In an extensive two-day operation, law enforcement authorities uncovered a massive&nbsp;1,100 kilogrammes&nbsp;of the banned drug Mephedrone (MD), commonly known as 'Meow Meow'. The estimated value of this seizure exceeds $300mn spanning raids conducted in Pune and New Delhi.

The operation commenced with the apprehension of three drug smugglers in Pune, resulting in the confiscation of 700 kilogrammes&nbsp;of Mephedrone. Subsequent interrogations of these individuals led to the discovery of an additional 400 kilogrammes&nbsp;of the synthetic stimulant from storage facilities in Delhi's Hauz Khas area.

<h2>Significant drug haul in Pune</h2>

A substantial consignment of Mephedrone was also found in Pune, particularly in the Kurkumbh MIDC area. This drug bust is the largest-ever recovery by Pune Police in Maharashtra and ranks among the most substantial in the country.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the contraband was transported from units based in Kurkumbh MIDC to storage facilities in New Delhi. Five people, including three couriers and two others currently under interrogation, have been apprehended in connection with the operation.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-renowned-constitutional-jurist-fali-s-nariman-passes-away-in-new-delhi-aged-95-692155">Also read |&nbsp;India: Renowned constitutional jurist Fali S Nariman passes away in New Delhi aged 95</a>

Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, as quoted by NDTV, described the arrested individuals as "courier boys", noting their previous involvement in criminal activities. Efforts are underway to dismantle potential connections within the drug trade, with close collaboration between law enforcement agencies.

One of the detainees linked to the case is Anil Sable, the owner of the Pune factory where the drugs were stored. Sable was arrested from Dombivali in Maharashtra's Thane district. Investigators are also probing potential ties between the detained individuals and notorious drug trafficker Lalit Patil.

Also watch |&nbsp;Farmers' Protest: Farmers to resume march to Delhi, govt stresses on resolution through dialogue

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The crackdown on the drug smuggling network was initiated from a salt warehouse in Pune. Raids conducted in the Bhairavnagar and Vishrantwadi areas led to the arrest of three smugglers and the seizure of Mephedrone worth $4,22,215.

(With inputs from agencies)

In an extensive two-day operation, law enforcement authorities uncovered a massive 1,100 kilogrammes of the banned drug Mephedrone (MD), commonly known as 'Meow Meow'.

In an extensive two-day operation, law enforcement authorities uncovered a massive 1,100 kilogrammes of the banned drug Mephedrone (MD), commonly known as 'Meow Meow'. The estimated value of this seizure exceeds $300mn spanning raids conducted in Pune and New Delhi. The operation commenced with the apprehension of three drug smugglers in Pune, resulting in the confiscation of 700 kilogrammes of Mephedrone. Subsequent interrogations of these individuals led to the discovery of an additional 400 kilogrammes of the synthetic stimulant from storage facilities in Delhi's Hauz Khas area. Significant drug haul in Pune A substantial consignment of Mephedrone was also found in Pune, particularly in the Kurkumbh MIDC area. This drug bust is the largest-ever recovery by Pune Police in Maharashtra and ranks among the most substantial in the country. Preliminary investigations suggest that the contraband was transported from units based in Kurkumbh MIDC to storage facilities in New Delhi. Five people, including three couriers and two others currently under interrogation, have been apprehended in connection with the operation. Also read | India: Renowned constitutional jurist Fali S Nariman passes away in New Delhi aged 95 Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, as quoted by NDTV, described the arrested individuals as "courier boys", noting their previous involvement in criminal activities. Efforts are underway to dismantle potential connections within the drug trade, with close collaboration between law enforcement agencies. One of the detainees linked to the case is Anil Sable, the owner of the Pune factory where the drugs were stored. Sable was arrested from Dombivali in Maharashtra's Thane district. Investigators are also probing potential ties between the detained individuals and notorious drug trafficker Lalit Patil. Also watch | Farmers' Protest: Farmers to resume march to Delhi, govt stresses on resolution through dialogue The crackdown on the drug smuggling network was initiated from a salt warehouse in Pune. Raids conducted in the Bhairavnagar and Vishrantwadi areas led to the arrest of three smugglers and the seizure of Mephedrone worth $4,22,215. (With inputs from agencies)

Massive drug bust in India: 'Meow Meow' haul worth $300mn seized in Delhi, Pune raids

In what comes as another incident of shooting in the US, at least three persons were killed while several were injured on Sunday night at a house in the state of&nbsp;Maryland.&nbsp;

The shooting occurred at a private residence on the 1000 block of Paddington Place, between&nbsp;Edgewood Road and Kensington Way around 8 pm. According to&nbsp;Annapolis Police spokesperson Bernie Bennett, the encounter in the southeastern region of the city was a case of "domestic shooting" where multiple people were struck by gunfire.&nbsp;

The suspect and the victims appeared to know each other. The Baltimore Sun said it was a domestic dispute that turned awry.

Although the suspect was nabbed by the police, said Bennet and that one person was taken to a trauma centre, he could not confirm the number of fatalities.&nbsp;

City Police Chief Ed Jackson hinted there could be rise in the number of fatalities.&nbsp;

“We don’t get very many calls of this nature in this area,” said Jackson, adding that "no area if immune" to the widespread availability of handguns.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nashville-shooting-28-year-old-fatally-shoots-three-in-nashville-school-wion-speed-news-576651">WATCH |&nbsp;Nashville Shooting: 28-year-old fatally shoots three in Nashville school | WION Speed News</a>

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"Shooting incident at a private residence in 1000 block of Paddington Road. Suspect in custody. No threat to public. First responders on the scene," said&nbsp;Annapolis Police in a statement after the incident.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/usa-21-year-old-indian-origin-youth-shot-dead-in-philadelphia-598167">Also read |&nbsp;USA: 21-year-old Indian-origin youth shot dead in Philadelphia</a>

Annapolis Sen. Sarah Elfreth took to social media after the shooting and requested the public to keep the first responders in their prayers.&nbsp;

"Our community experienced a tragedy beyond words this evening. Multiple fatalities and injuries are reported. A suspect is in custody and Police are communicating that there is no broader threat to the public," said Elfreth in a message posted on Facebook.&nbsp;

"Please keep the family and the first responders of the Annapolis Police Department &amp; Annapolis Fire Department in your thoughts tonight," she added.&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley expressed surprise at the incident and added that guns were a problem.&nbsp;

“We are saddened, saddened for the families, saddened for Annapolis.&nbsp;This sort of thing can happen anywhere, and nothing gets resolved from the use of a gun."

<h2>Gun violence on the rise</h2>

The United States has witnessed over 200 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The statistic becomes all the more damning when one realises there have been more mass shootings than days in 2023. The archive tracked more than 647 mass shootings in 2022 while the number stood at 690 in 2021.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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In what comes as another incident of shooting in the US, at least three persons were killed while several were injured on Sunday night at a house in the state of Maryland.

In what comes as another incident of shooting in the US, at least three persons were killed while several were injured on Sunday night at a house in the state of Maryland. The shooting occurred at a private residence on the 1000 block of Paddington Place, between Edgewood Road and Kensington Way around 8 pm. According to Annapolis Police spokesperson Bernie Bennett, the encounter in the southeastern region of the city was a case of "domestic shooting" where multiple people were struck by gunfire. The suspect and the victims appeared to know each other. The Baltimore Sun said it was a domestic dispute that turned awry. Although the suspect was nabbed by the police, said Bennet and that one person was taken to a trauma centre, he could not confirm the number of fatalities. City Police Chief Ed Jackson hinted there could be rise in the number of fatalities. “We don’t get very many calls of this nature in this area,” said Jackson, adding that "no area if immune" to the widespread availability of handguns. WATCH | Nashville Shooting: 28-year-old fatally shoots three in Nashville school | WION Speed News × "Shooting incident at a private residence in 1000 block of Paddington Road. Suspect in custody. No threat to public. First responders on the scene," said Annapolis Police in a statement after the incident. Also read | USA: 21-year-old Indian-origin youth shot dead in Philadelphia Annapolis Sen. Sarah Elfreth took to social media after the shooting and requested the public to keep the first responders in their prayers. "Our community experienced a tragedy beyond words this evening. Multiple fatalities and injuries are reported. A suspect is in custody and Police are communicating that there is no broader threat to the public," said Elfreth in a message posted on Facebook. "Please keep the family and the first responders of the Annapolis Police Department & Annapolis Fire Department in your thoughts tonight," she added. Meanwhile, Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley expressed surprise at the incident and added that guns were a problem. “We are saddened, saddened for the families, saddened for Annapolis. This sort of thing can happen anywhere, and nothing gets resolved from the use of a gun." Gun violence on the rise The United States has witnessed over 200 mass shootings so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive. The statistic becomes all the more damning when one realises there have been more mass shootings than days in 2023. The archive tracked more than 647 mass shootings in 2022 while the number stood at 690 in 2021. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US: 3 dead, several wounded after domestic dispute turns into shooting episode at Maryland home

On Saturday, a case was filed against Biju Janta Dal (BJD) MLA Bijay Shankar Das after he failed to turn up at his own wedding, PTI reported quoting the police.

Bijay Shankar Das is the legislator of Tirtol, a&nbsp;constituency of Jagatsinghpur district&nbsp;in Odisha, and the case was filed at the Jagatsinghpur Sadar police station. The woman who made the complaint claimed that Das allegedly cheated on her as&nbsp;he did not reach the marriage registrar's office on Friday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/man-tosses-rs-500-notes-in-air-during-marriage-celebration-in-indias-hyderabad-catches-attention-488413">Man tosses Rs 500 notes in air during ‘marriage celebration’ in India’s Hyderabad, catches attention</a>

Das claims that he has not denied getting married to the woman.

The inspector-in-charge, Pravas Sahu, said that the complaint was filed under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 195A (threatening any person to give false evidence), 294 (obscene acts and songs), 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), among several others.

Watch |&nbsp;India's first 'Sologamy': Can you legally marry yourself?

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As per the FIR filed, on May 17, the couple applied at the marriage registrar's office. Although the woman and her family reached the office on Friday for the wedding formalities after the stipulated 30 days, the MLA was nowhere to be found.

"Another 60 days are there for the registration of the marriage. Therefore, I did not turn up. I was not informed by her or anyone else to go to the marriage registrar's office," PTI quoted Das.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-a-first-24-year-old-indian-girl-opts-for-rare-self-marriage-read-details-here-484331">In a first, 24-year-old Indian girl opts for ‘rare’ self-marriage. Read details here</a>

The woman, however, claims that she had been in a relationship with Das for nearly three years, and Das had promised to get married on the stipulated date.

"But unfortunately, his brother and other family members are threatening me. He did not keep his promise, and he is not responding to my phone calls," she added.

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On Saturday, a case was filed against Biju Janta Dal (BJD) MLA Bijay Shankar Das after he failed to turn up at his own wedding, PTI reported quoting the police. Bijay Shankar Das is the legislator of Tirtol, a constituency of Jagatsinghpur district in Odisha, and the case was filed at the Jagatsinghpur Sadar police station.

On Saturday, a case was filed against Biju Janta Dal (BJD) MLA Bijay Shankar Das after he failed to turn up at his own wedding, PTI reported quoting the police. Bijay Shankar Das is the legislator of Tirtol, a constituency of Jagatsinghpur district in Odisha, and the case was filed at the Jagatsinghpur Sadar police station. The woman who made the complaint claimed that Das allegedly cheated on her as he did not reach the marriage registrar's office on Friday. Also read | Man tosses Rs 500 notes in air during ‘marriage celebration’ in India’s Hyderabad, catches attention Das claims that he has not denied getting married to the woman. The inspector-in-charge, Pravas Sahu, said that the complaint was filed under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 195A (threatening any person to give false evidence), 294 (obscene acts and songs), 509 (word, gesture, or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 120B (punishment of criminal conspiracy) and 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention), among several others. Watch | India's first 'Sologamy': Can you legally marry yourself? As per the FIR filed, on May 17, the couple applied at the marriage registrar's office. Although the woman and her family reached the office on Friday for the wedding formalities after the stipulated 30 days, the MLA was nowhere to be found. "Another 60 days are there for the registration of the marriage. Therefore, I did not turn up. I was not informed by her or anyone else to go to the marriage registrar's office," PTI quoted Das. Also read | In a first, 24-year-old Indian girl opts for ‘rare’ self-marriage. Read details here The woman, however, claims that she had been in a relationship with Das for nearly three years, and Das had promised to get married on the stipulated date. "But unfortunately, his brother and other family members are threatening me. He did not keep his promise, and he is not responding to my phone calls," she added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Indian legislator from Odisha state booked for failing to turn up at own wedding

France said on Monday it would ban the controversial chokehold used to detain suspects after the death in custody of George Floyd in the United States intensified anger over the conduct of French police. 
 
A wave of global protests in the wake of Floyd's fatal arrest magnified attention on the 2016 death in French police custody of Adama Traore, a 24-year-old black man, and renewed controversy over claims of racism and brutality within the force. 
 
France's police watchdog said it had received almost 1,500 complaints against officers last year -- half of them for alleged violence. 
 
After a string of protests in recent days, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner announced the chokehold method "will be abandoned".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/meet-adama-traore-whose-death-identical-to-george-floyd-is-triggering-protests-in-france-304278" hreflang="en">Meet Adama Traore, whose death identical to George Floyd is triggering protests in France</a> 
 
"It will no longer be taught in police and gendarmerie schools. It is a method that has its dangers," he told a press conference. 
 
He added there would be "zero tolerance" for racism in law enforcement and officers strongly suspected of racism would be suspended. 
 
Castaner said too many officers "have failed in their Republican duty" in recent weeks, with several instances of racist and discriminatory remarks revealed. 
 
"It is not enough to condemn it," said Castaner. "We have to track it down and combat it."

'The police are not racist' 
But police unions questioned the changes. 
 
The impression given is that "everyone is nice except the police who are mean," said Philippe Capon of the Unsa-Police union. 
 
Frederic Lagache on the Alliance Union said he feared that police will be reduced to "street fighting or the use of tasers".Earlier Monday, President Emmanuel Macron urged his government to "accelerate" steps to improve police ethics. 
 
Former Prime Minister Manuel Valls said "the police are not racist", but racism, anti-Semitism and violence ran through society and the security forces "unfortunately do not escape these phenomena". 
 
Macron met Castaner and Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Sunday a day after some 23,000 people protested in several French cities to demand "justice" for victims of crimes allegedly committed by police.

'Crisis of confidence' 
The French demonstrations started in response to an expert report clearing the three officers who arrested Traore. 
 
This was in spite of one of the officers having admitted the young man had been pinned to the ground with their combined body weight, and a report commissioned by Traore's family finding he had died due to the police intervention. 
 
Traore's family said they had been contacted by the office of Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet on Monday inviting them to "have an exchange" on the case, but they refused. 
 
"Adama Traore's family points out they expect legal advances are needed, not invitations to a discussion that would have no procedural purpose," a committee called "Truth for Adama" wrote on its Facebook page.&nbsp; 
 
Some 20,000 people rallied in Paris last Tuesday to demand justice for Traore and Floyd, defying a coronavirus ban on public gatherings. 
 
Floyd had similarly died after being pinned to the ground while under arrest.&nbsp; 
 
Media outlets last week published the contents of a private Facebook group on which French police members repeatedly used racist and sexist terms and mocked victims of police brutality. 
 
The IGPN police watchdog said on Monday that complaints against officers rose by nearly a quarter last year, when officers were deployed for months of weekly "yellow vest" anti-government protests.

The rallies often sparked tense confrontations that left several officers injured by rioting protesters, but also civilians beaten or struck by rubber bullets. 
 
Officially, 2,500 demonstrators and 1,800 law enforcement agents were injured in yellow vest protests. 
 
Activists say two dozen people lost an eye as police used rubber bullets to rein in the rallies, and five lost a hand to stun grenades. 
 
This year, video footage showed a riot officer punching a bloodied protester held down on his back, another tripping a woman, and yet another firing a rubber bullet at point-blank range. 
 
Macron has instructed Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet to look into Traore's death, and Castaner to step up measures to "improve the ethics" of the police force, the presidency said.&nbsp;

France said on Monday it would ban the controversial chokehold used to detain suspects after the death in custody of George Floyd in the United States intensified anger over the conduct of French police.

France said on Monday it would ban the controversial chokehold used to detain suspects after the death in custody of George Floyd in the United States intensified anger over the conduct of French police. A wave of global protests in the wake of Floyd's fatal arrest magnified attention on the 2016 death in French police custody of Adama Traore, a 24-year-old black man, and renewed controversy over claims of racism and brutality within the force. France's police watchdog said it had received almost 1,500 complaints against officers last year -- half of them for alleged violence. After a string of protests in recent days, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner announced the chokehold method "will be abandoned". Also read: Meet Adama Traore, whose death identical to George Floyd is triggering protests in France "It will no longer be taught in police and gendarmerie schools. It is a method that has its dangers," he told a press conference. He added there would be "zero tolerance" for racism in law enforcement and officers strongly suspected of racism would be suspended. Castaner said too many officers "have failed in their Republican duty" in recent weeks, with several instances of racist and discriminatory remarks revealed. "It is not enough to condemn it," said Castaner. "We have to track it down and combat it." 'The police are not racist' But police unions questioned the changes. The impression given is that "everyone is nice except the police who are mean," said Philippe Capon of the Unsa-Police union. Frederic Lagache on the Alliance Union said he feared that police will be reduced to "street fighting or the use of tasers".Earlier Monday, President Emmanuel Macron urged his government to "accelerate" steps to improve police ethics. Former Prime Minister Manuel Valls said "the police are not racist", but racism, anti-Semitism and violence ran through society and the security forces "unfortunately do not escape these phenomena". Macron met Castaner and Prime Minister Edouard Philippe on Sunday a day after some 23,000 people protested in several French cities to demand "justice" for victims of crimes allegedly committed by police. 'Crisis of confidence' The French demonstrations started in response to an expert report clearing the three officers who arrested Traore. This was in spite of one of the officers having admitted the young man had been pinned to the ground with their combined body weight, and a report commissioned by Traore's family finding he had died due to the police intervention. Traore's family said they had been contacted by the office of Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet on Monday inviting them to "have an exchange" on the case, but they refused. "Adama Traore's family points out they expect legal advances are needed, not invitations to a discussion that would have no procedural purpose," a committee called "Truth for Adama" wrote on its Facebook page. Some 20,000 people rallied in Paris last Tuesday to demand justice for Traore and Floyd, defying a coronavirus ban on public gatherings. Floyd had similarly died after being pinned to the ground while under arrest. Media outlets last week published the contents of a private Facebook group on which French police members repeatedly used racist and sexist terms and mocked victims of police brutality. The IGPN police watchdog said on Monday that complaints against officers rose by nearly a quarter last year, when officers were deployed for months of weekly "yellow vest" anti-government protests. The rallies often sparked tense confrontations that left several officers injured by rioting protesters, but also civilians beaten or struck by rubber bullets. Officially, 2,500 demonstrators and 1,800 law enforcement agents were injured in yellow vest protests. Activists say two dozen people lost an eye as police used rubber bullets to rein in the rallies, and five lost a hand to stun grenades. This year, video footage showed a riot officer punching a bloodied protester held down on his back, another tripping a woman, and yet another firing a rubber bullet at point-blank range. Macron has instructed Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet to look into Traore's death, and Castaner to step up measures to "improve the ethics" of the police force, the presidency said.

France police to ban chokehold arrest as protest anger mounts

A mounting wave of protests demanding police reform after the killing of a black man in Minneapolis swept across the United States on Sunday, building on the momentum of huge demonstrations across the country the day before.&nbsp;

The near-festive tone of many of the weekend protests unfolded with no major violence, in sharp contrast to heated clashes between marchers and police in previous days.

The outpouring of protests followed the May 25 killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died after being pinned by the neck for nine minutes by a white officer's knee. A bystander's cellphone captured the scene as Floyd pleaded with the officer, choking out the words "I can't breathe."&nbsp;

"I have cops in my family, I do believe in a police presence," said Nikky Williams, a black Air Force veteran who marched in Washington on Sunday. "But I do think that reform has got to happen."&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/minneapolis-council-votes-to-dismantle-police-over-george-floyds-death-304094" hreflang="en">Minneapolis council votes to dismantle police over George Floyd's death</a>

The change in the tenor of the demonstrations this weekend may reflect a sense that the demands of protesters for sweeping police reform were resonating in many strata of American society.

In a step that would have seemed unthinkable just two weeks ago, a majority of the Minneapolis City Council pledged on Sunday to disband the police department in favor of a community-led safety model.&nbsp;

"A veto-proof majority of the MPLS City Council just publicly agreed that the Minneapolis Police Department is not reformable and that we're going to end the current policing system," Alondra Cano, a member of the Minneapolis council, said on Twitter.

One of the largest protests on Sunday was in Los Angeles. A crowd estimated by a local television station at 20,000 packed Hollywood Boulevard, filling the street from curb to curb along the famous strip from Vine Street to Highland Avenue. The crowd assembled after a Twitter message from the rapper YG on Saturday.

In New York, at least half a dozen loosely organized groups of protesters marched through midtown Manhattan carrying handmade signs with slogans including "Defund the Police, Fund Schools."&nbsp;

One group marched toward Times Square but was turned aside without incident by police who blocked access to the famous "Crossroads of the World," best known for the annual New Year's Eve ball drop. The area remained cordoned off by police hours later.&nbsp;

<h6><img alt="Demonstrators raise their fists as they take a knee for 8 minutes 46 seconds, the length of time George Floyd was held down with a knee on his neck by a Minneapolis Police officer, during a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of George Floyd's death, in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., June 7, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b74e2316-7a54-427b-bd41-4e3c5fba59c7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-5_5.jpg" /> 
Demonstrators raise their fists as they take a knee for 8 minutes 46 seconds, the length of time George Floyd was held down with a knee on his neck by a Minneapolis Police officer, during a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of George Floyd's death, in Boston, Massachusetts, US, June 7, 2020 | Reuters</h6>

&nbsp;

It was a far cry from the scene in the country's most populous city on some recent nights, when some officers in riot gear resorted to heavy-handed tactics as they sought to enforce a curfew, and TV images showed looters running rampant on main avenues.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said the curfew was being lifted on Sunday, a day ahead of schedule.

Criticized by activists who say he should have reined in NYPD officers during recent demonstrations, the mayor also announced a series of reforms he said were designed to build trust between city residents and the police department.

De Blasio told reporters he would shift an unspecified amount of money out of the police budget and reallocate it to youth and social services in communities of color.&nbsp;

He said he would also take enforcement of rules on street vending out of the hands of police, who have been accused of using the regulations to harass minority communities.

Talking reform

In the nation's capital, a large and diverse gathering of protesters packed streets near the White House, chanting "This is what democracy looks like!" and "I can't breathe."&nbsp;

A newly erected fence around the White House was decorated by protesters with signs, including some that read: "Black Lives Matter" and "No Justice, No Peace."&nbsp;

A common theme of weekend rallies was a determination to transform outrage over Floyd's death last month into a broader movement seeking far-reaching reforms to the U.S. criminal justice system and its treatment of minorities.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/george-floyd-death-violent-clashes-across-major-states-in-us-304115/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The intensity of protests over the past week began to ebb on Wednesday after prosecutors in Minneapolis arrested all four police officers implicated in Floyd's death. Derek Chauvin, the officer who kneed Floyd, was charged with second-degree murder.

Still, anger in Minneapolis remained intense. The city's mayor ran a gauntlet of jeering protesters on Saturday after telling them he opposed their demands for defunding the city police department.

During a community meeting in a park on Sunday, nine of the 13 City Council members signed a pledge to create a public safety system, work with the community on changes and adopt the changes through budget and policy actions in the coming weeks, the New York Times reported.&nbsp;

The renewed calls for racial equality are breaking out across the country as the United States reopens after weeks of unprecedented lockdowns for the coronavirus pandemic and just five months before the Nov. 3 presidential election.

U.S. Democrats have largely embraced the activists packing into streets to decry the killings of black men and women by law enforcement, but have so far expressed wariness at protesters' calls to defund the police.

Former U.S. President Barack Obama said in an YouTube commencement address for 2020 graduates that the protests roiling America right now "speak to decades of inaction over unequal treatment and a failure to reform police practices in the broader criminal justice system."

A mounting wave of protests demanding police reform after the killing of a black man in Minneapolis swept across the United States on Sunday, building on the momentum of huge demonstrations across the country the day before.

A mounting wave of protests demanding police reform after the killing of a black man in Minneapolis swept across the United States on Sunday, building on the momentum of huge demonstrations across the country the day before. The near-festive tone of many of the weekend protests unfolded with no major violence, in sharp contrast to heated clashes between marchers and police in previous days. The outpouring of protests followed the May 25 killing of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died after being pinned by the neck for nine minutes by a white officer's knee. A bystander's cellphone captured the scene as Floyd pleaded with the officer, choking out the words "I can't breathe." "I have cops in my family, I do believe in a police presence," said Nikky Williams, a black Air Force veteran who marched in Washington on Sunday. "But I do think that reform has got to happen." Also read: Minneapolis council votes to dismantle police over George Floyd's death The change in the tenor of the demonstrations this weekend may reflect a sense that the demands of protesters for sweeping police reform were resonating in many strata of American society. In a step that would have seemed unthinkable just two weeks ago, a majority of the Minneapolis City Council pledged on Sunday to disband the police department in favor of a community-led safety model. "A veto-proof majority of the MPLS City Council just publicly agreed that the Minneapolis Police Department is not reformable and that we're going to end the current policing system," Alondra Cano, a member of the Minneapolis council, said on Twitter. One of the largest protests on Sunday was in Los Angeles. A crowd estimated by a local television station at 20,000 packed Hollywood Boulevard, filling the street from curb to curb along the famous strip from Vine Street to Highland Avenue. The crowd assembled after a Twitter message from the rapper YG on Saturday. In New York, at least half a dozen loosely organized groups of protesters marched through midtown Manhattan carrying handmade signs with slogans including "Defund the Police, Fund Schools." One group marched toward Times Square but was turned aside without incident by police who blocked access to the famous "Crossroads of the World," best known for the annual New Year's Eve ball drop. The area remained cordoned off by police hours later. Demonstrators raise their fists as they take a knee for 8 minutes 46 seconds, the length of time George Floyd was held down with a knee on his neck by a Minneapolis Police officer, during a protest against racial inequality in the aftermath of George Floyd's death, in Boston, Massachusetts, US, June 7, 2020 | Reuters It was a far cry from the scene in the country's most populous city on some recent nights, when some officers in riot gear resorted to heavy-handed tactics as they sought to enforce a curfew, and TV images showed looters running rampant on main avenues. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said the curfew was being lifted on Sunday, a day ahead of schedule. Criticized by activists who say he should have reined in NYPD officers during recent demonstrations, the mayor also announced a series of reforms he said were designed to build trust between city residents and the police department. De Blasio told reporters he would shift an unspecified amount of money out of the police budget and reallocate it to youth and social services in communities of color. He said he would also take enforcement of rules on street vending out of the hands of police, who have been accused of using the regulations to harass minority communities. Talking reform In the nation's capital, a large and diverse gathering of protesters packed streets near the White House, chanting "This is what democracy looks like!" and "I can't breathe." A newly erected fence around the White House was decorated by protesters with signs, including some that read: "Black Lives Matter" and "No Justice, No Peace." A common theme of weekend rallies was a determination to transform outrage over Floyd's death last month into a broader movement seeking far-reaching reforms to the U.S. criminal justice system and its treatment of minorities. The intensity of protests over the past week began to ebb on Wednesday after prosecutors in Minneapolis arrested all four police officers implicated in Floyd's death. Derek Chauvin, the officer who kneed Floyd, was charged with second-degree murder. Still, anger in Minneapolis remained intense. The city's mayor ran a gauntlet of jeering protesters on Saturday after telling them he opposed their demands for defunding the city police department. During a community meeting in a park on Sunday, nine of the 13 City Council members signed a pledge to create a public safety system, work with the community on changes and adopt the changes through budget and policy actions in the coming weeks, the New York Times reported. The renewed calls for racial equality are breaking out across the country as the United States reopens after weeks of unprecedented lockdowns for the coronavirus pandemic and just five months before the Nov. 3 presidential election. U.S. Democrats have largely embraced the activists packing into streets to decry the killings of black men and women by law enforcement, but have so far expressed wariness at protesters' calls to defund the police. Former U.S. President Barack Obama said in an YouTube commencement address for 2020 graduates that the protests roiling America right now "speak to decades of inaction over unequal treatment and a failure to reform police practices in the broader criminal justice system."

Protesters across the US march again, demanding police reforms after Floyd killing

Thirteen children died and more than 40 others were injured in a stampede that occurred as they left school in western Kenya on Monday, local police said.

"We have lost 13 children in this stampede and we have others in the hospital with injuries," David Kabena, the police chief in the town of Kakamega, told reporters.&nbsp;

The crush took place at around 5:00 pm when panic broke out as the students went home for the day from Kakamega Primary school.&nbsp;

The reason for the panic is still unclear.

"We have launched an investigation to establish what exactly happened," Kabena said.

Kenya Red Cross said on Twitter that emergency services were responding to a "fatal stampede" at the school.

Thirteen children died and more than 40 others were injured in a stampede that occurred as they left school in western Kenya on Monday, local police said. "We have lost 13 children in this stampede and we have others in the hospital with injuries," David Kabena, the police chief in the town of Kakamega, told reporters.

Thirteen children died and more than 40 others were injured in a stampede that occurred as they left school in western Kenya on Monday, local police said. "We have lost 13 children in this stampede and we have others in the hospital with injuries," David Kabena, the police chief in the town of Kakamega, told reporters. The crush took place at around 5:00 pm when panic broke out as the students went home for the day from Kakamega Primary school. The reason for the panic is still unclear. "We have launched an investigation to establish what exactly happened," Kabena said. Kenya Red Cross said on Twitter that emergency services were responding to a "fatal stampede" at the school.

Thirteen children killed in Kenya school stampede: Police

More than 160 cars were vandalised in a Palestinian neighbourhood of Jerusalem with anti-Arab slogans scrawled nearby, Israeli police said Monday, in a suspected hate crime.

The cars in the Shuafaat neighbourhood of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestine-liberation-organisation-welcomes-eu-court-ruling-on-labelling-israeli-settlement-goods-261607">east Jerusalem</a> had their tyres slashed, with slogans such as "Arabs=enemies", "There is no room in the country for enemies" and "When Jews are stabbed we aren't silent" scrawled in Hebrew with red paint nearby, photos published by Israeli media showed.

Police said their forces "continue to search the area for the suspects who fled the scene."

A local official told public broadcaster Kann that footage revealed the vandalism took place overnight under the cover of the rain, and that the perpetrators were religious Jews.

The incident bore the hallmark of a "price tag" attack, a euphemism for Jewish nationalist-motivated hate crimes that generally target Palestinian or Arab Israeli property in revenge for nationalistic attacks against Israelis.

"Three masked settlers sneaked into the neighbourhood early and damaged the tyres of cars on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/palestine-president-mahmoud-abbas-points-finger-at-netanyahu-trump-administration-at-unga-252447">main street</a>," said Maysa Abu Khdair, a resident whose car was targeted and whose surveillance cameras caught the scene.

"My daughter went on foot to school in the rain," she added.

More than 160 cars were vandalised in a Palestinian neighbourhood of Jerusalem with anti-Arab slogans scrawled nearby, Israeli police said Monday, in a suspected hate crime.

More than 160 cars were vandalised in a Palestinian neighbourhood of Jerusalem with anti-Arab slogans scrawled nearby, Israeli police said Monday, in a suspected hate crime. The cars in the Shuafaat neighbourhood of east Jerusalem had their tyres slashed, with slogans such as "Arabs=enemies", "There is no room in the country for enemies" and "When Jews are stabbed we aren't silent" scrawled in Hebrew with red paint nearby, photos published by Israeli media showed. Police said their forces "continue to search the area for the suspects who fled the scene." A local official told public broadcaster Kann that footage revealed the vandalism took place overnight under the cover of the rain, and that the perpetrators were religious Jews. The incident bore the hallmark of a "price tag" attack, a euphemism for Jewish nationalist-motivated hate crimes that generally target Palestinian or Arab Israeli property in revenge for nationalistic attacks against Israelis. "Three masked settlers sneaked into the neighbourhood early and damaged the tyres of cars on the main street," said Maysa Abu Khdair, a resident whose car was targeted and whose surveillance cameras caught the scene. "My daughter went on foot to school in the rain," she added.

160 Palestinian cars vandalised in suspected hate crime: Police

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