Washington (CNN) A version of this story appeared in CNN's Race Deconstructed newsletter. To get it in your inbox every week, sign up for free here . "I wanted to be even more authentic in my music and let people into my life. I'm much more confident now -- in my music, myself, my sexuality, the things that I believe that I stand for." That was Lil Nas X in a recent interview with Variety , laying plain his personal growth over the months and years leading up to the release of his highly anticipated debut studio album, "Montero," out on Friday. Lil Nas X is confident, without a doubt. In a music landscape where lyrics of overt queer intimacy remain a rarity, he sings defiantly and playfully into that stillness: "If Eve ain't in your garden, you know that you can / Call me when you want, call me when you need," he teases on his No. 1, "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)." Through his chart-topping songs, he explores tropes -- longing, dreams … [Read more...]

2 In a tiny, two-seat, incredibly fast aircraft, 19-year-old pilot Zara Rutherford touched down in Palo Alto Wednesday on her journey to become the youngest female to fly solo around the world. Rutherford hopes her attempt to break this record will inspire girls and young women to “pursue their dreams,” according to her website — especially if those dreams are in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, where women are historically underrepresented. The record is currently held by Shaesta Waiz, a refugee from Afghanistan who grew up in Richmond. She completed her solo flight around the world at 30, according to National Geographic . Rutherford — who is Belgian and British — began her journey about a month ago, departing from Belgium. After leaving Europe, she made a few stops in Canada and on the East Coast before swooping down into Central and South America. She then came back up into California, stopping in Los Angeles and Mojave before … [Read more...]

GENEVA (AP) — After a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, organizers of the annual Davos conference will host the high-profile gathering of elites in the Swiss Alps in-person again in January. The World Economic Forum said Thursday that its next annual meeting will take place from Jan. 17-22 in the resort village of Davos in eastern Switzerland. A virtual version was held in January this year after repeated attempts to reschedule an in-person event were thwarted by health concerns and logistical hassles stemming from the pandemic. The 2022 event will carry a theme of “Working Together, Restoring Trust” after the ravages of COVID-19 that “has exacerbated fractures across society,” the forum said. Organizers will host next year's event with appropriate and adapted health safety measures, it said. “In a world full of uncertainty and tension, personal dialogue is more important than ever,” forum founder Klaus Schwab said in a statement. “Leaders have an obligation to … [Read more...]

0 Schools The River Forest university was also named #1 Best Value in Illinois. Press Release Desk News Partner Posted Reply Press release from Dominican University: Sept. 15, 2021 U.S. News & World Report ranks Dominican University #10 in the Midwest in its prestigious 2022 Best Colleges publication. This is the second year in a row that Dominican has been ranked #10, after being included in the top 20 of Midwest Regional Universities for more than 20 years. Widely considered to be the leader in the college rankings field, U.S. News & World Report evaluates nearly 160 universities in the Midwest. The university also is ranked #6 in Best Undergraduate Teaching, an impressive increase from #11 last year. Dominican was named #1 Best Value in Illinois, a category that compares, among other factors, a school's academic quality and the percentage of full-time undergraduates receiving needs-based financial aid. … [Read more...]

BEIJING — The Chinese legal authorities released the dissident artist Ai Weiwei on Wednesday after a three-month detention, apparently ending a prosecution that had become a focal point of criticism of China ’s eroding human rights record. “I’m released, I’m home, I’m fine,” Mr. Ai said in English after being reached on his cellphone shortly before 12:30 a.m. Thursday. “In legal terms, I’m — how do you say? — on bail. So I cannot give any interviews. But I’m fine.” Photographs of Mr. Ai taken as he arrived after 11 p.m. Wednesday at his vast studio in the Caochangdi arts district of northeast Beijing showed him smiling, wearing a blue T-shirt, and with his trademark bushy beard streaked with gray. The shirt hung loosely on him, his girth reduced during his time in custody. The release of Mr. Ai, 54, who is widely known and admired outside of China, appeared to be a rare example in recent years of Beijing bowing to international pressure on human rights, though the terms of … [Read more...]

JAKARTA, Indonesia — An court ruled on Thursday that President Joko Widodo and six other top officials had neglected to fulfill citizens’ rights to clean air and ordered them to improve the poor air quality in Jakarta, the capital. The Central Jakarta District Court panel voted 3 to 0 in favor of 32 residents who filed a lawsuit in July 2019 against the president and three cabinet ministers — of home affairs, health and environment — as well as governors of Jakarta, Banten and West Java. The suit sought a healthy living environment in the city, one of the world’s most polluted. The plaintiffs — who include activists, public figures, motorcycle-taxi drivers and people suffering pollution-related diseases — had not requested financial compensation, but had demanded more robust supervision and sanctions for polluters. The presiding judge, Saifuddin Zuhri, said the seven officials had to take serious action to guarantee people’s rights in Jakarta by tightening air-quality … [Read more...]