Democratic lawmakers said in a report that shifting Defense Department funding to support the Trump administrations immigration agenda has hurt military readiness.

GPS collars on cattle are letting ranchers remove fences in the West. Thats good for wildlife and for the land.

The U.S. military asked the three Republican-appointed judges in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a lower court ruling forbidding the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) from kicking out HIV-positive soldiers. The DOD claims that the soldiers create financial and logistical burdens, but the soldiers say those claims are outdated and discriminatory.The medical needs of individuals with HIV limit their deployability and the tasks they can perform in military service, and they impose additional costs on the military above those incurred by healthy individuals, the militarywrote in its brief.Thus, at a minimum, there is a rational basis for the military to treat such individuals differently. Related Federal judge orders Trump administration to stop discharging HIV+ military members The military notes that hundreds of different medical conditions disqualify people from joining the military, including high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, limited motion, impaired vision and hearing, food allergies, and communicable diseases like hepatitis, Courthouse News noted. These conditions, the DOD says, can endanger the health of those who have them as well as their fellow soldiers and may not be treatable if battle conditions make medications or healthcare hard to obtain. 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 DODs filing also says that HIV-positive soldiers wouldnt be able to give their blood to other injured soldiers in need. The filing notes that both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) forbid HIV-positive people from donating blood for transfusion to others due to the risks of possible HIV transmission.In August 2024, U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema of the Eastern District of Virginia ruled in favor ofa trans woman honorably discharged from the Army for being HIV-positive, an HIV-positive gay man, and an HIV-positive cisgender woman who were both forbidden from joining the Army even though they were undetectable due to medication. This group said the DODs policy violates the Fifth Amendments equal protection clause and the Administrative Procedure Act. Modern science has transformed the treatment of HIV, Judge Brinkemawrotein her 2024 ruling. Asymptomatic HIV-positive service members with undetectable viral loads who maintain treatment are capable of performing all of their military duties, including worldwide deployment.Scott Schoettes, a lawyer with the Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund who represented the HIV-positive plaintiffs in the more recent appeals court hearing, said the DODs policy is based on misconceptions and irrational fear, adding, Why is the military still acting like its 1981? He also argued that the U.S. government has the financial means to provide medical care to HIV-positive soldiers and that the soldiers are completely capable of fulfilling the physical eligibility and health requirements needed for military service. The Center for HIV Law and Policy and the American Civil Liberties Union, wrotea briefsupporting the HIV-positive plaintiffs, stating, Denying [military entry] to civilians living with HIV is contrary to ending HIV-related stigma and discrimination.In 2018, the Trump Administration unveiled a deploy or get out policy to remove HIV-positive service members, claiming their health condition make them incapable of being deployed worldwide. However, Judge Brinkema blocked this policy as well.The United Kingdom, France, and Australia allow HIV-positive people with undetectable loads to join their militaries.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.

There was some wild news making the rounds today that almost sounds like satire, but its very real. JoJo Siwa, long known for turning maximalism into a personal brand, is officially hosting her own fan cruise. Yes, a cruise. And not just a branded pop-in appearance, but a full-scale, JoJo-forward takeover at sea that might be her boldest idea yet.The JoJo Siwa Cruise sets sail aboard Royal Caribbeans Utopia of the Seas, transforming whats already a floating mega-resort into something closer to a roaming fandom festival. Its the kind of announcement that feels too silly to be true but here we are. JoJo Siwa has never been subtle, and this definitely takes the cake.A Floating JoJo UniverseAccording to details shared on JoJos official cruise site, the experience is being billed as the largest JoJo Siwa event ever created. Fans who book exclusively through JoJoSiwaCruise.com will gain access to a packed schedule of onboard programming built entirely around the performer. Its an important distinction: bookings made through Royal Caribbean or third-party sites wont include entry to any JoJo-specific activities. No wristband, no bow-building, no JoJo.Those who do book correctly can expect a slate of meet-and-greets, autograph opportunities, Q&A sessions, dance parties, and themed games designed solely for this sailing. The centerpiece event is the Infinity Heart Concert at Sea, marking the first time JoJo brings this performance concept onto open water.Theres also a hands-on element woven throughout. Guests can join a dance class led by JoJo herself, take part in trivia competitions, guess tracks during a JoJo-themed Name That Tune, and craft custom accessories during the Build-a-Bow Workshop. A welcome party kicks things off, while a farewell celebration closes the trip with music, surprises, and a signed JoJo poster.Not Just for the SiwanatorsBeyond the glitter-drenched programming, the cruise also functions as a full Royal Caribbean vacation. Utopia of the Seas offers multiple dining venues, live shows, pools, waterslides, sports courts, and a full day at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise lines private island in the Bahamas.The three-day itinerary begins in Port Canaveral, followed by a stop in Nassau, and wraps with a day split between thrill rides and beach lounging at CocoCay. JoJo-specific scheduling details will be shared closer to departure, and, as with most cruises, plans remain subject to change.Merch, Add-Ons, and Fine PrintFor fans looking to go all in, limited-edition merchandise is available as optional add-ons at the time of booking. Items range from a cruise-exclusive JoJo bow to hoodies, tanks, beach towels, and a collectible swag bag. These extras cannot be purchased onboard, and quantities are capped.Pricing is per person and includes cruise fare for double occupancy, along with all standard meals and room service. Transportation to the port, gratuities, beverage packages, and travel insurance are not included.Why This Feels Very JoJoA JoJo Siwa fan cruise feels both unexpected and perfectly on brand. Shes built a career on going bigger when others pull back, and this concept leans fully into spectacle. Its extravagant, slightly absurd, and undeniably committed, much like JoJo herself.Is it over the top? Absolutely. Is it impressive? Also yes. And whether you view it as genius or chaos, one things clear: JoJo Siwa isnt just thinking outside the box anymore. Shes sailing past it.Source

The NBA Cup quarterfinals continue Wednesday night, when the Oklahoma City Thunder square off with the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs take on Los Angeles Lakers. Follow along for live updates.

Manchester City get a huge win against Real Madrid in the Champions League, which only puts Madrid boss Xabi Alonso under more pressure.

Man United may want to be a powerhouse, but OL Lyonnes showed just how far they have to go.

Xabi Alonso said he understood whistles from the Bernabu crowd after Real Madrid's 2-1 Champions League defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday, while insisting there was "nothing to criticize" in his team's performance.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to repeat as champions, with Denver and Houston next in line.

As the owners intentionally understaffed two New Jersey facilities and diverted Medicaid money for their own use, residents in the homes suffered unnecessarily, the state comptroller said.

President Trump has framed the program as a way for the government to raise billions of dollars and prioritize the admission of successful entrepreneurs and investors.

Also, the Feds latest rate cut was contentious. Heres the latest at the end of Wednesday.

The wallpaper features the homeowners original photography.READ MORE...