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Moon AlertThere are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Sagittarius.Aries (March 21-April 19)Feelings of escapism might push you to travel suddenly or do something different. Certainly, you can explore your own neighborhood or your own city to grab a little adventure and excitement. With Venus in your sign, you're eager to socialize because you feel friendly!Taurus (April 20-May 20)You can call the shots, especially when dealing with shared property and financial matters. You will also enjoy team sports and physical competition. With lucky Jupiter in your sign until June, you continue to enjoy good fortune and divine protection. Make the most of this!Gemini (May 21-June 20)Because the moon is in a sign that is opposite from your sign today, this means you will have to be conciliatory and ready to compromise. Be prepared to go more than halfway when dealing with others. (This simply requires a smile and some cooperation.)Cancer (June 21-July 22)Make an attempt To Do list because you can get a lot done today. You might be active at work or in your job. Or you might focus on health and hygiene issues. It's a great day to schmooze, especially in group situations. You will impress bosses and authority figures.Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)Today is a good day to work and a good day to play - your choice. You make an excellent impression on bosses and VIPs; nevertheless, it's also a lovely time to schmooze and enjoy the arts, sports events, outdoor activities and fun times with children. Travel will also appeal.Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)Two conflicting influences are at play today. In one way, you want to travel, explore and discover adventure! You're up for something different. However, in another way, you're happy to hide at home and relax among familiar surroundings. If so, be patient with partners.Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)You're eager to have a meaningful conversation with someone, which is why you will seek out like-minded individuals. You want to discuss something real. You don't want to waste time in superficial chitchat that is polite but meaningless.Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)Money and your personal possessions are a focus for you. You might see ways to boost your income. Or perhaps, you will see ways to use something that you own to a better advantage? Playful and competitive sports might appeal. If you're working today, coworkers will be helpful.Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)Today the moon is in your sign, which will heighten your emotions, especially in response to others. However, when the moon is in your sign, which happens for 2 1/2 days every month, it also slightly boosts your good luck. Ask the universe for a favor!Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)This is a playful day! You might also want to entertain at home or explore redecorating ideas. It's also an excellent day to talk to others and teach or explain your views because you are confident and articulate today. Nevertheless, you might seek out some privacy. It's a mixed bag.Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)This is a lovely day to schmooze with friends as well as members of groups. You will welcome an opportunity to learn or to teach. Short trips will appeal. In fact, travel of any kind will be gratifying because today you truly appreciate your daily surroundings.Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)You are noticed today. In fact, some people might know personal details about your private life. Grab any chance to get away on a short trip because you are eager for change. Physical exercise will appeal because you're in a competitive mood. Meanwhile, you might attract money to you — or spend it on beautiful thingsIf Your Birthday Is TodayBusinessman Rande Gerber (1962) shares your birthday. You are charming, refined, poised and determined. You're shy with strangers but friendly and animated with those you know well. This is a playful, fun-loving year for you. Feel free to let your hair down and loosen up a bit. Old friends might reappear to rekindle relationships.

Pro-Palestinian demonstration encampment at Columbia University on Friday.Yuki Iwamura/Associated Press NEW YORK — Columbia University students who inspired pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the country said Friday that they reached an impasse with administrators and intend to continue their encampment until their demands are met.The announcement after two days of exhaustive negotiations came as Columbia's president faced harsh criticism from faculty — something that has been seen at several other universities where professors and staff similarly condemned leadership over the use of police against demonstrators, leading to fierce clashes, injuries and hundreds of arrests.The tensions add pressure on school officials from California to Massachusetts who are scrambling to resolve the protests as May graduation ceremonies near.As the death toll mounts in the war in Gaza and the humanitarian crisis worsens, protesters at universities all over the U.S. are demanding that schools cut financial ties to Israel and divest from companies they say are enabling the conflict.Some Jewish students say the protests have veered into antisemitism and made them afraid to set foot on campus, and safety concerns have prompted some of the heavier-handed approaches.In one crackdown, in Denver, police swept through an encampment Friday at the Auraria Campus, which hosts three universities and colleges. Forty protesters who set up there the day before were arrested on what the campus said were trespassing charges for violating a camping ban.At Columbia, student negotiators representing the encampment said that after meetings Thursday and Friday, the university had not met their primary demand for divestment, although there was progress on a push for more transparent financial disclosures."We will not rest until Columbia divests," said Jonathan Ben-Menachem, a fourth-year doctoral student.Columbia officials had said earlier that talks were showing progress."We have our demands; they have theirs," university spokesperson Ben Chang said, adding that if the talks fail, Columbia will have to consider other options.Meanwhile, Columbia's president, Minouche Shafik, faced a significant — but largely symbolic — rebuke from faculty Friday but retained the support of trustees, who have the power to hire or fire the president.A report by the university senate's executive committee, which represents faculty, found Shafik and her administration took "many actions and decisions that have harmed Columbia University." Those included calling in police and letting students be arrested without consulting faculty, failing to defend the institution in the face of external pressures, misrepresenting and suspending student protest groups and hiring private investigators."The faculty have completely lost confidence in President Shafik's ability to lead this organization," said Ege Yumusak, a philosophy lecturer who is part of a faculty team protecting the encampment.In response, Chang said in the evening that "we are committed to an ongoing dialogue and appreciate the Senate's constructive engagement in finding a pathway forward."Also Friday, student protester Khymani James walked back comments made in an online video in January that recently received new attention. James said in the video that "Zionists don't deserve to live" and people should be grateful James wasn't killing them."What I said was wrong," James said in a statement. "Every member of our community deserves to feel safe without qualification."James, who served as a spokesperson for the pro-Palestinian encampment as a member of Columbia University Apartheid Divest, was banned from campus Friday, according to a Columbia spokesperson.Protest organizers said James' comments didn't reflect their values. They declined to describe James' level of involvement with the demonstration.On the opposite coast, protesters at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, barricaded themselves inside a building for the fifth day Friday. The administration gave them until 5 p.m. to leave and "not be immediately arrested," a deadline that came and went.University officials did not immediately respond to a request for an update or provide information on what they planned to do, and the campus has been closed for the remainder of the semester.At Arizona State University, protesters pitched tents, including some that police dismantled, and at least one person was handcuffed and taken away Friday.Police previously clashed with protesters Thursday at Indiana University, Bloomington, where 34 were arrested. There were about 36 arrests at Ohio State, and one at the University of Connecticut.The president of Portland State University took a different approach Friday, announcing a forum to discuss protesters' concerns and a pause on further gifts and grants from Boeing, after students asked that the school cut ties with the aerospace company.The University of Southern California canceled its May 10 graduation ceremony Thursday, a day after more than 90 protesters were arrested on campus. The university said it will still host dozens of commencement events, including all the traditional individual school ceremonies.Elsewhere in New York, about a dozen protesters spent the night in tents and sleeping bags inside a building at the Fashion Institute of Technology.Protesters also stayed overnight at the encampment at George Washington University. Officials said in a statement that those who remained were trespassing on private property and disciplinary actions would be pursued against students involved in the unauthorized demonstrations.At Emory University in Atlanta, video that circulated widely on social media showed two women who identified themselves as professors being detained, with one of them slammed to the ground by an officer as a second one pushed her chest and face onto a concrete sidewalk.University President Gregory Fenves said via email that some videos of clashes were "shocking" and he was "horrified that members of our community had to experience and witness such interactions."Fenves blamed the campus unrest on "highly organized, outside protesters" who he said arrived in vans, put up tents and took over the quad. But in an earlier statement, school officials said that 20 of the 28 people arrested were members of the university community.Since the Israel-Hamas war began, the U.S. Education Department has launched civil rights investigations into dozens of universities and schools in response to complaints of antisemitism or Islamophobia. Among those under investigation are many colleges facing protests, including Harvard and Columbia.Perry reported from Meredith, New Hampshire. Associated Press journalists in various locations contributed, including Aaron Morrison, Stefanie Dazio, Kathy McCormack, Jim Vertuno, Acacia Coronado, Sudhin Thanawala, Jeff Amy, Jeff Martin, Mike Stewart, Collin Binkley, Carolyn Thompson, Jake Offenhartz, Jesse Bedayn and Sophia Tareen.

White Sox starter Chris Flexen threw five scoreless innings in Friday’s win over the Rays.Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images White Sox starter Chris Flexen delivered his best start of the season, throwing five scoreless innings in a 9-4 victory Friday against the Rays. He allowed two hits and three walks while striking out two.“Exciting to be able to win a ballgame,” Flexen said. “We’re happy to be able to do that tonight.”While Flexen was silencing the Rays’ bats, the offense woke up and delivered 12 hits, including a three-run homer by Martin Maldonado in the sixth and a two-run shot by Eloy Jimenez in the seventh. The win ended the Sox’ seven-game skid.Flexen pitched 2„ innings of relief on Monday against the Twins. Being skipped in the rotation served as the catalyst for Flexen’s strong start on Friday.“He’s a competitor, and he didn’t really care for it,” manager Pedro Grifol said. “I applaud that. You shouldn’t be happy when you get told, ‘You’re not going to start.’ What he did was he earned this start.”The game was one of the Sox’ most complete of the season. In a campaign filled with miscues, they played solid defense and delivered offensively. The Sox scored nine runs for the first time all season, and the pitching staff didn’t squander the lead like in previous games. The bullpen did make it interesting, allowing four runs.“Obviously we’ve been scuffling to find wins, and haven’t been able to put stuff together,” Flexen said. “To put all three together tonight was big.”Pham’s debutSox outfielder Tommy Pham had a strange offseason. The major-league veteran said he was getting phone calls, but it wasn’t until spring training that he received offers. Pham remained optimistic until he inked a deal with the Sox on April 16.“You’re looking at here and San Diego, basically, once I turned down the other offers,” said Pham, who had two hits Friday. “It just came down to economics. I wouldn’t say opportunity because the opportunity would have been there with both teams. You factor in California’s taxes, which I’ve already played there, and I know how it is there.”San Diego declined to up their offer to match what the Sox ultimately offered. Pham was part of last year’s Diamondbacks team that turned a wild-card berth into a World Series appearance.The veteran outfielder slashed .256/.328/.446 over 129 games with the Diamondbacks and Mets.“We’re at a point where we’re looking to shake some things up a little bit offensively,” Sox general manager Chris Getz said. “Tommy Pham’s got a solid history of offensive performance in this league. To be able to get his bat in the lineup is going to be helpful.”Getz said Pham will get time in center field as the team navigates the absence of center fielder Luis Robert Jr.“As a position player, defense, baserunning and hitting, just making sure you do what you need to do to be your best for that day, every day,” Pham said of how the team can play better baseball. “I bring a certain skill set and work ethic that can be contagious.”Roster movesBefore Friday’s game, the Sox selected the contracts of outfielders Pham and Rafael Ortega. To make room on the 40-man roster, left-hander Bailey Horn and outfielder Kevin Pillar were designated for assignment. The team also optioned outfielder Dominic Fletcher.Horn was acquired from the Cubs in February and had a 11.32 ERA at Triple-A Charlotte. He struggled with his command in nine minor-league games. Pillar batted .160 in his short Sox tenure.Ortega, who slashed .265/.344/.408 in 221 games with the Cubs, can play all three outfield spots and has some pop with his bat.“Ortega’s been playing well in Charlotte, and Fletch, I think it’s a good time for him to catch his breath,” Getz said. “He came over in a trade pretty close to spring training. Took a little bit for him to find his footing.”

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 26: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Chicago Cubs celebrates with manager Craig Counsell after scoring a run against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning at Fenway Park on April 26, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. Maddie Meyer/Getty BOSTON – Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer pointed out to center field, where the Fenway Park wall comes to a point, and Pete Crow-Armstrong’s gaze followed the gesture.“That triangle is so unbelievably deep,” Hoyer explained later.The decal on the wall indicates that it’s 420 feet. Wrigley Field, by comparison, is 400 feet to center field.Crow-Armstrong was roaming Fenway’s unique center field for the first time in his major-league career Friday. Hoyer, a former longtime Red Sox executive, had watched more than enough games at the ballpark to pass on exactly how it plays.The Cubs returned to Fenway on Friday for the first time since 2017. It wasn’t only rookies who were playing in the storied building for the first time.“I'm excited to go on the field there,” second baseman Nico Hoerner said. “Obviously, you get there a little early, walk around, go out to the [Green] Monster. Still a fan of the game, obviously, so it'll be really exciting.”Hoerner was supposed to play in the Cape Cod League's annual showcase at Fenway Park – where players from the college summer ball league take batting practice and go through a workout on the field – in 2017. But it was rained out, he said.Left fielder Ian Happ had better luck with the weather when he was in the Cape Cod League. But Friday marked the first time he’d played a competitive game at the Red Sox’ park.“I think it’s awesome, historic,” Happ said. “It just feels a lot like Wrigley when you walk through the concourse, and everything’s green. It’s cool.”Fenway Park, which opened in 1912, is the oldest ballpark in MLB. Wrigley Field, which opened two years later, ranks No. 2. Both rise out of dense sections of their respective cities. And the city streets give them their unique dimensions.The Cubs play a three-game set against the Red Sox this weekend. The Cubs entered the series with a 5-4 record at Fenway.Offense filling inHoyer addressed reporters Friday for the first time since center fielder Cody Bellinger landed on the 10-day injured list with fractured ribs.His injury, in the Cubs’ series opener against the Astros Monday, was a blow to an offense that was already without Seiya Suzuki, their hottest hitter to start the year. But the Cubs swept the three-game series against the Astros.“What I really liked about our offense at the beginning of the season was it felt like the lineup was really long and we had some depth,” Hoyer said. “And so now we're sort of pushing that depth."And having some of the young players come up and contribute is really valuable. And if they can have some success, I think that’ll carry us a long way throughout the season because we're going to need their contributions throughout. I mean, Seiya and Cody's injuries are not going to be the last injuries we're going to face.”Steele’s extended spring startLeft-hander Justin Steele (strained left hamstring) threw 47 pitches in 2 ⅓ innings Friday in extended spring training. He will remain in Arizona to continue his rehab, according to the team.

Cubs starting pitcher Shota Imanaga throws against the Boston Red Sox on Friday. Michael Dwyer/AP BOSTON — Cubs vice president of pro scouting Andrew Bassett dropped a book with Japanese characters across the cover on president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer’s desk Thursday.Hoyer couldn’t read it. The pages inside were in Japanese, too. But he learned it was left-hander Shota Imanaga’s book on pitching.“It shows you that's what he's like,” Hoyer said before the Cubs’ 7-1 win against the Red Sox on Friday. “He's very thoughtful. Obviously he has the nickname of the Pitching Philosopher.”The day after receiving Imanaga’s pitching bible — “Somebody asked me if I wanted to write a book, and so I said yes,” Imanaga explained through interpreter Edwin Stanberry — Hoyer watched Imanaga limit the Red Sox to one run through 6⅓ innings at Fenway Park.The Cubs are only a month into the season, and already the rotation has weathered injuries to its three most established arms.Right-hander Jameson Taillon began the season on the IL as he worked back from a back strain, and he’s made two strong starts since being activated. Rotation leader Justin Steele went down with a hamstring injury on Opening Day and got the first game action of his rehab process in extended spring training Friday. Veteran Kyle Hendricks, amid early season struggles, went on the IL this week with a low back strain.Through all of that, plus key injuries to the offense and bullpen, the Cubs have amassed a 17-9 record this season. They've benefited from impressive performances by Javier Assad, who has been filling in as a starter, and Ben Brown and Hayden Wesneski, who have taken on multi-faceted roles.In this four-game winning streak, Cubs pitchers have allowed an average of 1.75 runs per game.“What makes our group so special is the cohesiveness of what we're trying to accomplish,” pitching coach Tommy Hottovy said this week. “And they know that it takes everybody, and it’s going to take a lot of people to get us through the season and do what we want to do this year.”Case in point, manager Craig Counsell announced after the game Friday that Brown would start Saturday, after making his last two appearances out of the bullpen.The Cubs’ schedule, paired with the injuries, add another wrinkle for the rotation.Counsell has kept most of his starters on a six-day schedule, giving them an extra day between starts. And when a starter has had to throw on regular rest, Counsell has avoided asking that pitcher to do so twice in a row. But that likely won’t be feasible in the coming weeks as the Cubs play 16 games in as many days.The Cubs began that stretch on Monday, and Counsell was clear about needing to push starting pitching further in games. In the four games since, each of the Cubs’ starters has at least made it two outs into the sixth inning. And the bullpen has been steady behind them.“We pitched just wonderfully this series,” Counsell said after the Cubs swept the Astros at Wrigley Field this week.Imanaga carried that trend through Friday. Through five starts, Imanaga has posted a 0.98 ERA. And though the Cubs had high hopes for him when they signed him this winter, he’s had a better start to his career stateside than the team probably could have reasonably expected.He became just the fourth Cubs starter in the modern era (since 1901) with four wins in the first five starts of his career. His consistency has helped steady could have made a rocky road.“Since it is a team, I don't feel like I'm really carrying the load,” Imanaga said. “It's a team effort. So the fact that I have awesome teammates, especially in the rotation, that helps a lot.”