On Sunday night, the President of the United States played emcee for an awards show. He was no Johnny Carson.In his role as Chairman of the Board of the Kennedy Center, Trump handled hosting duties for the annual Kennedy Center Honors, a lifetime achievement award ceremony for American entertainers. As emcee, Trump took the opportunity to insult his audience in the centers Opera House (Many of you are miserable, horrible people), glorify himself (facetiously calling the once-respected arts institution the Trump Kennedy Center), and compare himself favorably to Carson, the legendary late-night host. Related Ric Grenell is under Senate investigation for corrupt dealings at the Kennedy Center I miss Johnny, Trump mused.He wasnt the only one. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today The once-bipartisan event, scheduled for broadcast on CBS later this month, has been consumed by Trumps ego and his administrations ugly partisan rhetoric. Both were on display in the lead-up to the ceremony, by dumping the honors original medal in favor of a new Trump-approved design.Tonight, @POTUS will present medallions to this years Kennedy Center Honors recipients with a new, far more classy design, created and donated by Tiffany & Co. (left). A MASSIVE upgrade from the tacky rainbow sash design of medallions past (right), read the post from the White House on X.Tonight, @POTUS will present medallions to this years Kennedy Center Honors recipients with a new, far more classy design, created and donated by Tiffany & Co. (left)A MASSIVE upgrade from the tacky rainbow sash design of medallions past (right). pic.twitter.com/LcCF2DEJLu Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) December 6, 2025 Now under the direction of Trump-appointed gay envoy Ric Grenell, the Kennedy Center announced in August that it would abandon the iconic rainbow sash created by design legend Ivan Chermeyeff. The sash has been in use since 1978, the inception of the honors during Jimmy Carters presidency.Trump enlisted luxury brand Tiffany to reimagine the award, resulting in a more traditional medallion design. Gone is the distinctive rainbow ribbon with three gold-plated medallions (one bearing the recipients name), which differentiated the Kennedy Center award from similar honors.Now, in its place, a more traditional round medallion (reminiscent of Olympic medals) hangs from a Navy-blue ribbon. Remarkably, the final design retains a rainbow element, in thin stripes embracing an etched drawing of the Kennedy Center building and continuing Chermeyeffs original reference in 1978 to the award acknowledging the full spectrum of the arts.By coincidence, the rainbow Pride flag, designed by Gilbert Baker, made its very first appearance at the 1978 San Francisco Pride, the same year the Kennedy Center Honors debuted. Why Trump decided to keep the rainbow iconography, which his administration has bulldozed almost everything associated with LGBTQ+ rights, is a mystery.Maybe its one fight he didnt want to pick as Kennedy Center ticket sales have plunged on his watch, and the centers executive director (Grenell) is consumed by accusations of corruption and mismanagement.Or maybe Trump just wanted to keep the focus on himself.Asked on the red carpet before the show how past presidents might have handled hosting duties, Trump replied, I would say the last one would not have done too well.He added, John F. Kennedy would have done a very good job mostly.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Anti-LGBTQ+ Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC), who is running for South Carolina governor, is now claiming that police falsified a report that said she turned a minor miscommunication at the Charleston International Airport into a swear-filled spectacle that left airport employees visibly upset.CNN anchorwoman Kaitlan Collins recently asked Mace about the October 30 incident, in which a miscommunication about the color of her vehicle led airport security workers to miss meeting and escorting her through expedited security. Related Nancy Mace bluntly declares herself a proud transphobe A police report of the incident said that Mace called police f**king idiots and f**king incompetent; proclaimed that she is a f**king representative; and told a TSA supervisor, Im sick of your s**t. You guys are always f**king late and this is f**king ridiculous.The report was actually falsified, Mace claimed. Ive never called a cop an idiot. That is a remarkably false statement. I am absolutely saying that that report was falsified. 100% fictitious, falsified. I have never called someone an idiot. That is shocking to me. I use vulgar language frequently. The president does. I do express my frustration. I do take responsibility for my words, I always have. But the idea that I would call somebody an idiot? I have never done that in my life, and to me it was an incredible hit job. It was effective, it was a very effective political hit job, but thats all that it was. 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 Mace: I back the blueCollins: The police quote you in this report as you calling them effing idiots and effing incompetent, while stating that you're an effing representative and telling a TSA supervisor: I'm sick of your shit. I'm tired of having to wait. I should not have pic.twitter.com/qYm2yk5hxm Acyn (@Acyn) December 10, 2025 Mace has accused the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Charleston International Airport security (CHS) workers of conspiring against her in a disturbing abuse of power and a clear case of political retaliation.She hasclaimedthat her selection for additional airport security screening was the stuff of the DEEP STATE and BIG BROTHER, andclaimedthat her lawsuit against the airport may bring South Carolinas Attorney General down in flames with it, and several others.However, local police, her fellow state Republicans, and at least one conservative commentator seem to think she is behaving in inappropriate and embarrassing ways, and may also be struggling with mental health. The general feeling is that there is something unwell about her, an anonymous House Republican recently told CNNs anchorperson Jake Tapper. Shes really going through a crisis. Its sad. Clearly, there is something going on with her.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

The nations involved in the first-ever World Cup Pride Match are asking FIFA to cancel it, calling it "culturally and religiously contrary" to their values.The international soccer tournament's first-ever Pride-themed game is scheduled to take place in Seattle, Washington at Lumen Field on June 26, the first day of the city's annual Pride weekend. It will feature Iran and Egypt, both countries where same-sex sexual relations are criminalized.Related: World Cup LGBTQ+ Pride Match will feature two countries where being gay is illegal The Egypt Football Association (EFA) said Tuesday that it has sent an official letter urging FIFA not to go forward with the theme, writing that it "completely rejects such activities, which are directly contrary to cultural, religious and social values in the region, especially in Arab and Islamic societies.""In order to ensure that the match is held in an atmosphere of respect and focus on the sporting aspect only, the Egyptian Federation categorically rejects these invitations and demands FIFA not to hold any events or offers related to (homosexuality) support events within the stadium on the day of the match," EFA wrote. Egypt's morality laws criminalize same-sex sexual activities between men, with a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment and a fine. Meanwhile, Iran is the one nation that is known to actively enforce the death penalty for same-sex sexual relations, as the Islamic Penal Code of Iran punishes liwat (sodomy), tafkhiz (thigh sex), and musaheqeh (lesbian intercourse), levying up to 100 lashes for other sexual acts.Related: From Afghanistan to Malaysia, these are the 61 countries that still criminalize homosexuality In Iran, state television said Monday that Tehran would appeal to FIFA over the match, according to The Guardian. Iran Football Federation head Mehdi Taj was quoted as saying the government had raised objections against the issue," calling it an irrational move that supports a certain group.Meanwhile, Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson has voiced her support for the match, saying in a post that it is an opportunity to "show the world that in Seattle, everyone is welcome.""Our city is ready, the fans are ready, and I can't wait! FIFA World Cup is coming to Seattle, and we are excited to be a part of the global celebration," Wilson wrote. "With matches on Juneteenth and pride, we get to show the world that in Seattle, everyone is welcome. What an incredible honor!" (@)

The Professional Womens Hockey Leagues new season only started last month, and its already shaping up to be the gayest one yet. Not only does the league have 30 out queer athletes playing this year, but there are couples playing on rival teams, and wives who are winning games together. We all know that womens sports have exponentially more queer players than their male counterparts, and hockey is no exception. Everyone might be obsessed with the gay hockey romance show Heated Rivalry and with good reason but its womens hockey that is actually queer in real life. From wives getting punished together to hot thirst traps to lesbian proposing at a game, the 2025-26 season is proving to be the most sapphic one yet!1. Players who scrap together stay together (@) After brawling on the ice with the Boston Fleet, wives Marie Phillip Poulin and Laura Stacey ended up in the penalty box together. Truly couples goals!2. Emerance Maschmeyer's shutout game (@) The Vancouver Goldeneyes are a brand new team this season and theyve already scored their first shutout game thanks to queer goalie Emerance Maschmeyer. On Dec. 6, Maschmeyer stopped a total of 28 shots, leading to a 4-0 win against the New York Sirens. 3. Scoring a goal with her wife@365_hockeygirlNot only did Poulin and Stacey end up sharing space in the penalty box, but they also made history when they scored a goal together. With an assist from Stacey, in November Poulin became the first player in the PWHL to reach a 50-point milestone. To celebrate the record breaking goal, Poulin jumped into her wifes arms. Who needs a heated rivalry when you have teammates in life and on the ice? 4. Surprise proposal@thepwhlofficialFrom fans to fiances Congratulations to the happy couple! @Ottawa Charge #hockey #proposal #engagement #wedding #wlwAt an Ottawa Charge game, a woman got down on one knee to propose to her girlfriend in front of a stadium full of PWHL fans... and she said yes!5. Brandi Carlile at a Seattle Torrent game@brandicarlilePOV: Upstaged singing my own song at @Seattle Torrent karaoke by this beer drinking baddie Lesbian singer Brandi Carlile made every hockey fans night and proved just how sapphic this game is when she attended a Seattle Torrent game. Carlile ended up on the Jumbotron with fans in the stands singing all of the lyrics to her hit song The Story.6. Carly Jackson thirst trapsSee on InstagramSeattle Torrent goalie Carly Jackson is known for posting thirst traps on social media and her fans are not shy about creating thirsty edits of her on TikTok, but it was her photoshoot in Calvin Klein underwear and bra showing off her incredible abs that may have made the biggest splash this year. 7. Lets Go Lesbians@365_hockeygirlLETS GO LESBIANS! THIS SIGN IS AWESOME! #SEATTLETORRENT #PWHLThe Seattle Torrents had another iconic sapphic moment last week when someone held up a Lets Go Lesbians sign during a game, with the S in lesbians drawn like the teams logo. You gotta love womens sports!

Meredith Marks is proving shes more than a reality TV icon, and shes now a full-fledged nightlife force. Fresh off a completely sold-out run of her first 2025 tour dates, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City star is expanding her reach across the country with a newly announced second leg of OUTLOUD Presents: DJ Meredith Marks The Naughty & Ice Tour. The extension adds nine new dates beginning in January 2026.The announcement was made Tuesday by OUTLOUD, the leading LGBTQ+ live music brand known for its high-energy events and commitment to amplifying queer artists. Marks, whose sharp humor and fearless authenticity have made her a fan favorite on Bravo, is bringing that same boldness to the DJ booth, and fans cant seem to get enough.A Reality Star Turned Nightlife HeadlinerMarks transition from reality star to DJ has been one of the years most talked-about reinventions. Earlier in 2025, she delivered a surprise hit performance at the OUTLOUD Music Festival during WeHo Pride, earning praise for her dynamic stage presence and undeniable sense of fun.Her debut DJ tour sold out every date, underscoring what OUTLOUD calls a surging demand for live queer-centered entertainment that blends celebrity energy with genuine craft.Merediths shows are unpredictable, glamorous and unapologetically queer, OUTLOUD said in its announcement. She brings the same confidence and camp fans love from RHOSLC, but now shes channeling it into a full-blown nightlife experience.New Tour Dates Across the U.S.The second leg of the tour kicks off January 15, 2026, at Revolution Hall in Portland, Oregon. Marks will then make stops in major LGBTQ+ hubs including San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Denver, Austin, Atlanta, Charleston and Asbury Park.Additional dates include:Jan. 15, 2026 Revolution Hall, Portland, ORJan. 16, 2026 The Great Northern, San Francisco, CAJan. 18, 2026 The Showbox, Seattle, WAJan. 29, 2026 Studio at The Bomb Factory, Dallas, TXJan. 30, 2026 X Bar, Denver, COJan. 31, 2026 Empire Garage, Austin, TXFeb. 18, 2026 Terminal West, Atlanta, GAFeb. 19, 2026 Music Farm, Charleston, SCFeb. 20, 2026 Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, NJTickets go on sale Tuesday, Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. PT at outloudmusicfestival.com. Prices start at $25 for general admission, with VIP packages ranging from $89 to $149.OUTLOUD Continues to Champion Queer ArtistsFounded in 2020 by producer Jeff Consoletti, OUTLOUD has grown into one of the most influential LGBTQ+ music platforms in the country. Its flagship event, the OUTLOUD Music Festival at WeHo Pride, has featured performances from Kylie Minogue, Janelle Mone, Kesha, Grace Jones, Orville Peck, Adam Lambert, Carly Rae Jepsen and more.The brands events generated more than 100 billion media impressions in 2024, and its expansion into new markets reflects its rapidly growing cultural footprint.Source

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09834-xCells can sense mitochondrial damage through signalling via an unimported mitochondrial targeting sequence.

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09839-6Neutrophil-derived IL-1 has a role in preserving lipid stores during metabolic stress.

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-03819-6The Microflora Danica project has catalogued the microbial diversity of environmental habitats across Denmark and established an improved taxonomic reference database. As well as providing a special record of nitrogen-oxidizing microorganisms, the data set serves as a national baseline for tracking future microbial responses to factors such as land-use change and global warming.

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09820-3Genomic analyses applied to 14 childhood- and adult-onset psychiatric disorders identifies five underlying genomic factors that explain the majority of the genetic variance of the individual disorders.

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09853-8A new type of mRNA splicing mechanism discovered in Caenorhabditis elegans that detects and removes inverted repeats also occurs in human cells, thereby providing another strategy to protect against the negative effects of transposable elements.

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President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)2025-12-10T20:19:46Z WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the United States has seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela as tensions mount with the government of President Nicols Maduro.Using U.S. forces to seize an oil tanker is incredibly unusual and marks the Trump administrations latest push to increase pressure on Maduro, who has been charged with narcoterrorism in the United States. The U.S. has built up the largest military presence in the region in decades and launched a series of deadly strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. The campaign is facing growing scrutiny from Congress.Weve just seized a tanker on the coast of Venezuela, a large tanker, very large, largest one ever seized, actually, Trump told reporters at the White House, later adding that it was seized for a very good reason. Trump said other things are happening, but did not offer additional details, saying he would speak more about it later. When asked what would happen to the oil aboard the tanker, Trump said, Well, we keep it, I guess.The seizure was led by the U.S. Coast Guard and supported by the Navy, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The official added that the seizure was conducted under U.S. law enforcement authority. Venezuela has the worlds largest proven oil reserves and produces about 1 million barrels a day. Locked out of global oil markets by U.S. sanctions, the state-owned oil company sells most of its output at a steep discount to refiners in China. The transactions usually involve a complex network of shadowy intermediaries, as sanctions have scared away more established traders. Many are shell companies, registered in jurisdictions known for secrecy. The buyers deploy so-called ghost tankers that hide their location and hand off their valuable cargoes in the middle of the ocean before they reach their final destination. Nicolas Maduro speaks at a rally marking the anniversary of the Battle of Santa Isabel, which took place during Venezuelas 19th-century Federal War, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) Nicolas Maduro speaks at a rally marking the anniversary of the Battle of Santa Isabel, which took place during Venezuelas 19th-century Federal War, in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Share Facebook Copy Link copied Print Email X LinkedIn Bluesky Flipboard Pinterest Reddit Read More Maduro did not address the seizure during a speech before a ruling-party organized demonstration in Caracas, Venezuelas capital. But he told supporters that the country is prepared to break the teeth of the North American empire if necessary.Maduro, flanked by senior officials, said only the ruling party can guarantee peace, stability, and the harmonious development of Venezuela, South America and the Caribbean.Maduro previously has insisted the real purpose of the U.S. military operations is to force him from office.During past negotiations, among the concessions the U.S. has made to Maduro was approval for oil giant Chevron Corp. to resume pumping and exporting Venezuelan oil. The corporations activities in the South American country resulted in a financial lifeline for Maduros government.The seizure comes a day after the U.S. military flew a pair of fighter jets over the Gulf of Venezuela in what appeared to be the closest that warplanes had come to the South American countrys airspace. Trump has said land attacks are coming soon but has not offered more details. The Trump administration is facing increasing scrutiny from lawmakers over the boat strike campaign, which has killed at least 87 people in 22 known strikes since early September, including a follow-up strike that killed two survivors clinging to the wreckage of a boat after the first hit. Some legal experts and Democrats say that action may have violated the laws governing the use of deadly military force.Lawmakers are demanding to get unedited video from the strikes, but Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told congressional leaders Tuesday he was still weighing whether to release it. Hegseth provided a classified briefing for congressional leaders alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. It was not immediately clear Wednesday who owned the tanker or what national flag it was sailing under. The Coast Guard referred a request for comment to the White House.___Associated Press writer Regina Garcia Cano in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report. AAMER MADHANI Madhani covers the White House for The Associated Press. He is based in Washington. twitter mailto

Stephen Dexter holds a container of ByHeart baby formula, which was recently recalled by ByHeart, in Flagstaff, Ariz., on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Cheyanne Mumphrey, File)2025-12-10T20:52:45Z Federal health officials on Wednesday expanded an outbreak of infant botulism tied to recalled ByHeart baby formula to include all illnesses reported since the company began production in March 2022.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said investigators cannot rule out the possibility that contamination might have affected all ByHeart formula products ever made.The outbreak now includes at least 51 infants in 19 states. The new case definition includes any infant with botulism who was exposed to ByHeart formula at any time since the products release, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The most recent illness was reported on Dec. 1. No deaths have been reported in the outbreak, which was announced Nov. 8.Previously, health officials had said the outbreak included 39 suspected or confirmed cases of infant botulism reported in 18 states since August. Thats when officials at Californias Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program reported a rise in treatment of infants who had consumed ByHeart formula. With the expanded definition, the CDC identified 10 additional cases that occurred from December 2023 through July 2025. ByHeart, a New York-based manufacturer of organic infant formula founded in 2016, recalled all its products sold in the U.S. on Nov. 11. The company, which accounts for about 1% of the U.S. infant formula market, had been selling about 200,000 cans of the product each month. News that ByHeart products could have been contaminated for years was distressing to Andi Galindo, whose 5-week-old daughter, Rowan, was hospitalized in December 2023 with infant botulism after drinking the formula. Galindo, 36, of Redondo Beach, California, said she insisted on using ByHeart formula to supplement a low supply of breast milk because it was recommended by a lactation consultant as very natural, very gentle, very good for the babies. Thats a hard one, Galindo said. If there is proof that there were issues with their manufacturing and their plant all the way back from the beginning, that is a problem and they really need to be held accountable. ByHeart officials did not immediately respond to questions about the expanded outbreak. Lab tests detected contaminationThe FDA sent inspectors last month to ByHeart plants in Allerton, Iowa, and Portland, Oregon, where the formula is produced and packaged. The agency has released no results from those inspections. The company previously reported that tests by an independent laboratory showed that 36 samples from three different lots contained the type of bacteria that can cause infant botulism. Inspection documents showed that ByHeart had a history of problems with contamination. In 2022, the year ByHeart started making formula, the company recalled five batches of infant formula after a sample at a packaging plant tested positive for a different germ, cronobacter sakazakii. In 2023, the FDA sent a warning letter to the company detailing areas that still require corrective actions. A ByHeart plant in Reading, Pennsylvania, was shut down in 2023 just before FDA inspectors found problems with mold, water leaks and insects, inspection documents show. Infant botulism is rareInfant botulism is a rare disease that affects fewer than 200 babies in the U.S. each year. Its caused when infants ingest botulism bacteria that produce spores that germinate in the intestines, creating a toxin that affects the nervous system. Babies are vulnerable until about age 1 because their gut microbiomes are not mature enough to fight the toxin.Baby formula has previously been linked to sporadic cases of illness, but no known outbreaks of infant botulism tied to powdered formula have previously been confirmed, according to research studies.Symptoms can take up to 30 days to develop and can include constipation, poor feeding, loss of head control, drooping eyelids and a flat facial expression. Babies may feel floppy and can have problems swallowing or breathing. The sole treatment for infant botulism is known as BabyBIG, an IV medication made from the pooled blood plasma of adults immunized against botulism. Californias infant botulism program developed the product and is the sole source worldwide. The antibodies provided by BabyBIG are likely most effective for about a month, although they may continue circulating in the childs system for several months, said Dr. Sharon Nachman, an expert in pediatric infectious disease at Stony Brook Childrens Hospital.The risk to the infant is ongoing and the family should not be using this formula after it was recalled, Nachman said in an email.Families of several babies treated for botulism after drinking ByHeart formula have sued the company. Lawsuits filed in federal courts allege that the formula they fed their children was defective and ByHeart was negligent in selling it. They seek financial payment for medical bills, emotional distress and other harm.___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. JONEL ALECCIA Aleccia covers food and nutrition at The Associated Press. She is based in Southern California. twitter mailto

The queens turned it out, the carpet was hot, and the fans were gagged. The red carpet premiere for Season 18 of RuPauls Drag Race transformed Aqua Roma in Manhattan into the most star-studded drag reunion of the year, bringing together a jaw-dropping 16 former champions from across the franchise.Hosted by longtime judges Ross Mathews and Ts Madison, alongside Varietys senior culture and events editor Marc Malkin, the event marked the first time in franchise history that this many former winners appeared together for a single celebration. The result? Pure, unfiltered drag magic.A Royal Court of WinnersAttendees were treated to surprise appearances by some of the most iconic queens to ever snatch a crown. Among them were Bebe Zahara Benet (Season 1), Aquaria (Season 10), Jaida Essence Hall (Season 12), Symone (Season 13), Willow Pill (Season 14), Sasha Colby (Season 15), Nymphia Wind (Season 16) and Onya Nurve (Season 17).Also in the lineup were All Stars royalty: Alyssa Edwards (Global All Stars winner), Angeria Paris VanMicheals (All Stars 9), Ginger Minj (All Stars 10), Jimbo (All Stars 8), Kylie Sonique Love (All Stars 6), and Mont X Change (All Stars 4).The reunion photo alone, a whos who of drag excellence gathered under one glittering roof, is already making the rounds across social media.Meet the Season 18 QueensThe premiere also welcomed the 14 queens competing for the Season 18 crown and the $200,000 cash prize. This years competitors are:Athena DionBriar BlushCiara MystDarlene MitchellDD FuegoDiscord AddamsJane DontJuicy Love DionKenya PleaserMandy MangoMia StarrMyki MeeksNini CocoVita VonTesse StarrIf the energy from the carpet is any sign, this cast is ready to deliver drama, fashion, comedy, camp, and lip-syncs that could shake the Werk Room walls.A Night of Joy and CelebrationAqua Roma pulsed with excitement as past winners embraced new competitors, fans snapped selfies, and drag legends strutted the carpet in full high-glam regalia. The event highlighted not only the shows longevity but its cultural impact uniting drag artists across generations and backgrounds.High-energy performances, interviews, and a raucous audience made the evening feel like a family reunion albeit one with significantly more sequins and lashes.When and Where to WatchSeason 18 of RuPauls Drag Race premieres Friday, Jan. 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.The network has teased the season as one of the most competitive yet, and with a cast this diverse, plus a surprise-loaded premiere already setting the tone, and fans have every reason to expect an unforgettable run.Source

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09825-yLung adenocarcinomas bearing the ID2 mutational signature display increased LINE-1 retrotransposon activity, which contributes to their fast evolutionary dynamics and aggressive phenotype.

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-03829-4The tension of conventional surgical sutures can affect wound healing and is dependent on the surgeons experience. Imaging and simulations reveal that slipknots can reproducibly store and release force, enabling precise and consistent surgical knotting without the need for electronic sensors or specialized equipment.

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09792-4High-depth sequencing of non-cancerous tissue from patients with metastatic cancer reveals single-base mutational signatures of alcohol, smoking and cancer treatments, and reveals how exogenous factors, including cancer therapies, affect somatic cell evolution.

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-04037-wAnalysis of more than 1 million people shows that mental-health disorders fall into five clusters, each of them linked to a specific set of genetic variants.

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09837-8Analysis of effect sizes of vegetation spillovers from protected areas in Australia shows that 71% of over 3,063 analysed protected areas had a positive spillover effect, and that these effects covary with protected area management type.

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The seal is seen on a podium at the Pentagon, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Washington, before Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)2025-12-10T22:05:11Z WASHINGTON (AP) The House voted to pass a sweeping defense policy bill Wednesday that authorizes $900 billion in military programs, including a pay raise for troops and an overhaul of how the Department of Defense buys weapons.The bills passage on a 312-112 vote comes at a time of increasing friction between the Republican-controlled Congress and President Donald Trumps administration over the management of the military.The annual National Defense Authorization Act typically gains bipartisan backing, and the White House has signaled strong support for the must-pass legislation, saying it is in line with Trumps national security agenda. Yet tucked into the over-3,000-page bill are several measures that push back against the Department of Defense, including a demand for more information on boat strikes in the Caribbean and support for allies in Europe, such as Ukraine. Overall, the sweeping bill calls for a 3.8% pay raise for many military members as well as housing and facility improvements on military bases. It also strikes a compromise between the political parties cutting climate and diversity efforts in line with Trumps agenda, while also boosting congressional oversight of the Pentagon and repealing several old war authorizations. Still, hard-line conservatives said they were frustrated that the bill does not do more to cut U.S. commitments overseas. We need a ready, capable and lethal fighting force because the threats to our nation, especially those from China, are more complex and challenging than at any point in the last 40 years, said Rep. Mike Rogers, the GOP chair of the House Armed Services Committee. Lawmakers overseeing the military said the bill would change how the Pentagon buys weapons, with an emphasis on speed after years of delay by the defense industry. Its also a key priority for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the armed services panel, called the bill the most ambitious swing at acquisition reform that weve taken. Still, Smith lamented that the bill does not do as much as Democrats would like to rein in the Trump administration but called it a step in the right direction towards reasserting the authority of Congress.The biggest concern I have is that the Pentagon, being run by Secretary Hegseth and by President Trump, is simply not accountable to Congress or accountable to the law, he said.The legislation next heads to the Senate, where leaders are working to pass the bill before lawmakers depart Washington for a holiday break. Several senators on both sides of the aisle have criticized the bill for not doing enough to restrict military flights over Washington. They had pushed for reforms after a midair collision this year between an Army helicopter and a jetliner killed all 67 people aboard the two aircraft near Washingtons Ronald Reagan National Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board and families of the victims have also voiced opposition to that section of the bill, raising concerns that it would make the airspace more dangerous.Heres what the defense bill does as it makes its way through Congress. Boat strike videos and congressional oversightLawmakers included a provision that would cut Hegseths travel budget by a quarter until the Pentagon provides Congress with unedited video of the strikes against alleged drug boats near Venezuela. Lawmakers are asserting their oversight role after a Sept. 2 strike where the U.S. military fired on two survivors who were holding on to a boat that had partially been destroyed.The bill also demands that Hegseth allow Congress to review the orders for the strikes.Reaffirm commitments to Europe and Korea Trumps ongoing support for Ukraine and other allies in Eastern Europe has been under doubt over the last year, but lawmakers included several positions meant to keep up U.S. support for countering Russian aggression in the region.The defense bill requires the Pentagon to keep at least 76,000 troops and major equipment stationed in Europe unless NATO allies are consulted and there is a determination that such a withdrawal is in U.S. interests. Around 80,000 to 100,000 U.S. troops are usually present on European soil. It also authorizes $400 million for each of the next two years to manufacture weapons to be sent to Ukraine.Additionally, there is a provision to keep U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, setting the minimum requirement at 28,500. Cuts to climate and diversity initiativesThe bill makes $1.6 billion in cuts to climate change-related spending, the House Armed Services Committee said. U.S. military assessments have long found that climate change is a threat to national security, with bases being pummeled by hurricanes or routinely flooded.The bill also would save $40 million by repealing diversity, equity and inclusion offices, programs and trainings, the committee said. The position of chief diversity officer would be cut, for example. Iraq War resolution repealCongress is putting an official end to the war in Iraq by repealing the authorization for the 2003 invasion. Supporters in both the House and Senate say the repeal is crucial to prevent future abuses and to reinforce that Iraq is now a strategic partner of the U.S. The 2002 resolution has been rarely used in recent years. But the first Trump administration cited it as part of its legal justification for a 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Suleimani. Lifting final Syria sanctionsCongress would permanently remove U.S. sanctions put on Syria after the Trump administration temporarily lifted many penalties.Lawmakers imposed economically crippling sanctions on the country in 2019 to punish former leader Bashar Assad for human rights abuses during the nearly 14-year civil war. After Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa led a successful insurgency to depose Assad, he is seeking to rebuild his nations economy.Advocates of a permanent repeal have said international companies are unlikely to invest in projects needed for the countrys reconstruction as long as there is a threat of sanctions returning.Lack of IVF coverageDemocrats criticized Johnson for stripping a provision from the bill to expand coverage of in vitro fertilization for active duty personnel. An earlier version covered the medical procedure, known as IVF, which helps people facing infertility have children. STEPHEN GROVES Groves covers Congress for The Associated Press. twitter mailto

Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore watches from the sideline during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)2025-12-10T21:56:20Z ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) Michigan fired football coach Sherrone Moore on Wednesday, saying a university investigation had found evidence of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.The stunning announcement said Moores alleged conduct was a clear violation of university policy.Moore, the teams former offensive coordinator, was promoted to the top job in January 2024. to replace Jim Harbaugh. The Wolverines (9-3, 7-2 Big Ten) are set to play Texas in the Citrus Bowl in a few weeks. LARRY LAGE Lage has been the Michigan Associated Press Sports Editor since 2000, serving as a beat writer for eight pro and college teams. He has covered the Winter Olympics four times. twitter instagram mailto

Members of school districts and school boards in Long Island and Schenectady, New York, sued Attorney General Letitia James and other state officials on Tuesday, claiming that their guidance protecting transgender students from bullying and harassment censors free speech.The lawsuit, filed by the anti-trans conservative Southeastern Legal Foundation (SLF), is over a May 8 letter from both James and State Education Commissioner Betty Rosa telling school boards not to make or encourage comments that misgender trans students, suggest that their identities are illegitimate, or imply that their inclusion in school activities and facilities harms other students. Related LGBTQ+ youth are in crisis. But theyre also strong, hopeful & know who they are. The letter noted that state law requires trans access to school facilities, forbids discrimination based on gender identity, and requires governmental school officials to protect all students from discrimination, harassment, bullying, taunting, and intimidation.Comments and conduct that violate students privacy rights or create a hostile school environment harm children, sow discord in communities, and expose school districts to costly litigation, the letter stated. Never Miss a Beat Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Purely ideological statements [made during board meeting public comment periods] opposing students rights under New York law are an unproductive diversion from boards important work [and can] harm children who unwillingly find themselves scrutinized, harassed, or stigmatized by school community members, the letter added.Board members have a duty to conduct meetings in a manner that respects the dignity of all students, it continued. Board members may be removed from office when they willfully neglect their duty or violate legal protections for students in their district. The letter also noted that board members can respect free speech rights while also implementing reasonable viewpoint-neutral rules governing the content of speech that prohibit comments that could have discriminatory, harassing, or bullying effects.The lawsuit says the guidance forces school communities toself-censor and shut down parent speech that advocates for their core values and for childrens privacy, safety and opportunity.Letitia James policies that say students cannot speak at their own school board meetings about the stress and problematic policies around accommodating trans athletes are anti-American and anti-constitutional, SLF President Kim Hermann said in a statement. Letitia James policies that say school board members in New York can be removed from office just for using the biologically correct pronoun for a trans student are not only repressive but blatantly disregard the value of free speech for the citizens she represents. A 2025 Trevor Project study found that trans, nonbinary, and gender-questioning youth self-reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation following the recent increase in anti-trans political speech and policies.A 2023 Trevor Project study found that 64% of trans and nonbinary young people reported feeling discriminated against in the past year due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally, 27% of trans and nonbinary young people reported being physically threatened or harmed in the past year due to their sexual orientation or gender identity, respectively.If this story affected you, just know you are not alone. TheTrans Lifeline Hotlineoffers support to trans/nonbinary people struggling with mental health from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M. PST Monday-Friday. Call (877) 565-8860 to be connected to a trans/nonbinary peer operator and receive full anonymity and confidentiality. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth ages 24 and younger, can be reached at (866) 488-7386.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

Soccer power couple Christen Westphal and Maddie Pogarch just said "I do!"Pogarch announced their wedding on Instagram on Wednesday with photos of the beautiful ceremony. The carousel of images shows the two women in white wedding gowns posing on a spiral staircase, kissing at the altar, showing off the engagement ring, and partying after the ceremony.The photos were captioned, Theres a new Po in town!!!The Utah Royals player got down on one knee last summer and proposed to Westphal, who plays for the Houston Dash, in the picturesque Napa Valley.This was a huge step, considering Pogarch didnt even know she was queer until she met and fell in love with Westphal in 2020.There was so much grief around accepting it because I was denying myself of that for so many years, and Christen gave me the space to be fully me in my sexuality I love her to the ends of the earth, Pogarch told the NWSL soccer website earlier this year. It boiled down to this: I do not want to lose the opportunity to love this person because Im scared of what that might make me to other people.Now, the two women look incredibly happy after finally walking down the aisle together!

The award-winning journalist and viral queer media icon is starting a new chapter. This week, Gilchrist officially launched Holding Space with Tracy E. Gilchrist, a weekly podcast built around authentic, joy-filled conversations with the creators shaping culture today. The series premieres December 10 with pop star, Broadway performer, and professional chaos generator Frankie Grande kicking things off as the inaugural guest. We did not know this was happening But now we do! Lets Hold Some SpaceGilchrist went viral last year after her junket interview with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande took an unexpectedly tender turn. It began when Gilchrist told Erivo that people are holding space for the lyrics of Defying Gravity, the powerhouse ballad from the Wicked film. Then the gentle, unexpected finger-holding exchanged between Grande and Erivo turned into a full-on cultural movement, spawning memes, reaction videos, Halloween costumes, and so much more. Now, one year later, shes returning to the moment that launched queer media into the spotlight. Only this time, the finger-holding energy comes with microphones, longer conversations, and more room for sincerity, humor, and camp to breathe.In the last year, Ive held more fingers than I can count, Gilchrist says. Theres clearly a demand for conversations that prize substance and joy. Listen in and hold space for your new favorite weekly podcast.The show is produced by filmmaker Joo DallStella, whose festival success and viral projects have made him a champion of queer stories. He says giving Tracy her own platform felt inevitable, adding that she has always been an amplifier of voices now she just gets to do it on her own terms.What to Expect from the First EpisodesFrankie Grande leads the premiere with a deeply queer and deeply Frankie conversation about identity, sobriety, and family. He speaks candidly about everything from the misunderstood art of power bottoms (Power is literally in the name) to creating his new album Hotel Rock Bottom as an act of radical queer joy, even in a challenging political climate. He shares heartfelt stories about Ariana supporting him in recovery volunteering to set up chairs and bring juice at meetings and also recounts the chaos of the Wicked Singapore premiere with the unmistakable protective energy of an older brother who absolutely would have gone to jail if hed been closer to the barricade. He closes by talking about writing a gay prom anthem inspired by the prom night he wishes hed had, one where he got to go with a boy and his actual crush.The following week, Tracy sits down with Bruno Alcantara, beloved member of the Drag Race Pit Crew, who dives into the new season, shares stories about being a queer immigrant from Brazil, and explains why hes never been shy about calling out ICE. Meet Tracy E. Gilchrist: The Voice Behind the MovementGilchrists new podcast is a natural evolution for someone who has spent more than two decades shaping LGBTQ+ media. She has interviewed and profiled some of the biggest names in entertainment and politics from Lady Gaga and Janelle Mone to Hillary and Chelsea Clinton all while carving out space for LGBTQ+ women, creators, and visionaries.Her career includes leading The Advocate as editor in chief, serving as Outs entertainment correspondent, hosting red carpets and panel discussions, and spotlighting queer storytelling across film, television, and music. In the past year alone, she joined the It Gets Better board, became an honorary member of the NYC Gay Mens Chorus, presented at the GLAAD Awards, and hosted conversations with everyone from Jennifer Beals to the creative forces behind Euphoria and Portrait of a Lady on Fire.Now, shes entering a chapter where she doesnt just interview artists she invites them into deeper conversations that leave space for nuance, emotion, and laughter. Holding Space for Whats NextWith new episodes arriving every Wednesday, Holding Space with Tracy E. Gilchrist is poised to become a weekly ritual a place to breathe, reflect, reconnect, and yes hold a little space.Tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen. Watch full video episodes on YouTube. Follow @HoldingSpaceWithTracy across platforms to join the movement.Source

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-03947-zSpecific protein targets and personalized vaccines have the potential to increase survival rates for the disease.

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09776-4Laser-induced conversion electron Mssbauer spectroscopy, which detects electrons emitted by 229Th nuclei in a thin ThO2 sample excited by vacuum ultraviolet light, is demonstrated, opening the possibility of a conversion-electron-based nuclear clock.

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-03728-8Scientists have characterized the broad genetic patterns that are shared across 14 psychiatric disorders. Could it reframe how mental-health conditions are diagnosed?

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09828-9The ALPK1 agonist UDSP-Hep stimulates tumour-cell antigen presentation, macrophageDC cross-priming and differentiation of protective memory T cells.

Nature, Published online: 10 December 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-03735-9A 400,000-year-old site excavated in England reveals signs of deliberate fires made using the mineral iron pyrite to produce sparks.

Broadcaster Joe Buck becomes the 50th recipient of the Ford C. Frick Award, joining his father as the only father-son duo honored by the Hall of Fame.

NFL teams were informed in a memo Wednesday that the collective bargaining agreement between the league and NFL Referees Association expires at the end of May, making this current season the final one of the existing agreement.

Manchester City came from behind to heap the pressure on Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso with a stunning 2-1 win at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

The Lakers will host the Spurs on their standard court in the NBA Cup quarterfinals Wednesday, rather than their bright yellow alternative Cup court, which had been flagged for its slippery surface, sources told ESPN.

The seizure comes as the United States builds up its forces in the Caribbean as part of a pressure campaign against Nicols Maduro, the leader of Venezuela.

Several Democrats who fought to steer federal money to their states and districts have boasted about their success even after voting against the bill that provided the funds.

After a quarter century, the Yaddo president Elaina Richardson will step down, having made her mark on the storied arts residency.