Latest news with #Diversity
Miami Herald
7 hours ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Transparent' sea creature with horn-like appendages discovered as new species
Off the western coast of Mexico, a 'transparent' sea creature with horn-like appendages swam through the water, or it tried to at least. But something caught it and pulled it toward the surface. Scientists looked at the 'gelatinous' animal — and discovered a new species. A team of researchers visited the coast near San Patricio Melaque several times between 2018 and 2019 to survey its marine life. Their work focused on the smaller animals living in the open water, a 'poorly studied' topic, according to a study published July 11 in the peer-reviewed journal Diversity. To do this, researchers trawled the surface of the water with special, finely meshed plankton nets, the study said. Next, they sifted through what was caught, 'gently transferred' any interesting specimens 'to a cooler' and took the animals to a laboratory for further observation. Eventually, researchers caught several 'transparent' nudibranchs, or sea slugs, that didn't look like anything they'd seen before. They looked closer at these animals, analyzed their DNA and realized they'd discovered a new species: Pleuropyge melaquensis, or the San Patricio Melaque sea slug. San Patricio Melaque sea slugs have 'transparent, elongate' bodies measuring less than an inch in length, the study said. Their heads have two horn-like appendages known as rhinophores. Photos show the new species. Its internal organs are clearly visible and vary in hue from orange to white to dark brown. Unlike the majority of sea slugs which live on the seafloor, the new species lives in the water column, the study said. As a result, it has 'a suite of specialized traits' to 'enhance swimming efficiency and reduce visibility to predators in the open ocean.' San Patricio Melaque sea slugs swim by moving their bodies rapidly side to side, a similar approach to how snakes slither. Researchers also saw the sea slugs pooping, releasing 'thread-like strands of egg tissue' and changing their body shape from oval to 'nearly spherical.' Much about the new species and its lifestyle remains unknown. Researchers said they named the new species after San Patricio Melaque, a town on Mexico's central Pacific coast near the only three sites where the new species has been found, the study said. The new species was considered so unique that researchers placed it in a new genus, Pleuropyge, named after the Greek words for 'side' and 'anus' because of the 'position of the anus.' The new species was identified by its preferred habitat, body shape, internal anatomy, tail shape, reproductive system and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had 'major genetic distance' from other sea slugs. The research team included Jeimy Santiago-Valentín, Eric Bautista-Guerrero, Eva Kozak, Gloria Pelayo-Martínez and Carmen Franco-Gordo.
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
US Education in the Trump 2.0: A timeline of what changed in just 6 months
Timeline of US education-related actions during Donald Trump's second presidency (January 2025 – July 15, 2025) The second presidency of Donald Trump, inaugurated on January 20, 2025, has brought significant changes to the United States' federal education policy landscape. Over the first six months of the administration, sweeping reforms were undertaken that affected the US Department of Education (USED), civil rights enforcement, university funding, Title IX and Title VI interpretations, and DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives across K–12 and higher education. Through executive orders, administrative actions, and Department-led initiatives, the Trump administration pursued a course of decentralisation, framing the movement as returning educational control to states and local communities. The restructuring included staff reductions, program eliminations, funding freezes, and legal battles surrounding enforcement of federal civil rights laws. January 2025: Executive orders and reorientation of USED priorities January 20, 2025: Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second term as President of the United States. January 20–23: President Trump signed multiple executive orders aimed at dismantling DEI efforts across federal agencies. Most notably, Executive Order 14151 repealed Executive Order 11246, a landmark policy that had established affirmative action programmes requiring federal contractors to promote workforce diversity. This repeal effectively ended federal affirmative action requirements and led to the closure of DEI offices within government departments, marking a significant shift away from institutional efforts to address systemic inequities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Additional executive orders signed on January 20 included: • Executive Order on Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Governmen t: This defined sex as male and female based on biological classification at birth, rescinding prior Title IX protections for gender identity and sexual orientation. • Executive Order on Expanding School Choice: Promoted public fund usage for private education, reducing federal involvement in K–12 education. • Executive Order on Ending Radical Indoctrination in K–12 Schooling: Reinstated the 1776 Commission to promote "patriotic education" and prohibited funding for schools promoting gender or equity ideologies. January 29, 2025: Executive Order 14190, titled 'Ending Radical Indoctrination in K–12 Schooling' , was signed. The order categorised the teaching of gender ideology and critical race theory as subversive acts, calling for investigations and the possibility of criminal penalties against educators facilitating social transitions for transgender students. January 31, 2025: USED issued a "Dear Colleague" letter signalling the return to the 2020 Title IX rules from Trump's first term. The rules narrowed the definition of sexual harassment, reinstated live hearings, and limited institutional liability. Legal challenges from education advocacy organisations followed. February 2025: DEI-related investigations and legal actions February 2, 2025: USED placed approximately 100 employees on administrative leave, primarily not related to DEI, as part of enforcement under Executive Order 14151. February 3, 2025: USED opened Title VI investigations into five universities—Columbia, Northwestern, Portland State, UC Berkeley, and the University of Minnesota—over allegations of antisemitic harassment linked to campus protests. Investigations followed Trump's Executive Order on Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism. February 5, 2025: The 'Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports' executive order was signed. It directed USED to enforce Title IX such that transgender women would be barred from participating in women's sports. The NCAA responded by restricting eligibility in line with the order. The University of Pennsylvania subsequently lost $175 million in federal funding due to its past compliance with more inclusive NCAA policies. February 10, 2025: USED terminated $336 million in Regional Educational Laboratory grants and $33 million in Equity Assistance Centre funding. The cancellations cited DEI and critical race theory content as misaligned with federal goals. Eight states filed suit, alleging violations of the Administrative Procedure Act. February 13, 2025: Linda McMahon was confirmed as Secretary of Education by the Senate (52–48 vote), with her agenda aligned toward dismantling the Department of Education. February 14, 2025: USED's Office for Civil Rights issued a "Dear Colleague" letter interpreting the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard Supreme Court decision as invalidating all DEI programmes. The letter gave institutions 14 days to comply or face funding loss. Legal action followed, and a federal judge in New Hampshire granted a preliminary injunction against enforcement. March 2025: Layoffs, legal resistance, and executive restructuring orders March 1, 2025: An FAQ was issued by USED OCR clarifying the February letter's provisions. Despite adjustments, a Maryland federal court issued a nationwide injunction blocking the executive order's implementation. March 3, 2025: Secretary McMahon publicly outlined the "final mission" of USED as the decentralisation of federal education control and dismantling of the Department. March 11, 2025: USED announced a workforce reduction of approximately 2,000 employees—nearly half its staff. Layoffs impacted civil rights, special education, student aid, and research functions. An additional 600 employees resigned voluntarily. The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) was nearly dismantled, with $900 million in research grants cancelled. USED's civil rights office saw over 40% staffing cuts. March 14, 2025: The Senate passed H.R. 1968, a Continuing Resolution funding key education programmes like Title I and IDEA through 30 September 2025. On the same day, USED launched Title VI investigations into 45 universities over race-exclusive DEI activities. March 19, 2025: The administration cut $175 million in funding to the University of Pennsylvania, citing Title IX violations. March 20, 2025: President Trump signed an executive order titled 'Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities' , instructing Secretary McMahon to facilitate the closure of USED and reassign responsibilities to Treasury, HHS, DOJ, and others. March 24, 2025: Over 20 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit to block USED layoffs. A federal judge issued an injunction temporarily pausing further terminations and restructuring. March 31, 2025: The administration issued detailed oversight demands to Harvard, including audits and DEI policy reviews. Harvard President Alan Garber rejected these as unconstitutional. April 2025: Escalation of funding cuts and DEI restrictions April 3–11, 2025: The Trump administration expanded its demands on Harvard University. It requested a four-year audit covering academic governance, hiring practices, and curriculum oversight. In response, President Alan Garber reaffirmed resistance on April 14, citing constitutional protections. Litigation from faculty associations followed. April 14, 2025: The administration froze over $2.2 billion in federal grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard, citing concerns over DEI and antisemitism. Similar funding holds were placed on Columbia University (approx. $400 million), Cornell University (over $1 billion), and Northwestern University (approx. $790 million). April 23, 2025: President Trump signed a new executive order targeting DEI in higher education. The order required institutions to disclose all foreign financial ties, decertified DEI programmes for accreditation purposes, and revoked Obama- and Biden-era equity-based discipline guidance for K–12 schools. The new policy mandated behaviour-based discipline approaches and prohibited what it described as race-conscious disciplinary policies. May 2025: Institutional scrutiny and proposed agency transfers May 12, 2025: A task force including USED, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the General Services Administration (GSA) revoked an additional $450 million in federal grants to Harvard. The justification cited continuing violations of Title VI and DEI enforcement failures. May 22, 2025: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a notice of intent to revoke Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) certification, threatening its international student enrolment. A federal judge swiftly granted an injunction, blocking the move. Late May 2025: USED and HHS opened a civil rights investigation into the Harvard Law Review following an alleged Title VI violation related to article submission practices. The investigation cited discriminatory procedures and editorial decision-making linked to DEI frameworks. May 2025 (ongoing) The Trump administration began discussing the structural reassignment of USED responsibilities. Proposals included moving: • Student loans to the Department of the Treasury or the Small Business Administration (SBA), • Special education oversight to HHS, • Civil rights enforcement to the Department of Justice (DOJ). No formal transfers were completed by July 15, 2025, as such actions require congressional authorisation. The resulting uncertainty affected planning for institutions and borrowers. June–July 2025: Court rulings and further dismantling efforts June 6, 2025: Federal Judge Myong Joun upheld a March injunction that blocked further USED layoffs and agency restructuring. The ruling reaffirmed that layoffs and transfers without congressional oversight exceeded executive authority. July 14, 2025: The US Supreme Court, through its shadow docket, lifted the injunction, enabling the Department to terminate approximately 1,400 employees. The affected roles were largely within civil rights enforcement, special education, and federal research divisions. The Court's order allowed the Trump administration to proceed with dismantling USED functions, despite objections from legal and civil rights groups. Ongoing legal challenges and court rulings (January–July 2025) Multiple legal actions have been filed against the Trump administration's education policies, leading to several notable court decisions: • Boston Federal Court (March 2025): A lawsuit by 20 state attorneys general challenged the legality of USED staff terminations. A judge ordered staff reinstatement, but the administration reportedly delayed full compliance. • Maryland Federal Court (March 2025): A nationwide injunction was issued blocking major provisions of the anti-DEI executive orders, temporarily safeguarding grant eligibility. • New Hampshire Federal Court (March 2025): A judge blocked the enforcement of the February 14 'Dear Colleague' letter, ruling that it infringed upon free speech protections. • New York Federal Court (February 2025): The American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers filed a case over Columbia's funding cuts, alleging unconstitutional restrictions on institutional autonomy and academic speech. These legal developments have resulted in temporary relief for some institutions, though broader challenges remain pending in federal courts. July 15, 2025: Current status As of July 15, 2025, the US Department of Education remains operational, though significantly weakened. While full congressional dissolution of USED has not occurred, its functions have been curtailed through staffing reductions, executive orders, and agency restructuring. Core federal education programmes such as Pell Grants, Title I, and IDEA remain active. However, questions persist regarding their future oversight and delivery mechanisms. Universities, particularly Ivy League institutions, continue to face funding freezes and investigations related to DEI and antisemitism compliance. Summary of actions and institutional impacts Area Action Immediate Effects DOE workforce ~50% staff cut; legal injunctions; Supreme Court approval in July Disruptions in civil rights enforcement, research, student loans, and data collection Student loans/grants Mandates to transfer to Treasury/SBA; frozen university funds Borrower uncertainty; disruptions to aid and research funding Higher education $2.2B+ in grants frozen; DOJ/HHS investigations; accreditation scrutiny over DEI Legal battles; oversight compliance measures K–12 schools Executive orders on CRT, gender ideology, and discipline Removal of protections for transgender students; increased litigation Federal roles Proposals to transfer to HHS, DOJ, Treasury, Labour Coordination and implementation issues Legal and political context Despite multiple lawsuits and preliminary injunctions, the administration has proceeded with its education reform agenda. The Supreme Court's intervention to lift an injunction on USED layoffs marked a key turning point, raising concerns about separation of powers. While Congress holds the authority to dissolve federal agencies, no legislative action to abolish USED has occurred as of mid-July. The Trump administration has framed its education strategy as an effort to return control to states, eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies, and protect what it describes as American values. The coming months are expected to include continued legal battles, potential legislative standoffs, and policy shifts as USED's functions are reassessed. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
New York Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- New York Times
The D.E.I. Industry, Scorned by the White House, Turns to ‘Safer' Topics
When President Trump signed an executive order in January targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs in federal agencies, schools and the private sector, Arin Reeves, who has been a D.E.I. consultant for 26 years, said many in her field were in a panic. 'All the federal government stuff, I was watching it, and I genuinely didn't even know where to go with it,' Ms. Reeves said. For those in the industry, she added, there was a feeling of: 'What do we do?' The answer for many D.E.I. professionals has been to adapt to what companies feel comfortable offering: employee trainings that maintain the principles of diversity and inclusion but without necessarily calling them that. That has meant fewer sessions that focus explicitly on race, gender, sexuality and unconscious bias, and more on subjects like neurodivergence, mental health and generational differences, a training that teaches about how age affects viewpoints in the workplace. Companies are looking for 'safer inclusion topics,' said Ms. Reeves, who is based in Chicago and whose work involves conducting research on diversity in the workplace to inform her trainings. 'If you have something being billed as a generational differences training, it is less likely to raise eyebrows among anybody that's looking to say: 'Hey, is that safe? Is that dangerous for us to do right now?'' A report by the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at N.Y.U. Law and the workplace gender equity firm Catalyst found that 78 percent of C-suite executives intend to rebrand their D.E.I. programs with terms like 'employee engagement' or 'workplace culture' while staying committed to underlying values of inclusion. 'They still want to have these human-centered conversations,' said Stephanie Creary, an assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School who focuses on organizational D.E.I. 'And so as a substitute, they are talking about generations' and other less scrutinized topics. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Susan Boyle turns on the style in all white outfit at Wimbledon final
Boyle watched on from the stands at Centre Court on Saturday as Iga Swiatek won her first Wimbledon title HOLDING COURT Susan Boyle turns on the style in all white outfit at Wimbledon final Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SUSAN Boyle turned up in style as she attended the Wimbledon women's final. The I Dreamed a Dream singer, 64, visited Centre Court to take in the historic occasion. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Susan Boyle donned a chic all white outfit for the Wimbledon final Credit: Facebook/Susan Boyle 3 The singing sensation watched Iga Swiatek win her first Wimbledon title Credit: Facebook/Susan Boyle Iga Swiatek hammered American rival Amanda Anisimova in a straight sets 6-0, 6-0 rout to become the first Polish player to win a singles title at SW19. Boyle and her pal watched on from the stands at Centre Court on Saturday. The former Britain's Got Talent contestant got it all white as she donned a cream dress and a chic matching blazer. She posed with a friend in front of Wimbledon's Rosewater Pavilion hospitality venue. The Grammy nominee beamed as she sat in Centre Court Pimm's in hand. To help keep cool amid the sweltering conditions, she also wore a wide-brimmed sun hat. Taking to social media, she shared pictures of her fun day out in South Wst London. She wrote: "Lovely time at Wimbledon yesterday! Congratulations to Iga Swiatek on her brilliant win." Her post attracted nearly 2,000 comments from her adoring fans. One wrote: "Wow" Susan! You're so gorgeous. Lots of love to you." Biffy Clyro move mountains during sensational main stage set at TRNSMT with fireworks and confetti Another said: "You look fabulous Susan. I hope you enjoyed the day." Another commented: "You look wonderful Susan - hope you stayed cool and enjoyed the match." Boyle, from Blackburn, West Lothian, shot to fame after auditioning for the third series of Britain's Got Talent. She captivated judges Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan, and Amanda Holden with her rousing rendition of I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables. Within seconds, she had the audience on their feet clapping and she got a standing ovation from the panel. She finished the talent competition as runner-up to dance crew Diversity.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
One state's bold fight against classroom indoctrination targets woke 'welcome' signs
This spring, an Idaho teacher displayed a sign in her classroom that read, "Everyone Is Welcome Here." On its face, the message appears neutral — simple, positive words that seem apolitical. But the design reveals its true purpose: colorful letters above imagery designed to signal adherence to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The rainbow colors and progressive symbols accompanying these messages make their political purpose unmistakable. These classroom displays reflect a broader ecosystem of political resistance groups launched in protest of the political rise of President Donald Trump. The "All Are Welcome Here" movement, founded in November 2016 by progressive activists in Minnesota, explicitly states its mission as supporting "a just, inclusive and equitable environment" while donating thousands of dollars to progressive causes, including the ACLU. The organization openly declares: "To show our support for our transgender family, friends, and neighbors, we're also donating 5% of our online sales will be to Transforming Families of Minnesota" — an organization dedicated to advancing transgender ideology among children and families. Related movements like "Everyone is Welcome" similarly incorporate symbols from the "Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag" and promote LGBTQ+ ideology through educational messaging. A simple visit to any of these organizations' websites reveals their unmistakably political nature — complete with progressive activism, social justice messaging and ideological programming that extends far beyond genuine hospitality. When teachers display signs bearing the same name as these political organizations, what are parents supposed to think? The situation in Idaho is not unique. What Trump's administration recognized as dangerous enough to ban from federal agencies and K-12 schools through executive order has been quietly spreading through classrooms nationwide. Across America, educators have transformed learning spaces into venues for DEI messaging disguised as inclusion. Idaho responded with legislation prohibiting political displays in public school classrooms — a law that passed overwhelmingly. The fundamental question is: Do parents or schools control children's moral education? Idaho chose parents. At its core, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion judge individuals by group identity rather than merit, divide people into oppressor and victim categories based on immutable characteristics, and prioritize equal outcomes over equal opportunity. For years, activists have systematically embedded this political messaging throughout school systems under the banner of "inclusion" and "equity." These seemingly neutral terms mask a comprehensive worldview that undermines parental authority over children's moral development. As Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis accurately observed, "DEI stands for ... Division, Exclusion and Indoctrination, and that has no part in our public institutions." Idaho's response was precise and constitutionally grounded. The law prohibits displays representing "political, religious, or ideological views" on school property. The "Everyone Is Welcome Here" sign clearly falls within this prohibition by advancing political messaging. Parents possess the primary right to direct their children's upbringing and education — a principle the Supreme Court established in Pierce v. Society of Sisters and has reaffirmed consistently. Liberal activists and their media allies claim these signs have no political intent while ignoring their clear history. Individual intent cannot override the law as written. Teachers may genuinely believe their signs are simply about promoting inclusion, but an individual's subjective motivation has no bearing on the interpretation of the statute. The Idaho Democratic Party now even sells these posters and has embraced the message as their cause — making clear that even if this message was not originally intended as political, it undeniably is now. A teacher's claimed ignorance of political connections does not render illegal displays suddenly lawful. For years, activists have systematically embedded this political messaging throughout school systems under the banner of "inclusion" and "equity." Idaho schools have always welcomed every child. If teachers need political signs to make every student feel included, they've missed the fundamental purpose of education. Idahoans spoke through their elected representatives against DEI and expect that state law will be enforced as written without bending to activist pressure. This debate transcends a display in a school classroom — it determines whether America preserves the principle that parents have the right to guide their children's education. The choice is simple: Do we trust parents to raise their children, or do we surrender that sacred responsibility to government educators with political agendas? Idaho chooses parents.
