Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission there are a few adorable toddler dresses too Below you’ll find everything I’d buy from the latest Gap x Dôen drop Dôen is known for its hyperfeminine camisoles and dresses that look vintage but still feel modern This eyelet dress is the perfect embodiment of that vibe but this bias-cut gingham maxi with cap sleeves elevates the pattern out of farm-girl territory I love the rich indigo color of this eyelet top Few things are sexier than a skinny ribbon tied at the cleavage Shift dresses like this are super-versatile and look just as good under a casual jacket as they do with a dressier shawl but this all-blue floral dress reads as a neutral I am constantly searching for lightweight cardigans to wear over a dress at work or to replace a boring T-shirt This one has the added appeal of pointelle texture Here’s the toddler version of Dôen’s popular nightgown-style dress Or a classic and sweet floral dress with a Peter Pan collar … By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change. Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission. Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: As part of your account, you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York, which you can opt out of anytime. Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Panamanian authorities and residents say that with the humanitarian crisis came an environmental crisis that will take years to reverse, while local communities suffer the consequences. “The water is polluted with garbage,” said Militza Olea, 43, eyeing the red sores still dotting the skin of her 3-year-old nephew days after he bathed in the Turquesa. “We have to be careful. Everyone climbs out of the river with hives on their skin, especially the children.” It’s been months since migration in the once-untouched jungles and rivers plummeted, but authorities say pollution and other environmental concerns are at a high. They estimate that 2,500 tons of trash were left in the Darien Gap and that just cleaning it up along the migratory route will cost around $12 million. At the height of migration, as many as 3,000 people a day floated down the Turquesa past Villa Caleta and other communities on their way out of the jungle. Today, floating in the water and tangled in trees are foam mats migrants used to sleep, tattered shirts plastered with dirt, backpacks, plastic bottles and more. Panamanian Environmental Minister Juan Carlos Navarro blames the American government. He said the Trump administration should foot the bill for cleaning because the vast majority of migrants traversing the Darien Gap were headed to the U.S. Navarro noted Panama’s lack of money and resources and said the government was promised $3 million by the outgoing Biden administration in January, but that under President Trump the promised funds haven’t arrived. “They’re not cleaning up their mess,” he said. “If the United States is responsible because it opened its borders, then the United States should pay for it.” The White House didn’t respond to an emailed request for comment. Beyond the trash that can be seen floating in the river, officials say tests show dangerous levels of contamination. The most recent test by government hydrologists, in August, showed high amounts of fecal coliform bacteria in the Turquesa River, typically indicating human waste. Communities also found decomposing bodies floating past their homes, leaders said. Officials said they need to carry out more tests on the water’s current state. But they believe the issues likely remain, as most of what’s left over from migration remains farther upstream, where border police blocked Associated Press journalists despite permission granted by Panamanian environmental authorities. Olea and others in the Indigenous Comarca Embera community — consisting of about 12,000 people who long lived off fertile lands deep in Panama’s southern jungle, until their territory intersected with the migratory route running from Colombia — attribute the rashes appearing on residents’ arms to the pollution. While doctors and officials have made no medical diagnosis, residents say symptoms appeared only when migration began to surge, around 2021. Olea said her family spends money from its plantain crops for expensive antibiotic creams, brought by family members who travel hours by boat from the closest towns. Not everyone can afford it, and they say their rashes spread. Olea also worries about water supply. There’s fresh drinking water for now, thanks to a small plant installed by an aid organization, but she said their small water stores won’t be enough during the summer dry season. “When the time comes, the people here are going to need that water,” she said. “The river has to be clean.” Food scarcity was already an issue, with the economy suffering from the disappearance of the migrants. Many say environmental effects are exacerbating the problem. “The fish we catch, they still smell of gasoline,” community leader Cholino de Gracia said. “We can’t fish anymore because you’d practically be eating a fish full of gasoline.” With the flow of migrants, the Colombian criminal group known as the Gulf Clan pushed into the region, seizing control of the migration route, said Henry Shuldiner, a researcher with Insight Crime investigating organized crime in the Darien Gap. The group has long cultivated coca, the plant used to produce cocaine, and illegally mined gold — a process that uses mercury to extract gold from ore, poisoning lands and waters around the mines. On the Colombian side of the Darien Gap, Shuldiner said, the group has taken advantage of its control of large swathes of jungle to expand operations and rake in money from environmental crimes. In some cases, that’s included taking a cut from existing illegal logging operations. In others, they’ve sliced and burnt through dense jungle to replace it with fields of coca. “We’re seeing increased land clearings around these municipalities that bordered the Darien, mostly for coca cultivation,” Shuldiner said. Along the former migrant trail, “there are environmental crimes happening, and the [Gulf Clan] is profiting directly.” In some cases, that criminal activity has trickled into Panama as groups set up illegal mining operations in federally protected national parks. In January, authorities said they had dismantled an illegal gold mining network and detained 10 Colombians and Panamanians who left the jungle contaminated with mercury and cyanide. In other places, Environmental Minister Navarro and residents said, criminals rent land on Indigenous reservations to launder money earned during the economic boom from migration, and they burn and chop down dense jungle to make way for cattle ranches. In 2023, deforestation in the Darien shot up after years of decline, according to the latest data from Global Forest Watch, which monitors deforestation using satellites. Local leaders say that will deal a long-term blow to the communities that have lived off the land for centuries. Navarro said Panama’s government must try to rescue the jungle from a state of “environmental anarchy.” “This is a treasure trove of biodiversity,” Navarro said. “They’ve disrupted the whole system of life in this community and damaged some of them forever.... Now that this disaster has ended, we’re going to be able to conserve our forests.” But community leader De Gracia and others in the region say the area has long been neglected. They blame Panama’s government for not doing more to clean their waters or develop the region in a way that would allow them to bounce back faster. Olea, watching her nephew play even with the rash running along his arms, worries most for the children in places like Villa Caleta. “Without water, there’s no life here,” she said. Janetsky and Delacroix write for the Associated Press. World & Nation California Subscribe for unlimited accessSite Map aubergines and tomatoes have come weeks earlier than expected aubergines and tomatoes has hit Britain with the dry warm weather eliminating the usual “hungry gap” It has been a sunny, very dry spring, with the warmest start to May on record and temperatures predicted to reach up to 30C at the earliest point on record a grower at the Community Farm south of Bristol said many of their Mediterranean vegetables had come weeks earlier than expected “It feels like it’s the middle of May already,” he said “We have loads and loads of crops right now they are all ready two or three weeks early Usually this time of year is known as the “hungry gap”, when winter vegetables have run out and consumers are waiting for the summer crops to arrive. However, the sunny, dry weather has eliminated this, he said. “A few months ago we thought it would be the worst hungry gap ever, now we are saying there is not going to be a hungry gap. We got really poor harvests last year – we didn’t get very much squash, for example – so we didn’t have the storage vegetables that would usually get us through the hungry gap. Last year was awful, it was completely wet.” are catching farmers by surprise as they never know whether they will have to deal with floods or drought “You just can’t predict the climate any more What might be your predictable dates you might plant things by just don’t work any more,” he said “We are having to try to be more adaptable to different techniques based on the climate we are looking at the weather waiting for the rain.” has noticed a glut of berries coming up early said: “The recent warm weather is really showing how much our growing seasons are shifting a good kitchen gardener would be proud to have ripe strawberries by Wimbledon as it would demonstrate their skill and expertise We already have ripe strawberries in the kitchen garden at Kew Gardens Free weekly newsletterThe planet's most important stories Get all the week's environment news - the good She said gardeners were experimenting with stone and tropical fruits which do not usually fare well in the UK’s traditionally mild climate: “The warm spring means crops like citrus something that would have been unthinkable in previous years due to the risk of late frosts and lack of early pollinators “This time of year is also known as the hungry gap for these early pollinators once the winter crops have ended but the new season’s plantings are not yet ready to harvest but with plants such as calendula flowering early this is an opportunity to rethink what we plant supply chain head at the organic vegetable box company Riverford said: “This spring has been one of the warmest many of us can remember bringing a real sense of joy and hope to our fields Crops like purple sprouting broccoli and wild garlic have thrived and the early warmth has allowed for timely planting of main crops It’s a welcome change from the delays caused by last year’s wet winter – the wettest on record “While we celebrate these favourable conditions our growers remain mindful of the increasing unpredictability brought about by climate change The real challenge lies not in the gradual shifts but in the erratic weather extremes – sudden frosts droughts – all of which can undo months of hard work in a single day.” LONDON − The park rangers were "visibly upset" when they discovered the victim's remains in a grassy beauty spot near an ancient wall built by Roman Emperor Hadrian almost 2,000 years ago Prosecutors allege two men traveled to the remote UNESCO World Heritage Site in the wild undulating hills of northern England on Sept They brought a chainsaw and captured the killing in a grainy video Footage shown to the jury shows the outline of a figure wielding the tool as a weapon some in Britain are still heartbroken by the grisly murder The oldest tree in the world? Meet these hidden tree gems. defined as those older than 150 years in age in England could be between 1.7 to 2.1 million "It might be down to what trees symbolize for us," Cormack said heritage − all of those things are pretty intrinsic to the British national identity We're surrounded by history everywhere we go." "I know one gentleman who sprinkled his wife's ashes at the tree's base because it was such an important place for her," said Steve Blair, the manager of Twice Brewed Inn a family-owned pub and hotel where walkers often gathered for a meal and cozy pint by the fire before making the picturesque one-mile walk to the tree "When Sycamore Gap was felled it landed near where her ashes were sprinkled 'Act of vandalism': See photos of 200-year-old Sycamore Gap tree chopped down in England The inn in rural Northumberland long ago adopted a silhouette of the Sycamore Gap tree as part of its logo Blair said it's not yet clear how the tree's chopping down will ultimately impact his business in a reflection of the tree's enduring popularity as a destination he has a world map on the wall that visitors can put a pin in so he can keep track of from where Blair thinks there's probably a pin in every single country Massive amounts of Americans and Canadians People love trees: Saving 'Stumpy': How residents in Washington scramble to save this one cherry tree Sycamore Gap tree was also Hollywood-famous a heritage and nature conservation organization that manages the land around the tree says that when admirers visited it with their children they would often try to replicate the scene from the movie where the boy hides out under its stunning canopy "This wasn't just a tree," said Sarah Dodd a British lawyer who specializes in tree law Dodd said that cases involving trees do reach local courts fairly regularly But those cases tend to involve disputes between neighbors or acts of petty vandalism She said this one was different because a criminal prosecution was being brought by the Crown Prosecution Service a national agency that works with police and courts to keep the public safe Dodd described the Sycamore Tree gap investigation as "significant," with at least 15 witnesses Arbor Day 2025: What to know about the holiday celebrating trees It also includes cellphone data and messages a "trophy" wedge taken from the Sycamore Gap tree that has been examined by a forensic botanist and the grainy video shown to jurors which shows a figure who appears to cut at the base of a large tree One of the men accused of chopping down the Sycamore Gap tree − Graham − told police he had been framed as part of a feud The other − Carruthers − said he didn't know how to operate a chain saw Dodd said that a criminal prosecution in Britain for cutting down a tree is extremely rare as is the potential for any prison time for such an offense She said the case was probably unprecedented from a legal standpoint and "pretty extraordinary." Sycamore Gap: 'Princess Diana' momentEdward Hope agreed with that characterization He is a retired cop who has established a second career as a content creator on YouTube politics and local history in and around Newcastle a city in northern England that is about a 45-minute drive to the Sycamore Gap tree He has been documenting the incident as well as following the court case Sapling: White House replaces 200-year-old 'Jackson Magnolia' Hope said not everyone in Britain has been "shocked and outraged" by the tree's destruction. One of his recent videos titled, "Sycamore Gap Trial - Why It's NOT 'Just A Tree,'" alludes to that Hope said comments on his videos are "roughly split" between those seething with anger over the felling and those who don't see what all the fuss is about and question whether a high-profile prosecution is a good use of taxpayer money Remembering Diana: What happened when millions of stiff upper lips trembled with grief Still, the Sycamore Gap tree was far from Britain's oldest tree. According to the Woodland Trust that is a yew tree named "Fortingall," believed to be 2,000 to 3,000 years old. It stands in a churchyard in Scotland. The Visit Scotland tourist board says it may even be as old as 9,000 years old making it one of the oldest living things in all of Europe another case of an ancient tree meeting an early end made headlines in Britain apologized after a 500-year-old oak tree was cut down outside one of its restaurants in north London The company said it mistakenly believed the felling was necessary to prevent an accident But local authorities had described the tree as a "fine specimen" with centuries to live Nor is Britain the only country to grapple with a bizarre murder case involving a tree Logging: Trump's plan to cut down more trees faces a host of problems In May 1989, the attempted murder of a 500-year-old tree known as "Treaty Oak" in Austin, Texas, by a man named Paul Stedman Cullen gripped the nation and made worldwide news Prosecutors argued that Cullen sought to poison the tree using a herbicide as part of an occult ritual to dampen his infatuation with his counselor at a drug clinic Cullen was convicted of poisoning the tree and sentenced serve nine years in prison as well as pay a $1,000 fine The tree survived and today stands at the northeast corner of Baylor Street and 6th Street in Austin. Blair, the manager of the Twice Brewed Inn, said the logo for the business he manages would not be changing though the Sycamore Gap tree no longer exists. He said that when he visited the spot where the tree used to stand the last week of April he saw some small green shoots on the side of the stump that indicated it was still alive. He said he's not sure the Sycamore Gap tree will ever grow back to be the tree it once was, that if it does it will likely take several hundred years. Blair said he hopes visitors will still come to look at what used to be there. In terms of the legal case, he said the most important thing is to find out why anyone would chop down such a special tree. access content via the FT Edit page on FT.com and receive the FT Edit newsletter Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times Assistant Business EditorMonday May 05 2025 The TimesA government and industry-funded group set up to support disabled workers is facing criticism for “sitting on the fence” over disability pay-gap reporting at risk of undermining the reforms whose members employ close to one in five of the UK workforce says it “does not have a position either for or against” the plans which aim to improve outcomes for disabled workers The government is proposing that employers with 250 or more staff report on pay by disability and ethnicity as they already do for gender The policy is supported by groups including the Institute of Directors a disabled Conservative peer and a workplace inclusion advocate claimed that the forum was “in crisis” over the issue and risked 2025 at 2:45 pm PDTThe regional government Metro will contribute $15 million toward Mayor Keith Wilson’s ambitious shelter plan providing about half the money Wilson says he needs to set up thousands of shelter beds in the coming year and the Metro Council is the final stamp of approval Mayor Wilson has been scrambling to find external sources of funding for his shelter plan estimated to cost $28 million next fiscal year so as not to rely on the city’s beleaguered general fund to cover the costs (The city faces roughly a $65 million gap in the general fund in the fiscal year that begins July 1.) County officials already said they would put $10 million toward Wilson’s plan It was initially factored into the city’s general fund gap by city administrators—a signal that the mayor would fund his plan by cutting things currently paid for out of the general fund Including the mayor’s plan in the general fund deficit was seen by some as a misleading inflation of the gap when in reality the mayor’s shelter initiative doesn’t yet exist Metro officials said they were happy to help “By directing these funds to where they are most needed we aim to make a tangible impact on our community’s well-being,” Metro President Lynn Peterson said in a statement “We owe it to Mayor Wilson to support his efforts to address this crisis.” Wilson’s mayoral campaign last year centered on his plan to build thousands of additional shelter beds in a year Though some scoffed at the notion given how sticky it’s been historically to erect beds in the city Wilson won the election by a landslide—signaling Portlanders’ support for his idea seeing the resounding political support for Wilson have begun to take the mayor‘s plan more seriously The mayor’s office did not immediately respond to questions from WW about whether he’d secured the remaining $13 million in external funds needed for his shelter plan Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today. Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today. Weekly Super Science Club meeting in MAT-102 or via ZOOM.Monday, November 27 2023 at 2:30 PM-3:30 PM pic.twitter.com/qJqiEvYbt7 I believed that the only path to happiness was paved with earning perfect grades in high school and then immediately enrolling in a four-year university As the end of my senior year approached in 2020 I began to think that maybe I just wasn’t cut out for school I was just about to drop out of high school when the COVID-19 pandemic hit with only online college classes in my future and a case of severe academic burnout not until I actually wanted to learn again But years of tedious assignments and tests that prioritized regurgitating information left me sick of school So instead of jumping right back into school after high school graduation I chose to focus on working on myself until I felt ready The main thing I am grateful to have had the time to do was enrolling in a residential eating disorder treatment center interpersonal effectiveness and general life skills and I took a bit more time off until fall 2022 My time here hasn’t been conventional either and I even got an incomplete here and there my professors have always been encouraging accommodating and supportive of my journey I took English 101 with professor Garrett Brown I rediscovered my love for writing and ended up changing from a major in social work to a double major in psychology and creative writing and I plan to finish my very last class over the summer I’ll take another gap year to focus on working and saving money as I’ve recently moved out of my family’s home I’m going to use this time off to see whether working my way up in that field might be for me I plan to continue my education at the University of Baltimore and become a therapist specializing in narrative therapy I’ve never been more certain that I’m on the right path for me and I am incredibly excited to see what else my future hold The award-winning newspaper of Anne Arundel Community College Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Learn how to describe the purpose of the image (opens in a new tab) Leave empty if the image is purely decorative Park rangers unload a container in Punta Patino “The water is polluted with garbage,” said Militza Olea eyeing the red sores still dotting the skin of her 3-year-old nephew days after he bathed in the Turquesa Everyone climbs out of the river with hives on their skin Flor Maria Guainora holds her grandson who cries due to a skin rash in Villa Caleta a community in Panama once traversed by hundreds of thousands of migrants on their way to the United States It’s been months since migration in the once-untouched jungles and rivers plummeted but authorities say pollution and other environmental concerns are at a high They estimate that 2,500 tons of trash were left in the Darien Gap and that just cleaning it up along the migratory route will cost around $12 million as many as 3,000 people a day floated down the Turquesa past Villa Caleta and other communities on their way out of the jungle floating in the water and tangled in trees are foam mats migrants used to sleep Panamanian Environmental Minister Juan Carlos Navarro blames the American government He said the Trump administration should foot the bill for cleaning because the vast majority of migrants traversing the Darien Gap were headed to the U.S Navarro noted Panama’s lack of money and resources and said the government was promised $3 million by the outgoing Biden administration in January but that under President Donald Trump the promised funds haven’t arrived “They’re not cleaning up their mess,” he said “If the United States is responsible because it opened its borders then the United States should pay for it.” The White House didn’t respond to an emailed request for comment Clothing and garbage litter the trail where migrants have been trekking across the Darien Gap from Colombia to Panama in hopes of eventually reaching the United States Beyond the trash that can be seen floating in the river officials say tests show dangerous levels of contamination The most recent test by government hydrologists showed high amounts of fecal coliform bacteria in the Turquesa River Communities also found decomposing bodies floating past their homes Officials said they need to carry out more tests on the water’s current state as most of what’s leftover from migration remains farther upstream where border police blocked Associated Press journalists despite permission granted by Panamanian environmental authorities Olea and others in the Indigenous Comarca Embera community — consisting of about 12,000 people who long lived off fertile lands deep in Panama’s southern jungle until their territory intersected with the migratory route running from Colombia — attribute the rashes appearing on residents’ arms to the pollution The Darien Gap was once largely untouched jungle running along the Colombia-Panama border where thousands of Comarca Embera Indigenous people long lived off their rich lands and winding rivers they’re seeing unprecedented change in the wake of a migratory crisis While doctors and officials have made no medical diagnosis residents say symptoms appeared only when migration began to surge Olea said her family spends money from its plantain crops for expensive antibiotic creams brought by family members who travel hours by boat from the closest towns thanks to a small plant installed by an aid organization but she said their small water stores won’t be enough during the summer dry season the people here are going to need that water,” she said with the economy suffering from the disappearance of the migrants Many say environmental effects are exacerbating the problem they still smell of gasoline,” community leader Cholino de Gracia said “We can’t fish anymore because you’d practically be eating a fish full of gasoline.” the Colombian criminal group known as the Gulf Clan pushed into the region a researcher with Insight Crime investigating organized crime in the Darien Gap and illegally mined gold — a process that uses mercury to extract gold from ore poisoning lands and waters around the mines the group has taken advantage of its control of large swathes of jungle to expand operations and rake in money from environmental crimes that’s included taking a cut from existing illegal logging operations they’ve sliced and burnt through dense jungle to replace with fields of coca “We’re seeing increased land clearings around these municipalities that bordered the Darien mostly for coca cultivation,” Shuldiner said and the (Gulf Clan) is profiting directly.” that criminal activity has trickled into Panama as groups set up illegal mining operations in federally protected national parks authorities said they had dismantled an illegal gold mining network and detained 10 Colombians and Panamanians who left the jungle contaminated with mercury and cyanide Environmental Minister Navarro and residents said criminals rent land on Indigenous reservations to launder money earned during the economic boom from migration and they burn and chop down dense jungle to make way for cattle ranches deforestation in the Darien shot up after years of decline according to the latest data from Global Forest Watch which monitors deforestation using satellites Local leaders say that will deal a long-term blow to the communities that have lived off the land for centuries Fishermen unload their catch at Puerto Kimba “This is a treasure trove of biodiversity,” Navarro said “They’ve disrupted the whole system of life in this community and damaged some of them forever we’re going to be able to conserve our forests.” But community leader De Gracia and others in the region say the area has long been neglected They blame Panama’s government for not doing more to clean their waters or develop the region in a way that would allow them to bounce back faster watching her nephew play even with the rash running along his arms worries most for the children in places like Villa Caleta The hybrid pants are a hot topic in my mom group chat Lauren Finney Harden is a contributing writer for InStyle and specializes in the entire lifestyle spectrum from fashion and beauty products to parenting to wellness to breaking trends Alzheimer’s costs American families upwards of $360 billion per year the disease needs to be more of a public health priority I still remember seeing my grandfather’s Post-it notes all over his house He’d write things like “Shun elevators take the stairs,” and “Do math.” My grandfather identified his cognitive decline long before there was an efficient way for clinicians to catch it early and did what he could to slow down the progression As a family of professionals in the healthcare industry we still struggled to get him the screening and treatment he needed.  Many have admitted they’ve had patients who fit the criteria for a mild cognitive impairment or dementia diagnosis but they’ve stopped short of making it Today, some doctors view dementia similarly to how they viewed cancer decades ago. Cancer used to be discussed in hushed tones and felt crushing to diagnose. Because of a major push to fund cancer research, which unfortunately has recently dipped and doctors can equip patients with tangible next steps that could lead to a cure.  That clarity and confidence don’t exist for Alzheimer’s and other dementias There have been profound findings on the impact of lifestyle change but many clinicians don’t know how to speak to them There are exciting new programs to support people with Alzheimer’s and their families but they’re not yet widely available Doctors don’t have the resources or the bandwidth to help navigate this follow-up care so they hesitate to put an official stamp on the diagnosis This needs to change. Alzheimer’s costs American families upwards of $360 billion per year As more patients are screened and diagnosed we learn more about the disease to inform clinical trials and drug developments This spurs new treatments and ultimately equips doctors with more effective options to improve patient outcomes Here’s what needs to happen to make this a reality Every single adult above the age of 65 should get a cognitive impairment screening the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made it a requirement in 2011 like measuring blood pressure or cholesterol When I mention this to friends who are part of the Baby Boomer generation they are often surprised to learn this and are prompted to see their provider many providers don’t comply or do the minimum required to tick the box and patients don’t know that a screening is something they can request Making cognitive screening a regular part of these appointments for patients 65 and older normalizes the idea of checking brain health annually and empowers older adults to raise concerns about early symptoms if and when they arise Primary care providers (PCPs) are on the frontlines of dementia diagnosis but many don’t have the right tools or enough time to lead the charge We need to equip providers with streamlined objective assessment tools that integrate into existing workflows New technology has the ability to make assessments concise giving PCPs more time to spend discussing next steps with their patients This tech should prioritize care planning support to guide primary care practitioners in helping patients and caregivers with timely appropriate and personalized next steps to support the patient at every stage continuing education should include up-to-date guidance on recognizing early signs of cognitive impairment navigating conversations with patients and families and connecting them with subsequent care.  One of the biggest headlines of 2023 was how significantly mild cognitive impairment (MCI) gets overlooked (a USC analysis found a staggering 99% of PCPs underdiagnose it) While a significant subset of individuals with MCI go on to develop Alzheimer’s or other dementias MCI is a major red flag and an important call to action Medicare’s V28 changes have helped shift attention to milder stages of dementia directing care and attention to these early signals as we discover more ways to stop or slow progression Dementia diagnoses are complex. Believe me, I know. After dealing with my grandparents’ conditions, I am navigating the ripple effects of a dementia diagnosis all over with another close family member. We need to empower our aging population to seek screening, providers to embrace diagnosing and regulatory bodies to promote awareness and simplify reimbursements. With dementia cases in the U.S. expected to double by 2060 Elli Kaplan is the co-founder and CEO of Neurotrack a digital health company focused on transforming the detection and care of Alzheimer’s and other dementias Her career spans two decades in the public and private sectors including leadership positions at the White House where she was the deputy chief of staff for UNDP This post appears through the MedCity Influencers program. 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ID found at the bottom of this page standing in front of my face-to-face Introduction to Psychology class on a sunny Monday afternoon in spring 2024 I was watching as a few of my students took notes while the remaining students sat passively perhaps hoping my animated gestures and pacing would somehow osmotically transfer my explanation of classical conditioning into their brains students worked through carefully crafted modules at their own pace their participation in discussion boards ebbing and flowing unpredictably That’s when it hit me—despite years of teaching experience I’m still searching for ways to spark the same level of engagement whether I’m interacting with students face-to-face or through carefully designed asynchronous activities These parallel yet distinct teaching environments demand intentional strategies that can adapt while maintaining their power to actively engage students in the learning process.  Traditional active learning techniques that work beautifully in my face-to-face classes often fall flat in the asynchronous online environment Take the classic “turn to your neighbor and discuss” prompt that energizes my traditional classes—there’s no direct equivalent when students are logging in at different times throughout the week Yet simply abandoning these proven engagement strategies isn’t the answer we need to reimagine active learning for both spaces maintaining the core principles while adapting the execution The key is finding techniques that preserve what makes active learning so powerful—student engagement and immediate application of concepts—while acknowledging the unique constraints and opportunities of each learning environment.  One of the most powerful techniques in my traditional classroom is the think-pair-share discussion format Students have those precious moments to gather their thoughts before turning to a classmate to discuss concepts like confirmation bias or the impact of classical conditioning on everyday behavior The students are energized as pairs merge into small groups building on each other’s insights before sharing with the whole class But how do we capture that same collaborative energy in an asynchronous environment?  I’ve found success by structuring online discussions in three distinct phases that mirror the in-person experience students post their initial response to a thought-provoking prompt (the “think” phase) they must meaningfully respond to two classmates’ posts building on their ideas rather than simply agreeing (the “pair” phase) students return to their original post and reflect on how their understanding has evolved after engaging with their peers’ perspectives (the “share” phase) The key is crafting prompts that demand critical thinking—instead of asking “What is classical conditioning?” I might ask “How would you use classical conditioning principles to help someone overcome their fear of public speaking?”  I allow two to three minutes for individual reflection I’ve found success with a similar proportional structure: two days for initial posts This creates a rhythm that keeps the discussion moving while accommodating varied schedules.  Interactive content creation transforms how students engage with course material in both environments I divide students into small groups to create concept maps exploring the relationships between different psychological disorders they work collaboratively to connect concepts like anxiety discovering links they might have missed studying alone The energy is palpable as groups share their maps debating connections and building on each other’s insights.  I’ve adapted this activity using collaborative digital tools Students work in small groups throughout the week to build their concept maps using shared online workspaces Each student must add at least three concepts and make meaningful connections to their groupmates’ contributions The asynchronous format actually offers an advantage here – students have time to think deeply about their contributions and can watch their group’s map evolve over several days I provide specific deadlines for initial contributions and peer feedback to maintain momentum.  I have found that the key to success in either environment lies in providing clear examples of strong concept maps at the outset establishing specific criteria for meaningful connections and requiring students to explain their reasoning for each link they create Deadlines for each phase keep the momentum going while incorporating peer evaluation into the final grade ensures consistent participation The resulting maps often reveal insights that surprise both me and my students demonstrating how collaborative learning can deepen understanding regardless of the teaching modality.  One-minute papers serve as powerful self-assessment tools in my traditional classes at the end of our discussion on memory formation I ask students to quickly write down the most important concept they learned and one question they still have This simple exercise reveals gaps in understanding and helps students consolidate their learning creating a feedback loop that keeps everyone engaged.  I’ve transformed this into structured reflection journals students must identify their key takeaway and pose one substantive question about the material The asynchronous format allows for deeper reflection and I’ve noticed online students often make fascinating connections to their personal experiences I compile the most thought-provoking questions into a FAQ document creating a collaborative resource that benefits the entire class.  Success in both formats require clear guidelines about what constitutes a meaningful reflection versus surface-level observations Students stating that “the limbic system processes emotions” won’t suffice—they need to explain how this knowledge changes their understanding of human behavior This approach not only reinforces learning but also develops critical thinking skills that serve students well beyond our course.  Measuring engagement across different learning environments requires that I use a systematic approach I track participation through observation and collect quick feedback via index cards I monitor not just the frequency but the quality of their discussion posts and collaborative work The key metrics that I use remain consistent across both spaces: depth of analysis I use a simple framework that examines three elements: initial engagement (participation in discussions or activities) sustained interaction (meaningful responses to peers) and learning application (connecting concepts to real-world scenarios) I look for evidence of critical thinking rather than mere completion This approach helps identify which strategies are working and which need adjustment.  I pay attention to qualitative indicators like the sophistication of student questions and the complexity of peer-to-peer discussions These insights guide my refinement of teaching strategies in both environments ensuring that active learning remains effective regardless of delivery method.  I saw the impact of the adapted strategies in both my traditional and online psychology classes Those initially passive students in my traditional class began to engage in our active learning exercises while my online students built an active learning community through their thoughtful asynchronous interactions the key isn’t choosing between traditional and online teaching methods—it’s understanding how to preserve active learning while adapting strategies to fit each unique environment By reimagining rather than simply transplanting these strategies we can create engaging learning experiences that work effectively across both spaces.  a professor of psychology at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University has a passion for teaching and a genuine belief in the transformative power of education As smart home technology continues to evolve it’s becoming clear that interior designers and smart home integrators are often navigating the same projects with entirely different maps livable homes—the two disciplines frequently find themselves out of sync It’s not just a matter of timing or technicalities and finding common ground between aesthetics and performance Designers are trained to lead with how a space looks and feels but the challenge is that they’re often applied in isolation integrators are brought into a project after major design decisions have been made You might end up with visible tech elements that clash with the design aesthetic or rooms that function well technically but feel cold or impersonal The result: a home that doesn’t quite deliver on its full potential The solution is straightforward: start the conversation earlier When designers and integrators are brought together at the project’s inception they can coordinate their efforts in a way that supports both the homeowner’s vision and the project’s long-term success None of this is possible without a shift in how we view project roles Designers and integrators aren’t separate phases in a timeline but they’re collaborators in shaping the experience of the home Designers may be unfamiliar with the vocabulary or scope of home technology systems while integrators might not fully understand the impact of certain technical decisions on visual cohesion or user comfort or designs that don’t reflect the homeowner’s true intent Creating a shared language starts with mutual respect and curiosity Here are a few ways teams can better communicate: There’s often an assumption that integrating technology means compromising on aesthetics But the most sophisticated homes today don’t just hide the tech—they incorporate it in ways that elevate both function and design This doesn’t require a minimalist or ultra-modern aesthetic Motorized window treatments can be integrated behind crown molding or dropped into hidden pockets Lighting controls can be finished to match wall colors or installed in discreet locations Lighting design is another area where thoughtful integration can dramatically enhance both the beauty and livability of a home When lighting placement is considered alongside automation systems early in the design process it becomes easier to create layered lighting plans that are both functional and atmospheric and ambient lighting can be programmed into personalized scenes that adjust with the time of day or mood without disrupting the designer’s vision for the space This approach not only improves user comfort but also allows lighting to act as an invisible support for the home’s architecture and furnishings When integrators and designers approach technology as a design element—not just a system—the result is a home that feels cohesive and intelligently responsive to its occupants designers and integrators are working toward the same goal: homes that make people’s lives easier we need to treat collaboration as an essential part of the process and viewing technical and design expertise as equally vital to the finished product As more homeowners embrace automation and intelligent design the demand for seamless integration will only grow The projects that succeed won’t be the ones with the most gadgets or the most trend-forward materials—they’ll be the ones where every system and surface works in harmony We’re at an inflection point in residential design Meeting those expectations requires a new kind of collaboration that’s built on shared goals The more we invest in building strong partnerships across disciplines We don’t have to choose between design and technology The best homes have always been the ones that make both feel effortless You must be logged in to post a comment Produced by IPW 2025Photo: Courtesy of DôenSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links If you missed out on Gap’s internet-breaking collaboration with Dôen last May fear not because the California cool sisters Margaret and Katherine Kleveland are here once more to bring their easy which featured an assortment of Dôen’s beloved eyelet dresses and Dôen lovers everywhere clamored for restocks all summer long The success of the first edit comes as little surprise—with their charming prints and laidback silhouettes that make you look put together with minimal effort the Kleveland sisters’ influence spans across generations and coasts The second collaboration will be launching on May 2 and will feature new iterations of eyelet dresses the sisters wanted to ensure that there would be something for everyone they dabbled with a few unisex pieces including a striped button-down (that had a crochet collar detailing) and a classic branded sweatshirt but in new colorways including a printed red-and-blue-and-white-striped button-down Boxy tees and eyelet camp shirts will also be available “We internally have always dabbled in menswear to an extent where a lot of our knitwear and shirts are gender neutral,” Margaret tells Vogue “Often at our offices these pieces will be stolen by the boys—be that our friends Gap also does it so well where they really know who their customer is and with our first collaboration the shoppers proved that there was an appetite for more unisex pieces.” “I love the way that Gap executes their bottoms.” Kirsty Hume wears the pleated trouser which will come in two colorways—white and black Shop an edit of the collection, available today, May 2. Including 38 pieces for women, men, toddlers and babies. Almost immediately after launching on gap.com last May leaving fans of Dôen's summery easy-breezy bohemian aesthetic eagerly waiting for a restock of the viral partnership "We were overwhelmed by the excitement and success of our first collection with Gap," said Margaret Kleveland "Our second collaboration blends the effortless femininity and timeless style of both brands while celebrating the incredible community that has shaped Dôen." This latest collection will build upon the best sellers from last year, including floral-print midi dresses, smocked babydoll styles, oversized denim jackets and lacy blouses baseball caps and boxer-style shorts are among the new SKUs in the 38-piece offering (a slight downsize from 2024's 51 pieces) this will be the first time Dôen will offer products specifically marketed towards men "Our first collection with Dôen set a new bar for how a collaboration can infuse a fresh perspective into Gap essentials creating covetable pieces that left our customers wanting more," said Mark Breitbard "Reuniting with Dôen — an inspiring partner that shares our values — has allowed us to build on that momentum with a new summer-ready collection." Gap x Dôen 100% Linen Gingham Maxi Dress, $138, available here Gap x Dôen Linen-Blend Pointelle Cardigan, $88, available here Gap x Dôen High Rise Pleated Trousers, $98, available here Gap x Dôen Pintuck Floral Midi Dress, $148, available here Gap x Dôen Gingham Denim Jacket, $128, available here Gap x Dôen Eyelet Shirt, $88, available here Gap x Dôen VintageSoft Logo Sweatshirt, $78, available here Gap x Dôen Floral Midi Dress, $148, available here Gap x Dôen Pocket T-Shirt, $48, available here Gap x Dôen High Rise Pleated Denim Trouser Shorts, $78, available here Gap x Dôen Organic Cotton Poplin Big Shirt, $78, available here Gap x Dôen Organic Cotton Poplin PJ Shirt, $64, available here Gap x Dôen Organic Cotton Pajama Shorts, $44, available here Gap x Dôen Linen-Blend Pointelle Cardigan, $78, available here Gap x Dôen Gingham Cropped Tank Top, $78, available here Gap x Dôen Gingham Midi Skirt, $98, available here Gap x Dôen High Rise Pleated Trousers, $98, available here Gap x Dôen Eyelet Shift Mini Dress, $128, available here Gap x Dôen Eyelet Shift Mini Dress, $128, available here Gap x Dôen Eyelet Midi Dress, $158, available here Gap x Dôen Eyelet Shirt, $88, available here Gap x Dôen Eyelet Midi Skirt, $98, available here Gap x Dôen Oversized Denim Jacket, $128, available here Gap x Dôen Heavyweight Raglan Logo Hoodie, $98, available here Gap x Dôen Gingham Denim Mini Dress, $98, available here Gap x Dôen Pleated Denim Trousers, $98, available here Gap x Dôen Gingham Top, $78, available here Gap x Dôen Eyelet Midi Dress, $158, available here Gap x Dôen Baby & Toddler Eyelet Dress, $48, available here Gap x Dôen Denim Sailor Mini Dress, $98, available here Gap x Dôen Eyelet Top, $78, available here Gap x Dôen Eyelet Top, $78, available here Gap x Dôen Linen-Blend Cardigan, $78, available here Gap x Dôen Denim Sailor Mini Dress, $98, available here Gap x Dôen Ginham Top, $78, available here Gap x Dôen Organic Cotton Logo Baseball Hat, $34, available here Gap x Dôen Baby Floral Outfit Set, $34, available here Gap x Dôen Baby & Toddler Pintuck Floral Dress, $48, available here Please note: Occasionally, we use affiliate links on our site. This in no way affects our editorial decision-making. (Learn about our sponsored affiliate offerings.) By Brooke Frischer is the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager at Fashionista I have been a Star Wars fan since the moment I took my seat in the theatre and saw Princess Leia's rebel ship trying to outrun an Imperial Star Destroyer It's impossible to see that movie (or its greatest successor Andor) and not take the side of the underdog rebels who are determined to escape the iron fist of imperial control I've spent as much of my career trying to stop my own end-users from going outside the lines as I have trying to guard against malicious outsiders since my ultimate goal is to protect sensitive data but I understand why IT and security teams are often seen as the bad guys we do operate according to something called the "rule of no." It's not great branding Here's the situation in 2025: we have a galaxy's worth of diverse applications and user identities accessing company data These disparate systems resist centralized control in part because it's trivially easy for tech-savvy users to use unsanctioned SaaS apps and personal devices for work These users aren't behaving maliciously any more than I'm Darth Vader; they're just trying to use the best tools they can in order to be productive and SSO tools weren't designed for these types of behavior The result is a widening Access-Trust Gap that is undermining the very foundations of security the Access-Trust Gap refers to the security risks posed by unfederated identities and AI-powered tools accessing company data without proper governance controls.) If you'll allow me to stick with the Star Wars analogy you can think of it as that little unguarded vent that proves to be a fatal design flaw for the Death Star The proliferation of access outside the visibility and control of security teams has created a crisis of access governance and we haven't even introduced the most revolutionary change yet AI agents have only just begun to spread in the enterprise and already they're upending everything we thought we knew about securing access these autonomous AI agents require broad permissions to function these agents have the same requirements as any other worker: they need credentials and for that access to be revocable when they no longer need it But AI agents also behave in ways that are profoundly different from humans: they make decisions faster and often in opaque ways Security is rarely part of the equation with these systems; they are designed to increase efficiency and productivity so they often bypass basic security protections like MFA This creates the risk of granting access without sufficient trust in AI agents There's potential for exploiting trust to gain access through jailbreaks or prompt injection With the velocity and scale of decision-making and the lack of explainability we see the rapid erosion of traditional control models The situation harkens back to the early days of the internet when innovation and mass enthusiasm ran far ahead of strong encryption or access control protocols we risk digging a security hole that will take years to get out of before the dam of agentic AI has fully burst It's also the perfect moment to rethink the heavy-handed "rule of no" approach to security that got us here simply can't be stopped from using the tools that make them most productive the role of security shouldn't be to try and stop them – we should enable them to experiment and innovate safely rather than trying (and failing) to block every personal device but require that they be in a secure and compliant state Allow users to use their preferred SaaS apps but require them to use strong authentication Allow and encourage users to experiment with AI agents "rule of yes" approach to security is the only way to effectively draw shadow IT and AI into the light it allows security and IT teams to be where we've always belonged: on the side of the good guys About this Author: Dave is the Global Advisory CISO at 1Password He brings over 30 years of industry experience in IT security operations and management He is also the founder of the security site Liquidmatrix Security Digest as well as host of the Liquidmatrix Dave currently serves on the board of directors for BSides Las Vegas and the advisory board for the Black Hat Sector Security Conference He co-founded the BSides Toronto conference and was a goon on the speaker operations team for DEF CON for over 13 years He previously held a board position at (ISC)² He's also a part owner of a whisky distillery and a soccer team and strategies from industry leaders – all for free We may receive a commission on purchases made from links They both had fresh takes on this hotly-debated relationship dynamic There's no denying that there's the possibility of compatibility issues in relationships with bigger age gaps Susan Winter told Women.com that it's less likely to have a negative impact when both people are already well into their adult years they're more likely to be on the same page broad age gap relationships can have noticeable differences when one partner is in their early 20's and the other in their 40's," she told us dating coach Erika Ettin told us that tension can arise if one partner is insecure about their age — feeling too old or too young for the other person — and this leads to misalignment The greatest risk arises when the older partner feels the need to instruct or guide the younger partner Winter told Women.com that this is where things can get rocky "While certainly the senior partner has had more life experience this impulse can feel like control or manipulation to the younger partner," she explained should the couple genuinely want to stay together is to allow the younger partner to make mistakes The older person needs to relinquish the desire to act as a mentor or teacher because the younger person runs the risk of feeling controlled or manipulated we traditionally think that the older person holds more power Susan Winter pointed out that this isn't necessarily the case "The younger partner may hold the power due to their youth and beauty," she explained "So the power distribution in age gap relationships is not always cut and dried."  And age gap relationships can not only work Winter told Women.com that the key is cherishing what the other partner brings to the relationship because they might be very different things and build something beautiful from those unique perspectives "The most crucial factor for age gap relationships to work is to have very clear communication around lifestyle goals and relationship goals," Winter said Winter added that it was especially important to talk openly about family planning goals the relationship has every reason to be solid Dating coach Erika Ettin had a very positive take on age gap relationships "Society often has more to say about it (and more of a problem with it) than the couple itself," she told Women.com a 10-year age gap should not be a barrier to any relationship regardless of who is older." So go forth in love and enjoy your romance The Trump administration is pulling back from major areas of government spending: slashing budgets for public health the federal government said it's freezing more than $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard University after the school said it would defy the Trump administration's demand to curb campus activism The university has since sued the administration And the MacArthur Foundation has committed at least $150 million more to its endowments to bolster civil society groups under threat (Note: NPR receives financial support from the MacArthur Foundation.) In an interview with Morning Edition, NPR's Elissa Nadworny asked what happens when government funding dries up Sabrina Howell of NYU's Stern School warned: "No private company would take on [research] on their own because it's really expensive… only government can fund that kind of work." In the same interview Richard Vedder of the Independent Institute said: "It may be a disruptive way to change things the attempt to reevaluate research grant money is a valid one," Vedder said a reporter for the New York Times who covers billionaires said: "A shrinking public sector can reward and empower a private sector and a billionaire class that is richer than ever you are choosing your best tormentor… But everything's a little bad." NPR's A Martinez spoke with Schleifer about what happens when public money disappears and it's a billionaire's checkbook that fills the gap A Martinez: So when private donors step in to replace public funding is that lots of these private schools take plenty of public funding and that gives Trump leverage to sort of twist them and make them beg and make them maybe bend the knee in a way that these institutions could give trump the middle finger even more every kind of institution of higher ed is somewhat publicly funded and that gives the President of the United States leverage to withhold money we've seen foundations ramp up grant making I know former New York City Mayor and billionaire Michael Bloomberg has a pledge to cover U.S Schleifer: I think the Bloomberg example is interesting I would argue that that is actually a bit of an exception I think what we're seeing right now is lots of philanthropists saying that they are unable to kind of be that bulwark against federal funding cuts you've seen lots of foundations either say explicitly or sort of implicitly that they don't have enough money to do this sort of thing if the US government is going to stop funding USAID come with $40 billion a year to be that replacement funding So I don't even know if they're even really stopgaps I think there's been in the charitable sector a lot of hands being thrown up and the belief that there's no real way to cover Trump's subtractions Martinez: What worries these big time donors right now are they genuinely concerned about public services collapsing or they may be more focused on protecting their causes and reputations Schleifer: I think lots of philanthropists are torn because they want to speak up enough to protect the grantees from Trump so much that they attract Trump's unwanted attention I think if you look at institutions like the Gates Foundation right now a lot of grantees or partners of the foundation are facing existential threats to their humanity The Trump administration has gutted that agency and Bill Gates and his philanthropic aides are concerned because they don't want the retribution campaign that has targeted USAID to come for Bill Gates himself Martinez: You think we're seeing maybe a permanent shift here where public services increasingly depend on private donors Schleifer: That seems [to be true] in some places for a while A shrinking public sector can reward and empower a private sector and a billionaire class that is richer than ever Sometimes you hear private philanthropists defend themselves where they say put the money under my mattress or spend it on yachts and it gives me the ability to put my own business interests and commingle those with my grantees interests wouldn't you rather have the private sector involved than not That's sort of the counter argument that lots of wealthy people make is that the alternative world where the public sector is shrinking and the private sector is shrinking is the worst outcome or you're a higher ed institution or a lab the worst case scenario might be for everyone to ignore you but there is sort of this seesawing that happens between the private sector and the public sector with regards to philanthropy and taxes and federal spending you know you're choosing the institution and the funding source that is the least bad Become an NPR sponsor President Trump has repeatedly promised to "make America affordable again." But for those Americans most in need, his administration's latest budget plan would dramatically shrink the federal rental aid that helps keep millions of people housed In its request for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) the White House called the current system of federal rental assistance "dysfunctional" and proposed essentially ending Section 8 and other housing voucher programs Its plan calls for cutting rental aid by about 40% and sending that money to states "to design their own rental assistance programs based on their unique needs and preferences." It would also impose a two-year cap on rental assistance for able-bodied adults which it said would ensure an even bigger share of federal subsidies went to the elderly and disabled The budget does include $25 million in housing grants for young people aging out of foster care HUD Secretary Scott Turner called the budget request "bold" for reimagining aid programs that have become "too bloated and bureaucratic to efficiently function." The proposal comes as nearly half of all renters are considered cost-burdened and as homelessness is at a record high Advocates say that if millions of poor people barely making ends meet were to suddenly see their rental aid shrink — or even end altogether — it would tip many over the edge homelessness escalate in a way that has been really unprecedented policy manager with the National Low Income Housing Coalition federal rental aid falls far short of need It's available for only about a quarter of all people eligible for it "Cutting that really feels like cutting into bone," said Ann Oliva CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness The president's budget is only a suggestion since Congress holds authority over spending and will create its own budget But lawmakers are under pressure to find deep savings to enact Trump's larger agenda Some congressional Republicans have already targeted healthcare and food aid for next year's budget but "I don't think Congress has the appetite to enact cuts to the housing programs," says Kevin Corinth with the conservative American Enterprise Institute He sees the White House getting a kind of "free pass" to propose more ambitious HUD cuts that likely will not actually happen While the White House budget blueprint would significantly shrink federal rental aid that helps millions of people it said states could choose to pitch in with their own funding to make sure the same number of people are covered The plan does give states more flexibility on how they can use that smaller pool of money, by sending it in the form of block grants. Welfare funding works this way. Over time, however, many states have diverted much, if not most of that money to things other than cash aid for poor families Housing advocates noted all this would be disruptive not only for tenants but also for the millions of landlords who receive federal rental aid Another part of Trump's budget calls for shrinking HUD funding for homelessness by 12% and putting a two-year cap on people's eligibility for aid It also proposes a fundamental shift in how homelessness funding is allocated that would bypass thousands of local nonprofits and give the money directly to states "That is very concerning to us," said homelessness advocate Oliva it happens on city blocks and in city streets." Oliva said states simply don't have the infrastructure or expertise to ensure homelessness funding can go to where it's most effective This change would also upend decades of federal policy by moving money away from permanent housing and toward shelters and shorter-term housing Local advocates said the fallout from HUD cuts would affect much more than housing "We're talking about a massive impact across communities," said Jessica Kubicki with the Housing Collective in Connecticut people who may no longer be able to afford health insurance would be more likely to seek care in emergency rooms And children in school could suffer if their parents were forced to leave their housing and squeeze in with family or friends "Because you've got maybe three kids sleeping in the same room The cuts would also come on top of another impending loss of HUD funding as part of the COVID-era American Rescue Plan Act the Biden administration funded 70,000 emergency housing vouchers for people without housing or at risk of losing it That money was supposed to last until 2030 But it's running out faster than expected because of how much rents have spiked in recent years HUD has told local housing authorities to prepare for emergency voucher funding to end next year — and possibly sooner Kubicki is hoping the state can pick up that extra funding to give emergency voucher holders more time But deep cuts to HUD's broader budget would make that even more difficult "This is not fixing anything," she said."This is making everything so much worse." While Corinth of AEI does not believe Congress will slash HUD's budget he does think it's worth asking whether federal housing programs are fair "It makes sense to get people aid when they need it," he said "but we don't necessarily want them to stay on it forever." Many people receive housing subsidies for well over a decade "If the median or fair market rent is around your income can get really high and you're still going to be getting those subsidies," he said Corinth also said when there's such a severe housing shortage like now federal subsidies can goose the market and push up prices for everyone He'd prefer to help people through other benefits Another way he thinks rental aid is not fair: There's not nearly enough to help most people who are eligible for it "So I think it's very reasonable to say we should lower amounts or have some kind of time limits," he said "to kind of share around the resources to others." Corinth suggested a five year time limit Housing Secretary Turner has said the agency's ultimate goal is to "get people off subsidies and live a life of self-sustainability." On a recent trip to Arkansas where the prospect of federal budget cuts came up he said HUD's job is to "maximize the budget that we do have." Beyond rental aid cuts, the White House budget for HUD would eliminate a program that creates more affordable housing, and another that funds nonprofits to enforce fair housing laws Also on the chopping block: community development grants that cities can spend on everything from childcare services to home repair for seniors The White House said that money has been used for things the federal government should not fund Johnson, with the low-income housing coalition, said shrinking HUD funding could undermine the Trump administration's pledge to build affordable housing on federal lands "How are you going to build affordable housing if you're also cutting the programs that make those deals pencil out for developers?" she said Advocates worry that HUD funding for disaster recovery could also be disrupted folks who can get out of a disaster shelter on their own do so," said Oliva But those who were already precariously housed or who have disabling conditions they will end up in the homeless services system." and targeted housing and community development programs at other agencies In a recent report on those moves even before the White House's budget proposal came out the National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders warned of far-reaching consequences "These disruptions would ripple through the broader economy and potentially destabilizing housing finance markets that depend on the certainty and liquidity provided by federal programs," the report said Sign up to receive our email newsletter in your inbox a stalwart of Illinois Democratic politics and a progressive voice.. Drums echoed through Welsh-Ryan Arena Saturday afternoon as Northwestern’s Native American and Indigenous.. Northwestern apologized for and condemned a performance held Tuesday in Sargent Dining Commons by Firket.. Northwestern confirmed recent cases of grant terminations payment suspensions and stop-work orders tied.. Raj Ghanekar Ducks Dan and Dave: Park Vultures Ducks Dan and Dave: Lost and Not Found Baseball: Northwestern earns milestone 10th Big Ten win amid fifth consecutive series loss Cross Country: Ellis breaks 1,500-meter record, Wildcats sweep 5,000-meter podium at Badger Challenge Maia Alvarez Since the grand reopening of the Evanston Animal Shelter in October 2024 the staff and volunteers said they have noted an increase in the number of visitors and adoptions.. 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Jan Schakowsky will not seek 15th term, capping a career of progressive advocacy Both the ground and balcony levels of Metro Chicago were filled Thursday night for A&O Productions’ annual Ball The three-hour-long event featured performances from student opener Widemouth opener Del Water Gap and headliner Leon Thomas Widemouth band member and Communication junior Mak Carnahan said she had never been to the A&O Ball but two friends in A&O encouraged her to apply to be the student opener.  “Metro is just like a dream venue for all of us,” Carnaham said “We’ve all seen shows (of) people that we love play there And so I think getting the opportunity to play on that stage like that was very appealing and exciting to all of us.” Planning for Thursday night’s event started months ago Tickets to A&O Ball dropped on Monday and sold out on the same day Over 200 people later filled out the ticket swap form in hopes of getting a ticket A&O’s co-director of media and marketing A&O put on three in-person activation events to reach people who may not follow the group’s social media accounts or know about the events they are putting on “Our marketing teams works really hard at continuing to innovate and not resting on their laurels,” said A&O co-chair and Communication senior Sam Albright One event was a collaboration with All Paws In — Northwestern’s animal shelter advocacy club — to bring dogs to The Rock to help students decompress and to tease Thomas’ song “MUTT,” Wu said A&O also collaborated with Fusion Dance Company to host an open dance class for the song A&O hosted an in-person event at The Rock on Monday inspired by an episode of the TV show characters run around eating ice cream to find the letters to spell singer and songwriter Kesha’s name and win free concert tickets A&O gave out free tickets to people who found letters of Thomas’ first name at the bottom of their cups.  “That activation was super successful,” Wu said Widemouth opened the show with all original music She added that all of the music played at the Ball will be on the group’s album Del Water Gap came on next for a set that lasted a little over half an hour during which he performed the song “Perfume.” The singer also interacted with the crowd by taking a photo on an attendee’s digital camera Medill senior and Director of Concerts Eva Putnam said the group had been thinking about Leon Thomas as a performer for a while.  “He has been working in music for a really long time but has recently kind of broken out of his writing and producing and has gone kind of into the performing world and is arguably the hottest new artist out right now,” Putnam said.  Thomas ended the night encouraging attendees to use their phone flashlights to illuminate the space while he sang his song “Breaking Point.” Love y’all for real,” Thomas said as he concluded the concert Email: [email protected]  — SNL comedian Devon Walker shares provocative jokes, advice as A&O spring speaker  — Claire Saffitz serves up sweet treats, hot takes at A&O’s winter speaker event  — A&O Productions keeps it cool with The Icebox benefit concert  Michael Davidson is positioning his company's CETP inhibitor as the next breakthrough in cardiovascular medicine The body of data to support this position is growing a Norstella company Pharma Intelligence UK Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 13787459 whose registered Chicago, IL – May 5, 2025 – Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include: Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. SFM, The Gap, Inc. GAP, Chewy, Inc. CHWY and Stitch Fix, Inc. SFIX. Here are highlights from Friday’s Analyst Blog: Top 4 Retail Stocks to Buy Now Despite Weak Consumer Confidence U.S. consumer confidence, a key determinant of the economy's health, dipped for the fifth consecutive month in April. The latest data from the Conference Board showed that the Consumer Confidence Index declined to 86. This marks a 7.9-point decrease from the previous month and falls short of market expectations. It's the weakest level recorded in almost five years, underscoring the growing unease among consumers as economic pressures build. This sharp fall highlights rising consumer apprehension about the economic outlook, fueled by trade tensions, rising tariffs and mounting fears over job security. The Federal Reserve and financial markets are closely monitoring these developments, especially regarding how the decline in sentiment may impact consumer spending. With consumer spending accounting for around 70% of U.S. GDP, a shift in spending patterns could have broad implications for future economic growth. However, even in this environment of pessimism, some players are better equipped to weather the storm. Their solid business models, loyal customer bases, and focus on value and essentials provide them with a distinct advantage. Companies such as Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc., The Gap, Inc., Chewy, Inc. and Stitch Fix, Inc. are adapting to these shifting consumer behaviors. Past-Year Stock Price Performance of SFM, GAP, CHWY & SFIX Sprouts Farmers: Product Innovation & Competitive Pricing The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Sprouts Farmers' current financial-year sales and earnings per share (EPS) suggests growth of 12.3% and 28.8%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figure. SFM, which sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 16.5%, on average. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. The Gap: Brand Strength and Digital Shift Fuel Growth Gap continues to leverage its broad brand portfolio, which includes Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta, to maintain a significant market presence. The company has focused on enhancing operational efficiency, driving digital transformation and investing in product innovation to stay competitive. With a renewed emphasis on international expansion and accelerated e-commerce adoption, Gap is positioning itself for sustained growth in the evolving retail landscape. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GAP's current financial-year sales and EPS suggests growth of 1.5% and 7.7%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figure. GAP, which sports a Zacks Rank #1, has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 77.5%, on average. (See the Zacks Earnings Calendar to stay ahead of market-making news.) Chewy: Autoship & Personalization Boost Engagement The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Chewy's current financial-year sales and EPS suggests growth of 4.5% and 18.3%, respectively, from the year-ago reported figure. CHWY, which carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 19.3%, on average. Stitch Fix: Enhanced Client Experience & Stronger Brand Portfolio Stitch Fix is strengthening its foundation by improving its inventory management and expanding private brand offerings, which will enhance profitability. The company is also focused on reimagining the client experience by offering more personalized services and fostering deeper connections between clients and stylists. These strategic initiatives, coupled with ongoing cost efficiencies, are paving the way for long-term growth. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Stitch Fix's current financial-year bottom line suggests growth of 64.7% from the year-ago reported figure. SFIX, which carries a Zacks Rank #2, has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 48.9%, on average. Why Haven't You Looked at Zacks' Top Stocks? Since 2000, our top stock-picking strategies have blown away the S&P's +7.7% average gain per year. Amazingly, they soared with average gains of +48.4%, +50.2% and +56.7% per year. Today you can access their live picks without cost or obligation. This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com). Copyright © 2025 FactSet Research Systems Inc.© 2025 TradingView A community celebrating Black voices Beautycon is a global platform that brings together beauty enthusiasts and industry leaders to explore the latest trends and conversations shaping the future of beauty Friday was a good day to be a Gap shopper The brand released its second collaboration with Dôen a line of "California vintage-inspired classics celebrating timeless femininity," as Gap and Dôen described it We're always curious about approachable retailers collaborating with designer brands so two Business Insider reporters went to their local Gap stores to check out the collection the day it dropped The Gap x Dôen collection was available in select stores at 10 a.m For those unfamiliar, Dôen is a California-based brand specializing in women's clothing with a feminine and beachy flair but the brands share some DNA in their classic silhouettes and approachable fabric The new line — a follow-up to Gap and Dôen's successful 2024 collaboration — featured 38 items including five men's pieces and four garments designed for baby and toddler girls Here's what we found when we checked out the collection for ourselves I arrived at the Gap on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan about 15 minutes after it opened and the store was already crawling with eager shoppers and a tank top before heading to the dressing room afraid my size wouldn't be left in anything if I didn't act quickly I had to wait in line for about 15 minutes before I got into a dressing room and all the shoppers waiting with me were also holding pieces from the Gap x Dôen collaboration I thought the shapeless silhouette of both made them look like pajamas or beach coverups and there's no way I'd spend that much on something I wouldn't wear in my everyday life I don't usually love how an empire waist cuts my torso allowing me to adjust it for comfort and fit and I could picture myself wearing it on a dinner date with my husband or walking around the city in the warmer months particularly because Gap sells similar maxi dresses for $50 to $60 cheaper Gingham look is a bit trendy and might feel outdated by next summer which were nearly sold out online by 12:30 p.m I've been hunting for a good pair of denim shorts a closet staple that's annoyingly difficult to find fit your waist well but don't fit your hips or seem like they were designed for a teenager instead of an adult woman The Gap x Dôen shorts had everything I was looking for The trouser fit made them look mature compared to the shorts of my past and they didn't feel tight as I walked around I also liked the silhouette the high waist gave me and the chic addition of the button detailing on the front I decided to splurge on the shorts as an investment piece in my summer wardrobe It was a relief to know I wouldn't have to brave the experience of short shopping again anytime soon vintage-inspired basics that can be pricey I'm always intrigued when designers collaborate with mid-range retailers like H&M and Target about seven of us entered — politely but quickly — and found four racks featuring a limited selection of the collaboration pieces The long-sleeved option didn't work for me While I loved its ruffled collar and intricate knit work short-sleeved top almost came home with me and could be a staple of my wardrobe all year round My wardrobe lacks solid shorts and trousers so I promised myself I'd splurge if Gap x Dôen made the pairs of my dreams I tried on the same $78 shorts my colleague bought and loved them Smaller sizes were gone after I'd left the dressing room They were a touch too tight around my waist — the next size up was too big — and the pants were a bit see-through from the hips to the thighs I liked most of the pieces I tried on and truly considered buying the red top especially for a basic that I can probably find a comparable yet cheaper version elsewhere The Gap x Dôen collection seems like a major win for Dôen fans, as the line offers the designer brand's aesthetic at a lower price point For instance, Dôen's Ischia dress in gingham retails for $348 over $200 more than the Gap x Dôen Gingham dress even if the Gap dress is slightly different in quality or style a Gap shopper might experience the opposite If you love Dôen or need a pair of jean shorts you may want to stick to Gap's stand-alone pieces Sellers increasingly want more for their houses than buyers are willing to pay That’s according to a new analysis from Redfin the nation’s largest brokerage website that found the typical list price for homes in the United States reached a record $469,729 in March but the typical price for those sold that month was nearly $39,000 less It’s the biggest such gap since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic buying frenzy that drove up housing prices The gap is widening because list prices are heading up more than twice as fast as sale prices March’s median list price is 6.2% higher year over year the $431,057 median sale price rose just 2.5% the smallest increase since September 2023 The metro areas that saw the biggest gaps are West Palm Beach where the median list price shot up 9.3% to $535,500 but the median sale price fell 0.3% to $508,500; followed by Pittsburgh The analysis looked at the nation’s 50 most populous metro areas Redfin said sellers are continuing to price their properties high based on past sale prices of comparable homes “Homebuyers today have the upper hand because they’re outnumbered by sellers and that’s a tough pill for sellers to swallow,” Redfin senior economist Elijah de la Campa said adding that “buyers and sellers are on different planets” right now and it’s looking like it’s going to be sellers this time,” he said price drops and seller concessions indicate this is already starting to happen and sale-price growth will likely continue to slow as a result.” In Utah, the spring housing market is being described as "weird," with some shoppers waiting to see if home prices are going to start dropping as the stock market has done repeatedly recently So far, it doesn’t feel like a buyers market to Sugarhouse real estate agent Max Strayer “We’re just in this weird place where pricing is of the utmost importance So if you had a great house in a great area that’s priced appropriately adding that sellers who try to “push it on price” may end up having to do a reduction to attract buyers “I would not try and push the market right now.” Redfin data for the Salt Lake area showed a median list price of $550,000 for March Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJI) and S&P 500 Index (SPX) futures are firmly below breakeven this morning, with both benchmarks at risk of snapping nine-day win streaks as futures on the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) gap lower as well Today's premarket losses come after President Donald Trump revealed over the weekend he allowed government agencies to impose a 100% levy on movies made outside of the U.S Traders are also monitoring U.S.-China trade tensions after Trump noted he has no plans to talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping He also said that while tariff negotiations with other countries are underway he would ultimately "set the deal, they don’t set the deal.” Continue reading for more on today's market and mainland China were closed Monday for holidays but currencies across the region strengthened as the U.S with London markets closed for a bank holiday with Erste Group shares popping after a major acquisition and Eutelsat jumping on a leadership shake-up Investors are also eyeing central bank meetings and key earnings reports slated for later this week “Buy This Stock Now!” - Expert Who Called 11x On TSLA thanks to Elon & Trump’s new alliance… He says there’s a new opportunity that could be 1,000x BIGGER than Tesla – and it could completely revolutionize a $23 Trillion market It’s trading for less than $5 per share right now… But it won’t be under the radar for long Nisi autem molestiae quasi itaque sunt saepe optio maxime. iste repellendus quos necessitatibus fuga in nam placeat. Lorem, ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Sign inSign in to access your account, subscription and more. Create a new account to access your subscription. A shortfall in trade finance stifles companies’ ability to trade and dents growth. Harry Clynch looks at a new initiative to change this. which businesses need to conduct cross-border trade – but which companies in Africa often struggle to access Trade finance is essential – both for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and larger companies – to reduce the risks associated with international trade improve cash flow and ensure that imports and exports are conducted in a smooth way around 80% of all international trade globally depends on some form of trade financing there is a massive shortfall – a shortfall which stifles companies’ ability to trade and therefore the global trade finance gap stood at $2.5 trillion – an increase of 47% from 2020 There are reasons to suspect the trade finance gap could grow even larger on the continent This is as a consequence of US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a universal 10% tariff on almost all countries and the potential that he will reimpose higher “reciprocal” tariffs on African countries with which he claims the United States has a large trade deficit Trade restrictions mean African countries are likely to export fewer goods to the US which would lead to less hard foreign currency coming into African economies the US dollar liquidity which is required to facilitate trade finance would be diminished – further limiting banks’ ability to provide the products and services businesses need to conduct trade successfully It is in this context that the UK’s development finance institution has partnered with Ghana International Bank (GHIB) in a bid to start plugging the trade finance gap in seven African frontier markets BII and GHIB recently announced a $50m trade finance facility that will expand access to credit for SMEs in Sierra Leone The initiative aims to ensure that businesses in these markets are able to trade seamlessly with international partners stabilising supply chains and promoting stronger economic growth The trade facility with GHIB is part of BII’s Africa Resilience Investment Accelerator (ARIA) initiative which aims to unlock investment in frontier markets that are currently underserved not only by commercial banks tells African Business that they were motivated to launch this initiative as “we think the trade finance gap is probably the biggest inhibitor to Africa’s growth.” “SMEs provide a very broad base for economies to grow – they are the bedrock of economies and account for 80% of jobs in Africa,” he says “But they need to thrive in an environment where there is access to credit then it means you do not have all the facilities that allow trade to happen,” Banson adds “This trade finance gap that we are looking at reflects the amount of inhibition there is for economies in Africa to grow.” notes that the partnership with BII is vital as private sector banks simply do not have the capacity – or the balance sheet – to fill the trade finance gap alone every transaction is different – and therefore trade finance products need to be bespoke “You need to have knowledge of the various products involved in the trade which then requires inspectors to verify this collateral You have regulatory considerations to think about as well For banks to be comfortable processing a transaction there is therefore an opportunity cost in dealing with trade finance,” Agbenu says “Do we have the time to invest in this when we can just buy government paper and make nice returns there needs to be a deliberate effort and banks need to be incentivised.” BII hopes that the $50m trade facility will ensure that GHIB has sufficient liquidity to offer trade finance products – while also freeing up the time and resources the bank needs to offer such services Agbenu explains that “with the support of BII while the trade facility gives us greater leverage to deploy more capital.” Banson says they chose to partner with GHIB – which is headquartered in London – as it is a systemically important bank in the seven markets targeted under this initiative He adds that it was essential for a development institution such as BII to get involved as regulatory obstacles make it very difficult for commercial banks to offer trade finance in frontier markets because of the regulations that they have to deal with are limited in their ability to offer services in countries such as Sierra Leone if they have any capacity at all,” Banson tells African Business “Regulations instruct confirming banks to model risk in Africa in a certain way and these models mean there is a limit to what these banks can do in African markets Africa bears the brunt of these global regulations.” “Because of the limits these regulations impose on these banks the only way to make progress is through development finance institutions,” Banson says “We are not a commercial bank and are not bound by the same restrictions Global regulations have created a need for development finance institutions to support commercial banks so they can offer trade finance in our target markets.” A survey in 2022 by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) found that in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal trade finance supports only 25% of trade in goods This was significantly below both the African average of 40% and the global average of between 60% and 80% Agbenu says that “if this is the number for the big West African countries the number for much smaller countries like Liberia and Guinea are likely even worse – possibly as low as 10% to 15%.” While it is difficult to forecast precise numbers BII and GHIB aim to start significantly increasing the amount of business being supported by trade finance across these frontier markets Strong growth is certainly feasible: Agbenu points out that with the support of BII and other partners GHIB was able to grow its trade finance volumes by 100% last year Both Banson and Agbenu also note that BII and GHIB’s work enhancing access to trade finance in these markets will ideally serve as a model for other commercial banks as to how they can offer such services in African markets Agbenu says “with BII joining us to do this it gives other lenders comfort – it gives “visibility” for trade finance and will help promote it in the region.” Trade finance is vital in giving businesses the leverage they need to conduct international trade Banson notes that “if trade finance is helping manufacturing companies import raw materials you are not just enabling that manufacturing entity to be able to continue manufacturing That creates a virtuous cycle across the economy.” You've read all your free articles for this month Subscribe now to enjoy full access to our content Receive full unlimited access to our articles Our best value offer - save £26 and gain access to all of our digital content for an entire year Finance Africa has some of the world's most precious ecosystems including vast carbon-storing rainforests of global significance Protecting biodiversity is both a response and challenge to global warming Terms of use Cookie Policy Privacy Policy “Saturday Night Live” has entered the chat Days after a “CBS Sunday Morning” interview with Bill Belichick went viral due to his girlfriend Jordon Hudson interrupting over a question of how the two met the late-night sketch series poked fun at the couple’s nearly 50-year age gap in the most recent cold open “SNL” cast member James Austin Johnson parodied President Donald Trump as he signed multiple executive orders in the White House handed the president an executive order that would “make it socially acceptable for a man in his 70s to date a 24-year-old.” “That’s right – we’re calling it the Belichick law We’re going to make girlfriends young again,” quipped Johnson as Trump Donald Trump Mentions Taylor Swift In Speech During Eagles White House Visit As the City of Auburn continues wrestling with a significant budget gap officials recently discussed efforts to close it on an episode of Inside Government with Guy Cosentino Initially facing an $8.6 million shortfall the gap had been reduced to $2.8 million in a proposed $50.8 million budget including holding a May 22 public hearing to discuss potentially exceeding the state’s 2% tax cap which would require approval from at least three City Council members and City Comptroller Mary Beth Leeson provided updates during the conversation on Inside Government Get the latest headlines delivered to your inbox each morning. Sign up for our Morning Edition to start your day. FL1 on the Go! Download the free FingerLakes1.com App for iOS (iPhone, iPad) This content is brought to you by the FingerLakes1.com Team. Support our mission by visiting www.patreon.com/fl1 or learn how you send us your local content here. 04-29-2025DESIGN The brands are releasing a second collection May 2 BY Arden Anderson Dôen and Gap are teaming up for a second time following the success of the brands’ collaboration last year which went viral on TikTok and sold out within a matter of days This year’s collection will focus on “California vintage-inspired classics,” according to a release and include some customer favorites from 2024 This marks Dôen’s first foray into menswear Dôen’s dresses normally start closer to $250 so the opportunity to own one of their iconic styles at a more approachable price point had customers running for the racks last year The brands this year aren’t expecting anything different “Our first collection with Dôen set a new bar for how a collaboration can infuse a fresh perspective into Gap essentials creating covetable pieces that left our customers wanting more,” said Mark Breitbard California natives Katherine and Margaret Kleveland describe their collection as “rooted in Dôen’s feminine interpretation of iconic Gap styles,” but it also expands into both menswear and babywear this year The sisters’ collaboration with Gap builds on bestsellers from the collection drop last year including Eyelet Maxi Dresses in new iterations with different colorways and Mini Dress options Gingham and collegiate prep are also making a return as strong features of the new collection via matching sets, sweatshirts featuring a hybrid logo along with Dôen’s wordmark Another essential aspect of the collection is its denim staples: Customers can opt for the Oversized Denim Jacket Alongside these items is the men’s Pleated Denim Trousers one of several pieces designed with men in mind In addition to the other masculine-inspired and gender-neutral pieces—like the baseball cap and sweatshirts featuring a combined Dôen and Gap logo—there are five menswear options A first for Dôen, the pieces include the Organic Cotton Poplin Big Shirt, the Eyelet Shirt, and the Pocket T-Shirt. The menswear was inspired by customer testimonials, as Dôen buyers’ husbands, brothers, and boyfriends made Dôen’s knitwear or jackets their own, Margaret Kleveland told Women’s Wear Daily the sisters watched men adopt the collection’s popular crewnecks and continuing to drive brand relevance by reintroducing customer favorites,” said Breitbard of the Gap x Dôen collection “We also are giving Dôen a platform to debut men’s styles at scale delivering something fresh and unexpected for both brands’ communities.” The Gap X Dôen collection was produced in factories that participate in RISE or Reimagining Industry to Support Equality RISE’s mission is “to empower women workers embed gender equality in business practice Gap cardmembers will receive early access to the collection online on May 1 If you missed last year’s Gap x Dôen collection The final deadline for Fast Company’s Brands That Matter Awards is Friday, May 30, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today. Arden is an editorial intern at Fast Company, where she covers Gen Z, innovation, and technology. She is currently a junior at Northwestern University studying Journalism, Sociology, and Gender Studies. More Fast Company & Inc © 2025 Mansueto Ventures Fastcompany.com adheres to NewsGuard’s nine standards of credibility and transparency. Learn More MIAMI — Five days after 50,000 fans packed Dodger Stadium for the 12th time in 12 games Luis Diaz made the 40-minute drive from Pembroke Pines to see the Miami Marlins play the Cincinnati Reds at LoanDepot Park The tickets Diaz snagged with his friend John Hewitt cost $14 Diaz wore a cap invoking the franchise’s Florida era; Hewitt sported the jersey of Giancarlo Stanton who last played for Miami eight seasons ago Their gear stood out among the stream of vacationers from Cincinnati Diaz and Hewitt sipped drinks as a breeze swept through the center-field concourse riffling the leaves of the palm trees planted outside in Little Havana It was a picturesque evening for those there to see it The two friends joined an announced crowd of 7,646 one of the eight times already this season that the attendance in Miami has failed to surpass five digits a far cry from the atmosphere awaiting the Marlins at Chavez Ravine on Monday when the team begins a three-game series against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers “We’ve got to find a way to make more money so we can compete with those high-end teams,” Diaz said Hewitt pointed toward barren sections behind the backstop “And we’ve got to bring more people to the park “There’s more Reds fans than Marlins fans,” Diaz said the disparity between Major League Baseball’s upper crust and its lower-revenue counterparts has never appeared more stark When Athletics executive Billy Beane lamented in “Moneyball” the insurmountable gap in spending with the New York Yankees in 2002 the difference between the two clubs was $85 million When the Dodgers host the Marlins this week the payroll difference will be an estimated $407.6 million which is believed to be the largest in modern history the sort of floor-ceiling structure that would compel a team like the Marlins to spend more while forcing a team like the Dodgers to spend less This past offseason provided grist for the inequality mill The New York Mets lavished the largest free-agent contract in baseball history The Yankees countered Soto’s departure with a $218 million contract for Max Fried who became the winter’s highest-paid pitcher Propelled by the financial windfall generated by Shohei Ohtani the Dodgers celebrated a championship with $450 million in new talent no team in either Central division supplied a deal larger than Kansas City’s $51 million pact with pitcher Michael Wacha Louis Cardinals — declined to sign any player to a multiyear contract The drumbeat will only grow louder if a big-market Goliath triumphs again this October Conversations about spending can make baseball people sound defensive No owner likes to be called cheap; no team likes to be accused of purchasing a championship Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman ascribed the team’s $1 billion bonanza after 2023 and a subsequent spree this past winter as safeguards against the irrationality of acquiring players at the trade deadline Team president Stan Kasten framed the spending as the civic duty of a historic franchise “It’s our investing in our product for our fans,” Kasten said Dodgers players stressed the team could not have purchased the chemistry and camaraderie that buoyed the team last season “I don’t understand the fussing,” Dodgers reliever Blake Treinen said But they should be more upset with ownership around the league “I look at it this way: Everybody around the league can cry about how the Dodgers spend their money (The other teams) have just as much opportunity to spend the same.” Representatives from lower-revenue markets do not agree They mention the reconfigured landscape of regional sports networks and note the amount of debt many clubs took on during the pandemic season of 2020 These teams lack the global brand ubiquity of the Yankees or the fortuity of employing a generational phenomenon like Ohtani or the $21.3 billion net worth of Mets owner Steve Cohen Executives also point to the inefficiency of free-agent spending In an interview with The Athletic last week Marlins owner Bruce Sherman defended his franchise’s approach which he described as geared toward “how to build a competitive team that’s sustainable for our fans.” He cited recent expenditures such as a refurbished big-league weight room the renovation of the team’s minor-league complex and a new $15 million facility in the Dominican Republic He expressed confidence in the organization-wide overhaul conducted by president of baseball operations Peter Bendix He praised the new initiatives being undertaken at different levels of the organization He declined to wade too deeply into any concerns about the $406.5 million difference with his upcoming opponent “I’m not going to comment on other clubs,” Sherman said “I think they all play by the rules and regulations that we’ve established Whether it’s the Dodgers or any other club they’re following rules that we follow under our constitution This story could have been written this past weekend which MLB’s labor relations department calculated to be $325.9 million on Opening Day and its expected competitive balance tax of $150.7 million the team is on the hook for $476.5 million this season and the team effectively sat out this winter despite the emergence of National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes when the Athletics and their $76.4 million payroll visit Los Angeles the temporary home of the $81.9 million Tampa Bay Rays where the Dodgers share a complex with the $85 million White Sox the Marlins have merely claimed the very lowest rung of the spender’s bracket Miami’s payroll may further decrease if the club moves former National League Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara whose $17.3 million salary represents a quarter of big-league expenditures the Dodgers are spending over $70 million more than those five teams combined The team’s tax bill would qualify as the 16th largest payroll in the game surpassing every Central division club besides the Chicago Cubs The difference between the spenders and the spend-nots looks significant in the postseason When the Dodgers won the World Series last October that marked the fifth time in the past six years that a team with a top-10 payroll claimed the crown The last club with a bottom-10 payroll to win it all was the 2003 Marlins Most everyone in baseball agrees this is a problem The proposed solutions differ depending on whether they favor labor or management The MLBPA want the rules to incentivize all teams to spend The owners would prefer to curb the spending MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has not committed to pushing in the upcoming talks for a salary cap He indicated earlier this spring that revenue disparity is “at the top of my list of concerns about what’s occurring in the sport.” Manfred said the Dodgers were likely more profitable than the Yankees during the Evil Empire era MLBPA chief Tony Clark has suggested the Dodgers are being used as a wedge by management-minded opportunists seeking the long-standing goal of a cap “Competition is the lifeblood of this industry,” Clark said in a statement to The Athletic “All 30 teams have the means and opportunity to compete by acquiring new talent Clubs that have made that investment in winning have reaped the rewards both on and off the field All teams that pursue excellence should be celebrated Yet the chorus has recently added some unexpected voices: even Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner suggested this winter that it was “difficult for most of us owners” to match the Dodgers Steinbrenner was one of the few owners this past winter who tried Most occupied the sidelines as the Dodgers spent $180 million on two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell won the bidding for Japanese star Roki Sasaki and doled out $72 million to reliever Tanner Scott and another $13 million to reliever Kirby Yates Much of the team’s outlay can be tied to Ohtani The two-way star deferred 98 percent of his 10-year meaning the club only owes him $2 million in cash each season His presence also has led to an explosion in sponsorships ‘How much money did Shohei bring in?’ — I don’t want to go there so we lead in revenue sharing,” Kasten said (An MLB official confirmed that the Dodgers “have the highest local revenue and contribute the most to local revenue sharing.”) The Dodgers also benefited from players following Ohtani’s example with deferments The opportunity to contend for a title superseded immediate financial considerations the raucous atmosphere at Chavez Ravine acted as a beacon you can’t help but want to be on the home side with that atmosphere and those speakers and everything,” said outfielder Michael Conforto The Athletic amused itself with a parlor game among Dodgers veterans The entire industry had been buzzing about the team’s offseason prompted them to join the rest of the baseball universe in saying: Wait “When I heard that Tanner Scott could still be in play a former All-Star outfielder seeking a one-year springboard you added Tanner — to also go out there and acquire the second-best closer on the market one of the only pitchers capable of subduing Ohtani Now he would be putting out high-leverage fires with Treinen would you rather face this lineup or play on it?” Treinen said I had to face it how many times last year?” He had emerged as the club’s closer in September 2023 as the team snuck into the postseason with 84 victories He spent the ensuing months watching the front office get turned over and the big-league roster ransacked The exodus of talent eventually included him “It was definitely surprising,” Scott said we had just worked our tail off to get to the postseason the franchise has never won the National League East The 92-win mark set by the 1997 World Series champions has stood as the franchise record for 27 seasons the title that autumn has been eclipsed by the next spring’s fire sale the team has reached the postseason just twice led a group that included former Yankees star Derek Jeter in purchasing the franchise from Jeffrey Loria for $1.2 billion (Forbes estimated the franchise’s value this past March at $1.05 billion.) Jeter left the ownership group in 2022 general manager Kim Ng resigned when Sherman sought to hire a baseball executive to oversee her There were reasons to believe 2023 was a mirage The team outplayed its run differential by nine games The financial outlook had not changed much The team still finished last in the National League in attendance in a city where the Miami Heat regularly rank in the NBA’s top five The club’s television situation would soon be upended by Diamond Sports Group declaring bankruptcy Sherman offered the equivalent of a verbal shrug when asked if he agreed with the sentiment that every owner can simply afford to spend as much as teams like the Dodgers or Mets “I think we all have a responsibility to our team our organization and to Major League Baseball,” Sherman said “I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment on what the other 29 teams are doing We’ve made some extraordinarily great hires in our baseball operations department will lead to sustainable success in the future.” who had been the general manager of the Tampa Bay Rays which is in many ways considered the model for a small-market baseball operations department Bendix tabbed former Giants and Phillies manager Gabe Kapler as an assistant general manager tasked with player development As Kapler sought to transform the minor-league system A $5 million flier on former All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson did not pan out Top pitching prospect Eury Pérez underwent Tommy John surgery in early April and resided 13 1/2 games out of first place after a month The writing was already on the wall for reigning National League Manager of the Year Skip Schumaker who had telegraphed his exit at the end of the season Bendix dealt reigning National League batting champion Luis Arraez to San Diego outfielder Bryan De La Cruz and reliever AJ Puk all got dealt Bendix traded infielder Jake Burger and starter Jesús Luzardo only four players on the 40-man roster had accrued more than three years of big-league service time the former Dodgers first-base coach hired to replace Schumaker indicated the players could bond through their relative anonymity “The only way to change that narrative is to go out there and play,” McCullough said You’ve got to get past what it looks like on the back of someone’s jersey.” Miami made only one seven-figure commitment on the free-agent market in the form of a $4.5 million contract for pitcher Cal Quantrill who made a series of acquisitions to boost their luxury-tax payroll to become compliant with the CBA’s revenue-sharing rules The team risks a grievance from the MLBPA for its lack of spending the team will wade into the deeper waters of free agency The franchise’s current financial priority is improving its infrastructure and increasing its off-the-field staff Why those goals cannot be pursued concurrently with big-league spending is what frustrates MLBPA officials Scott sounded sanguine about his Marlins tenure My time in Miami — I had a great time with all those guys over there But they’ve got a lot of young talent that’s still coming up.” a 27-year-old Marlins rookie named Connor Gillispie climbed the mound at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia He wanted to sharpen his slider before his next start that task would have taken place in the placid setting of a bullpen session Cameras stood behind the mound and the plate he noticed members of the Phillies’ grounds crew side-eying the exhibition ‘You guys hate this?’” Gillisipie cracked afterward The Marlins call these “live pitch design sessions.” They look closer to live batting practice which usually occurs in the early days of spring training or when pitchers return from injury The organization implemented them in the minors last season in place of bullpens They were introduced to the big-league club this spring the activity could become the industry standard Or it could be discarded before the year ends Miami officials say they do not worry about external derision then how are we going to get better?” McCullough said The replacement of bullpen sessions is one of the more visible initiatives taking place Miami is using the big-league club as an incubator for ideas The overarching goal is amplifying practice in pursuit of daily improvement “There’s nothing easy about what’s going to happen when a major-league game starts,” McCullough said players were encouraged to compete on the metrics connected to “the things that we feel like are going to end up allowing you to make plays in the game,” McCullough said: chase rates for pitchers The outfielders were retrained to improve their jumps focusing on the quickness of the first step rather than moving in the correct direction The pitch design sessions let hitters compete with pitchers “The live sides are awesome,” catcher Rob Brantley said because they forged a better partnership with battery mates “It was different than any spring training I’ve ever been a part of,” said outfielder Derek Hill every aspect of the game was just maximized There was no wasted time where you’re just sitting on the bench Luzardo chuckled when asked about the pitch design sessions Gillispie played for three teams before Miami claimed him off waivers in January he was skeptical about training in a new way “When has being competitive ever hurt anybody?” he said Marlins officials have framed these deviations from the norm as existential The connective tissue between the Dodgers and the Marlins runs deep Friedman hired Bendix as a Rays intern in Tampa Bay Kapler ran Los Angeles’ farm system for three seasons McCullough spent a decade with the Dodgers The Marlins staffers all understand that the Dodgers and the Mets and the Yankees are also aiming for innovation And their owners are pursuing elite talent on the free-agent market “If we’re just doing things that everyone is doing and just always trying to play catchup it’s going to probably end up being close to what it’s been,” McCullough said what can we be thinking about doing that’s going to give us some separation.” The line stretched down Vin Scully Avenue about five hours before the pitch at Dodger Stadium on April 2 with fans queued up for the first of five Ohtani bobbleheads to be given away this season It is hard to envision a similar scene at LoanDepot Park: the Marlins’ promotional page lists five bobblehead giveaways for 2025 with shortstop Xavier Edwards as the only active player on the list “Once we really start to know and love a player we almost immediately sell them,” John Hewitt said before the Cincinnati game last week Amid the procession of Reds fans were Marlins relics of the distant and recent past The Alcantara jerseys were outnumbered by those of Andre Dawson and Edgar Renteria the franchise will resemble the Rays or the Brewers rather than the Dodgers or Mets Sustainable success remains possible for Miami But it will require many more nights like the one last week with the breeze swirling through the center-field concourse voices echoing off the empty seats and fans pondering how the other half lives “We’ve got to find a way to make more money,” Luis Diaz said Hewitt finished his sentence: “— for having the money We do spend a lot of money in the concessions I refuse to believe they don’t make any money.” (Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Photos: Harry How 2025 Spanish MotoGP © Gold and Goose Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali has warned that “the gap will narrow” at the front of the field in MotoGP after Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo “showed his strength” at Jerez The Italian brand is in the midst of one of the most dominant periods ever in the premier class In 2025, it has won every sprint and grand prix so far, with its streak of Sunday victories now standing at 22 after Alex Marquez took to the top step of the podium at the Spanish GP But one streak has now been snapped for Ducati in 2025, after Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo snatched pole from Marc Marquez at Jerez Quartararo then went on to finish second in the grand prix and was able to keep Ducati’s Pecco Bagnaia at bay who has warned that the competition is only going to get harder for Ducati “This achievement is a wonderful moment,” he said in an interview with GPOne “It’s the fruit of work that began a long time ago this Sunday Fabio Quartararo showed his strength and that means the other manufacturers are working hard enjoying - among other things - the concessions “Not everyone remembers that we’re not competing in a championship with the same rules there are manufacturers who have the opportunity to test with factory riders and develop engines and the other manufacturers will also catch up with us.” Concession regulations were reintroduced for the 2024 season to allow Yamaha and Honda to try to get back up the order Ducati has only been beaten once by a manufacturer - Aprilia Quartararo’s podium at Jerez marked the first for Yamaha since the 2023 Indonesian GP which was also the last rostrum appearance for a Japanese bike until last weekend In recent rounds Honda has also enjoyed an upturn in form with Johann Zarco scoring the marque’s first top five results since 2023 Ducati was briefly challenged by KTM’s Maverick Vinales who led for a handful of laps and took the chequered flag in second before being demoted to 14th by a tyre pressure penalty interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox For more information see our Privacy Policy © Crash Media Group Ltd 2025.The total or partial reproduction of text photographs or illustrations is not permitted in any form As justice tech providers work to expand access to justice they are constantly fighting against a myriad of factors that perpetuate the continuing justice gap that leaves those most in need often the most underserved Millions of people worldwide face barriers when seeking legal help and this justice gap disproportionately affects low- to middle-income individuals and members of historically excluded communities The United States ranks 107th of 142 countries in affordability of legal support and approximately 92% of low-income individuals receive inadequate or no legal assistance for their civil legal problems leaving more than 120 million people each year navigating the US legal system without support And these broad numbers mask the racial and socioeconomic disparity that pervade the legal system which results in unjust outcomes and an overrepresentation of those without access to legal services in the justice system our criminal and civil justice systems feed into each other in a negative loop for many people An unpaid fine can lead to crushing debt and criminal liability while the wait for public representation for a criminal offense can prevent a person from dealing with life-changing personal issues like maintaining housing The ripple effect of this extends beyond individuals to impact families Certain factors within society — both currently and in the past — may contribute to the continual rise in the justice gap Financial constraints are one of the most significant barriers to accessing justice Attorney fees and court costs make legal representation inaccessible to most of those who need it leaving them no alternative but to navigate complex legal issues alone Financial burdens associated with legal disputes can also deter people from filing or following through with legitimate legal claims Implicit bias refers to unconscious attitudes and stereotypes that can affect decision-making within the legal system marginalized groups such as ethnic minorities and immigrants often face systemic discrimination in both civil and criminal justice systems across the world an entrenched bias towards pro se litigants impacts their experience of the legal system and can also influence the outcome Unrepresented parties have reported that even when their documents are flawless and a letter citing the relevant law is included in their filings and clerks assume they are incorrect when the other side is represented by counsel When those represented by legal counsel are presumed more likely to have meritorious claims And while pro bono services and legal aid organizations are powerful drivers of justice equity they are chronically under-resourced and overwhelmed Geographic location can significantly impact access to legal services especially for individuals that live in remote or underserved areas These so-called legal deserts have limited availability of legal professionals and court facilities often forcing community members to expend significant resources to travel for legal assistance The digital divide further complicates these challenges — individuals with unreliable internet access or lower digital literacy are often restricted in their ability to access support for their legal problems justice tech — which encompasses an expansive array of digital tools that include online legal platforms and much more — has emerged as a way to address these disparities by helping expand access to legal resources there are several specific legal areas that can be well served by justice tech tools in which document-preparation tools can help individuals navigate issues including family law and small claims cases; or criminal justice in which litigants can access digital solutions that can improve interactions with law enforcement offer support for incarcerated individuals and facilitate post-incarceration reintegration; or family law in which digital platforms can transform how individuals navigate family and estate matters Other tools also offer comprehensive litigation support for unrepresented litigants to help manage their cases through guided legal education And some digital platforms support entrepreneurs and civil rights advocates by providing legal information and resources for addressing discrimination and harassment This explosion of justice tech tools and platforms even offers the opportunity to reduce the likelihood of recidivism by connecting returning citizens with training and other services — or by streamlining expungement and record-sealing to help users overcome legal obstacles that often hinder employment The justice tech sector is actively transforming outdated and costly legal systems while helping individuals overcome financial and systemic barriers to level the playing field AI-driven solutions can provide more affordable and streamlined legal support clearly demonstrating that the use of AI in a legal context must be developed and delivered with a laser focus on consumer benefit and ensuring transparent and unbiased results justice tech is not just an instrument for efficiency It also presents a fundamental shift and a true alternative to questions around our approach to legal access justice tech can and should be part of the solution for a more accessible and fair legal system The 24th Annual Law Firm COO & CFO Forum continues to be the premier event for Chief Financial Officers and … Event details Premier Manufacturing Event - Designed for practitioners the manufacturing industry is dealing with increasing hostile threats and attacks and state-sponsored hacking add even more concern to the already overwhelming threatening environment jeopardizing the viability of business continuity systems and the safety across these critical environments maintaining superior levels of production uptime during today’s high-demand conditions remains a cruel industry operational requirement known to challenge the most sophisticated systems Dragos, an industrial cybersecurity firm, reported in February a staggering increase in ransomware-related threats discovering 1,693 industrial firms with their sensitive data exposed on ransomware leak sites Ransomware attacks on industrial sectors grew 87 percent year-on-year with attacks targeting OT/ICS (industrial control systems) systems rising by 60 percent in 2024 Manufacturing was the most affected sector 1,171 attacks across 26 manufacturing subsectors contributing more than half of the total ransomware activity Maintaining security without compromising availability is perhaps the most difficult challenge to navigate manufacturing operations do not permit downtime like traditional IT infrastructure Routine cybersecurity patching or incident response simply aren’t an option cybersecurity strategies must be woven seamlessly into operations on a non-disruptive basis along with risk mitigation measures that implement real-time detection and response technologies.  Resilience across the supply chain is another critical area that bears focus Each subsequent supplier integrated into the IT ecosystem transforms into a prospective vulnerability Manufacturers become increasingly reliant on just-in-time delivery models and integrated connected vendors Building security across the entire supply chain through rigorous vendor vetting and shared industry standards has become paramount to organizational resilience.  The sector has a persistent talent gap that cannot be addressed by traditional means Equal investment in workforce training programs such as upskilling OT and IT staff who foster a cybersecurity culture on the factory floor many manufacturers are resorting to complex technologies like zero trust architecture and AI-based threat detection These methods provide detailed access control and the ability to detect atypical activities in intricate OT systems The inaugural ‘Industrial Cyber Days Manufacturing’ event has been designed for practitioners The online event serves as an opportunity to bring together the global industrial cybersecurity ecosystem by providing critical perspectives through actionable insights and tailored best practices to solve the specific problems of protecting digital manufacturing The series fosters a collaborative cybersecurity culture making the forum essential for growing resilience and advancement in combating innovation in manufacturing environments Cyber storm: Evolving threat landscape in manufacturing Industrial Cyber spoke with industry experts to identify the most urgent cyber threats manufacturers face today—from ransomware attacks and critical OT vulnerabilities to state-sponsored actors such as Chinese APTs and financially driven cybercriminals The discussion also explores how these threats have evolved in recent years and Volt Typhoon typically require considerable knowledge but can have a significant impact,” Paul Veeneman board secretary at InfraGard Member Alliance requiring the actor to weigh the advantages of disclosing the attack capability the odds that the exploit can be employed successfully and that the desired results are achieved.” Veeneman said that the result is the emergence of less sophisticated state-affiliated proxy actors executing opportunistic strikes against soft targets these isolated events don’t meet state-to-state escalatory and retaliatory action but aggregate impact to individual states can be considerable Citing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) IC3 2024 annual report, which stated cybercrime achieved ‘a new record for losses reported to IC3 Fraud represented the bulk of reported losses in 2024 and ransomware was again the most pervasive threat to critical infrastructure with complaints rising 9% from 2023,’ Veeneman added “this level of cyberspace ‘guerrilla warfare’ will continue in the foreseeable future affording adversarial states plausible deniability while exerting proxy force within geopolitical tensions Manufacturing cyber threats often relate to business continuity and profit margins. Changing political and economic climate, tariffs, aggressive competition, and even weather disruptions are contextual factors when considering cyber-threats, Ron Brash, vice president of industrial cybersecurity at Exiger creates the conditions to become a highly feasible target for ransomware Most manufacturing threats are tied to that – chasing revenue while not upkeeping/engineering,” according to Brash and lax product maintenance eventually manifests as cyber threats especially with technological interdependence Manolya Rowe, senior security architect IoT at Dover Fueling Solutions, told Industrial Cyber that when discussing today’s most pressing cybersecurity threats in manufacturing they often distract from a more pervasive risk: untested third-party software Many manufacturers integrate vendor-supplied components such as automation firmware or embedded systems She added that without structured third-party assurance programs, these components become invisible threat vectors. “OT vulnerabilities are expected in legacy systems, but it’s unmanaged digital supply chains that elevate risk The real danger often comes not from external attacks but from what’s already running inside our environments Balancing uptime and security in manufacturing operations Manufacturers must prioritize operational uptime while also investing in robust cybersecurity measures Executives addressed the key challenges in striking this balance and shared practical steps to enhance resilience without disrupting ongoing operations Veeneman highlighted that the focus should be on outcomes or impact Organizations should prioritize solutions or mitigation to improve resilience against the consequences of an incident or event or human error can result in lost productivity potential regulatory or contractual penalty The risks are far more severe in cyber-physical scenarios more so than the ramifications for traditional IT disruptions.”  “Practical steps should focus on what maintains uptime That could be different depending on the environment Something as simple as a gas-powered generator for a facility in the event of a power outage,” according to Veeneman “If production capacity and consistency are paramount then there should be investment in additional production capacity where a failure can be overcome by shifting workloads Each organization is going to be different but they all need to go through the exercise to determine the priorities.” He added something to consider is that over the past ten years natural disasters have exacted a far greater toll on critical infrastructure throughout the world than any cyber threat Current weather patterns and models would indicate this trend will continue.  Brash pointed out that the hard part of achieving strong cybersecurity is finding the budget and communicating the ROI to the organization which takes a skilled team and proper investment Shiny new security widgets (like AI) are not a panacea. Control what goes across your boundaries: catalog it and be ready to handle degraded performance/manual processes if necessary Work with your suppliers to receive better products,” he added “Manufacturers today must strike a delicate balance between ensuring uptime and building cybersecurity resilience This starts by unifying IT and OT security under one umbrella—eliminating silos and enabling coordinated responses,” Rowe said “Security should have its own budget and be positioned as a business enabler enabling defense-in-depth without disrupting operations.”  She added that uptime and cybersecurity don’t have to be competing priorities—when security is embedded into operations Gonzalez noted that a big challenge is integrating cybersecurity without compromising availability or production continuity but it is highly dependent on business alignment and prioritization He added that many OT environments still operate with minimal change tolerance so it is practical to include risk-based segmentation and phased implementation of security controls building cross-functional collaboration between IT and security teams is essential to align risk management with uptime goals Building supply chain security to enhance manufacturing resilience the executives discuss how manufacturers can better secure their supply chains against cyber threats examining the most effective strategies for assessing and managing third-party risk “Cybersecurity marketing and sales present organizations with Zero Trust ‘flavor of the month’ when in actuality everyone seems to be trusting quite a bit when it comes to the supply chain,” Veeneman said “Organizations need to review and understand their various supply chain tiers to align prioritization of resources and response planning the organization has an obligation to audit third-party service providers and external vendors involved in operations.” He added that there is also the component or equipment supply chain “Does the organization conduct asset baselining of equipment Zero Trust and supply chain risk are not specific to IT-centric remote access It also means performance qualification of equipment unintended behaviors in real production conditions Some of these activities should be done continuously over time to proactively identify deviation and ensure consistent expected operation.” “Start with better transparency into your key suppliers and the products themselves Understand which suppliers are doing well as a business and are committing to being a good partner (security included),” Brash identified “Identify ones that are dropping the ball on product robustness and security and find more reliable alternatives and keep a continual evolving eye on everything existing and new.”  He added that avoiding the complex unless there is a really compelling business case “Simpler technologies with fewer software features mean less cyber upkeep and a shallower cyber supply chain.” Standardizing security requirements in contracts and conducting annual audits with follow-up actions helps ensure long-term compliance and reduces blind spots in the supply chain.” “Manufacturers face significant risks from third-party software and equipment suppliers,” Gonzalez observed “Effective strategies include conducting supplier security assessments regardless of whether an existing relationship exists or not enforcing contractual security requirements and using continuous monitoring platforms for vendor behavior consider a tiered risk classification methodology for vendors and their key components that you use in your environment to manage risk.” Bridging human factor and talent gap across manufacturing sector The executives explore the critical role of employee training and examine how the manufacturing sector is addressing the ongoing talent gap in industrial cybersecurity Veeneman identified that if phishing email or social engineering attempts can lead to process control manipulation the problem isn’t just the user—it’s a failure in architecture and safeguards.  While these courses aren’t equivalent for control systems experience they can provide a broad foundation and guidance for personnel responsible for operations security a methodology for security critical infrastructure systems.” “I would like to return to an apprentice-style program to cultivate skilled genius vs relying on certifications or universities that sell cybersecurity as the goal,” Brash said We’re beginning to see new approaches to education – through military service and others – and these focus on the defense vs which is the critical skill we need.” Rowe said that phishing and social engineering remain persistent threats. “While annual employee training is standard, educating leadership is where real impact happens. Executive alignment ensures budget Bridging the gap between cyber operations and business leaders through tabletop exercises and business-focused training allows security to be viewed as a pillar of resilience so we need younger generations to gain interest Adopting zero trust and AI to revolutionize industrial cybersecurity are reshaping the landscape of industrial cybersecurity “Bruce Schneier put it well ‘No one doubts that artificial intelligence and machine learning will transform cybersecurity We just don’t know how or when,’ Veeneman said “The same exists for industrial cybersecurity AI and large language models are well suited to sifting through mountains of logs potentially shifting cybersecurity from reactive to proactive enabling faster response and better resilience.” He added – will AI live up to the hype we had a clearer understanding where each best fit AI will likely chart a similar course within manufacturing and other industries There may be more immediate opportunities related to uptime where private organizational AI models can be trained loaded up with the organization’s operational data and provide analytics for safeguarding of operations and greatly reducing time and resource to lay out effective strategies.” I think this is a positive trend,” Brash said “Organizations can see who or what has entered their facilities block them and tell providers to do better AI can assist on the analysis and identify trends to help augment human expertise It is too early to really see how the threat detection capabilities of AI will manifest and not enough signal – especially in facilities or processes that just don’t need that level of sophistication.” “Emerging technologies like AI-driven threat detection and Zero Trust architectures promise a new era of industrial cybersecurity—but most manufacturers are still focused on maturing foundational controls,” according to Rowe AI can already assist with anomaly detection manufacturers can train custom large language models to support knowledge sharing and decision-making—transforming AI from a buzzword into a practical tool.” Looking ahead: Anticipation builds for Industrial Cyber Days Lastly, the executives share what they are most looking forward to at the upcoming Industrial Cyber Days Manufacturing event Veeneman said it’s hard to focus on any one thing with an amazing lineup of presenters and expert panels with valuable insights into consequence-based risk management and connecting with other industry peers and leaders,” he added “I’m excited to be supporting the community and catching up on wisdom from other great speakers like Bryson Bort or Mike Holcomb,” Brash said I’m excited to be sharing a strategy that we helped drive beginning with one forward-thinking client that holds promise for participants across the entire software supply chain.” “At the upcoming Industrial Cyber Days Manufacturing event I’m most excited to reconnect with colleagues and stay current on evolving strategies,” Rowe said “It’s a vital space for peer engagement and shared problem-solving—critical as we navigate the future of industrial cybersecurity together.” Gonzalez said he is looking forward to engaging with peers who are shaping the future of secure manufacturing “I find it valuable to exchange practical insights and advancing collective resilience across the industrial sector,” he concluded All rights reserved | Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy