5 Must-Try Hand Mudras to Beat Anxiety & Stress Anytime, Anywhere!

1. Gyan Mudra

2. Prana Mudra

3. Apan Vayu Mudra 

4. Shuni Mudra 

5. Dhyana Mudra 

Life Fun: Discover essential hand Mudras to effectively combat anxiety and stress anywhere. These simple gestures help enhance focus, calm the mind, and promote emotional stability.

New research published in the American Journal of Human Biology suggests a possible link between finger length and drinking habits. According to the study, the ratio between the lengths of the index and ring fingers could indicate a person's likelihood of alcohol consumption.

Research Suggests Possible Link Between Finger Length And Drinking Habits | World News | WION

A 43-year-old woman has earned the title of “Chinese Spider-Woman” as she displayed her remarkable ability to climb more than 100 metre&nbsp;cliffs with bare hands without using any safety gear or gloves.

Luo Dengpin, who is from Ziyun Miao and Buyei counties in southwestern China, is recognised as the only female practitioner of bare-handed rock climbing, which is part of the ancient Miao tradition.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-clinic-to-provide-treatment-and-medication-to-math-struggling-students-765279">Chinese clinic to provide treatment and medication to math-struggling students</a>

The woman is able to climb a 108-metre-high cliff, which is equivalent to a 30-storey building, and effortlessly moves across vertical rock faces.&nbsp;

Her skills have their roots in the ancient Miao practice of carrying out cliff burials.

<h2>Story of China's spider-woman</h2>

Currently, Luo is the only female “spider people” in the region. She started rock climbing at the age of 15 and got the guidance of her father.

As a child, she wanted to compete with boys and wished to earn a living by collecting medicinal herbs and bird droppings, which worked as fertiliser.&nbsp;

“They said this was only for boys, but I believe men and women are equal, so I learned. That is how my journey as a spider woman began,” said Luo, while speaking to the BBC in 2017.&nbsp;

“Before this area was developed, I climbed every day to collect swallows’ droppings. We would scale 108 metres. Foreigners were often frightened by our bare-handed climbing, but I grew accustomed to it. After doing it so many times, my hands became callused,” she added in an interview with Shandong TV.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-raises-retirement-age-for-first-time-in-70-years-amid-low-pension-budget-758537">China raises retirement age for first time in 70 years amid low pension budget</a>

To master the technique of rock climbing, one does not only require physical strength but also significant skill, which can be honed by gathering medicinal herbs.&nbsp;

In present times, collecting the swallows’ droppings is not just a necessity but has become a skill which provides entertainment to tourists.

“Many visitors wanted to see how we gathered the herbs and paid us to demonstrate. My income isn’t high, but I take pride in being a spider woman,” Luo said.

(With inputs from agencies)

A 43-year-old woman has earned the title of “Chinese Spider-Woman” as she displayed her remarkable ability to climb more than 100 metre cliffs with bare hands without using any safety gear or gloves.

A 43-year-old woman has earned the title of “Chinese Spider-Woman” as she displayed her remarkable ability to climb more than 100 metre cliffs with bare hands without using any safety gear or gloves. Luo Dengpin, who is from Ziyun Miao and Buyei counties in southwestern China, is recognised as the only female practitioner of bare-handed rock climbing, which is part of the ancient Miao tradition. Also Read: Chinese clinic to provide treatment and medication to math-struggling students The woman is able to climb a 108-metre-high cliff, which is equivalent to a 30-storey building, and effortlessly moves across vertical rock faces. Her skills have their roots in the ancient Miao practice of carrying out cliff burials. Story of China's spider-woman Currently, Luo is the only female “spider people” in the region. She started rock climbing at the age of 15 and got the guidance of her father. As a child, she wanted to compete with boys and wished to earn a living by collecting medicinal herbs and bird droppings, which worked as fertiliser. “They said this was only for boys, but I believe men and women are equal, so I learned. That is how my journey as a spider woman began,” said Luo, while speaking to the BBC in 2017. “Before this area was developed, I climbed every day to collect swallows’ droppings. We would scale 108 metres. Foreigners were often frightened by our bare-handed climbing, but I grew accustomed to it. After doing it so many times, my hands became callused,” she added in an interview with Shandong TV. Also Read: China raises retirement age for first time in 70 years amid low pension budget To master the technique of rock climbing, one does not only require physical strength but also significant skill, which can be honed by gathering medicinal herbs. In present times, collecting the swallows’ droppings is not just a necessity but has become a skill which provides entertainment to tourists. “Many visitors wanted to see how we gathered the herbs and paid us to demonstrate. My income isn’t high, but I take pride in being a spider woman,” Luo said. (With inputs from agencies)

This 'Spider-Woman' of China can climb 108-metre cliff without any safety gear

A 16-year-old teenager from Michigan, United States has entered two Guinness World Records for having the largest feet and hands.

Eric Kilburn Jr, who is a football player and studies at Goodrich High School, has huge feet each measuring 13 ½ inches, which is much larger than a typical range of 8 ½ to 9 for a male.

His hands, meanwhile, are 9.13 inches in size, which is much larger than the average 7.4 inches.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-student-named-in-guinness-world-records-for-building-smallest-vacuum-cleaner-using-pen-756850">Indian student named in Guinness World Records for building smallest vacuum cleaner using pen</a>

“People are usually amazed and feel comfortable starting conversations with me about the size of my feet and hands. I meet lots of interesting people this way," Kilburn said while speaking to Guinness.

<h2>Kilburn's struggle with largest feet and hands</h2>

Since kindergarten, Kilburn was much bigger than his classmates and since he was in fifth grade, he has not been able to purchase new shoes.&nbsp;

He realised that his hands and feet were uniquely large when he started facing problems in everyday life.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Eric Kilburn Jr. has the largest hands and feet on a teenager. 
 
He wears shoes originally designed for Shaquille O'Neal 👟 <a href="https://t.co/siNJ4Avtkf">pic.twitter.com/siNJ4Avtkf</a>
— Guinness World Records (@GWR) <a href="https://twitter.com/GWR/status/1834266974056333360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Since custom shoes would be costly, Kilburn chose to wear Crocs for two years even during snowy weather conditions which led to painful calluses, blisters and ingrown toenails.

As the story of the teenage boy became popular, several shoemakers took the initiative of creating pairs of shoes which would fit him.

“It was pretty cool to see how many people genuinely care about helping others,” Kilburn said.

Watch:&nbsp;India's National Anthem rendition creates Guinness World Record

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indias-national-anthem-rendition-creates-guinness-world-record-inside-south-asia-750503/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“I want to help people the same way I was helped when I needed it. It’s okay to stand out. Don’t let negativity distract you from your goals,” the teen said.

He further expressed his happiness at getting recognition in the Guinness World Records, even though he never aimed for it.&nbsp;

“Being in the Guinness World Records book still feels surreal. To have gone from reading the books to being inside the 2025 book is something I never would have imagined was even possible," he said.

“This experience is something that I am so grateful for. It really couldn’t be any better, in my eyes," Kilburn said.

(With inputs from agencies)

A 16-year-old teenager from Michigan, United States has entered two Guinness World Records for having the largest feet and hands. Eric Kilburn Jr, who is a football player and studies at Goodrich High School, has huge feet each measuring 13 ½ inches, which is much larger than a typical range of 8 ½ to 9 for a male.

A 16-year-old teenager from Michigan, United States has entered two Guinness World Records for having the largest feet and hands. Eric Kilburn Jr, who is a football player and studies at Goodrich High School, has huge feet each measuring 13 ½ inches, which is much larger than a typical range of 8 ½ to 9 for a male. His hands, meanwhile, are 9.13 inches in size, which is much larger than the average 7.4 inches. Also Read: Indian student named in Guinness World Records for building smallest vacuum cleaner using pen “People are usually amazed and feel comfortable starting conversations with me about the size of my feet and hands. I meet lots of interesting people this way," Kilburn said while speaking to Guinness. Kilburn's struggle with largest feet and hands Since kindergarten, Kilburn was much bigger than his classmates and since he was in fifth grade, he has not been able to purchase new shoes. He realised that his hands and feet were uniquely large when he started facing problems in everyday life. Eric Kilburn Jr. has the largest hands and feet on a teenager. He wears shoes originally designed for Shaquille O'Neal 👟 pic.twitter.com/siNJ4Avtkf — Guinness World Records (@GWR) September 12, 2024 × Since custom shoes would be costly, Kilburn chose to wear Crocs for two years even during snowy weather conditions which led to painful calluses, blisters and ingrown toenails. As the story of the teenage boy became popular, several shoemakers took the initiative of creating pairs of shoes which would fit him. “It was pretty cool to see how many people genuinely care about helping others,” Kilburn said. Watch: India's National Anthem rendition creates Guinness World Record “I want to help people the same way I was helped when I needed it. It’s okay to stand out. Don’t let negativity distract you from your goals,” the teen said. He further expressed his happiness at getting recognition in the Guinness World Records, even though he never aimed for it. “Being in the Guinness World Records book still feels surreal. To have gone from reading the books to being inside the 2025 book is something I never would have imagined was even possible," he said. “This experience is something that I am so grateful for. It really couldn’t be any better, in my eyes," Kilburn said. (With inputs from agencies)

Teenager enters Guinness World Records for largest feet and hands

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan on Sunday (Oct 15) slammed some of its officials on X, and "severed ties" with those who shook hands with an Iranian minister.&nbsp;

The United Nations was accused by him of "living under a rock" and having "blood on its hands". "The UN's support for and legitimisation of genocidal terrorists is a threat to civilization!," Ambassador Erdan wrote in one of his posts.

The ambassador was apparently miffed by a post shared by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator Martin Griffiths. "The specter of death is hanging over #Gaza. With no water, no power, no food and no medicine, thousands will die. Plain and simple," Griffiths had posted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thousands of Israelis were murdered and maimed in the Hamas Nazi’s barbaric terror attack. And tens of thousands more will be massacred in the future if this savage terror group is not obliterated. 
 
Have you been living under a rock? Your double standards truly know no bounds…… <a href="https://t.co/JQWQ34qv1I">https://t.co/JQWQ34qv1I</a>
— Ambassador Gilad Erdan גלעד ארדן (@giladerdan1) <a href="https://twitter.com/giladerdan1/status/1713574018354118684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The comment reflected the stance of the United Nations on a warning issued by Israel to the people living in North Gaza, asking them to move south ahead of an expected ground attack by the Israeli forces.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/israel-vs-hamas-war-a-look-at-firepower-in-israeli-arsenal-645024">Israel vs Hamas war | A look at firepower in Israeli arsenal</a>

"Have you been living under a rock? Your double standards truly know no bounds," wrote Ambassador Erdan, in his post.&nbsp;

"Where was your outcry when Hamas funnelled all UN funds to dig terror tunnels and manufacture rockets targeting Israeli civilians? When Hamas diverted every resource -- water, energy, civilian infrastructure -- from the Gazan population, to their terror capabilities? Why have you never condemned this publicly?!" he stated.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/TWennesland?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Twennesland</a>, don’t forget to wash the blood of Israeli babies off your hands after that handshake. 
 
Today (!!!), senior UN official, Tor Wennesland not only met with the Iranian regime’s FM, but didn’t even bother condemning Iran for its role in the massacre of Israeli women and… <a href="https://t.co/EiFRcEZuLJ">pic.twitter.com/EiFRcEZuLJ</a>
— Ambassador Gilad Erdan גלעד ארדן (@giladerdan1) <a href="https://twitter.com/giladerdan1/status/1713240953354330152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"Your voluntary blindness to the facts played a pivotal role in the creation of the terror machine that Gaza is today. UN officials have zero credibility or legitimacy to reprimand the country at the forefront of the war on terror! While we try to rescue the hostages. Shame on you!," he added.&nbsp;

<h2>UN officials shake hands with Iran's finance minister&nbsp;</h2>

The ambassador then responded to a photo of United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland, who was clicked shaking hands with Iran's finance minister.

In a withering comment, Ambassador Erdan said that Wennesland should not "forget to wash the blood of Israeli babies off your hands after that handshake".

WATCH |&nbsp;Israel-Palestine War stumps Palestinian tech sector

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-palestine-war-stumps-palestinian-tech-sector-647522/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Today (!!!), senior UN official, Tor Wennesland not only met with the Iranian regime's FM, but didn't even bother condemning Iran for its role in the massacre of Israeli women and children," posted Ambassador Erdan.&nbsp;

"It's no secret that Hamas terrorists are openly praising Iran for funding, arming, and training them. At the VERY SAME TIME, Iran's leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, openly called on the Muslim world to expand the attack on Israel," he stated. The United Nations officials are yet to respond.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan on Sunday (Oct 15) slammed some of its officials on X, and "severed ties" with those who shook hands with an Iranian minister.

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan on Sunday (Oct 15) slammed some of its officials on X, and "severed ties" with those who shook hands with an Iranian minister. The United Nations was accused by him of "living under a rock" and having "blood on its hands". "The UN's support for and legitimisation of genocidal terrorists is a threat to civilization!," Ambassador Erdan wrote in one of his posts. The ambassador was apparently miffed by a post shared by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator Martin Griffiths. "The specter of death is hanging over #Gaza. With no water, no power, no food and no medicine, thousands will die. Plain and simple," Griffiths had posted. Thousands of Israelis were murdered and maimed in the Hamas Nazi’s barbaric terror attack. And tens of thousands more will be massacred in the future if this savage terror group is not obliterated. Have you been living under a rock? Your double standards truly know no bounds…… https://t.co/JQWQ34qv1I — Ambassador Gilad Erdan גלעד ארדן (@giladerdan1) October 15, 2023 × The comment reflected the stance of the United Nations on a warning issued by Israel to the people living in North Gaza, asking them to move south ahead of an expected ground attack by the Israeli forces. Also read: Israel vs Hamas war | A look at firepower in Israeli arsenal "Have you been living under a rock? Your double standards truly know no bounds," wrote Ambassador Erdan, in his post. "Where was your outcry when Hamas funnelled all UN funds to dig terror tunnels and manufacture rockets targeting Israeli civilians? When Hamas diverted every resource -- water, energy, civilian infrastructure -- from the Gazan population, to their terror capabilities? Why have you never condemned this publicly?!" he stated. @Twennesland, don’t forget to wash the blood of Israeli babies off your hands after that handshake. Today (!!!), senior UN official, Tor Wennesland not only met with the Iranian regime’s FM, but didn’t even bother condemning Iran for its role in the massacre of Israeli women and… pic.twitter.com/EiFRcEZuLJ — Ambassador Gilad Erdan גלעד ארדן (@giladerdan1) October 14, 2023 × "Your voluntary blindness to the facts played a pivotal role in the creation of the terror machine that Gaza is today. UN officials have zero credibility or legitimacy to reprimand the country at the forefront of the war on terror! While we try to rescue the hostages. Shame on you!," he added. UN officials shake hands with Iran's finance minister The ambassador then responded to a photo of United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland, who was clicked shaking hands with Iran's finance minister. In a withering comment, Ambassador Erdan said that Wennesland should not "forget to wash the blood of Israeli babies off your hands after that handshake". WATCH | Israel-Palestine War stumps Palestinian tech sector "Today (!!!), senior UN official, Tor Wennesland not only met with the Iranian regime's FM, but didn't even bother condemning Iran for its role in the massacre of Israeli women and children," posted Ambassador Erdan. "It's no secret that Hamas terrorists are openly praising Iran for funding, arming, and training them. At the VERY SAME TIME, Iran's leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, openly called on the Muslim world to expand the attack on Israel," he stated. The United Nations officials are yet to respond. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Israel envoy accuses UN of having 'blood on its hands' over Iran minister handshake

With people reluctant to touch knobs and door handles in public places fearing to catch the novel coronavirus, hands-free door handles were being tested in a Finnish supermarket on Monday (April 20).

New hands-free door handles tested in Finnish supermarket

Trump and Kim concluded their first historic meeting — it really is, a sitting US President and a North Korean leader have never met before, not even spoken on the phone — today.&nbsp;

The one-on-one, along with translators, lasted about 48 minutes.&nbsp;

Reuters quoted a body language expert as saying Trump and Kim both sought to project a sense of command as they began their summit,&nbsp;

The body language expert said their handshake, which lasted over 10 seconds, showed both leaders seeking to take charge of their encounter. Trump spoke to Kim during the handshake, while the North Korean leader listened affirmatively.&nbsp;

"Their handshake seems to be between peers," Karen Leong, Managing Director of Singapore-headquartered Influence Solutions, said. "Trump seemed to be very aware of this, that he needed to up the stakes and be seen that he is the leader."&nbsp;

Trump arrived to the summit looking serious, and showed off the power-grab gestures most recently seen during the G7 summit this week. He patted the North Korean leader on the arm twice and also initiated a handshake while talking to the media about the "successful relationship".&nbsp;

Trump did most of the talking and Kim appeared to listen attentively, turning to him three times during their walk towards the library they were meeting in. But he also patted the US President's arm, in an attempt to show control over the encounter.

Trump, who is more than twice as old Kim who is reportedly 34, appeared to lead the way to the library, placing his hand on the North Korean leader's back.&nbsp;

But Leong said the two leaders found it tough to disguise their nervousness once they sat down to their meeting with Trump displaying a slanted smile and fidgeting with his hands, and Kim leaning and staring at the ground.

Ahead of the meeting, Trump had said he would be able to work out within the first minute whether his North Korean counterpart was serious about making peace.

"I think that very quickly I'll know that something good is going to happen," Trump said in Canada during the G7 meeting. "I also think I'll know if it's going to happen fast – it may not, but I'll know pretty quickly whether or not, in my opinion, something positive will happen."

The two leaders had, before their sudden thaw, been trading insults for months with economic sanctions on North Korea ramped up in response to its nuclear weapons programme.

A body language expert said the two leaders found it tough to disguise their nervousness once they sat down to their meeting with Trump displaying a slanted smile and fidgeting with his hands, and Kim leaning and staring at the ground

Trump and Kim concluded their first historic meeting — it really is, a sitting US President and a North Korean leader have never met before, not even spoken on the phone — today. The one-on-one, along with translators, lasted about 48 minutes. Reuters quoted a body language expert as saying Trump and Kim both sought to project a sense of command as they began their summit, The body language expert said their handshake, which lasted over 10 seconds, showed both leaders seeking to take charge of their encounter. Trump spoke to Kim during the handshake, while the North Korean leader listened affirmatively. "Their handshake seems to be between peers," Karen Leong, Managing Director of Singapore-headquartered Influence Solutions, said. "Trump seemed to be very aware of this, that he needed to up the stakes and be seen that he is the leader." Trump arrived to the summit looking serious, and showed off the power-grab gestures most recently seen during the G7 summit this week. He patted the North Korean leader on the arm twice and also initiated a handshake while talking to the media about the "successful relationship". Trump did most of the talking and Kim appeared to listen attentively, turning to him three times during their walk towards the library they were meeting in. But he also patted the US President's arm, in an attempt to show control over the encounter. Trump, who is more than twice as old Kim who is reportedly 34, appeared to lead the way to the library, placing his hand on the North Korean leader's back. But Leong said the two leaders found it tough to disguise their nervousness once they sat down to their meeting with Trump displaying a slanted smile and fidgeting with his hands, and Kim leaning and staring at the ground. Ahead of the meeting, Trump had said he would be able to work out within the first minute whether his North Korean counterpart was serious about making peace. "I think that very quickly I'll know that something good is going to happen," Trump said in Canada during the G7 meeting. "I also think I'll know if it's going to happen fast – it may not, but I'll know pretty quickly whether or not, in my opinion, something positive will happen." The two leaders had, before their sudden thaw, been trading insults for months with economic sanctions on North Korea ramped up in response to its nuclear weapons programme.

Trump and Kim's body language said both tried to show they were in control

US President Barack Obama urged Americans on Tuesday to shed despair and rise above racial divides to honour five police officers slain in Dallas in a racially motivated attack, even as he admitted that bias remains a persistent national problem. 
 
Obama&#39;s address to a memorial service for the officers killed last Thursday also followed a series of high-profile police killings of black men in the past two years, including two last week, that have sparked the most intense debate on race and justice the country has seen since the 1960s civil rights movement. 
 
&quot;I understand how Americans are feeling. But Dallas, I&#39;m here to say we must reject such despair. I&#39;m here to insist that we are not as divided as we seem. And I know that because I know America. I know how far we&#39;ve come against impossible odds,&quot; Obama said at the service that was also attended by Vice President Joe Biden and former president George W Bush. 
 
The five Dallas officers were gunned down by military veteran Micah Johnson, who told police he was angered by police killings of black people. Johnson was killed by an explosive-laden robot sent in by police. 
 
Obama noted that the attack in Dallas came during a protest against racial bias in policing that followed the fatal police shootings of black men in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and outside St Paul, Minnesota. Obama said no institution was immune from prejudice. 
 
&quot;Perhaps we&#39;ve heard prejudice in our own heads and felt it in our own hearts. We know that. And while some suffer far more under racism&#39;s burden, some feel to a far greater extent discrimination&#39;s stain. Although most of us do our best to guard against it and teach our children better, none of us is entirely innocent. No institution is entirely immune, and that includes our police departments. We know this,&quot; Obama said. 
 
Obama also praised the police in Dallas and around the country.&nbsp;&quot;When anyone, no matter how good their intentions may be, paints all police as biased or bigoted, we undermine those officers we depend on for our safety,&quot; said Obama. 
 
Bush also addressed the packed hall, where five chairs were empty of people, holding folded American flags, in memory of the slain officers. He also sought to strike a note of unity. 
 
&quot;At times it feels like the forces pulling us apart are stronger than the forces binding us together. Argument turns too easily into animosity,&quot; Bush said. &quot;Too often we judge other groups by their worst examples, while judging ourselves by our intentions.&quot; 
 
After a week when Americans saw video images of angry crowds protesting the police killings of black men and heard the screams of 
Thursday&#39;s sniper attack on police in Dallas, the memorial ended with Obama, Bush and Dallas&#39; police chief and mayor joining hands in a gathering that crossed racial and party lines as a choir sung a hymn.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

Obama, Bush and Dallas' police chief and mayor crossed racial and party lines to join hands as a choir sang a hymn

US President Barack Obama urged Americans on Tuesday to shed despair and rise above racial divides to honour five police officers slain in Dallas in a racially motivated attack, even as he admitted that bias remains a persistent national problem. Obama's address to a memorial service for the officers killed last Thursday also followed a series of high-profile police killings of black men in the past two years, including two last week, that have sparked the most intense debate on race and justice the country has seen since the 1960s civil rights movement. "I understand how Americans are feeling. But Dallas, I'm here to say we must reject such despair. I'm here to insist that we are not as divided as we seem. And I know that because I know America. I know how far we've come against impossible odds," Obama said at the service that was also attended by Vice President Joe Biden and former president George W Bush. The five Dallas officers were gunned down by military veteran Micah Johnson, who told police he was angered by police killings of black people. Johnson was killed by an explosive-laden robot sent in by police. Obama noted that the attack in Dallas came during a protest against racial bias in policing that followed the fatal police shootings of black men in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and outside St Paul, Minnesota. Obama said no institution was immune from prejudice. "Perhaps we've heard prejudice in our own heads and felt it in our own hearts. We know that. And while some suffer far more under racism's burden, some feel to a far greater extent discrimination's stain. Although most of us do our best to guard against it and teach our children better, none of us is entirely innocent. No institution is entirely immune, and that includes our police departments. We know this," Obama said. Obama also praised the police in Dallas and around the country. "When anyone, no matter how good their intentions may be, paints all police as biased or bigoted, we undermine those officers we depend on for our safety," said Obama. Bush also addressed the packed hall, where five chairs were empty of people, holding folded American flags, in memory of the slain officers. He also sought to strike a note of unity. "At times it feels like the forces pulling us apart are stronger than the forces binding us together. Argument turns too easily into animosity," Bush said. "Too often we judge other groups by their worst examples, while judging ourselves by our intentions." After a week when Americans saw video images of angry crowds protesting the police killings of black men and heard the screams of Thursday's sniper attack on police in Dallas, the memorial ended with Obama, Bush and Dallas' police chief and mayor joining hands in a gathering that crossed racial and party lines as a choir sung a hymn. (Reuters)

Obama, George W Bush address memorial for slain Dallas policemen

hands

Hands, News on Hands, stories on Hands, articles on Hands, Hands stories at Wion, Hands news, Hands latest news