Far-right and left-wing protests turned violent due to clashes on Sunday (August 22) in Portland, USA. At least one man was arrested for firing a gun at demonstrators. Nobody was hurt in the exchange of gunfire.

By Sunday evening, there was no word as to the injuries caused in brawls in which opposing sides were seen dousing each other in what appeared bear spray. Car windows of rivals were smashed.

Police Chief Chuck Lovell said during a briefing on Friday (August 20) that officers would not necessarily intervene to break up fights between the groups.

Portland has become a magnet for clashes between political extremists since last year.

Sunday's competing protests came on the anniversary of a clash that grew violent between right-wing and leftist crowds in downtown Portland, where a succession of street demonstrations last year followed the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25, 2020.

(With inputs from agencies)

Far-right and left-wing protests turned violent due to clashes on Sunday (August 22) in Portland, USA. At least one man was arrested for firing a gun at demonstrators.

Far-right and left-wing protests turned violent due to clashes on Sunday (August 22) in Portland, USA. At least one man was arrested for firing a gun at demonstrators. Nobody was hurt in the exchange of gunfire. By Sunday evening, there was no word as to the injuries caused in brawls in which opposing sides were seen dousing each other in what appeared bear spray. Car windows of rivals were smashed. Police Chief Chuck Lovell said during a briefing on Friday (August 20) that officers would not necessarily intervene to break up fights between the groups. Portland has become a magnet for clashes between political extremists since last year. Sunday's competing protests came on the anniversary of a clash that grew violent between right-wing and leftist crowds in downtown Portland, where a succession of street demonstrations last year followed the murder of George Floyd, a Black man, by a Minneapolis police officer on May 25, 2020. (With inputs from agencies)

Far-right, far-left protests turn violent in Portland

Austria's former vice-chancellor and longtime leader of the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) stands trial for alleged corruption on Tuesday, in a case linked to a scandal that brought down the government.

One of Europe's most high-profile far-right leaders, Heinz-Christian Strache was forced to resign as vice-chancellor in 2019 after the publication of a video that showed him offering public contracts in return for electoral campaign support from a woman posing as a Russian investor.

The scandal, dubbed "Ibiza-gate" as the video was&nbsp;secretly filmed on the Spanish party island, spawned a sweeping corruption investigation that uncovered several different accusations of wrongdoing.

Tuesday's trial concerns charges that Strache helped change a law for an FPOe donor when he was in a coalition government with the centre-right People's Party (OeVP) of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/9-arrested-over-alleged-plot-to-plant-bombs-around-hong-kong-396124">Also read |&nbsp;9 arrested over alleged plot to plant bombs around Hong Kong</a>

The donor, Walter Grubmueller, owns a private clinic in Vienna and told a parliamentary committee that he had invited Strache aboard his yacht and on a vacation at his holiday home on the Greek island of Corfu in 2016.

While negotiating the coalition agreement with the OeVP, Strache directly asked the clinic owner "which amendment to the law" he would need for his "clinic to finally be treated in a fair manner", according to chat messages uncovered in the investigation and which were later leaked to the media.

In the messages, the donor also reportedly said that he'd deliver a draft law to the FPOe's party headquarters.&nbsp;

After Strache took office in 2017, the far-right took charge of the health ministry and went on to oversee a change in the law that widened the category of establishments that were eligible for public funding.

According to expert estimates, this means clinics like Grubmueller's were allowed to apply for as much as 2.2 million euros (US$ 2.6 million) in funding in 2019 alone.

Grubmueller has also been charged, but denies any wrongdoing or that he profited from the amendment.&nbsp;

When contacted by AFP last week, Strache's lawyer Johann Pauer said: "Neither my client nor I will make a statement before or during active proceedings."

Far-right infighting

When the "Ibiza-gate" footage emerged in 2019, the coalition between the FPOe and the People's Party collapsed.

In the video, Strache claimed that several high-profile billionaires and international gambling company Novomatic had been funding political parties through off-the-books donations to associations, some owned by high-ranking OeVP politicians.

All those named by Strache deny any wrongdoing.

The claims triggered an array of investigations, including a probe into the appointment of Thomas Schmid --&nbsp;a civil servant and Kurz ally -- as head of the Austrian state holding company OeBAG.&nbsp;

Kurz told a parliamentary committee that he had no hand in the appointment, but leaked chat messages have suggested otherwise.

Prosecutors have now put him under investigation for the possible offence of making false statements to the committee.

Kurz, who returned as Chancellor after a snap 2019 election, denies the allegation.

But if he is indicted, he faces going on trial for an offence that can be punished by a prison sentence of up to three years.

Strache was at the helm of the FPOe for 14 years before having to resign in disgrace when the scandal erupted.

Since then he has also been accused of embezzling party funds to pay for his luxurious lifestyle.&nbsp;

The revelations disillusioned many of the party's voters, and the FPOe slumped from 26 per cent of the vote in the 2017 general election to just 16 per cent in 2019.

Last year Strache attempted a comeback in Vienna municipal politics with a bid for mayor, but his list gained just three per cent of the vote.

The FPOe has spent much of the time since the scandal consumed by infighting.

Last month Strache's successor as leader, Norbert Hofer, resigned after weeks of tension with party colleague and former Interior Minister Herbert Kickl.

Kickl, seen as a party ideologue and mastermind of some of its anti-Islam and anti-migrant campaigns, swiftly took over as leader.&nbsp;

Austria's former vice-chancellor and longtime leader of the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) stands trial for alleged corruption on Tuesday, in a case linked to a scandal that brought down the government.

Austria's former vice-chancellor and longtime leader of the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) stands trial for alleged corruption on Tuesday, in a case linked to a scandal that brought down the government. One of Europe's most high-profile far-right leaders, Heinz-Christian Strache was forced to resign as vice-chancellor in 2019 after the publication of a video that showed him offering public contracts in return for electoral campaign support from a woman posing as a Russian investor. The scandal, dubbed "Ibiza-gate" as the video was secretly filmed on the Spanish party island, spawned a sweeping corruption investigation that uncovered several different accusations of wrongdoing. Tuesday's trial concerns charges that Strache helped change a law for an FPOe donor when he was in a coalition government with the centre-right People's Party (OeVP) of Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. Also read | 9 arrested over alleged plot to plant bombs around Hong Kong The donor, Walter Grubmueller, owns a private clinic in Vienna and told a parliamentary committee that he had invited Strache aboard his yacht and on a vacation at his holiday home on the Greek island of Corfu in 2016. While negotiating the coalition agreement with the OeVP, Strache directly asked the clinic owner "which amendment to the law" he would need for his "clinic to finally be treated in a fair manner", according to chat messages uncovered in the investigation and which were later leaked to the media. In the messages, the donor also reportedly said that he'd deliver a draft law to the FPOe's party headquarters. After Strache took office in 2017, the far-right took charge of the health ministry and went on to oversee a change in the law that widened the category of establishments that were eligible for public funding. According to expert estimates, this means clinics like Grubmueller's were allowed to apply for as much as 2.2 million euros (US$ 2.6 million) in funding in 2019 alone. Grubmueller has also been charged, but denies any wrongdoing or that he profited from the amendment. When contacted by AFP last week, Strache's lawyer Johann Pauer said: "Neither my client nor I will make a statement before or during active proceedings." Far-right infighting When the "Ibiza-gate" footage emerged in 2019, the coalition between the FPOe and the People's Party collapsed. In the video, Strache claimed that several high-profile billionaires and international gambling company Novomatic had been funding political parties through off-the-books donations to associations, some owned by high-ranking OeVP politicians. All those named by Strache deny any wrongdoing. The claims triggered an array of investigations, including a probe into the appointment of Thomas Schmid -- a civil servant and Kurz ally -- as head of the Austrian state holding company OeBAG. Kurz told a parliamentary committee that he had no hand in the appointment, but leaked chat messages have suggested otherwise. Prosecutors have now put him under investigation for the possible offence of making false statements to the committee. Kurz, who returned as Chancellor after a snap 2019 election, denies the allegation. But if he is indicted, he faces going on trial for an offence that can be punished by a prison sentence of up to three years. Strache was at the helm of the FPOe for 14 years before having to resign in disgrace when the scandal erupted. Since then he has also been accused of embezzling party funds to pay for his luxurious lifestyle. The revelations disillusioned many of the party's voters, and the FPOe slumped from 26 per cent of the vote in the 2017 general election to just 16 per cent in 2019. Last year Strache attempted a comeback in Vienna municipal politics with a bid for mayor, but his list gained just three per cent of the vote. The FPOe has spent much of the time since the scandal consumed by infighting. Last month Strache's successor as leader, Norbert Hofer, resigned after weeks of tension with party colleague and former Interior Minister Herbert Kickl. Kickl, seen as a party ideologue and mastermind of some of its anti-Islam and anti-migrant campaigns, swiftly took over as leader.

Austria's former far-right leader on trial for corruption

Marine Le Pen got re-elected as head of the National Rally on Sunday. The re-election took place at a party congress where she is seeking support for her 2022 presidential bid after performing badly in regional polls.

Marine Le Pen re-elected as head of France's far-right National Rally

Thousands of people across France marched against what organisers said was going influence of the far-right ideas ahead of presidential elections due next year.

Members of more than 100 left-leaning organisations participated in 'Liberty March' in about 140 cities and towns across the country.

The march was the first opportunity for the left to come out in the streets after a year and a half of Covid-19 restrictions.

Organisers reported 70,000 in Paris and 150,000 around the nation.

The protester vented against issues like recent legislation that they say chips away at liberties. A recently-passed law that could see prosecutions for publishing footage of police officers in action was criticised.

Far-right ideas "are no longer the monopoly of far-right parties and ... have now largely penetrated the political class," said Benoit Hamon, who was a Socialist presidential candidate in 2017.

In Paris, hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon had flour thrown in his face as he spoke to reporters.

The move against the veteran politician, who has been accused of fuelling conspiracy theories ahead of next year's elections, came days after President Emmanuel Macron was slapped in the face while shaking hands with people on a regional visit.

Group partaking included Socialists, Communists, ecologists and unions, among others.

(With inputs from agencies)

Thousands of people across France marched against what organisers said was going influence of the far-right ideas ahead of presidential elections due next year. Members of more than 100 left-leaning organisations participated in 'Liberty March' in about 140 cities and towns across the country.

Thousands of people across France marched against what organisers said was going influence of the far-right ideas ahead of presidential elections due next year. Members of more than 100 left-leaning organisations participated in 'Liberty March' in about 140 cities and towns across the country. The march was the first opportunity for the left to come out in the streets after a year and a half of Covid-19 restrictions. Organisers reported 70,000 in Paris and 150,000 around the nation. The protester vented against issues like recent legislation that they say chips away at liberties. A recently-passed law that could see prosecutions for publishing footage of police officers in action was criticised. Far-right ideas "are no longer the monopoly of far-right parties and ... have now largely penetrated the political class," said Benoit Hamon, who was a Socialist presidential candidate in 2017. In Paris, hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon had flour thrown in his face as he spoke to reporters. The move against the veteran politician, who has been accused of fuelling conspiracy theories ahead of next year's elections, came days after President Emmanuel Macron was slapped in the face while shaking hands with people on a regional visit. Group partaking included Socialists, Communists, ecologists and unions, among others. (With inputs from agencies)

Thousands protest far-right ideas in France

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Far-right, far-left protests turn violent in Portland

Austria's former far-right leader on trial for corruption

Marine Le Pen re-elected as head of France's far-right National Rally

Thousands protest far-right ideas in France