Smoke rises as Israeli forces demolish the home of Abdul Karim Sanoubar, a suspected Palestinian militant who has been accused by Israel of planting bombs on buses in central Israel, in Nablus, West Bank, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)2025-12-02T07:01:50Z DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) Israel on Tuesday said it had received findings handed over by Palestinian militants in Gaza to the Red Cross. They were believed to be remains of one of the two hostages still in the territory: an Israeli and a Thai national.Israels government said they would be taken for forensics testing. Palestinian media has said they were found in Gazas northern town of Beit Lahiya. Israeli officials didnt immediately say what the term findings meant.The remains of 26 hostages taken in the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war have already been returned since a U.S.-brokered ceasefire began on Oct. 10.Palestinians killed in Gaza Israeli fire killed two Palestinians in Gaza in Tuesday.An Israeli drone strike killed a videographer in the south, said officials at Nasser Hospital, which received the body.Momahed Wadi was killed in Khan Younis, the hospital said. Wadi owned a drone photography company that once specialized on filming occasions like weddings. More recently, it posted footage of Gazas destruction. Also Tuesday, a man was shot dead near the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, according to Al-Awda Hospital. Israels military did not immediately comment on either death, but has said killings are often in response to militants approaching or firing at its forces.Gazas Health Ministry said more than 350 Palestinians have been killed across the territory since the ceasefire. Both Hamas and Israel have accused the other of breaking the terms of the truce. The initial 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed around 1,200 people while more than 250 others were taken hostage. Almost all of the hostages or their remains have been returned in ceasefires or other deals.Gazas Health Ministry says the Palestinian toll has topped 70,100. The ministry operates under the Hamas-run government. It is staffed by medical professionals and maintains detailed records viewed as generally reliable by the international community. Violence in the West BankIsraels military has also pushed forward its operations in the occupied West Bank, shooting and killing two Palestinians on Tuesday it accused of attacking soldiers.The military said troops shot and killed a suspect who stabbed and lightly wounded two soldiers as they confronted him near an Israeli settlement in the central West Bank. It said the incident was under review. In the southern West Bank, the army said it fatally shot a Palestinian who had carried out a car-ramming attack that wounded a soldier. The army said the man attempted to flee as they tried to arrest him.The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the suspects as an 18-year-old from north of Ramallah and an 17-year-old resident of Hebron.Israels military has stepped up its activities in the West Bank since the war in Gaza began. Israel says the offensive is aimed at rooting out militants. Palestinians say scores of stone-throwers, protesters and uninvolved civilians have been killed.In recent weeks, Israeli settlers have stepped up attacks on Palestinian civilians. Israel demolishes family homes in West BankIsraeli forces on Tuesday demolished the family home of Abdul Karim Sanoubar, a suspected Palestinian militant currently in detention who has been accused of planting bombs on buses in central Israel in February.Troops evacuated 13 homes around the building in Nablus. Israel says home demolitions are meant to deter future attackers, but critics say they amount to collective punishment against the families of assailants and only exacerbate tensions with Palestinians.The military, which said the explosives in the planned attack didnt detonate, said it demolished Karim Sanoubars familys home due to the irregular nature of the planned attack and with the backing of the legal authorities.Israeli troops later traveled to Aqabah town in the West Bank to demolish the house of a man accused of carrying out a shooting attack in which one person was killed, the military said. Tensions with Lebanon and SyriaOn Tuesday, Israels military launched another round of strikes on southern Lebanon, an almost daily occurrence as Israel accuses the militant group Hezbollah of failing to disarm following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire last year that halted two months of war.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed calls to establish a demilitarized buffer zone along the Israel-Syria border in a visit to soldiers injured in Syria. On Friday, Israeli forces killed 13 people in a raid on a Syrian village, where they opened fired on residents confronting them, according to Syrian officials.Israel has said such attacks in Lebanon and Syria are against militant groups, but critics say they come with a heavy toll as civilians, including women and children, are often killed.As Pope Leo XIV departed Lebanon on a visit to the Middle East, he made a brief mention of violence in Lebanons south and called for peace in the region.___Magdy reported from Cairo and Janetsky from Jerusalem.___Find more of APs Israel-Hamas coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war MEGAN JANETSKY Megan Janetsky covers migration, conflict, human rights and politics in Mexico and Central America for The AP based in Mexico City. Previously, she covered Cuba and the Caribbean for The AP and worked as freelance journalist in Colombia, reporting across South America. twitter instagram facebook mailto SAMY MAGDY Magdy is a Middle East reporter for The Associated Press, based in Cairo. He focuses on conflict, migration and human rights abuses. twitter facebook mailto

Honduras' President Juan Orlando Hernandez speaks during the opening ceremony of the UN Climate Change Conference COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, Monday Nov. 1, 2021. Andy Buchanan/Pool via AP, File)2025-12-02T14:00:31Z TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) Former Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernndez, sentenced last year to 45 years in prison for his role in helping drug traffickers move hundreds of tons of cocaine to the United States, was released from prison following a pardon from President Donald Trump, his wife announced Tuesday.The U.S. Bureau of Prisons inmate website showed that Hernndez was released from U.S. Penitentiary, Hazelton in West Virginia on Monday and a spokesperson for the bureau on Tuesday confirmed his release.His wife Ana Garca thanked Trump for pardoning Hernndez via the social platform X early Tuesday.After almost four years of pain, of waiting and difficult challenges, my husband Juan Orlando Hernndez RETURNED to being a free man, thanks to the presidential pardon granted by President Donald Trump, Garcas post said. She included a picture of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons listing for Hernndez indicating his release. Hernndez was arrested at the request of the United States in February 2022, weeks after handing over power to current President Xiomara Castro.Two years later, he was sentenced to 45 years in prison in a New York federal courtroom for taking bribes from drug traffickers so they could safely move some 400 tons of cocaine north through Honduras to the United States. Hernndez maintained throughout that he was innocent and the victim of revenge by drug traffickers he had helped extradite to the United States. Stay up to date with the news and the best of AP by following our WhatsApp channel. Follow on On Sunday, Trump was asked about why he pardoned Hernandez by reporters traveling with him on Air Force One. I was asked by Honduras, many of the people of Honduras, Trump said.The people of Honduras really thought he was set up, and it was a terrible thing, he said.They basically said he was a drug dealer because he was the president of the country. And they said it was a Biden administration set-up. And I looked at the facts and I agreed with them.The pardon promised by Trump days before Honduras presidential election injected a new element into the contest that some said helped the candidate from his National Party Nasry Asfura, one of the leaders as the vote count proceeded Tuesday.

Lesbian journalist Rachel Maddow recently unveiled her new investigative history podcast Burn Notice, which covers the U.S. governments forced placement of Japanese people into internment camps during World War II. She felt compelled to create the podcast to draw parallels with the current presidential administrations treatment of immigrants in the United States.When we saw what was going on in terms of people being snatched off the streets and hastily built prison camps going up all around the country in deliberately remote areas, the resonance of it pushed this to the top of the line for us. It just felt like the time to do it, she told Time magazine of launching her podcast, comparing the forced relocation of Japanese-Americans during WWII to the violent present-day abductions and raids being committed by agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Related George Takei says anti-immigrant policies are repeating one of Americas darkest chapters She noted that John DeWitt, the U.S. Army four-star general who oversaw the internment, initially wanted a far less sweeping plan to relocate Japanese people into camps after Japans bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. However, Karl Robin Bendetsen, a U.S. Army major at the time, helped develop a plan for all U.S. residents of Japanese ancestry both foreign- and American-born to be forced into concentration camps.Sometimes when the country does terrible things, when the government does really awful stuff, it feels like we could have never done this before, Maddow said. Thats definitely not true. These things dont just automatically happen. Theyre not on autopilot. There isnt anything inevitable about them. Its individual people the wrong man in the wrong place at the wrong time to give terrible policy outcomes like this. And so its worth being really specific about who is actually making this happen, whos driving it, who can potentially be targeted, or focused on in terms of trying to stop it or change it. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Her podcast not only highlights the villains but also the heroes who fought against the unconstitutional human rights abuses of the time, including Colorado Gov. Ralph Carr (R), who suffered political consequences for defending the dignity and humanity of relocated Japanese people living in the United States.Maddows podcast also highlights three young Japanese Americans who legally challenged their internment and lost in the courts, but later received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for their heroic efforts. Maddow said she felt particularly compelled to cover this historic incident now, seeing as the current president is exhibiting a lot of the real hallmarks of state capture of the media that weve seen in other authoritarian takeovers in other countries.Some media companies in this country have been [trying] to please Trump and ultimately to turn over media ownership to oligarchs who are happy to serve the regime, Maddow said. Theres almost consensus among real working journalists in this country that we cannot become a country that only has state TV. What it takes to do that is to stand up and be a successful, resonant, scrappy, aggressive, non-state TV competitor.Now, were there. Theres no use in warning anymore. Weve got masked, totally unaccountable secret police grabbing women out of daycares and building prison camps everywhere. In less than a year, the president has stuffed multiple billions of dollars into his own pockets, into those of his family. He has literally torn down the White House, she added.Were no longer at the point where we need to be warned about whats coming. Were now at a point where what we need is understanding whats going on, knowing what our options are in terms of how to preserve our democracy, to make sure that were not going to be the generation that lost the republic, she said.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Its the season for holiday gatherings, eggnog, and, of course, the horniest stats of the year.Just like last year, the popular gay cruising app Squirt has provided fans with all of the naughty data that made 2025 great and it's so hot!But amongst all of the raw data (pun intended!) on who the top five gay adult performers are, what pop culture moments had the gays gagging, and which cities are the hottest spots for cruising, the stats tell us a lot about gay sex in 2025. Including showing up just how horny and naughty gay men can be, with bareback, orgy, and amateur topping the list of Popular Porn Categories, and swallowing, creampie, and facial making up the top of the Popular Cumshots list.The Most Popular Sex Positions, on the other hand, shows us the more vanilla side of gay sex, while the kinks and types of guys gay men are into give us a window into how the culture is shifting over time. Most Popular Sex PositionsTrying all of the positions in the Kama Sutra may sound fun and exciting, but Squirt Unloadeds data shows us that the extremely normal positions of doggy-style, missionary, and cowboy are the top three faves among gay men this year, with side-by-side and frotting also landing in the top five.So while the stats show how kinky and horny gay men can be, this survey also proves they also love the basics when it comes to foreplay with oral and making out ranking number one and two on the list.Most Popular KinksVoyeurism slid from the second most popular kink in 2024 all the way to number 10 in 2025. Maybe with social media taking over our day-to-day lives, were all getting a little tired of watching other people. Instead, being an exhibitionist yourself has become more popular, jumping from the number five spot last year, all the way to number two in 2025. And in a world where everyone is struggling to find connection and fight the loneliness and isolation that is plaguing society, group sex is the most popular kink of the year, and orgies landed the second spot on the Most Popular Porn Categories list.Guys in the most demandWhile all of the stats are undeniably spicy and fascinating, the most interesting part may be what the Most Popular Guys in Demand category says about gay sex in 2025.Gay culture tends to be obsessed with youth, beauty, and having six-pack abs, but while those types still rank high, the most in-demand men this year were daddies and bears. More highly sought after than twinks and muscles bros who still ranked in the number three and four spots the daddies and bears being popular possibly points to a cultural shift that has gay men opening their eyes to how hot older men and bigger, hairier men can be. Chubs even made the list at number eight!Last year, silver foxes ranked number one finding older men hot is clearly becoming a trend but bears werent even on the list, only muscle bears were.With this years stats, Squirt proved that while gay men love missionary sex and making out, their sex lives are only getting more varied, exciting, and inclusive every year!

Nature, Published online: 02 December 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-03738-6Places in England still using local mean time in 1875, and Niels Bohr delivers a talk on the latest in quantum theory, in this weeks peek at Natures archive.

This season's event features three ranked matchups, plus more top-25 teams in action this week.

The Big Ten has never had a better chance to end its 25-year national championship drought.

The U.S. men's national team star is having a career season in Italy with AC Milan. What has changed for Christian Pulisic?

The Trojans' personnel operation had fallen off. A new GM and L.A. pipelines have changed things.

Texas is up, the ACC is down, Sarah Strong is even better than anticipated and more early takeaways.

President Trumps threat of military action has confronted President Nicols Maduro of Venezuela with the gravest challenge of his crisis-ridden reign.

WASHINGTONTouting his latest executive order as a historic win for the U.S. economy, President Donald Trump announced Friday that he was mandating a 5,000% increase in all numbers nationwide. Effective immediately, 100 will now be 5,100 andIm reading off the official statistics from my people500 will be 25,500, said Trump, speaking from the Oval Office as he told reporters the move would shift decimals many places to the right for wages, stock prices, job numbers, gross domestic product, and other vital economic indicators. Say your net worth is about $20,000. In that case, youre now a millionaire. And we dont have to worry about fertility anymore, because this country now has about 17 billion people. These are really tremendous increases that should have gone into effect years ago. Trump added that if the executive order was as successful as he expected it to be, he might soon shift to increasing some letters.The post Trump Announces 5,000%Increase In All Numbers appeared first on The Onion.

A COPA Airlines plane takes off at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela, Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, days after the government revoked operating rights for international airlines that suspended flights following a warning from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.(AP Photo/Cristian Hernandez)2025-12-02T15:02:57Z CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) U.S.-operated flights returning deported migrants to Venezuela will continue despite President Donald Trumps suggestion that the airspace of the South American country should be viewed as closed.The government of Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro on Tuesday announced that the twice weekly flights will go on following a request from the Trump administration. That reverses a Venezuelan government Saturday announcement indicating that U.S. immigration authorities had unilaterally suspended the flights.An overflight and landing application submitted Monday by U.S.-based Eastern Airlines requests permission for an arrival Wednesday. The application was made public Tuesday by Venezuelas foreign affairs minister.Venezuelans have been steadily deported to their home country this year after Maduro, under pressure from the White House, did away with his long-standing policy of not accepting deportees from the U.S. Immigrants now arrive regularly at the airport outside the capital, Caracas, on flights operated by a U.S. government contractor or Venezuelas state-owned airline. The flights have continued despite U.S. military strikes against vessels suspected of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean and off Venezuelas Caribbean coast. The Trump administration says the strikes are aimed at drug cartels, some of which it claims are controlled by Maduro. Trump also is weighing whether to carry out strikes on the Venezuelan mainland.More than 13,000 migrants have been deported to Venezuela this year on dozens of chartered flights, the latest of which arrived Friday.

As of this week, half of the states in the U.S. are under restrictive age verification laws that require adults to hand over their biometric and personal identification to access legal porn.Missouri became the 25th state to enact its own age verification law on Sunday. As its done in multiple other states, Pornhub and its network of sister sitessome of the largest adult content platforms in the worldpulled service in Missouri, replacing their homepages with a video of performer Cherie DeVille speaking about the privacy risks and chilling effects of age verification.The other states include Louisiana, Utah, Mississippi, Virginia, Arkansas, Texas, Montana, North Carolina, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Indiana, Alabama, Oklahoma, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Wyoming, South Dakota, North Dakota, Arizona, and Ohio.As you may know, your elected officials in Missouri are requiring us to verify your age before allowing you access to our website. While safety and compliance are at the forefront of our mission, giving your ID card every time you want to visit an adult platform is not the most effective solution for protecting our users, and in fact, will put children and your privacy at risk, DeVille says in the video. On the blocked homepages theres also a link to an explanation of the Restricted to Adults, or RTA label, which porn site administrators place on their sites to signal to device-based parental controls that the websites are inappropriate for minors.Like most of the other 24 laws across the country, Missouris age verification law requires websites containing more than one third of material thats considered harmful to minors, or sexual content, to perform age verification checks. Similar or more restrictive laws have swept the country since Louisiana became the first state to enact age verification legislation in 2023.Age Verification Laws Drag Us Back to the Dark Ages of the InternetInvasive and ineffective age verification laws that require users show government-issued ID, like a drivers license or passport, are passing like wildfire across the U.S.404 MediaEmanuel MaibergAge verification laws reach beyond porn sites, however. In Wyoming, South Dakota, Mississippi and Ohio, where the laws are written broadly enough to cover social media sites and any platform hosting adult content, Bluesky users have to submit to a face scan by the third-party company Yoti or upload a photo of their credit card to verify theyre over 18 years of age. In July, Bluesky started requiring all UK users to verify their ages in response to the Online Safety Act. Weve previously reported on the security risks in uploading sensitive personal data to identity verification services, including the potential for hackers to then get ahold of that information themselves. In October, after Discord started requiring UK users to verify ages, the platform announced hackers breached one of its third-party vendors that handles age-related appeals, and said it identified around 70,000 users who may have had their government ID photos exposed as part of the breach.Last week, Pornhubs parent company Aylo sent letters to Apple, Google, and Microsoft, urging them to support device-based age verification in their app stores and operating systems, WIRED reported. Based on our real-world experience with existing age assurance laws, we strongly support the initiative to protect minors online, Anthony Penhale, chief legal officer for Aylo, said in the letter. However, we have found site-based age assurance approaches to be fundamentally flawed and counterproductive.Instead of protecting minors, age verification laws spike usage of virtual private networks and send usersincluding, potentially, minorsto unregulated or unmoderated sites that dont care about complying with U.S. or UK laws. In Missouri, searches for VPNs spiked following the laws enactment.Missouri schools are not required to teach sex education, leaving it up to local school boards to decide what, if anything, children are taught about sexual health. School districts that do teach sex ed are required to promote abstinence, a modality long recognized as ineffective at protecting children from engaging in risky sexual behaviors. Even if a district offers sex ed, parents are allowed to pull their kids out of that class altogether. But despite research showing age verification laws dont work either, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway believes forcing adults to undergo age verification protects the children in her state. We are proud to stand on the side of parents, families and basic decency. Missouri will not apologize for protecting children, Hanaway said in a press release.

Around 100 HIV activists blocked an intersection near the White House yesterday as part of a World AIDS Day protest against federal cuts to lifesaving HIV prevention programs. Protestors unfurled large red banners bearing the names of African countries denied HIV funding by the current administration, highlighting the lives now at risk.Trump thinks by banning commemoration of World AIDS Day, he can hide from the death and destruction that hes causing around the world, said Health GAP Executive Director Asia Russell, according to The Washington Blade. Russells comment referenced the current administrations refusal to commemorate World AIDS Day this year, marking the first time in 38 years that the U.S. government has ignored the international observance. Related Were still fighting on World AIDS Day because Trump is still murdering people with HIV But were here to say, we can see him, Russell continued. We see him stealing medicine, stealing support services, stealing HIV testing, stealing life-saving care from communities all around the world suffering and dying without access.The protestors met at 16th and I Streets, about two blocks away from the White House, and then marched to Lafayette Park about one block away. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Protestors noted that Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, defied the appropriations authority of Congress by slashing the funding for the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), an HIV-prevention program that has saved an estimated 25 to 26 million lives since its inception in 2003.PEPFAR actually received full funding by Congress, but Vought helped cancel $4.9 billion for HIV/AIDS prevention and other foreign aid health programs, the protest groups noted.As a result, lifesaving treatment and prevention programs have closed across dozens ofsub-SaharanAfrican countries, while Vought has refused to release money ringfenced by Congress to save lives, the demonstrators press release noted. The protest was organized by Housing Works, Health GAP, Treatment Action Group, AIDS United, ACT UP Philadelphia, and the National Minority AIDS Council.While the U.S. recently shipped two million doses of lenacapavir, a groundbreaking twice-a-year HIV-prevention injectable medication, to the African nations of Eswatini and Zambia, an estimated 127,073 adult and 13,527 infant deathshave been causedby the effects of HIV/AIDS due to the current presidents cuts in funding.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Nature, Published online: 02 December 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-03908-6The United Kingdom, like all countries, must prioritize a supportive research culture as an essential ingredient in research excellence.

What was Danilo Gallinari, who earned more than $200M in the NBA, doing in Puerto Rico? Ending a decades-long chase.

Longtime NBA forward Danilo Gallinari announced his retirement from basketball.

Liv Morgan has returned from injury on a mission to be The Judgement Day's leader

With the race expected to come down to Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza and Ohio State QB Julian Sayin, the Big Ten championship game likely determines who wins the Heisman Trophy.

The Bruins suffered their first loss and got leapfrogged by Texas. But UCLA has Quad 1 wins and more depth on the way.

The major storm dropped a wintry mix of precipitation across the Midwest overnight, creating a treacherous commute for millions of Americans.

Several new start-ups are building replicas of sites so A.I. can learn to use the internet and maybe replace white-collar workers.

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It can be used for so much more than just holiday entertaining.READ MORE...

Pope Leo XIV talks to reporters aboard an airplane as he returns from a six-day visit to Turkey and Lebanon, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. (Alessandro Di Meo/Pool Photo via AP)2025-12-02T16:35:33Z ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday shared for the first time what he was thinking when the votes started going his way during the conclave that elected him, saying he resigned himself to the inevitable and put the rest in Gods hands.I took a deep breath. I said Here we go Lord. Youre in charge and you lead the way, Leo told reporters during a wide-ranging airborne press conference coming home from his inaugural trip to Turkey and Lebanon.Leo fielded questions for a half-hour, responding easily in English, Spanish and Italian about a variety of church and international news. He hinted at behind-the-scenes discussions about Hezbollah and Israel in Lebanon, urged dialogue rather than U.S. military threats on Venezuela and discussed his hoped-for future travels in Africa and South America, among other topics. But it was his remarks about the conclave and his papal learning curve that shed new light on Leo the man and what makes him tick. His responses, after seeming timid with the media early in his pontificate, showed he is much more comfortable now, is paying close attention to what is being reported about him, and that he has a good sense of humor about it. Leo was asked what he was thinking when he saw a huge crowd of people at one of his events in Lebanon, where it seemed as if the size had taken him by surprise. Leo suggested that wasnt necessarily the case. My face is very expressive but Im oftentimes amused by how the journalists interpret my face, he said. Its interesting. Sometimes I get really great ideas from all of you because you think you can read my mind or my face.Youre not always correct, he added, to laughs. A spirituality that leaves everything up to GodMore instructive to understanding what hes thinking, Leo said, would be to read up about his spirituality. Beyond St. Augustine, the fifth-century theologian who inspired his religious order and is Leos most-frequently cited church father, Leo recommended a book The Practice of the Presence of God, by a 17th-century Carmelite friar, Brother Lawrence.It describes, if you will, a type of prayer and spirituality where one simply gives his life to the Lord and allows the Lord to lead. If you want to know something about me, thats been my spirituality for many years, he said.In midst of great challenges -- living in Peru during years of terrorism, being called to service in places where I never thought Id be called to serve -- I trust in God, he said.That held true in the May conclave, he said, when the former Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected in a remarkably fast four ballots on the second day of voting. According to cardinals who participated, it was clear already by the third ballot that morning that the votes were going his way and that Prevost would be elected historys first American pope.I resigned myself to the fact when I saw how things were going and I said This could be a reality, Leo said.Speaking to a reporter who is about to retire, Leo said he had had different plans for his future. Just a year or two ago, I too thought about retiring some day, he said. Youve received that gift apparently. Some of us will continue to work.In Lebanon, Leo had a taste of what its like to be a pope on the road, and he said the enthusiasm of young Catholics was awe-inspiring.I think to myself, These people are here because they want to see the pope. But I say to myself, Theyre here because they want to see Jesus Christ and they want to see a messenger of peace, he said. Just to listen to their enthusiasm and to hear their response to that message is something that I think is -- that enthusiasm -- is awe-inspiring.I just hope I never get tired of appreciating everything that all these young people are showing, he said. On pressing international issues Leo urged the United States to pursue dialogue and even exert economic pressure on Venezuelas leaders to achieve its goals, rather than threats of military action.The voices coming from the United States change, with a certain frequency at times, he said. I believe its better to look for ways of dialogue, perhaps pressure -- including economic pressure -- but looking for other ways to change, if thats what the United States wants to do. Leo said he hopes to make his second trip as pope to Africa next year, visiting several countries but especially Algeria because of its important role in Christian-Muslim relations and its significance to St. Augustine, who inspired his religious order. Leo also said he hoped to visit three countries in Latin America in either 2026 or 2027: Argentina, Uruguay and Peru, where he lived for two decades as a missionary. Argentina especially has been waiting for a papal visit after Pope Francis never went home after his 2013 election.___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. NICOLE WINFIELD Winfield has been on the Vatican beat since 2001, covering the papacies of St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and the Francis pontificate and traveling the world with them. RSShttps://feedx.net https://feedx.site

HIV-positive men gathered at the U.S.-Mexico border in Tijuana Sunday to mark World AIDS Day with a defiant demonstration of queer love and affection in front of Donald Trumps border wall.Queer health and human rights organization MPact Globals third annual Besoton Sidoso Internacional/International HIV Kiss-In took on new significance amid the administrations ongoing attacks on immigrants and its abnegation of the U.S.s role in fighting HIV/AIDS around the world. Related HIV activists block D.C. intersection to protest Donald Trumps cuts to life-saving programs In a video posted to MPact Globals Instagram on December 1, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives and Communications Alex Garner described the event as a bold political demonstration of the value of the sexuality of queer people living with HIV and the fundamental human rights of queer migrants. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MPact (@mpact.global) Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today As The Advocate notes, a 2018 report from the National Institute of Health indicated that migrants living in high-income countries are disproportionately affected by HIV and are frequently unable to access the care they need. The outlet also cited a February 2025 study from the Williams Institute, which found that as many as 288,000 undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ+.As of [SIC] one of the only openly HIV-positive Executive Directors of a global organization, I am inspired and heartened by this highly visible action for the rights of all people living with HIV, especially queer migrants, when theres so much fear and disinformation out there, MPacts Andrew Spieldenner said of the kiss-in, according to The Advocate. Garner told the outlet that MPact works with local communities to stage its annual kiss-in demonstrations as a bold, provocative, and revolutionary act to publicly demonstrate the sexuality of people living with HIV and declare the human rights of queer migrants.Weve transcended borders of sexuality and of gender and borders cannot restrict our fight for queer migrants and people living with HIV as we utilize the power of a kiss, Garner said.Last week, The New York Times confirmed that the U.S. State Department had sent an email directing employees and grantees not to use federal funds to mark World AIDS Day on December 1. State Department employees were instructed to refrain from publicly promoting World AIDS Day through any communication channels, including social media, media engagements, speeches or other public-facing messaging. 2025 is the first year since 1988 that the U.S. government has not commemorated World AIDS Day.According to the Times, the State Department email noted that the directive was part of the Trump administrations policy to refrain from messaging on any commemorative days. But as The Guardian reported, since returning to office in January, Trump has signed at least a dozen proclamations for various awareness days and other commemorative observances.Alongside its brutal crackdown on undocumented immigrants, the Trump administration has also drastically cut federal funding for HIV prevention worldwide. An estimated 127,073 adult and 13,527 infant deaths have been caused by the effects of HIV/AIDS due to Trumps cuts in funding for the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a program that has saved an estimated 25 to 26 million lives since its inception in 2003.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has continued to troll the president through his Press Office social media account, which mimics Donald Trumps own speaking and posting style as as a form of satire against the administration. Most recently, Newsom brutally mocked the White Houses claim that Trump is in excellent health after Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) called for the release of Trumps MRI results. Related Donald Trumps lesbian niece blasts media for dishonestly hiding his dementia Mimicking the hyperbolic language Trump consistently uses to praise himself and his administration, Newsom posted a fake letter from a Dr. Dolittle to declare that the governor is the healthiest human currently alive or recorded in medical history. His cardiovascular scans are the best weve ever recorded, the letter went on, adding that his arteries were described as shimmering, and his resting heart rate was so steady the EKG machine asked if he was meditating or just naturally enlightened. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The letter than compared Newsom directly to Trump, saying that unlike the president, Newsom completes full workdays without falling asleep in meetings, does not require executive time to lie down and watch TV during work hours, and is able to stand upright without looking like the leaning Tower of Pisa. Summary of Governor Gavin C. Newsoms Advanced Imaging Results pic.twitter.com/4LMLvmRG82 Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) December 2, 2025Concerns over Trumps health have risen in recent weeks. His niece, Mary Trump, emphasized in a recent video that her uncle is not doing well and that even diehard Republicans can no longer ignore his obvious physical and mental decline.Donald is 79 years old and a deeply unhealthy person, she said.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Benito Skinner is showing off his winter body!The handsome Overcompensating actor decided to spice up the timeline a bit by posting a steamy shirtless selfie just after Thanksgiving.Naturally, fans rejoiced at the spicy photo and shared their feral reactions across social media. Check out some of the highlights below! (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@)

Fruitier, juicier, and starrier than ever, RuPaul's Drag Race season 18 features a sickening lineup of 14 new queens who are ready to compete for the grand prize of $200,000, an official makeup collaboration with Anastasia Beverly Hills Cosmetics, and the title of America's Next Drag Superstar with a premiere date already set for Friday, January 2 at 8 p.m. on MTV.The Drag Race season 18 premiere will challenge these new queens to "Reclaim! Renew! Rejoice!" by paying tribute to the queens that came before them. How so, you ask? Well, by unlocking the Drag Race vaults filled with leftover treasures from seasons past that can be used to create all-new signature drag looks that showcasing their charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. We hope you're ready The house down boots!Keep scrolling to meet the queens of RuPaul's Drag Race season 18, which premieres on Friday, January 2, 2026 on MTV.Editor's note: All photos, personal information, and descriptions below are courtesy of MTV and World of Wonder.Athena DionCity: Miami, FLInstagram: @athenadionNamed after the Greek goddess, Athena Dion brings legendary energy wherever she goes. A talented hostess and prolific drag mother, she has built a dynasty spanning Miami and Mykonos, Greece, counting Morphine Love Dion and Plane Jane among her drag daughters. This season, Athena makes Drag Race herstory alongside Juicy Love Dion, marking the first-ever mother/daughter duo to compete together.Briar BlushCity: Boston, MAInstagram: @briarblushBoston's pin-up princess, Briar Blush is a walking contradiction: retro yet edgy, goth yet glamorous, sweet but with a sting. With her signature jet black hair and killer beat, she commands attention wherever she goes. Named after the thorns on a rose, Briar's sharp wit and prickly personality prove she's not here to be liked she's here to be remembered. Ciara MystCity: Indianapolis, INInstagram: @the_ciara_mystIndy's shapeshifting superstar, Ciara Myst blends sci-fi, horror, fantasy, and magic into her drag. A prosthetic makeup artist with credits ranging from Dynasty to Marvel Studios productions, Ciara Myst crafts her own costumes and promises to bring creature transformations to life on the main stage. A little ooky-spooky, a little ethereal, Ciara Myst is ready to haunt, mesmerize, and transform the competition one look at a time.Darlene MitchellCity: Los Angeles, CAInstagram: @itsdarlenebtwA country, camp queen, Darlene Mitchell blends soap opera glamour with Midwestern trailer trash panache. Known for her signature Peg Bundy-style hair, she originally hails from Greentown, Indiana, and once performed under the name Trash. After 10 years in drag but a five-year hiatus from the performance circuit Darlene comes to the competition to see if RuPaul and the main stage can coax her back out of her bedroom once more.DD FuegoCity: New York, NYInstagram: @ddfuegoFiery and feisty, DD Fuego is a full-on production, serving runway-ready looks with a wink and a nod. Born in Monterrey, Mexico, she brings the heat without the cha-cha-cha Latina clichs. A former production designer for TV and off-Broadway theater, she created behind the scenes before stepping into the spotlight. High heat and maximum impact, DD Fuego leaves nothing on the stage but smoke.Discord AddamsCity: St. Petersburg, FLInstagram: @discordxaddamsWho's ready for a little chaos? Discord Addams is a high-fashion punk rock maximalist, serving looks packed with safety pins, studs, and unapologetic attitude. Known for playing guitar in a punk rock band, Discord brings a dark, raw energy to the stage. Her ultimate goal: To trade the mosh pit for the runway and become a bona fide drag rock star.Jane Don'tCity: Seattle, WAInstagram: @heyjanedontInspired by old-school funny ladies like Bette Midler and Joan Rivers, Jane is a comedy queen serving up sharp jokes and even sharper shoulder pads. Counting as her drag sisters both Bosco (Drag Race season 14 and All Stars 10) and Irene The Alien (Drag Race season 15 and All Stars 10), Jane Don't walks into the competition ready to make her own mark and make the other queens sweat.Juicy Love DionCity: Miami, FLInstagram: @thejuicyloveSmall in size, colossal in talent, Juicy Love Dion turns every performance into a masterclass in dance. Self-described as "Miami's Afro-Cuban dancing doll," Juicy brings energy, precision, and flair to every stage she steps on. A proud member of the Dion Dynasty, she's the drag daughter of Morphine Love Dion and technically the drag granddaughter of fellow competitor Athena Dion, proving that in the Dion Dynasty, the juice flows through every generation.Kenya PleaserCity: Sumter, SCInstagram: @kenyapleaserThis Southern showstopper is already serving you the answer to the question in her name: Can you please her? Only if you can handle all this auntie energy and attitude! A celebrated Lizzo impersonator, Kenya mixes heart, humor, and high energy performances that get the crowd on their feet. Kenya is here to show the world that Southern charm, curves, and confidence are a winning combination.Mandy MangoCity: Philadelphia, PAInstagram: @mandyy.mango"A mango a day keeps the doctor away!" Mandy Mango is Philly's favorite fruit, serving kooky, conceptual looks with playful flair. By day, she's a nurse specializing in HIV and sexual health, caring for the LGBTQ+ community. By night, she's giving the stage a healthy dose of fruity energy. With a cheeky bedside manner, Mandy Mango prescribes high doses of charisma, charm, and contagious energy with every performance.Mia StarrCity: West Palm Beach, FLInstagram: @theofficialmiastarrMia Starr is a 1990s/early 2000s hip-hop dancing diva bringing urban style, sharp choreography, and powerhouse personality to the main stage. A talented backup dancer with world tour credits for Rihanna, and Britney Spears, and a Super Bowl performance with JLo she started drag 17 years ago, took a 14-year break to chase her dance career, and now she's back Ready to shine front and center.Myki MeeksCity: Orlando, FLInstagram: @myki.meeks"Gorgeously stupid, and stupidly gorgeous," Myki Meeks is Orlando's dynamic theatrical powerhouse. A self-described "recovering theater kid," Myki blends glamour with camp, lights up the room as a host, and is known back home for her quick wit and ease with a microphone. A talented actress and consummate performer, Myki brings a stage presence that will keep the competition on its toes.Nini CocoCity: Denver, COInstagram: @theninicocoA high-energy, high-fashion diva from the Mile High City, Nini Coco is equal parts theatrical and fierce. A skilled costume designer, she blends conceptual looks with show-stopping performances. Having quit her day job as a mechanical engineer, she's here to prove that trading blueprints for sequins is a risk worth taking - because in her world, it's all or nothing.Vita VonTesse StarrCity: Montgomery, ALInstagram: @vitavontessestarrCalling herself "Queen V," Vita VonTesse Starr is a pageant powerhouse and an icon of opulence. Hailing from the famed Starr drag family, she's a multi-titleholder who brings elegance, precision, and a flair for the dramatic to every performance. Vita handcrafts show-stopping looks that match her stage presence, making her a formidable competitor in any sewing challenges.Watch: Meet the Queens of RuPaul's Drag Race season 18.We can't wait to see how this turns out!

The highly anticipated adaptation of the popular gay hockey romance Heated Rivalry has been breaking the internet every day since the premiere dropped, and now, star Hudson Williams is going viral for one body part in particular: his back.Well, the sexy way he arched his back during one of the show's extremely hot sex scenes, to be specific.The very gay and very steamy new TV show that has likely taken over your timeline was created by out showrunner Jacob Tierney, based on the Game Changer series of book by Rachel Reid, and follows hockey rivals Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Williams) as they meet during their rookie year and have immediate chemistry that leads to years of passionate secret trysts, endless yearning, and a deep romantic connection. A screenshot from the show that features Williams as Shane arching his back as he crawls toward Ilya in one of the sex scenes has the whole internet talking. (@) The pic instantly went viral when it was posted a few days ago and only picked up steam since then, now racking up over 23 million views as of this writing. And we can see why! Williams back arch is epic. Its clear Hudson was hitting the gym and not missing leg gay to prep for this role.The internet was not shy about their feelings, so check out the feral reactions to Williams nasty back arch. (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@) (@)

Investigated, indicted, and intimidatedDonald Trump may love to throw charges at his political opponents but so far none of them have stuck. The Department of Justice's cases against James Comey and Letitia James were thrown out last week after U.S. District Judge Cameron Currie determined that the appointment of lead prosecutor Lindsey Halligan was illegal. That spells tough luck for the Trump administration, as Halligan has so far been the only attorney willing to pursue the charges. Several federal prosecutors initially declined to indict Comey or James, citing insufficient evidence. U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Erik Siebert refused to file charges in September, leading to the Trump administration threatening to fire him. Before he could be officially terminated, Siebert instead resigned. While the cases against Comey and James have been dismissed at least until another prosecutor decides to take them on there are several other ongoing indictments or investigations against political figures that have stood against Trump. Here's a breakdown of all the cases, and why Trump would want to target them. Letitia JamesNew York Attorney General Letitia James led the 2022 civil lawsuit and criminal investigation against Trump that last year resulted in him being banned from operating a business in the state for three years and fined $355 million. The fee was voided by an appeals court in August this year as excessive.James was indicted in October on one count of bank fraud and one count of making false statements to a financial institution. The charges claimed that James was using a house she bought in Virginia as a rental property rather than a place of residence. James' grandniece testified before a grand jury in Alexandria that she had been living in the house, and was not charged rent. James was indicted by a separate grand jury in Norfolk, which did not hear her grandniece's testimony. The case against James was thrown out in late November, with a federal judge determining that Halligan's appointment was invalid.James ComeyJames Comey is the former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) who investigated Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. Trump fired Comey shortly after he confirmed the investigation in May, 2017. Comey was indicted in September this year on one count of making a false statement to Congress, and one count of obstructing a congressional proceeding, stemming from his September, 2020 testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee about the 2016 Trump presidential campaign's ties to Russia. The charges were filed five days before the statute of limitations expired. Siebert, the Virginia federal prosecutor, also refused to bring charges against Comey. Only Halligan would, resulting in the case against Comey being dismissed in November as well when her appointment was determined invalid. John BoltonJohn Bolton served as a national security advisor to Trump in 2018 and 2019, with his brief tenure marked by several disagreements between him and the president, particularly over U.S. involvement in Iran. Bolton published a memoir in 2020 detailing his time in the White House, which the Trump administration attempted to block by claiming it contained classified information as well as violated his nondisclosure agreements. FBI agents conducted a raid on Bolton's home in August this year in a search for classified materials, though no arrest was made. Bolton was indicted in October on eight counts of unlawful transmission of national defense information, and 10 counts of unlawful retention of national defense information similar charges to those brought against Trump for improperly storing classified documents. Bolton has pleaded not guilty to all 18 counts, with his trial beginning in late November. Mark KellyDemocratic U.S. Senator from Arizona Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and naval aviator, has long been an outspoken critic of Trump. Kelly was one of the Senate votes in favor of convicting Trump for incitement of insurrection during his second impeachment trial in 2021 after the January 6 capitol riot.Kelly and five other veteran Democrats recently released a video in light of the Trump administration's strikes on civilian boats in Venezuela and deployment of the National Guard in U.S. cities, reminding active service members that "you can refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our Constitution."The Department of Defense said in November that it would be investigating "serious allegations of misconduct" against Kelly over his statements in the video. In an erratic series of posts on social media, Trump claimed that the actions of Kelly and the other Democrats are "SEDITION AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL" and "punishable by death.""If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work," Kelly responded in a post on X. "I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies who care more about their own power than protecting the Constitution."Jack SmithJack Smith was the DOJ special counsel appointed to oversee two criminal investigations into Trump: his incitement of the January 6 capitol insurrection, and his handling of classified government documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Smith resigned before Trump's second term began in January, but not before releasing a 137-page document detailing Trump's involvement in election subversion during the insurrection.The U.S. Office of Special Counsel has launched a probe into Smith for supposedly violating the Hatch Act through his investigations. The 1939 law prevents civil service employees in the federal government's executive branch from engaging in political activities.Republican House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan sent a letter to Smith in October calling on him to testify before the committee as it investigates "the full extent to which the Biden-Harris Justice Department weaponized federal law enforcement."Smith's attorneys wrote in response to the complaint, "A review of the record and procedural history demonstrates the opposite Mr. Smith was fiercely committed to making prosecutorial decisions based solely on the evidence, he steadfastly followed applicable Department of Justice guidelines and the Principles of Federal Prosecution, and he did not let the pending election influence his investigative or prosecutorial decision-making."Adam SchiffDemocratic U.S. Senator from California Adam Schiff led the first impeachment trial of Trump in 2019 over his pressuring Ukraine into investigating Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 presidential election. He also led the 2021 impeachment investigation over Trump's incitement of the January 6 insurrection. The DOJ is currently investigating Schiff for alleged insurance fraud related to a property he owns in Maryland, though no evidence has yet been produced to bring charges. Schiffs attorney Preet Bharara said in an October statement, It seems pretty clear that a team of career prosecutors have thoroughly reviewed the politically-motivated allegations against Senator Schiff and found they are unsupported by any evidence and are baseless.Eric SwalwellU.S. Representative from California Eric Swalwell was a prosecutor during Trump's second impeachment trial. He also filed a lawsuit in March, 2021 against Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Republican Rep. Mo Brooks, and Rudy Giuliani over their role in inciting the January 6 insurrection. Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte issued Swalwell a criminal referral in October this year for mortgage fraud, accusing him of misrepresenting his primary place of residence. Swalwell maintains that he misrepresented nothing, and that his primary residence in California while his wife's primary residence is at their home in Washington, D.C.Swalwell filed a lawsuit against Pulte in late November, asserting that the director committed a "gross abuse of power" by scouring databases in order to acquire his private mortgage records. The suit also accused Pulte of violating Swalwell's First Amendment rights by engaging in "viewpoint-based retaliation.Director Pulte has combed through private records of political opponents. To silence them, Swalwell said in a statement. Theres a reason the First Amendment the freedom of speech comes before all others.Lisa CookLisa Cook is one of the Federal Reserve board of governors members that Trump has pressured throughout his second term to lower interest rates on his demand, which it has refused to do. Cook was the third political opponent of Trump's to be accused of mortgage fraud by Pulte.Pulte submitted a criminal referral to the DOJ in August, accusing Cook of claiming primary residence at her home in Michigan as well as her home in Georgia. She has not been indicted to date, yet Trump used the opportunity to attempt to fire Cook in a letter posted online. It marked the first instance in the Federal Reserve's 112-year history that the president tried to fire a governor.Cook soon after filed a lawsuit against Trump, maintaining that he does not have the authority to fire her. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed in October to hear the case, and allowed Cook to remain in her position in the interim.

Warning: Stranger Things spoilers ahead.Hawkins, Indiana, 1987, where Stranger Things season 5 takes place, has a lot going on. The town is quarantined, the military is hunting a 16-year-old girl, interdimensional portals open up without warning, kids are going missing, and a psychic monster is trying to take over the world. It makes sense that coming out wouldn't be at the top of one's to-do list. This is even more true for character Will Byers (out actor Noah Schnapp), who, in addition to all of that, has to worry about the powerful psychic connection he has with Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), the big baddie of the show.As season 5 shows, you can't save the world, or even the people you love, if you can't fully accept yourself. Once you do, however, it'll be like you can fly.Stranger Things fans have long suspected that Will might be gay, especially after he was told by his best friend Mike (Finn Wolfhard) in season 3, "It's not my fault you don't like girls!"Then, in season 4, Will started to talk more openly about his sexuality (and his crush on Mike), including telling his friends that he was afraid they wouldn't "like the truth" if they found out about it, and another scene where his older brother comforts him that he'll always be loved, no matter who he is.Schnapp later confirmed that the character is gay and "does love Mike," and later said that "Will's sexuality will come up again in the final season as a major plot point."Season 5 of the show is being released in three parts by Netflix, with the first four episodes released on Thanksgiving. The next episodes won't be released until Christmas, with the finale coming out on New Year's Eve. Viewers are already getting a big payoff in the saga of Will's sexuality. Only this time, it's not coming in the form of a romance or a coming-out scene, but in a scene of empowering self-love.In season 5, episode 1, "The Crawl," Will catches lesbian character Robin (Maya Hawke) kissing her girlfriend Vickie at the hospital, where Vickie volunteers as a candy striper, and clearly sees something he wishes he could have for himself.Later, in episode 3, "The Turnbow Trap," he and Robin are in the hospital when he asks how she knew Vickie felt the same way she did. She tells him there were "signals.""Yeah, you know, like a brush of the knee, a bump of the elbow, a shared look," she says. "It all just kind of accrued, like a snowball rolling down a hill until it was obvious.""How obvious?" Will asks.In episode 4, "Sorcerer," the final one released in this first batch, Will and Mike have a heart-to-heart. Mike tells Will that he's stronger than he thinks, and that in real life, he's like a sorcerer, "because your powers don't come from a book of spells. They're innate."During this conversation, Will is desperately searching for any of the signals Robin mentioned, but none are there. When Robin sees the situation, she knows she has to say something.At this point in the show, its clear that Will's crush on his best friend Mike is one-sided. Even Robin sees it. Will is the only one who doesn't. So she tells him about Tammy Thompson, a straight girl she had her first crush on in ninth grade. Robin says she thought the only way her life would be happy was when she got with Tammy. "I thought that if Tammy loved me, all of me, you know, I wouldn't be so scared anymore," she says.However, as viewers of the show know, Tammy had feelings for Steve (Joe Keery), not Robin, and soon Robin's life began a downward spiral. Then, she says, she found an 8-millimeter film reel of her when she was young."All of a sudden, I was looking at this little version of myself. And that little me, I could hardly recognize her," she says. "You know, she was so carefree and like, fearless. She just loved every part of herself. And that's when it hit me: It was never about Tone-deaf Tammy. It was always just about me. I was looking for answers in somebody else, but I had all the answers. I just needed to stop being so goddamn scared. Scared of who I really was. Once I did that, oh, I felt so free. It's like I could fly, you know?"Thank god for gay-lesbian solidarity!It's this exact speech from Robin that ends up saving the day at the end of the episode. When Vecna sends a group of Demogorgons into Hawkins to kidnap children and kill anyone in their way, hope seems lost. The Demogorgons are overpowering the soldiers and have caught up to the main characters, while Vecna taunts Will about how weak he is.But Will remembers Robin's words. More than that, he internalizes them. As we see flashbacks to his carefree childhood years and hear Robin's speech again, Will learns to love all parts of himself, including the gay parts that have made him feel alone and alienated throughout his teenage years. All parts of him combine to make him powerful. And now he knows.As soon as Will accepts all parts of himself, he fully steps into his power. He's not literally flying, but he's using his mind to control the Demogorgons and save his friends' lives.A Will who hadn't accepted his sexuality and identity as a gay person wouldn't be able to do this. It's only once he's learned to love himself in full that he becomes just as powerful as Eleven and Vecna. Now, he truly is Will the Wise.Will knows he's special and deserves happiness, even if it's not with Mike. Now, he's become the man he was meant to be. Even when the world is ending, being true to yourself and loving yourself are desperately important. After all, as RuPaul says, "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?"Mey Rude is a staff writer for Out. Find her on Instagram @Meyrude.Voices is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit out.com/submit to learn more about submission guidelines. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on any of our stories. Email us at voices@equalpride.com. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not directly represent the views of Out or our parent company, equalpride.

Where Darkness, Beauty, and Psychology MeetAndrea Galad, an Italian-born photographer currently based in Berlin, is creating art that differs from that of many of his contemporaries who typically capture the male form. At 34 years old, Andrea draws inspiration from an unconventional upbringing shaped by his interest in art history, mythology, and the macabre.Related | 15 Shots of Parisian Men Who Left Their Clothes at HomeWhile Andrea initially pursued a career in contemporary dance, his passion for photography evolved as a way to express his inner turmoil and hidden desires. For Andrea, photography was never a professional goal but a personal need and emotional outlet to manifest the darkness within. His aesthetic sensual, antique, and esoteric reflects the emotional depth and intensity he brings to his work while balancing structure with raw emotion.The Dark Side of Male BeautyAndreas approach to portraiture reveals his fascination with male proportions and aesthetics. His photography often intertwines sensuality and control, incorporating the art of Shibari Japanese rope bondage into his imagery. This control element offers Andrea a sense of peace and provides a signature aspect of his art while emphasizing mans divine and monstrous dualities.When asked about his perspective on photography, Andrea speaks openly about his desire to delve into the psychological aspects of his subjects. In his view, his male models are muses who allow him to explore and create new emotional experiences. Each photograph reflects his inner world, inspired by past traumas, personal experiences, and passions such as his love for the neoclassical.Navigating Censorship and CreativityLike many other photographers featured in Gayetys Artist Spotlights, Andrea has faced challenges with censorship on social media, including the removal of his wildly popular Instagram account. Andrea remains defiant despite these setbacks and restrictions, advocating for a return to Europes long-standing tradition of normalizing nudity through art. He recalls how the classical world seamlessly integrated the human form into everyday life without shame.Related | 91 Close-Up Studies of the Male Form by Ahmad NaserAndreas photography isnt just about capturing the external beauty of the male body. Its an introspective process inspired by his loss, trauma, and self-perceived darkness. Through his lens, he seeks to embrace these darker aspects of life, helping his audience confront and coexist with their inner demons.In Conversation with Andrea GaladGayety: Can you tell us a little about this collection?This series of photos is from the past three years and belongs to a different series. But in many pictures, you can see men tied in ropes, a new element in my photography. Thanks to a lover I had years ago, I discovered Shibari, a Japanese artistic form of rope bondage that involves tying a person in intricate and often decorative patterns. From time to time, I like to involve ropes in my aesthetics. Since Ive never had any control in my past unlucky relationships, having a man tied and briefly under my control gives me a feeling of peace.Gayety: What part of the male body do you find most beautiful to shoot?I dont prefer a particular body part, but proportions drive me crazy. I probably got this kink from my love for classic and neoclassic sculpture.Gayety: We always ask artists what unique perspective or experience they feel you bring to this medium.From my perspective, I see men as beautiful monsters. Thats what they have been to me my desire to photograph the divine and the beast in them.Gayety: What inspires you to shoot a new series of photos?My inspiration is always wired to my need to know. I have the feeling that mine is not visual research but mostly psychological. I want to see how I feel if I create a certain image. So, basically, men are the tools to make me feel things, so yeah, men are my inspiration, lol.Gayety: Do you have any idea what your next series might be?I rarely plan my shootings or my series. I am quite spontaneous about that.Gayety: Do you ever find it difficult to translate the deeper meaning behind your art into short-form social posts?I dont think its difficult for me to translate the deeper meaning of my art into short-form social posts. What I write in my posts is simple but sharp enough to ignite a thought or feeling, which is enough for me.Gayety: What are your thoughts on the strict censorship guidelines on social media?I honestly think they have to be reviewed. I once had a very active Instagram profile with a huge following, and Instagram deleted it out of the blue, even though my pictures were widely censored. That made me feel as if I did something criminal. Even though I knew it was just a silly social media policy, it made me doubt the worth of my work. But then my rationality took over, and I thought that for centuries, especially in Europe, people have always been exposed to nudity. Sculptures and paintings very often portray the naked body as it is, normalizing nudity and embedding it into daily life. Take Italy, for example; In every museum, street, and church, you are always in the presence of nudity, and it has always been part of daily reality without censorship or a sense of shame. This is also the reason why I would never stop doing what I do, with the hope that things will change.Gayety: How do you find the balance between artistic nude photography and pornography? Does that distinction matter?This is a really good question. I think the difference between nude photography and pornography depends on the viewer and also on the context, intention, and education. Art always reflects what we are and what we know. For example, many old friends of mine back in Italy see my work as pornographic, but I dont blame them. They dont have any sexual education or sexual awareness, so for them, seeing two naked men hugging is basically gay porn. So, it depends on the context. I also worked for many years as a photographer for a porn production in Berlin, Hardwerk Studio, which promotes queer and feminist porn. I took pictures during the filming and was often pleasantly surprised to notice how romantic, real, and warm my pictures can be, even if I am basically shooting porn. So yes, beauty (or shame) is in the eye of the beholder.Gayety: What have you learned about yourself through your artistic expression?I always used photography to find something. But this something will remain classified for now Gayety: Do you remember the first nude photo you took?Yes, I remember the first time I asked a friend of mine to pose naked for me, and it was extremely funny. I think I was 19 years old, and I always wanted to create pictures that looked like Renaissance paintings, but at that age, in my small, conservative town, it was quite impossible. The thing is that Ive never really seen nudity as sexual, so for me, it was not embarrassing or weird to ask around if someone was available to pose for me. I was lucky enough to have a good friend who was so self-obsessed with his body that he immediately said yes. It was the first time either of us were doing something like this. But again, there was no embarrassment; we just found the situation quite normal and chill. I am still very grateful to him because, at that moment, everything started. We are still good friends and see each other every time I go to Italy.Gayety: When you reflect on your work, is there a specific image or setting you are particularly moved by?When I have to reflect on my work, I always take inspiration from the past and from what we have lost. Loss in every form is a huge inspiration, and Im very connected with deadly and macabre topics. It is not my duty to create awareness about the things we have; it is also important for me to remember that we can be okay with the things we lost, the things we dont have anymore, or the things we dont understand. I hope that through my work, people can feel more comfortable with all those things that we are afraid of, such as shame, trauma, loss, and darkness. I have learned at a very early age that we must embrace our darkness as a fundamental part of our being. Healing is important but not mandatory; being flawed is part of being human. There is no need to fight the demons inside us, but just observe them, listen to them, and find creative ways to coexist.To see more of Andreas photography, follow him onInstagramandX. If youd like to support Andrea, subscribe to hisPatreon!Source

Nature, Published online: 02 December 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09954-4Bulk superconductivity up to 96 K in pressurized nickelate single crystals

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Miley Cyrus is officially entering her bridal Flowers era. A source has confirmed that the 33-year-old Grammy winner is engaged to longtime partner Maxx Morando, marking a new chapter for the couple after four years together.Speculation began swirling after Cyrus walked the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash on Dec. 1 sporting a sparkling diamond ring on her left hand. The singer flashed the piece proudly as she posed with Morando, 27, who joined her for the high-profile premiere. A representative for Cyrus did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Fans first spotted the ring in mid-November, when celebrity gossip outlet Deux Moi shared photos of Cyrus wearing the gem. Jewelry designer Jacquie Aiche later confirmed that her team crafted the bespoke piece, which features a cushion-cut stone set on a thick 14-karat yellow-gold band.Cyrus and Morando were first linked in late 2021 after being photographed together backstage at Mileys New Years Eve Party in Miami. By April 2022, the duo appeared to confirm the romance when they were seen sharing a passionate kiss during an outing in West Hollywood.In a 2023 cover story for British Vogue, Cyrus revealed the two met on a blind date. Well, it was blind for me and not really for him, she joked. I thought, The worst that can happen is I leave.The couples six-year age difference has sparked occasional discussion, something Cyrus addressed in a November 2024 conversation with Harpers Bazaar. She said their dynamic works because they dont take life too seriously, though they approach the world differently. He grew up with a laptop, she said. I had a desktop computer that I shared with my brothers and sisters. Honestly, hes raised our dog off Reddit.An insider told People in March 2024 that the two were living together and that Morandos grounded, low-key nature brought Cyrus a sense of calm. Everyone loves Maxx, the source said. Hes private and doesnt like being in the press. Its been good for her.Cyrus echoed that sentiment in a September interview with The Cut, where she discussed lessons from past relationships. She joked that her mother, Tish, prioritized height over respect when advising her daughters about dating. I ended up with a person who means a lot to me and treats me really well and respects me, Cyrus said. My mans hot as hell but my man also respects me.Morando, the drummer for the band Liily, has also collaborated with Cyrus musically. He worked on two tracks from her 2023 album Endless Summer Vacation and later produced multiple songs on her ninth studio album, Something Beautiful, including co-writing the title track.Cyrus publicly acknowledged Morandos support when she won Record of the Year for Flowers at the 2024 Grammys, calling him my love in her acceptance speech.The engagement marks the singers first since her marriage to actor Liam Hemsworth, which lasted from late 2018 to 2019.Cyrus and Morando have not yet announced a wedding date, but with a new ring, and a new era, fans are already eagerly watching for what comes next.Source

Nature, Published online: 02 December 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-03730-0A fresh twist on a classic chemical reaction widely used for organic synthesis avoids the use of dangerously unstable compounds a huge benefit for chemists.

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