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff complete a four-year term in office, the letter said.The chairman has a four-year term, and Brown had served a bit less than 17 months.In recent decades, a number of three-star and four-star officers have been fired, but Pentagon leaders have routinely made clear why they were ousted. Those reasons included disagreements over the conduct of the Iraq or Afghanistan wars, problems with the oversight of Americas nuclear arsenal and public statements critical of the president and other leaders. LOLITA C. BALDOR Baldor has covered the Pentagon and national security issues for The Associated Press since 2005. She has reported from all over the world including warzones in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. twitter mailto

Megan Brown and other protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)2025-02-27T05:05:15Z DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Iowa lawmakers voted to remove gender identity protections from the states civil rights code Thursday despite massive protests by opponents who say it could expose transgender people to discrimination in numerous areas of life.The measure raced through the legislative process after first being introduced last week. The state Senate was first to approve the bill on Thursday, followed by the House less than an hour later. Hundreds of LGBTQ+ advocates streamed into the Capitol rotunda on Thursday waving signs reading Trans rights are human rights and chanting slogans including No hate in our state! There was a heavy police presence, with state troopers stationed around the rotunda. Of the 167 people who signed up to testify at a 90-minute public hearing before a House committee, all but 24 were opposed to the bill. Protesters that watched the vote from the House gallery loudly booed and shouted Shame! as the chamber adjourned. Many admonished Iowa state Rep. Steven Holt, who floor managed the bill and delivered a fierce defense of it before it passed. The bill would remove gender identity as a protected class from the states civil rights law and explicitly define female and male, as well as gender, which would be considered a synonym for sex and shall not be considered a synonym or shorthand expression for gender identity, experienced gender, gender expression, or gender role.The measure would be the first legislative action removing nondiscrimination protections based on gender identity, said Logan Casey, director of policy research at the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank.Supporters of the change say the current law incorrectly codified the idea that people can transition to another gender and granted transgender women access to spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms and sports teams that should be protected for people who were assigned female at birth. The legislature of Iowa for the future of our children and our culture has a vested interest and solemn responsibility to stand up for immutable truth, Holt said. The legislation now goes to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has been supportive of efforts to limit gender identity protections.The Iowa lawmakers actions came on the same day the Georgia House backed away from removing gender protections from the states hate crimes law, which was passed in 2020 after the death of Ahmaud Arbery. Protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Iowas current civil rights law protects against discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability status.Sexual orientation and gender identity were not originally included in the states Civil Rights Act of 1965. They were added by the Democratic-controlled Legislature in 2007, also with the support of about a dozen Republicans across the two chambers.Iowa Republicans say their changes are intended to reinforce the states ban on sports participation and public bathroom access for transgender students. If approved, the bill would go to Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds, who signed those policies into law. A spokesperson for Reynolds declined to comment on whether she would sign the bill. Protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Iowa state Rep. Aime Wichtendahl was the last Democrat to speak out against the bill, becoming emotional as she offered her personal story as a transgender woman, saying: I transitioned to save my life. The purpose of this bill and the purpose of every anti-trans bill is to further erase us from public life and to stigmatize our existence, Wichtendahl said. The sum total of every anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bill is to make our existence illegal.About half of U.S. states include gender identity in their civil rights code to protect against discrimination in housing and public places, such as stores or restaurants, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Some additional states do not explicitly protect against such discrimination but it is included in legal interpretations of statutes. Lawmakers are present to vote on a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Lawmakers are present to vote on a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Protesters sit in the rotunda at the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Protesters sit in the rotunda at the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that would strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity, Feb. 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall) Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Read More Iowas Supreme Court has expressly rejected the argument that discrimination based on sex includes discrimination based on gender identity.Several Republican-led legislatures are also pushing to enact more laws this year creating legal definitions of male and female based on the reproductive organs at birth following an executive order from President Donald Trump. Trump also signed orders laying the groundwork for banning transgender people from military service and keeping transgender girls and women out of girls and womens sports competitions, among other things. Most of the policies are being challenged in court.___Associated Press writer Jeff Amy in Atlanta contributed to this report.

Which seat can she take? Well, maybe it's at the judges table on RuPaul's Drag Race.Before just anyone was going viral on social media, Rebecca Black broke the internet back in 2011 with her breakthrough single "Friday" and the music industry was never the same.Over the years, the pop singer embraced her queer identity and finds herself at home among gay people at her shows, on set, in the clubs, or in any other aspect of her life."I am such a lover of pop culture and pop music. My audiences are filled with queer because we're all listening to the same things. That's really comforting to me. The queer community has taught me so much about the person that I want to be," Black tells PRIDE. See on Instagram Now, the star's latest project SALVATION is serving up everything the gays love. A danceable beat, sexy choreography, high fashion, and a strong message of growth."I'm appreciative to still have an opportunity to make art that I really stand by. I know I can trust my audience to understand. That is the dream."Black is ready to take her career to the next level and she's hoping to reach as many of her fans as possible with her new music. In fact, the singer has approached World of Wonder to appear as a guest judge on a future season of RuPaul's Drag Race."Trust me, I have been knocking down the door. That'd be a huge dream. I've pitched it! I would be so down and I would turn a look. I have a couple WOWIE's in my closet, so I'm waiting! I've never opened the can of soup, but I've heard there is actually soup in it."SAVLATION is available everywhere now. To see the full interview with Rebecca Black, check out the video at the top of the page.

Former Olympic skier and actor Gus Kenworthy is opening up about his wild and sexy experiences in Burning Man and why he loves a threesome.On Thursday's episode of the Grindr podcast Whos the A**hole?, host and Drag Race royalty Katya Zamolodchikova got Kenworthy talking about all of the steamy experiences hes had at Burning Man.Katya may have described the festival as her living hell, but the pro athlete loves it.For me its one of my favorite things Ive ever experienced in life. Its so much fun. Its so freeing. Its really liberating, Kenworthy said. The 33-year-old silver medal winner said that people often complain about the lack of showers at Burning Man, but for him, finding a way to get clean at the festival proved to be a sexual awakening. Theres also camps that offer showers, and one of them is a gay camp, he explained, and so you can go shower with soap and water, and its kind of chic, but the caveat is that you do it with everyone watching. And so theres people that come and pull up chairs and theyre sitting all around.While that scenario might not be for everyone, the experience opened Kenworthys eyes.But its kind of hot. I enjoyed doing it. I enjoyed showing off and having people watch, but I also got a shower, he said.The pair also talk about Burning Mans famed Orgy Dome. Its very sexual and sexually charged, and there is something for everybody, Kenworthy explained. When Katya asked if there is a jerk off tent, Kenworthy revealed that there is and that on the schedule there is even a circle jerk session. Who knew?!See on InstagramPublic sex? Yay or Nay? Katya asked.Yeah, Im pretty into it, Kenworthy answered before admitting that he would never have sex in a public place where people who werent interested in watching could see, but he isnt opposed to getting it on in a dark night club. I think its kind of hot to fk somewhere in a dark room, or like doing it in nature, but not necessarily with people around. I think is hot, he said.Plus, the two got into the nitty-gritty about their shared love of threesomes. Im a mess, Im always in a relationship, but because of that, Ive had a lot of threesomes," he said, admitting that he and his different exes frequently brought a third into their bedroom.Katya said the key to a threesome for her is being the special guest star.Because then youre getting all of the attention, Kenworthy responded.Exactly. And I can also leave. My nightmare is hosting a threesome, Katya said.Kenworthys advice for having a successful threesome? Make sure everyone in the room is sexually attracted to each other.My advice for threesomes is like if youre picking up a third granted, its hard to know sometimes for sure make sure theyre kind of like equally into you and your partner because I feel like thats the thing that ends up being the thing that makes threesomes not really work.Watch the full episode of Whos the A**hole? below.

A Pentagon memo issued on Wednesday (Feb. 26) mandates the identification and separation of transgender service members unless they qualify for an exemption. This new directive follows the recent announcement by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who implemented a ban on transgender individuals enlisting in the U.S. military earlier this month. According to Reuters, the memo outlines a procedureSource

Hulu recently announced that Matteo Lane: The Al Dente Special, the first hour-long stand-up comedy special from Matteo Lane, will premiere on the streaming service on Friday, May 16. This special marks a significant milestone in Lanes career, serving as his first major special with a major streaming platform. The Al Dente Special follows his self-released specials Hair Plugs &Source