(CHARLOTTE, N.C.) — United Methodist delegates repealed a longstanding ban on LGBTQ clergy on Wednesday without debate, removing a rule that forbade “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers. Delegates voted 692-51 at their General Conference — the first such legislative gathering in five years. This overwhelming margin contrasts sharply with the […]
The food we consume impacts many aspects of our lives and bodies: hormones, brain chemistry, immune system, microbiome, and more. As consumers, we deserve easy understanding of foods’ nutritional value to make informed decisions on what we eat and how it impacts our health and wellness. This is especially important for ingredients harmful in excess, […]
At the gymnastics world championships in Antwerp, Belgium, in October, Fred Richard found himself in an unfamiliar position—face down on the mat. Entering the last event in the all-around competition, in which gymnasts compete in six events—vault, floor, high bar, parallel bars, pommel horse, and rings—he did something he doesn’t normally do. He glanced at […]
(NEW YORK) — Paul Auster, a prolific, prize-winning man of letters and filmmaker known for such inventive narratives and meta-narratives as “The New York Trilogy” and has died at age 77. Auster’s death was confirmed Wednesday by his literary representatives, the Carol Mann Agency, which did not immediately provide additional details. Auster had been diagnosed […]
(WASHINGTON) — Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said Wednesday she would call a vote next week on removing House Speaker Mike Johnson from his position, forcing her colleagues to choose sides in a difficult situation after Democratic leaders announced they would provide the votes to keep the Republican speaker in his job. Speaking outside the […]
Warning: This post contains spoilers for The Idea of You. These are difficult times for romance. Dating apps are down. First dates are down. People don’t seem interested in relationships anymore. Even marriage is down. The most successful movie last year (Dune) was about the guy not getting the girl. Where does this leave romantic […]
British singer-songwriter FKA twigs, born Tahliah Debrett Barnett, recently spoke out about the dangers of artificial intelligence. She explained that she has become especially concerned as an artist whose music and performances are used by third parties to train artificial intelligence models. She said that the power of this technology has become particularly apparent to […]
In Derek Cianfrance’s 2010 love drama Blue Valentine, Ryan Gosling plays a husband and father named Dean who seems to annoy his wife Cindy, a busy nurse. She rushes to get their young daughter out the door for school, even as Dean enjoys being the fun dad and turns breakfast into a game by spreading […]
From ’s eagerly anticipated memoir to a long-awaited sequel to Colm Tóibín’s beloved novel , the best books coming in May offer a range of choices for every reader. Those looking for a good laugh should check out the latest high-society comedy from author or filmmaker Miranda July’s first novel in 10 years, which offers […]
(BOCA RATON, Fla.) — Florida’s ban on most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, before many women even know they are pregnant, went into effect Wednesday, and some doctors are concerned that women in the state will no longer have access to needed health care. Dr. Leah Roberts, a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist with […]
(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is considering reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. The Justice Department proposal would recognize the medical uses of cannabis, but wouldn’t legalize it for recreational use. The proposal would move marijuana from the “Schedule I” group to the less tightly regulated “Schedule III.” So what does that […]
Nearly 40% of youth have seriously considered attempting suicide in the last year, according to a survey conducted by The Trevor Project, a national suicide prevention organization that operates a hotline and collects data on the mental health of queer youth. More than 18,500 LGBTQ+ people living in the U.S. between the ages of 13 […]
At least a dozen people in California and Washington have become ill with E. coli food poisoning linked to organic walnuts sold in bulk in 19 states, according to U.S. health officials. The nuts were offered for sale in natural food and co-op stores such as Whole Foods and Market of Choice. Seven people have […]
Prince William reassured the public that Kate Middleton and his family are “doing well,” amid his wife taking a break from public duties as she undergoes “treatment” for an undisclosed type of cancer. The Prince of Wales gave the rare update during a series of royal engagements on Tuesday, including a visit to the newly-opened […]
Arizona’s extreme anti-abortion law, which dates to 1864, might finally be on its way out on Wednesday. The law had been made irrelevant by Roe v. Wade in 1973. But on April 8, 2024, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that when the U.S. Supreme Court abolished the right to an abortion in 2022, the 1864 […]
For Pia Hollenstein, the long-awaited ruling at the European Court of Human Rights for a case brought against the Swiss government by her group, KlimaSeniorinnen, came at an inconvenient time. At 73, the retired nurse and former Parliamentarian from St. Gallen is an avid climber, and on the day of the verdict, she was planning […]
NEW YORK — Violence broke out at UCLA overnight between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters, and police in riot gear arrived but did not immediately intervene. People threw chairs and shoved and kicked one another. Some armed with sticks beat others. Before the riot police arrived, a group piled on one person who lay on the […]
Both President Joe Biden and Xi Jinping strongly reject characterizing the current U.S.-China competition as a new Cold War. As recently as September, Biden said that he doesn’t “want to contain China” and that “we’re all better off if China does well.” Xi, in turn, said that “China doesn’t want a cold war or a […]
The highly anticipated season is finally being released on Netflix in May. The new season will be split into two parts—the first part comes out on May 16 and part two is scheduled for June 13. In addition, several reality shows and comedy specials are coming to Netflix this month. Selling the OC is coming […]
(NEW YORK) — Large numbers of New York City police officers began entering Columbia University late Tuesday as dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters remained on the campus. Demonstrators had occupied Hamilton Hall hours earlier after setting up an encampment earlier in the month. Students had defiantly set up tents again after police cleared an encampment at […]