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President Joe Biden’s journey on LGBT+ rights, from supporting restrictions to becoming the first top Democrat to come out in support of gay marriage, has been praised by a top US diplomat as a “very American story” and a “beautiful thing”. Mr Biden joined the chorus of outrage after the passing of Uganda’s draconian anti-gay law, calling for its immediate repeal and threatening sanctions if no action is taken. “The enactment of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act is a tragic violation of universal human rights—one that is not worthy of the Ugandan people, and one that jeopardizes the prospects of critical economic growth for the entire country,” he said in a statement on Monday. “I join with people around the world — including many in Uganda — in calling for its immediate repeal. No one should have to live in constant fear for their life or being subjected to violence and discrimination. It is wrong.” The bill was signed into law on Monday by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. The law includes the death penalty for what’s referred to as “aggravated homosexuality” – meaning those having sex while being HIV positive, those having sex with minors or others considered to be vulnerable. Under the law, an individual found guilty of “attempted aggravated homosexuality” can be sent to prison for 14 years. Mr Museveni sent the law back to the national assembly in April, requesting amendments to clarify the difference between identifying as LGBT+ and taking part in homosexual acts. That prompted pushback from some legislators, who appeared concerned that Mr Museveni would veto the bill as he faced a pressure campaign to do so from abroad. The amended version of the bill was passed early last month. Under a law from the colonial era, homosexuality was already illegal in the East African country as being “against the order of nature”, and with a possible punishment of life behind bars. Mr Biden said that since the new law was introduced, “reports of violence and discrimination targeting Ugandans who are or are perceived to be LGBTQI+ are on the rise. Innocent Ugandans now fear going to hospitals, clinics, or other establishments to receive life-saving medical care lest they be targeted by hateful reprisals”. “Some have been evicted from their homes or fired from their jobs. And the prospect of graver threats — including lengthy prison sentences, violence, abuse — threatens any number of Ugandans who want nothing more than to live their lives in safety and freedom,” he added. “This shameful Act is the latest development in an alarming trend of human rights abuses and corruption in Uganda. The dangers posed by this democratic backsliding are a threat to everyone residing in Uganda, including US government personnel, the staff of our implementing partners, tourists, members of the business community, and others.” Mr Biden said he has asked the National Security Council to review what effect the new law will have on the US relationship with Uganda, including the ability of the US to “safely deliver services under the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and other forms of assistance and investments”. The president said his administration is looking at possible sanctions and restricting entry into the US for anyone “involved in serious human rights abuses or corruption”. Mr Biden noted in his statement that “In total, the US government invests nearly $1bn annually in Uganda’s people, business, institutions, and military to advance our common agenda”. As vice president, Mr Biden forced the hand of the Obama administration when he went off-message during a May 2012 TV interview, becoming the highest-ranking Democrat to publicly support gay marriage. Mr Biden’s evolution on gay rights was a long time in the making. As a senator, he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996, which blocked the federal recognition of same-sex marriages. Earlier in the 1990s, he voted to remove federal funding for schools that taught acceptance of homosexuality. In 1973, he was captured wondering aloud if gay people may be security risks while serving in government or military roles. In an interview with The Independent, the State Department’s Chief of Protocol Rufus Gifford said that the president’s journey on gay rights is a “very American story”. “I think about my own evolution on equality, I think about my parents’ evolution on equality. And it’s a beautiful thing,” the 48-year-old said. The former US ambassador to Denmark describes his current role as “the first handshake and the American welcome for leaders” from around the globe. Mr Gifford advises the president and vice president on diplomatic protocol - and he travels with Mr Biden on all official international trips. Mr Gifford added that the president “opened his heart and mind to new ideas. And isn’t that all we want from our leaders?” “I mean, sure, let’s debate the evolution to a certain extent. But let’s lean into the fact that this evolution is real, it’s meaningful, and it’s actually impacting our lives,” he said. Read More Rachel Levine on Congress bigots, Don’t Say Gay and life as Biden’s top trans official: ‘Despair doesn’t motivate change’ Thousands march in Jerusalem Pride parade, first under Israel's most right-wing government ever LGBT+ flags vandalised for a fourth time at Canada church on eve of Pride Month Pregnant transgender man stars on Glamour UK’s Pride cover in hand-painted suit ‘A second job covered in glitter’: Meet the LGBT+ drag nuns who beat the LA Dodgers

WASHINGTON The House Oversight Committee's Chairman James Comer opened a probe Thursday into U.S. Federal Trade Commission Chair

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Well, we’re not sure how we ended up here, but Piers Morgan has responded to a strange AI image of himself in the bath which has been circulating online. The presenter commented on the odd picture which shows a generated version of Morgan sitting in the tub, holding a book with a rubber duck by his side. Only, this version of Morgan looks like he spends all his free time in the gym and he’s holding a book with dimensions that defy the laws of physics. Morgan responded to the bizarre image by writing: “I never have baths. fyi.” Unsurprisingly, the picture sparked a lot of reaction on social media, with one Twitter user responding to the pic: “I still can't unsee it - the horror!!!!” Another said: “My brain will never erase this image.” Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Others pointed out the strange nature of the book in the image, with one saying: “The way the book looks in the picture seems to give it away that it is AI generated.” Another joked: "Give me nuclear annihilation by AI over this any day.” It has to be one of the most unusual uses of AI we’ve seen so far, and if this is the future of artificial intelligence, count us out… AI, meanwhile, continues to make headlines – and a group of individuals including Grimes, who described herself as an "AI popstar" recently on social media, signed a statement warning of its risks to humanity. The singer signed the message from Center For AI Safety (CAIS) delving into the potential dangers of AI. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

By Andrew Goudsward Outdoor clothing retailer Patagonia Inc has settled its lawsuit accusing Gap Inc of illegally copying

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ABU DHABI, United Arab of Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 1, 2023--

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A Florida school teacher was killed in an apparent murder-suicide with her 10-month-old baby discovered crying and unharmed in a crib. Amanda Hicks, 26, was found stabbed to death on 27 May after police went to an apartment in Port St Lucie to carry out a welfare check that had been requested by the family of an adult male. Port St Lucie police say that when officers arrived at the home in Peacock Run Apartments they could hear the infant crying inside and when they entered discovered Hicks and the male - later identified as Hicks’ fiancé, dead on the floor from a gunshot wound. The baby was removed from the property and placed with a family member. Investigators said in a statement that Hicks “was killed by an adult male who then took his own life.” Police say that Hicks and the unidentified 25-year-old were “romantically involved.” Port St Lucie Police Sgt John Dellacroce told Fox News Digital that the man had repeatedly called a family member who didn’t pick up the phone - with the final call taking place at 11.50pm. About an hour later, the sound of a gunshot was captured on surveillance video. “His family member didn’t answer the phone and saw all these missed calls the next morning and tried to call him back but couldn’t get a hold of him,” Mr Dellacroce said. He said the relative called police to request a welfare check as soon as they say the missed calls the next morning. Hicks was a sixth-grade reading teacher at Dr David L Anderson Middle School in Martin County, school officials confirmed. In a message sent to parents and staff, school principal Darcia Borel said that Hick’s death was a tragedy. “It is with great sadness that we write to inform you about the tragic passing of one of our teachers, Ms Amanda Hicks,” Ms Borel wrote. “The Port St Lucie Police Department has confirmed that Ms Hicks was the victim of a homicide. While words will never be enough to convey the shock and sadness this news has brought to our school family, it is more important than ever to come together to support one another through our grief journey.” Read More Tourists flee Florida beach in terror as gunshots ring out in harrowing video of Hollywood shooting Hollywood beach shooting – live: Photos show suspects on the run after nine shot on Florida boardwalk A sunny Memorial Day at the beach upended by gunfire: What we know about the shooting in Hollywood, Florida