NEWS
Day Of Silence: Advocates And Students Speak Out For LGBTQ Rights

After nearly three decades of holding annual silent protests to raise awareness for LGBTQ rights, students across the nation are speaking out Friday spurred by the recent spate of laws aimed at limiting the rights and visibility of LGBTQ Americans.
This year, for the first time, the “Day of Silence” – a yearly event where students take a vow of silence to symbolise the impact of homophobia and the LGBTQ voices that are marginalised by bullying – will morph into a day of action called the “Day of (NO) Silence.”
Students Speak Out For LGBTQ Rights
GLSEN, an LGBTQ education and advocacy organisation that works to end intolerance and homophobia in schools, helps organise the student-led demonstrations each year. Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, executive director of the organisation, said from now on the event will encourage students to use their voice to speak out against bigotry and homophobia.

“The imperative to take action has never been greater,” Willingham-Jaggers said. “Instead of observing silence, we are embracing a proactive stance with the Day of (NO) Silence by rising up and taking action.”
Students are encouraged to share their own stories, register to vote and write their representatives to demand changes to Title IX that would further protect LGBTQ youth. GLSEN said students who feel unsafe or uncomfortable speaking out also have the option to silently protest.
In 2023,at least 510 anti-LGBTQ bills were introduced in state legislatures, according to data from the American Civil Liberties Union. The organisation is currently tracking more than480 bills that restrict LGBTQ rights in the 2024 legislative session.
In 2022, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the “Parental Rights in Education” bill, which has since been dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” law because it prohibited classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in all grades.
Originally, the law only prohibited classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity for students in kindergarten through third grade, but in 2023 the Florida Department of Education approved a proposed rule that would expand that prohibition to all grade levels.
Last month, a legal settlement clarified the scope of law and said students and teachers can discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms, as long as it is not part of formal instruction.

Cameron Driggers, a 19-year-old gay freshman at the University of Florida, said he feels compelled to speak out because of the “Don’t Say Gay” law, not only for himself but others.
Driggers said the anti-LGBTQ laws are “like having a target on your back and knowing that you are the ‘other.’” I just don’t accept that,” he said. “It certainly doesn’t feel safe or comfortable living in a state that constantly targets my people, like me and my community.”
But, he added, the Day of (NO) Silence helps him to feel hopeful. I’m able to see a future that is much more, that’s progressive and actually works for all Floridians, Driggers said. Driggers said he plans to join other activists in Orlando Friday to discuss how they can mobilise for LGBTQ rights.
“I continue to organise and empower young people to find hope in themselves so that they know that what they’re fighting for is possible and achievable,” he said.
Kai, a 13-year-old transgender middle school student in neighbouring South Carolina, told CNN they have faced bullying for over a year and it’s taken a toll on their mental health – so much so that they transferred schools.
Kai said they were unaware of the Day of Silence campaign and that if their school held an event,it would give LGBTQ students some much-needed support.
“The fact that our school has never made [us] aware, for queer rights … It breaks my heart,” Kai said. Kai’s mother, Amanda, said she’s also worried about her child’s safety and asked CNN not to use their last name. The family has even considered moving from the state out of fear. “Everybody right now in the United States is very afraid to send their children to school because of school shootings and things of that nature,” Amanda said.
“When you have an openly queer child, you add to that fear. Think about poor Nex [Benedict] … I’m so terrified that I’m gonna be that next parent that gets that phone call.”

Nex Benedict, a nonbinary high school 10th grader in Oklahoma, died the day after they told their family they were involved in a fight at school. Willingham-Jaggers said she’s heard from many educators and students who are embracing the pivot away from silence to action during this year’s protest.
LGBTQ+ students have been silenced for too long,” Willingham-Jaggers said. “We’ve seen tens of thousands of students participate and we’re expecting this year to be our biggest year in recent history.
NEWS
Timberwolves’ championship odds improve after three Game 1 upsets

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The second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs has zagged, and the championship odds of the Minnesota Timberwolves came into sharp focus. This weekend, three of the most powerful and talented squads in the form of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers were all stunned early as they each dropped their first games of their respective series. All three were heavy favorites — all of them eight-point favorites or more — and all failed to win on their own courts. Those early upsets have further staggering the playoffs and drastically moving betting markets.
The Timberwolves are among the biggest beneficiaries of these results. Their odds to win the championship have certainly improved. Heading into May 2, their odds were, +1700 but after the string of Game 1 upset victories, those odds had improved to +1100. In implied probability terms, that leap means rising from a 5.56 percent likelihood of winning the championship to 8.3 percent, a significant jump in a crowded postseason.
Here are the latest odds for your favorite golfers, with all updated numbers courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. The Thunder were +155 and the Celtics were +185 to win the conference prior to the game. The Cavaliers’ odds, meanwhile, held at +500, which means that while they lost, the market isn’t selling them just yet. On the flip side, the Timberwolves, Nuggets and Knicks and Pacers all got a big break. And no team had a swing quite like Denver, which went from +5000 to +1500, the move indicative of more and more of you believing in their ability to cash in the postseason.
This shift in momentum couldn’t be playing out at a worse time for the Timberwolves, who open Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series by hosting the Golden State Warriors. Minnesota is favored to win by 6.5 points, and a win would only further solidify their place in the hearts of betting lines and analysts everywhere. The Timberwolves arrived in the playoffs with only the ninth-best championship odds, but their continued presence and the foibles of higher-ranked squads are starting to draw more interest.
Visiting teams winning Game 1 have been a rarity in N.B.A. history, but so far in this round, the victorious Game 1 teams all have been the road teams. The Timberwolves hope to buck it Tuesday night by taking care of their home court. If they can win this series against the Warriors, not only will their series chances appear better, but their long-term championship forecast will get even brighter.
Factor in that part of the drama is the Spurs still not knowing who, if anyone, of All-Star guard Steph Curry would play for the Warriors because of his ailing hamstring. This could even further tilt the scales in Minnesota’s favor for Game 1. And there have been humorous scenes, such as when Warriors forward Buddy Hield arrived at a media session wearing the wrong shorts for Game 1, or when Draymond Green had to walk back his promise not to get suspended, referencing a scuffle he had with the Jazz’s Rudy Gobert.
Though some fans are (understandably) pessimistic regarding the possibility of Minnesota going all the way to the NBA Finals, betting trends and recent performances indicate that they’re becoming a serious force. The team is resilient, recovering from difficult times, and in a better place than most probably thought it would be at this point. Their odds are based on a combination of their strong play and the flaws exhibited by the teams trying to catch them.
Betting odds can and will change and nothing is definitive in the unpredictable world of playoff basketball, but it’s actually evident that as much as they’re not a favorite just yet, Minnesota is no longer viewed as a long shot. They have gone from under-the-radar contenders to legitimate threats, and if they can keep up this level of play, a deep postseason campaign, or even a title shot, no longer sounds like just a pipe dream.
And as the playoffs move forward, it will be interesting to see, regarding both fans and bettors, just how closely people are watching the Timberwolves, who are suddenly a team generating a lot of interest. Their story just keeps getting better and better every game, and the numbers are finally starting to reflect what could be an earth-shattering moment for the franchise.
NEWS
Kohl’s just fired its brand new CEO for unethical behavior

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Kohl’s Kohl’s has had headline-grabbing shareholder activism that included the abrupt ousting of its C.E.O., Ashley Buchanan, only months into the job. He is leaving as the company reels from accusations of unethical behavior that have jolted the business and prompted larger questions about how accountable leadership is and about corporate oversight. Buchanan, who was hired as its chief executive in January 2025, had been meant to help right the ailing department store chain. Instead, he is departing under a cloud of scandal after an internal investigation found that he broke serious rules of the company during his time in charge.
The company said it had fired Buchanan “for cause,” an unusual and major decision in the corporate realm. An outside investigation determined he had ordered the company to engage in transactions with vendors that presented undisclosed conflicts of interest. In simpler language, he was using his role to help conduct business that could have profited him or close associates, without informing the company. The company said that these actions did not involve Kohl’s financial reporting or other employees, but a decision to fire a chief executive just months into the job is also one with outsize implications.
Previously, Buchanan was the CEO of arts and crafts retail chain Michaels. His appointment had been hailed as a bold move to help turn around Kohl’s, which is struggling amid weakening sales and mounting competition in a challenging retail landscape. Yet his stint in office was also followed by further reversals. According to a review of preliminary financial results from Kohl’s, the company’s sales declined by 4.3 percent during his brief time on the job — far short of the turnaround that shareholders were looking for.
The company’s board of directors has named Michael Bender, the current chairman, interim CEO as they search for a new permanent CEO. But the market actually applauded the departure of Buchanan, it surprisingly rose. Shares in Kohl’s jumped as much as 8 percent after the announcement, indicating that investors may have already lost faith in his leadership or are hopeful that new leadership can turn the company around.
Retail analysts are less sanguine. The firing comes as a distraction for the company at a particularly bad moment, said Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData Retail. “While the dismissal may have nothing to do with overall company performance, it does add to the perception outside the company that things are a bit shaky. Saunders said it was a “blow upon a bruise,” meaning the move exacerbates already existing problems instead of addressing them.
Like many traditional department stores, Kohl’s has been under extreme pressure in recent years. Shifting consumer tastes, the rise of online shopping and persistent inflation have made it difficult for brick-and-mortar companies to stay profitable. On top of Western leadership woes, the company also is facing the reality of declining foot traffic and ever-more price-sensitive shoppers.
Earlier this year, Kohl’s also shared plans to shutter 27 locations in the U.S. These closures have brought the company’s total store count to about 1,100, representing a significant reduction in the retailer’s store footprint. The move is part of a broader shift in the industry, in which many legacy retailers are rethinking their physical footprints as they try to adjust to a more digital economy.
The repercussions of Buchanan’s firing could be widespread. For Kohl’s, they raise questions of how closely executives are scrutinized and what kinds of internal controls should exist to keep similar problems from happening in the future. For shareholders, it casts further doubt on the direction of the company and questions about who is leading. For the general business public, the case should stand as a reminder that not even top brass is immune from examination and answerability.
The road that lies ahead for Kohl’s is unclear. With interim leadership now secured and a search for a CEO underway, the company needs to move fast to win back the trust of investors and navigate a new course. The scandal is an unnecessary wrinkle to an already difficult environment and who knows, maybe the company does come out stronger. Or maybe this is just another chapter in its struggles.
NEWS
Dwayne Johnson, is that you? See his dramatic new look as UFC fighter Mark Kerr in ‘The Smashing Machine’ trailer

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Dwayne Johnson is stepping into what may be the most transformative role of his acting career, taking on the part of legendary UFC and MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the upcoming film “The Smashing Machine.” This gritty biographical drama, set to release on October 3 and directed by Benny Safdie, offers a deep dive into the life of Kerr—an athlete whose raw physical power in the ring was matched only by the personal demons he battled outside of it. Known widely for his blockbuster action roles, Johnson’s portrayal here marks a significant and deliberate shift toward more dramatic, character-driven storytelling.
In the newly released trailer, Johnson is almost unrecognizable. Though he hasn’t publicly addressed his physical transformation in great detail, it’s apparent that facial prosthetics and careful styling have helped him bear a striking resemblance to Kerr. The fighter’s story, originally featured in the 2002 HBO documentary also titled “The Smashing Machine,” captured the brutal realities of early MMA competition and revealed Kerr’s struggles with substance abuse and emotional turmoil. Johnson appears to embrace every layer of this complexity, channeling the vulnerability and intensity that defined Kerr’s life both inside and outside the ring.
The trailer provides glimpses of the brutal, adrenaline-charged world of professional fighting—raw and visceral in its execution—but it also reveals a far more intimate narrative. Central to this is Kerr’s relationship with his girlfriend, played by Emily Blunt. Reuniting with Johnson after their time together in Disney’s “Jungle Cruise,” Blunt brings a grounded emotional presence to the film. The tension between their characters, caught between love, ambition, and addiction, adds an essential human depth to the story.
In one poignant moment in the trailer, Johnson’s Kerr reflects on the intoxication of success, saying, “Winning is the best feeling in the world. It’s 40,000 people in there cheering you on. There’s no other high like it in the world.” This line encapsulates the highs and lows Kerr experiences as he navigates fame, pain, and a relentless pursuit of victory. Johnson’s delivery is full of gravitas, suggesting a layered performance that digs much deeper than anything he’s previously taken on.
For Johnson, this role is not just a creative departure but a personal challenge. In an interview with GQ last year, he shared that the opportunity to portray Kerr felt like a chance to break new ground in his career. “It was also an opportunity for me, I realized, to stretch myself in ways that I hadn’t been stretched yet,” he explained. “And also challenge myself in ways that I hadn’t been challenged.” That drive to evolve, both as an actor and a storyteller, is evident in every frame of the trailer.
While Johnson has been busy in other areas—voicing Maui once again in “Moana 2,” returning to the WWE ring, and joining the board of TKO Group Holdings following the WWE-UFC merger—“The Smashing Machine” stands apart as a pivotal moment in his career. It’s not about larger-than-life action heroes or comedic charm. It’s about stepping into someone else’s pain and perseverance, and doing so with authenticity.
Director Benny Safdie, making his solo debut after co-directing acclaimed films like “Uncut Gems” with his brother Josh, brings a raw, almost documentary-style realism to the project. His past work has been praised for its tense, emotionally charged storytelling, and “The Smashing Machine” appears to follow in that tradition. The film is likely to appeal not only to fans of MMA and biopics but also to those interested in the psychological complexities that come with public glory and private battles.
As anticipation builds for the release, “The Smashing Machine” seems poised to redefine what audiences expect from Dwayne Johnson. Known affectionately as “The Rock” by his wrestling fans, Johnson is now forging a new path—one that embraces nuance, hardship, and a kind of storytelling that doesn’t rely on spectacle alone. If the trailer is any indication, his turn as Mark Kerr could be one of the most powerful performances of the year.
With a compelling cast, a gripping true story, and a fearless lead performance, “The Smashing Machine” might not just be a film about fighting—it could be a knockout moment in Johnson’s cinematic journey.
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