Aurelia Butler

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    Cardinals Begin Conclave With an Oath

    The cardinals at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City vow to follow the rules of the conclave, the process by which the next pope is chosen.Inside the Sistine Chapel, the cardinals are taking an oath following the instructions of Pope John Paul II, in a document governing papal conclaves that he issued in 1996.The most senior cardinal reads an oath in Latin and the 133 cardinals will read along, promising to follow the prescribed rules. They also pledge that whoever is chosen as the next pope will “commit himself faithfully” to carrying out the mission of St. Peter, the first pontiff, “and will not fail to affirm and defend strenuously the spiritual and temporal rights and the liberty of the Holy See.”The cardinals also vow that the proceedings — including the voting — will remain secret, unless the new pope says that they can break that vow. Any notes taken during the conclave are supposed to be burned with the paper ballots, which are incinerated up to twice a day.That said, accounts of the secretive deliberations have sometimes trickled out after the election, and some Vaticanisti, as the Vatican press corps is known, have puzzled together about how some choices may have been made. There have also been cases of “secret diaries” by anonymous cardinals that later became public, as in the case of one recounting the election of Benedict XVI in 2005.The cardinals also pledge not to be swayed by external influences.Each cardinal then takes an oath in Latin, placing his hand on the Bible and says, “And I,” stating his name, “do so promise, pledge and swear. So help me God and these Holy Gospels which I touch with my hand.”Once the last cardinal has taken the oath, Diego Ravelli, the master of papal liturgical celebrations will give the order, “extra omnes,” Latin for “everybody out.” He is one of the few people who gets to stay inside the chapel during the conclave, but not while votes are counted. More

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    Salt Lake City and Boise Adopt Official Pride Flags in Response to State Laws

    The cities approved several new flags after Utah and Idaho passed laws barring unofficial flags from being displayed on government property.The capitals of Utah and Idaho adopted new official city flags on Tuesday in response to state laws barring the display of any nonofficial flags at schools and government buildings.The state measures were seen by civil rights groups as efforts to prevent the display of flags supporting L.G.B.T.Q. people. The City Council in Salt Lake City approved three new flags: one with the rainbow colors of the Pride flag, a second with the pink and blue of the transgender Pride flag and a third with a symbol and date referring to the Juneteenth holiday that commemorates the end of slavery. Each flag also includes the sego lily, a city symbol.New city flags were adopted by Salt Lake City in response to a recent state law.Salt Lake City Mayor’s OfficeIn Boise, the City Council designated the rainbow Pride flag and a flag promoting organ donation as official city flags.“The City of Boise will continue to fly the flags on City Hall Plaza that represent our community and speak to our values of caring for people and welcoming all,” Lauren McLean, Boise’s mayor, said in a statement before the resolution was adopted.The Utah legislature passed a law in March banning the display of flags that are not explicitly approved at public schools and government buildings. (Flags allowed under the state law include the American flag, the state flag, city flags, flags of other countries or states, and college and military flags.)Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah, a Republican, allowed the measure to become law without his signature, saying that he was concerned it was too sweeping but that he recognized a veto would be overridden. The law did not explicitly mention L.G.B.T.Q. or Pride flags, but sponsors of the bill indicated that barring such flags was a major part of their motivation.Earlier this year, Idaho also banned displaying unofficial flags at government buildings.Mayor Erin Mendenhall of Salt Lake City, a Democrat, said in a statement that the new flags promoted unity. “I want all Salt Lakers to look up at these flags and be reminded that we value diversity, equity and inclusion,” she said, “leaving no doubt that we are united as a city and people, moving forward together.”In response to Salt Lake City’s action on Tuesday, the Utah House speaker, Mike Schultz, a Republican, said in a statement to The Salt Lake Tribune: “Salt Lake City’s move to bypass state law is a clear waste of time and taxpayer resources.”He added: “Salt Lake City should focus on real issues, not political theatrics.”A state senator, Daniel McCay, mocked the city’s action by posting photos on social media of flags that, along with Salt Lake City’s sego lily, displayed a symbol of the Mormon Church, the design of the flag of Israel and President Trump’s “MAGA” slogan.A similar state bill in Florida that would have barred flags expressing a “political viewpoint” failed to advance at the recently concluded legislative session. More

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    Axis Dance Explores New Frontiers With Mobility Technology

    What are crutches for? To help an injured or disabled person get from Point A to Point B?Like most mobility devices, crutches are often designed and viewed in a matter-of-fact medical framework. There is a problem to be fixed; the device is the solution.Performances by Axis Dance Company routinely explode that idea. For Axis — an Oakland, Calif., ensemble of both disabled and non-disabled dancers — a crutch brims with creative possibilities: It might be a partnering support, a third leg, an elongated arm.But what happens when that expansive way of thinking is applied to the design of the device itself? What kinds of movement might be possible if, for example, a crutch could extend and retract?Joseph Tebandeke (aloft) and Anna Gichan of Axis rehearsing. That’s not a hypothetical. Telescoping crutches play a central role in Axis’ “Kinematic/Kinesthetic,” premiering Thursday at the Exploratorium museum in San Francisco. The work is a collaboration between the interdisciplinary artist Ben Levine; the choreographer and Axis artistic director Nadia Adame; and engineering students from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Maryland. It features two imaginative mobility technologies developed for the project — the telescoping crutches, and a hexapod robot that gives its user six legs rather than two — as well as a hands-free Omeo wheelchair.Levine, who is disabled, hopes “Kinematic/Kinesthetic” will enlarge our understanding of the relationship between bodies and machines. Dancers are deeply attuned to their physical selves; people with disabilities often interact extensively with technology. Involving these knowledgeable bodies in the development of assistive devices can reshape ideas about the devices — and potentially generate new ways of moving.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

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    Jefferson Griffin in N.C. Supreme Court Race Concedes Defeat

    Three counts had showed that the incumbent, a Democrat, won the election last fall. But for months, Judge Jefferson Griffin tried to reverse his loss through the courts.A six-month battle over a North Carolina Supreme Court seat ended on Wednesday when the Republican challenger, who had embarked on an extraordinary effort to throw out thousands of votes, conceded the race.The challenger, Judge Jefferson Griffin, said in a statement that he would not appeal a federal court ruling issued on Monday that ordered the state elections board to certify the victory for the Democratic incumbent, Justice Allison Riggs.Justice Allison Riggs spoke at a rally with voters to protest efforts by her opponent, Judge Jefferson Griffin, to overturn the election results, in Raleigh, N.C., last month.Cornell Watson for The New York Times“While I do not fully agree with the District Court’s analysis, I respect the court’s holding — just as I have respected every judicial tribunal that has heard this case,” Mr. Griffin said. “I will not appeal the court’s decision.”Two recounts had affirmed that Justice Riggs won the race by a margin of 734 votes out of the more than 5.5 million ballots that were cast. The results of the race are the last in the nation to be certified from the 2024 election.This is a developing story. Check back for updates. More

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    These 10 U.S. Cardinals Have a Vote in Selecting the Next Pope

    Six are joining in their first papal conclave, and four others participated in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis.The College of Cardinals includes 17 members from the United States. But only 10 of those are cardinal electors, meaning that they are allowed to participate in the conclave and vote for the next pope. The other seven are older than 80, the cutoff to be an elector.Six of the 10 cardinals were elevated to the position by Pope Francis and are largely known as vocal supporters of his priorities, particularly on immigration, the environment and poverty. This will be their first conclave:Cardinal Blase J. Cupich of Chicago, 76. Born in Nebraska, he was a bishop in South Dakota and an archbishop in Spokane, Wash. His appointment to Chicago in 2014 was one of Pope Francis’ early moves to reshape U.S. church leadership, particularly to show support for immigrants. Cardinal Cupich’s archdiocese covers about two million Catholics in Cook and Lake Counties.Cardinal Robert W. McElroy of Washington, 71. The former bishop of San Diego is known for regularly speaking out on behalf of migrants, women and L.G.B.T.Q. people in the church and the United States. He has said that the Trump administration’s plans for a “wider, indiscriminate, massive deportation across the country” would be “incompatible with Catholic doctrine.”Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, 73. Before coming to Newark, he led the archdiocese of Indianapolis (where he bench-pressed 225 pounds at the gym). As a young priest, he ministered to people with AIDS in Chicago. He has said that he does not see “a compelling theological reason why the pope couldn’t name a woman cardinal.”Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory, archbishop emeritus of Washington, 77. The first African-American cardinal, he was president of the United States Catholic bishops’ conference in 2002 and pushed to pass the Dallas Charter, which instituted a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse of minors. Later the archbishop of Atlanta, he supported L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics and commissioned an action plan after Francis’ encyclical on the environment.Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, 77. The Irish-American was formerly bishop of Dallas. Pope Francis made him the camerlengo, or chamberlain, the Vatican’s acting administrator when a pope dies or resigns. He was responsible for verifying Pope Francis’ death.Cardinal Robert F. Prevost, prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, 69. A Chicago-born priest, he advised the pope on bishop appointments around the world. He is also a member of the Order of Saint Augustine, a religious order of men and women who follow the teachings of the fourth-century saint. Cardinal Prevost is also seen by some as a contender for pope, though a long shot. (There has never been an American pontiff.)We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

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    What to Know about ‘Love Island USA’ Season 7

    After finding a winning formula in Season 6, the Peacock dating competition will return to Fiji this summer.There is news from the villa: “Love Island USA,” the reality competition show that was so successful last year that it generated a spinoff, will return to Peacock this summer for Season 7.Here’s what we know so far.For the uninitiated, what is ‘Love Island USA?’The show is a reality dating competition that gathers a group of contestants, called islanders, into a luxury villa and has them couple up, either out of true love or friendship or simply for survival. Single islanders are kicked out of the villa, and every so often viewers can vote out their least favorite couple. The pair voted “most compatible” at the end wins a cash prize.Who will be on Season 7?Though the cast not been announced, Ariana Madix, of “Vanderpump Rules” fame, will be returning as the host, and the comedian Iain Stirling will reprise his role as the narrator. Together, the two helped draw a new audience to the competition last year, making it one of the summer’s buzziest shows.“What’s quite nice is me, as the voice, and Ariana are a lovely juxtaposition,” Mr. Sterling said in an interview last year. “You’ve got me as the voice going, ‘Oh that’s a silly thing we’re all looking at’ and you’ve got Ariana being like, ‘I genuinely really care about these people.’ And I think that sort of encapsulates the two emotions you feel while watching ‘Love Island.’”What else is there to know?Like Season 6, this season will also take place in Fiji. According to a news release from Peacock, “Temptations will rise and drama will ensue as Islanders face brand new couples’ challenges, jaw-dropping twists and turns, and even a few surprise guests.”Voting will, once again, be managed through a “Love Island USA” app.Peacock released a teaser for the new season yesterday, featuring Ms. Madix and Mr. Sterling gazing into a crystal ball as the drama unfolds before their eyes.And there is a spinoff?Yes! Last month, Peacock announced a new series, “Love Island: Beyond the Villa,” that will follow the cast of Season 6 around Los Angeles in more of a straightforward reality show. No release date has been set, but the series is expected to have most of the cast in main roles, with others appearing occasionally.When will Season 7 premiere?The show will premiere on Peacock on June 3 at 9 p.m. Eastern time, and new episodes will be released every day except Wednesday. More

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    JD Vance’s Half Brother Advances in Race for Cincinnati Mayor

    Cory Bowman will next face Aftab Pureval, the Democratic incumbent, who outperformed him in Tuesday’s nonpartisan primary.A half brother of Vice President JD Vance who is running for mayor of Cincinnati advanced on Tuesday to compete in the general election.The candidate, Cory Bowman, a Republican coffee shop owner, won a small share of the votes in Tuesday’s nonpartisan primary, according to The Associated Press. He came in second to the current mayor, Aftab Pureval, a Democrat.They will now face each other again in November. The results pushed a third candidate, Brian Frank, also a Republican, out of the race.Cincinnati mayoral elections are technically nonpartisan, but it has been decades since the city elected a Republican to the office. Vice President Kamala Harris won 77 percent of the city’s voters last fall, even as President Trump and Mr. Vance, Ohio’s junior senator, took the state.David Niven, a professor of politics at the University of Cincinnati, said Mr. Bowman’s family connections were unlikely to change that dynamic. “You can’t get that far as a Trump-Vance Republican in the city of Cincinnati.” But anywhere else in the state of Ohio, Dr. Niven said, “He’d be in better shape as a candidate.”Mr. Pureval won both the primary and the general mayoral elections four years ago by wide margins. Until a few months ago, he had seemed poised to run unopposed for a second term. Both Republicans said that possibility spurred them to enter the race, which has focused on local matters like affordable housing, potholes and public safety.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More

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    With a Pace Gallery Show, Robert Mangold Demonstrates His Consistency

    At 87, the abstract artist Robert Mangold will exhibit 19 recent paintings and works, including one of his largest in decades.The abstract artist Robert Mangold has been so remarkably consistent and disciplined with his approach to painting and drawing that he makes pretty much everyone else look capricious and changeable.Mangold has been exploring geometry, form and color for more than 60 years, with a half-century of that time on a charming property here in the Hudson Valley with an old farmhouse and a barn.Now 87, Mangold has definitely slowed down. But he is still working, and he has a show of recent paintings and works on paper at Pace Gallery in Chelsea that opens on Friday.“Robert Mangold: Pentagons and Folded Space” is timed to coincide with the busy spring art season in New York and remains on view until Aug. 15.The exhibition has 19 works, and some have multiple components — including “Four Pentagons” (2022), a four-panel work that is one of his largest in decades — so it may seem even bigger, and it spreads over two floors. (“Four Pentagons” and a few other works are on loan from museums or private collections, in this case from the Art Institute of Chicago.)Mangold can spend years iterating on a shape. Circles and semicircles are forms that he has returned to again and again, sometimes embedded with or embedded in rectilinear forms, as in “Circle Painting #4” (1973), which sold for $365,000 at Christie’s in 2014.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More