'AGT' fans call out Howie Mandel's 'inappropriate' behavior with co-judge Sofia Vergara, ask judge to 'Stop making jokes about Sofia’s Relationship status'

President Joe Biden welcomed hundreds to the White House for a delayed Pride Month celebration aiming to demonstrate his administration’s support for the LGBTQ+ community. Advocates have recently been warning of a spike in discriminatory legislation, particularly aimed at the transgender community, sweeping through statehouses. The event, which the administration described as the largest Pride event hosted at the White House, was initially scheduled for Thursday, but was postponed because of poor air quality from hazardous air flowing in from Canadian wildfires. But the haze that blanketed a huge swath of the East Coast this past week had lifted over the nation's capital, allowing the president and first lady Jill Biden to hold their South Lawn party. “So today, I want to send a message to the entire community — especially to transgender children: You are loved. You are heard. You belong,” Biden said. Pride Month is being celebrated this year as state lawmakers have introduced at least 525 bills and enacted 78 bills that whittle away at LGBTQ+ rights, according to the Human Rights Campaign, a group that advocates for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer rights. That tally includes a recent flurry of bills that affect transgender people, including legislation recently passed by Republican governors vying for the 2024 presidential nomination. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed a bill into that bans gender-affirming medical care such as puberty blockers or hormone therapy for transgender youths. Earlier in the week, a federal judge temporarily blocked portions of a law that DeSantis signed shortly before announcing that he was running for president. In North Dakota, Gov. Doug Burgum last month signed a bill that prohibits public schools and government entities from requiring teachers and employees to refer to transgender people by the pronouns they use. Burgum, who like DeSantis has made culture issues a central part of his tenure as governor, joined the White House primary field. Josh Helfgott, an LGBTQ+ activist and social media influencer from New York City, said marking Pride Month at the White House felt like one of the most important moments of his life. But he said the tide of legislation added another layer to this year’s celebrations. “Pride this year is so important because we cannot be silent when faced with hate and bigotry,” Helfgott said “The other side is so loud, incredibly loud. ” Anjali Rimi of San Francisco attended the White House event with her mother, who recently immigrated from India. Rimi came to the United States more than 20 years ago because, she said, she was shunned by family and society as a transgender person. Times were tough in the United States, too, she said. She was pushed out of a job after she came out, was homeless for a time, and took asylum in Canada for about a decade before returning to the United States. “It’s a moment that we are going to cherish for a lifetime,” said Rimi, an activist in San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community. "This is a joyful moment, but it’s also one that reminds us that we have so much work to do.” Read More Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide AP News Digest 5:40 a.m. Trump pledges to endorse Mark Robinson for North Carolina governor US confirms China has had a spy base in Cuba since at least 2019

Ireland's defeat to New Zealand on Saturday is probably the most devastating of their eight Rugby World Cup quarter-final losses, for this team was rated the best they had ever...

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's social media feeds suggest he's been busy unveiling development projects and rubbing shoulders with foreign leaders — the powerhouse embodiment of an ascendant India shaking up the global order

As the Biden administration kicks off a years-long negotiation process to divvy up the shrinking water supply of the Colorado River, there are finally some signs of optimism after several bleak years.

UCF Knights quarterback Timmy McClain had an incredible fourth down play versus the Baylor Bears that you have to see to believe.

Blackpool forward Jake Daniels has said it was a slap in the face when Jordan Henderson moved to play in Saudi Arabia. Daniels last year became the first openly gay active British male professional footballer since Justin Fashanu in 1990. Former Liverpool captain Henderson had been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community before his decision to join Saudi club Al-Ettifaq from Liverpool in the summer. Homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state, leading some to accuse the England midfielder of turning his back on the community. Speaking to the BBC’s Newsbeat, Daniels said: “He (Henderson) messaged me when I came out. He was backing me and said: ‘We’re proud of what you’ve done.’ And seeing him move to Saudi, it kind of like, slaps me in my face really. “Obviously it was frustrating. But I guess the money pays well, and money must mean more to people.” Henderson’s former Liverpool and England team-mate Steven Gerrard is currently his manager in the Saudi Pro League. Daniels, who made his senior debut for Blackpool in May 2022, said Gerrard had personally reached out out to him following his decision to come out. He added: “I met him in person and he said: ‘If you ever want to get in contact then message me’. But he moved over (to Saudi Arabia). It was frustrating” Saudi Arabia is the sole bidder to host the 2034 men’s World Cup, 12 years after Qatar – where homosexuality is also illegal – staged the global tournament. Daniels said he “wouldn’t feel safe” travelling to such places. He said: “The World Cup that happened in Qatar, the one that is going to happen in Saudi Arabia, for me if I was there I wouldn’t feel safe, so that’s just putting your football in jeopardy.” Daniels believes his decision to come out 18 months ago has helped his career. “It has been crazy since coming out,” he added. “I didn’t think it would blow up as much as it did. The reception I’ve had, the people I’ve met, it’s been a crazy experience. “Coming out was the best thing I’ve ever done. I’m playing better now.” Read More New sponsor to help 460 clubs in Women’s FA Cup market themselves with AI app Stephen Kenny believes he leaves behind a ‘great job’ for Ireland successor Stephen Kenny leaves role as Ireland manager after contract is not renewed Owen Farrell not planning to end his England career any time soon Lionel Messi condemns treatment of Argentina fans during clash with Brazil Everton have extra motivation following points deduction – director of football

The Kansas City Chiefs plan to play Patrick Mahomes and the rest of their starters for the first half of their preseason game on Saturday night in Arizona

Mantra of The Cosmos performed the track at Glastonbury in June.

Libya is racing to bury its dead as bodies pile up in the streets of Derna, the northern coastal city devastated by flooding after a torrential downpour smashed through two dams, washing homes into the sea.

Education is often called the Great Equalizer but in my mind, what truly makes us equal is the most embarrassing, weird, confusing chapter we’re all fated to go through in life: puberty. And we get to experience this magical yet scary time in our own humbling, humanizing way during our most formative years — but we don’t get through it without help along the way.

Russian authorities have declared newspaper editor Dmitry Muratov to be a foreign agent, continuing the country’s moves to suppress critics and independent reporting