The news of jubilation and celebrations in Italy after their win in Euro 2020 final has not been able to overshadow the grim news of English players receiving racial abuse from their own fans. The social media and news world is awash with expressions of hatred especially directed at players of colour in the English squad who missed their penalty kicks in the globally watched final on Sunday.

On a positive note, who's who of sports and politicians, even British royalty have been very clear in their stance against racism. They have stood behind England team that valiantly gave a tough fight to Italy and even dominated Italy in first half of the match.

UK PM Boris Johnson was clear in his words

"This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media. Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves," he tweeted.

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This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media. 
 
Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1414465103374729220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Prince William also made his displeasure public

"I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match. It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour. It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable. W," he tweeted.

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I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match. 
 
It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour. 
 
It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable. W
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) <a href="https://twitter.com/KensingtonRoyal/status/1414514323142107136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Leader of the UK Labour Party Keir Starmer also came in defence of English football stars.

"The entire England team have brought us together and given us memories that will last a lifetime. They represent the best of us. Anyone racially abusing them is a disgrace and doesn’t represent us at all. More can and must be done to stop online abuse," he tweeted.

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The entire England team have brought us together and given us memories that will last a life time. 
 
They represent the best of us. 
 
Anyone racially abusing them is a disgrace and doesn’t represent us at all. More can and must be done to stop online abuse.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) <a href="https://twitter.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1414487434042171393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Luke Shaw, English player who scored a goal in the final, came in aid of Bukayo Saka, his teammate of colour who was a target for online abuse after he missed his penalty kick

“He is devastated. But I think the most important thing for us now as a team is to be there for him and give him a big hug and tell him to keep his head up. It happens. It is a penalty shootout – anything can happen, as a lot of people know," he was quoted as saying by The Guardian

The news of jubilation and celebrations in Italy after their win in Euro 2020 final has not been able to overshadow the grim news of English players receiving racial abuse from their own fans.

The news of jubilation and celebrations in Italy after their win in Euro 2020 final has not been able to overshadow the grim news of English players receiving racial abuse from their own fans. The social media and news world is awash with expressions of hatred especially directed at players of colour in the English squad who missed their penalty kicks in the globally watched final on Sunday. On a positive note, who's who of sports and politicians, even British royalty have been very clear in their stance against racism. They have stood behind England team that valiantly gave a tough fight to Italy and even dominated Italy in first half of the match. UK PM Boris Johnson was clear in his words "This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media. Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves," he tweeted. This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media. Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves. — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 12, 2021 × Prince William also made his displeasure public "I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match. It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour. It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable. W," he tweeted. I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match. It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour. It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable. W — The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) July 12, 2021 × Leader of the UK Labour Party Keir Starmer also came in defence of English football stars. "The entire England team have brought us together and given us memories that will last a lifetime. They represent the best of us. Anyone racially abusing them is a disgrace and doesn’t represent us at all. More can and must be done to stop online abuse," he tweeted. The entire England team have brought us together and given us memories that will last a life time. They represent the best of us. Anyone racially abusing them is a disgrace and doesn’t represent us at all. More can and must be done to stop online abuse. — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 12, 2021 × Luke Shaw, English player who scored a goal in the final, came in aid of Bukayo Saka, his teammate of colour who was a target for online abuse after he missed his penalty kick “He is devastated. But I think the most important thing for us now as a team is to be there for him and give him a big hug and tell him to keep his head up. It happens. It is a penalty shootout – anything can happen, as a lot of people know," he was quoted as saying by The Guardian

From footballers to Royalty, English players find support against racial abuse hurled at them

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday said that he was appalled at the racist abuse that targetted England's football stars after they lost Euro 2020 final against Italy.

Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, the three players of colour who missed their penalty kicks against Italy were targetted with a stream of abuse on Twitter and Instagram.

"This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media," Johnson wrote on Twitter.&nbsp;

"Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves."

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This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media. 
 
Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/BorisJohnson/status/1414465103374729220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

While some people identifying as England fans used racial slurs in blaming the trio for the defeat, other offensive messages were accompanied with "forza italia" hashtags.

England players have taken a strong stance against racism at recently concluded Euro Cup 2020. English players have been taking a knee before their games including in final match against Italy.

London's police force tweeted that they were aware of "a number of offensive and racist social media comments" being directed towards the footballers.&nbsp;

"This abuse is totally unacceptable, it will not be tolerated and it will be investigated," the police said. 
Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat demanded that social media companies take action.

"Social media has algorithms that targets ads to you but won't stop the racist abuse against some exemplary young men," he tweeted.

"Those who write are pathetic and deserve to be identified and face the public consequences, those who publish it are profiting from hate."

"We're disgusted that some of our squad –- who have given everything for the shirt this summer –- have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight's game," the English FA tweeted.

"We stand with our players."

A separate statement said: "The FA strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and is appalled by the online racism that has been aimed at some of our England players on social media.&nbsp;

"We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team."

(With inputs from agencies)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday said that he was appalled at the racist abuse that targetted England's football stars after they lost Euro 2020 final against Italy.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday said that he was appalled at the racist abuse that targetted England's football stars after they lost Euro 2020 final against Italy. Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, the three players of colour who missed their penalty kicks against Italy were targetted with a stream of abuse on Twitter and Instagram. "This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media," Johnson wrote on Twitter. "Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves." This England team deserve to be lauded as heroes, not racially abused on social media. Those responsible for this appalling abuse should be ashamed of themselves. — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) July 12, 2021 × While some people identifying as England fans used racial slurs in blaming the trio for the defeat, other offensive messages were accompanied with "forza italia" hashtags. England players have taken a strong stance against racism at recently concluded Euro Cup 2020. English players have been taking a knee before their games including in final match against Italy. London's police force tweeted that they were aware of "a number of offensive and racist social media comments" being directed towards the footballers. "This abuse is totally unacceptable, it will not be tolerated and it will be investigated," the police said. Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat demanded that social media companies take action. "Social media has algorithms that targets ads to you but won't stop the racist abuse against some exemplary young men," he tweeted. "Those who write are pathetic and deserve to be identified and face the public consequences, those who publish it are profiting from hate." "We're disgusted that some of our squad –- who have given everything for the shirt this summer –- have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight's game," the English FA tweeted. "We stand with our players." A separate statement said: "The FA strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and is appalled by the online racism that has been aimed at some of our England players on social media. "We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team." (With inputs from agencies)

Boris Johnson condemns racist abuse aimed at England football stars

In my last column I tried to describe part of the current controversy over race and K-12 education — the part that turns on whether it’s possible to tell a fuller historical story about slavery and segregation while also retaining a broadly patriotic understanding of America’s founding and development.

In this column I will try to describe the part of the controversy that concerns how we teach about racism today. It’s probably the more intense debate, driving both progressive zeal and conservative backlash.

Again, I want to start with what the new progressivism is interested in changing. One change involves increasingly familiar terms like “structural” and “systemic” racism, and the attempt to teach about race in a way that emphasizes not just explicitly racist laws and attitudes but also how America’s racist past still influences inequalities today.

In theory, this shift is supposed to enable debates that avoid using “racist” as a personal accusation — since the point is that a culture can sustain persistent racial inequalities even if most white people aren’t bigoted or biased.

Still, this kind of vision would, on its own, face inevitable conservative resistance on several grounds: that it overstates the challenges facing minorities in America today; that it seems to de-emphasize personal responsibility; that it implies policy responses (racial quotas, reparations) that are racially discriminatory, arguably unconstitutional and definitely threatening to the white middle class.

But the basic claim that structural racism exists has strong evidence behind it, and the idea that schools should teach about it in some way is probably a winning argument for progressives. (Almost half of college Republicans, in a recent poll, supported teaching about how “patterns of racism are ingrained in law and other institutions.”) Especially since not every application of the structural-racist diagnosis implies left-wing policy conclusions: The anti-abortion and school choice movements, for instance, regularly invoke the impact of past progressive racism on disproportionately high African American abortion rates and underperforming public schools.

What’s really inflaming today’s fights, though, is that the structural-racist diagnosis isn’t being offered on its own. Instead it’s yoked to two sweeping theories about how to fight the problem it describes.

First, there is a novel theory of moral education, according to which the best way to deal with systemic inequality is to confront its white beneficiaries with their privileges and encourage them to wrestle with their sins.

Second, there is a Manichaean vision of public policy, in which all policymaking is either racist or anti-racist, all racial disparities are the result of racism — and the measurement of any outcome short of perfect “equity” may be a form of structural racism itself.

The first idea is associated with Robin DiAngelo, the second with Ibram X. Kendi, and they converge in places like the work of Tema Okun, whose presentations train educators to see “white supremacy culture” at work in traditional measures of academic attainment.

The impulses these ideas encourage take different forms in different institutions, but they usually circle around to similar goals: first, the attempt to use racial-education programs to construct a stronger sense of shared white identity, on the apparent theory that making Americans of European ancestry think of themselves as defined by a toxic “whiteness” will lead to its purgation; second, the deconstruction of standards that manifest racial disparities, on the apparent theory that if we stop using gifted courses or standardized tests, the inequities they reveal will cease to matter.

These goals, it should be stressed, don’t follow necessarily from the theory of structural racism. The first idea arguably betrays the theory’s key insight, that you can have “racism without racists,” by deliberately trying to increase individual racial guilt. The second extends structural analysis beyond what it can reasonably bear, into territory where white supremacy supposedly explains Asian American success on the SAT.

But precisely because they don’t follow from modest and defensible conceptions of systemic racism, smart progressives in the media often retreat to those modest conceptions when challenged by conservatives — without acknowledging that the dubious conceptions are a big part of what’s been amplifying controversy and conjuring up dubious Republican legislation in response.

Here one could say that figures like Kendi and DiAngelo, and the complex of foundations and bureaucracies that have embraced the new anti-racism, increasingly play a similar role to talk radio in the Republican coalition. They represent an ideological extremism that embarrasses clever liberals, as the spirit of Limbaugh often embarrassed right-wing intellectuals. But this embarrassment encourages a pretense that their influence is modest, their excesses forgivable, and the real problem is always the evils of the other side.

That pretense worked out badly for the right, whose intelligentsia awoke in 2016 to discover that they no longer recognized their own coalition. It would be helpful if liberals currently dismissing anxiety over Kendian or DiAngelan ideas as just a “moral panic” experienced a similar awakening now — before progressivism simply becomes its excesses, and the way back to sanity is closed. 
 
(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

In my last column I tried to describe part of the current controversy over race and K-12 education — the part that turns on whether it’s possible to tell a fuller historical story about slavery and segregation while also retaining a broadly patriotic understanding of America’s founding and development.

In my last column I tried to describe part of the current controversy over race and K-12 education — the part that turns on whether it’s possible to tell a fuller historical story about slavery and segregation while also retaining a broadly patriotic understanding of America’s founding and development. In this column I will try to describe the part of the controversy that concerns how we teach about racism today. It’s probably the more intense debate, driving both progressive zeal and conservative backlash. Again, I want to start with what the new progressivism is interested in changing. One change involves increasingly familiar terms like “structural” and “systemic” racism, and the attempt to teach about race in a way that emphasizes not just explicitly racist laws and attitudes but also how America’s racist past still influences inequalities today. In theory, this shift is supposed to enable debates that avoid using “racist” as a personal accusation — since the point is that a culture can sustain persistent racial inequalities even if most white people aren’t bigoted or biased. Still, this kind of vision would, on its own, face inevitable conservative resistance on several grounds: that it overstates the challenges facing minorities in America today; that it seems to de-emphasize personal responsibility; that it implies policy responses (racial quotas, reparations) that are racially discriminatory, arguably unconstitutional and definitely threatening to the white middle class. But the basic claim that structural racism exists has strong evidence behind it, and the idea that schools should teach about it in some way is probably a winning argument for progressives. (Almost half of college Republicans, in a recent poll, supported teaching about how “patterns of racism are ingrained in law and other institutions.”) Especially since not every application of the structural-racist diagnosis implies left-wing policy conclusions: The anti-abortion and school choice movements, for instance, regularly invoke the impact of past progressive racism on disproportionately high African American abortion rates and underperforming public schools. What’s really inflaming today’s fights, though, is that the structural-racist diagnosis isn’t being offered on its own. Instead it’s yoked to two sweeping theories about how to fight the problem it describes. First, there is a novel theory of moral education, according to which the best way to deal with systemic inequality is to confront its white beneficiaries with their privileges and encourage them to wrestle with their sins. Second, there is a Manichaean vision of public policy, in which all policymaking is either racist or anti-racist, all racial disparities are the result of racism — and the measurement of any outcome short of perfect “equity” may be a form of structural racism itself. The first idea is associated with Robin DiAngelo, the second with Ibram X. Kendi, and they converge in places like the work of Tema Okun, whose presentations train educators to see “white supremacy culture” at work in traditional measures of academic attainment. The impulses these ideas encourage take different forms in different institutions, but they usually circle around to similar goals: first, the attempt to use racial-education programs to construct a stronger sense of shared white identity, on the apparent theory that making Americans of European ancestry think of themselves as defined by a toxic “whiteness” will lead to its purgation; second, the deconstruction of standards that manifest racial disparities, on the apparent theory that if we stop using gifted courses or standardized tests, the inequities they reveal will cease to matter. These goals, it should be stressed, don’t follow necessarily from the theory of structural racism. The first idea arguably betrays the theory’s key insight, that you can have “racism without racists,” by deliberately trying to increase individual racial guilt. The second extends structural analysis beyond what it can reasonably bear, into territory where white supremacy supposedly explains Asian American success on the SAT. But precisely because they don’t follow from modest and defensible conceptions of systemic racism, smart progressives in the media often retreat to those modest conceptions when challenged by conservatives — without acknowledging that the dubious conceptions are a big part of what’s been amplifying controversy and conjuring up dubious Republican legislation in response. Here one could say that figures like Kendi and DiAngelo, and the complex of foundations and bureaucracies that have embraced the new anti-racism, increasingly play a similar role to talk radio in the Republican coalition. They represent an ideological extremism that embarrasses clever liberals, as the spirit of Limbaugh often embarrassed right-wing intellectuals. But this embarrassment encourages a pretense that their influence is modest, their excesses forgivable, and the real problem is always the evils of the other side. That pretense worked out badly for the right, whose intelligentsia awoke in 2016 to discover that they no longer recognized their own coalition. It would be helpful if liberals currently dismissing anxiety over Kendian or DiAngelan ideas as just a “moral panic” experienced a similar awakening now — before progressivism simply becomes its excesses, and the way back to sanity is closed. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Opinion | The excesses of anti-racist education

Racism against people of African descent remains systemic in many parts of the world, the UN&nbsp;human rights chief said on Monday, calling for states to dismantle discrimination and prosecute law enforcement officials for unlawful killings. 
 
Michelle Bachelet, in a global report sparked by the murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis in May 2020, said that police use of racial profiling and excessive force is entrenched in much of North America, Europe and Latin America. 
 
Structural racism creates barriers to minorities' access to jobs, healthcare, housing, education and justice, she said. 
 
“I am calling on all states to stop denying, and start dismantling, racism; to end impunity and build trust; to listen to the voices of people of African descent; and to confront past legacies and deliver redress," she said in the report to the Human Rights Council. 
 
Bachelet welcomed a 'promising initiative' by US&nbsp;President Joe Biden in signing an executive order in January to address racial inequity across the United States. 
 
Her report cited 190 deaths of Africans and people of African descent worldwide at the hands of law enforcement officials who are 'rarely held accountable'. 
 
It selected seven 'emblematic cases', including that of Floyd. A judge sentenced former police officer Derek Chauvin on Friday to 22-1/2 years for his murder, video of which galvanised the national Black Lives Matter protest movement. 
 
Other victims include an Afro-Brazilian boy, 14, shot dead in an anti-drug police operation in Sao Paulo in May 2020 and a Frenchman of Malian origin, 24, who died in police custody in July 2016. 
 
"Racism and racial discrimination against Africans and people of African descent are often rooted in policies and practices grounded in the debasement of the status of individuals in society," the report said. 
 
The scourge is most prevalent in countries with a legacy of slavery, the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans, or colonialism resulting in large communities of people of African descent, it added. 
 
"Systemic racism needs a systemic response," Bachelet said. "There is today a momentous opportunity to achieve a turning point for racial equality and justice."

Racism against people of African descent remains systemic in many parts of the world, the UN human rights chief said on Monday, calling for states to dismantle discrimination and prosecute law enforcement officials for unlawful killings.

Racism against people of African descent remains systemic in many parts of the world, the UN human rights chief said on Monday, calling for states to dismantle discrimination and prosecute law enforcement officials for unlawful killings. Michelle Bachelet, in a global report sparked by the murder of George Floyd by a police officer in Minneapolis in May 2020, said that police use of racial profiling and excessive force is entrenched in much of North America, Europe and Latin America. Structural racism creates barriers to minorities' access to jobs, healthcare, housing, education and justice, she said. “I am calling on all states to stop denying, and start dismantling, racism; to end impunity and build trust; to listen to the voices of people of African descent; and to confront past legacies and deliver redress," she said in the report to the Human Rights Council. Bachelet welcomed a 'promising initiative' by US President Joe Biden in signing an executive order in January to address racial inequity across the United States. Her report cited 190 deaths of Africans and people of African descent worldwide at the hands of law enforcement officials who are 'rarely held accountable'. It selected seven 'emblematic cases', including that of Floyd. A judge sentenced former police officer Derek Chauvin on Friday to 22-1/2 years for his murder, video of which galvanised the national Black Lives Matter protest movement. Other victims include an Afro-Brazilian boy, 14, shot dead in an anti-drug police operation in Sao Paulo in May 2020 and a Frenchman of Malian origin, 24, who died in police custody in July 2016. "Racism and racial discrimination against Africans and people of African descent are often rooted in policies and practices grounded in the debasement of the status of individuals in society," the report said. The scourge is most prevalent in countries with a legacy of slavery, the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans, or colonialism resulting in large communities of people of African descent, it added. "Systemic racism needs a systemic response," Bachelet said. "There is today a momentous opportunity to achieve a turning point for racial equality and justice."

UN rights chief calls for 'systemic racism' to be dismantled

Amid the celebration after the sentencing of ex-police officer Derek Chauvin to 22 ½ years in prison for the murder of George Floyd, comes a piece of grim news.

In New York, less than a week after its unveiling, a statue of Floyd was found defaced and marked with a neo-Nazi group’s name.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chauvin-gets-22-12-years-in-prison-for-george-floyds-death-394037">Chauvin gets 22 1/2 years in prison for George Floyd's death</a>

The statue was found covered in paint, with an inscription of the American far-right cell “Patriot Front”, a group that is defined as a “white nationalist hate group’ by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The group is also believed to be behind another similar defacing in New Jersey. There,&nbsp;a bronze statue of Floyd in front of the town hall of Newark was covered in paint.

A video released by authorities showed four individuals participating in this vandalism. One of them can be seen holding a paint spray can.

New York police said that they are investigating the attack on the monument.

New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo tweeted, "I'm going to be absolutely clear with the neo-Nazi group that did this: get out of our state," adding that special agents from the Hate Crimes Task Force would offer to help the investigation.

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I am directing the <a href="https://twitter.com/nyspolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nyspolice</a> Hate Crimes Task Force to assist in the investigation of the defacing of the George Floyd monument in Brooklyn. 
 
To the group of neo-Nazis who did this, I want to be absolutely clear: get the hell out of our state. <a href="https://t.co/Mjkpn4lVLZ">pic.twitter.com/Mjkpn4lVLZ</a>
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYGovCuomo/status/1408248987572850690?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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In a Twitter post, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio commented "We will bring these cowards to justice".

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Last night a far-right extremist group vandalized a statue of George Floyd in Brooklyn. A racist, loathsome, despicable act of hate. 
 
The City Cleanup Corps is repairing the statue right now and a hate crime investigation is underway. We will bring these cowards to justice. <a href="https://t.co/mTwzwIyG4z">pic.twitter.com/mTwzwIyG4z</a>
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYCMayor/status/1408149957593473024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
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This six-foot wooden statue was made by artist Chris Carnabuci and was inaugurated as a part of Juneteenth (June 19th) celebrations in the presence of George Floyd’s brother, Terrence Floyd.

Amid the celebration after the sentencing of ex-police officer Derek Chauvin to 22 ½ years in prison for the murder of George Floyd, comes a piece of grim news. In New York, less than a week after its unveiling, a statue of Floyd was found defaced and marked with a neo-Nazi group’s name.

Amid the celebration after the sentencing of ex-police officer Derek Chauvin to 22 ½ years in prison for the murder of George Floyd, comes a piece of grim news. In New York, less than a week after its unveiling, a statue of Floyd was found defaced and marked with a neo-Nazi group’s name. Also read | Chauvin gets 22 1/2 years in prison for George Floyd's death The statue was found covered in paint, with an inscription of the American far-right cell “Patriot Front”, a group that is defined as a “white nationalist hate group’ by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The group is also believed to be behind another similar defacing in New Jersey. There, a bronze statue of Floyd in front of the town hall of Newark was covered in paint. A video released by authorities showed four individuals participating in this vandalism. One of them can be seen holding a paint spray can. New York police said that they are investigating the attack on the monument. New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo tweeted, "I'm going to be absolutely clear with the neo-Nazi group that did this: get out of our state," adding that special agents from the Hate Crimes Task Force would offer to help the investigation. I am directing the @nyspolice Hate Crimes Task Force to assist in the investigation of the defacing of the George Floyd monument in Brooklyn. To the group of neo-Nazis who did this, I want to be absolutely clear: get the hell out of our state. pic.twitter.com/Mjkpn4lVLZ — Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 25, 2021 × In a Twitter post, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio commented "We will bring these cowards to justice". Last night a far-right extremist group vandalized a statue of George Floyd in Brooklyn. A racist, loathsome, despicable act of hate. The City Cleanup Corps is repairing the statue right now and a hate crime investigation is underway. We will bring these cowards to justice. pic.twitter.com/mTwzwIyG4z — Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 24, 2021 × This six-foot wooden statue was made by artist Chris Carnabuci and was inaugurated as a part of Juneteenth (June 19th) celebrations in the presence of George Floyd’s brother, Terrence Floyd.

George Floyd's New York statue defaced, marked with neo-Nazi group's name

There is a call to cancel Children's author Enid Blyton. The late writer has been accused of racism, xenophobia. If we cancel Blyton, shouldn't we ban Shakespeare, Alexander Pope, Austen and Dickens too? Palki Sharma says we should find ways to navigate problems of history.

Gravitas: Are we cancelling Enid Blyton?

German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has told the armed forces that reported racist and sexual abuse in a German platoon based in Lithuania has deeply affected their reputation.

German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has told the armed forces that reported racist and sexual abuse in a German platoon based in Lithuania has deeply affected their reputation. She said the scandal was a "slap in the face" for all those serving in the Bundeswehr. The members of a platoon which is a part of the Nato mission allegedly filmed an incident of sexual assault against another soldier. They also sang anti-Semitic songs. With time, more allegations emerged of sexual and racial abuse in the platoon, including soldiers singing a song to mark Adolf Hitler's birthday on 20 April. Addressing a Bundeswehr officers' academy in Hamburg, the Defense Minister said, "Through their behaviour, these soldiers frivolously put the whole Bundeswehr's reputation at risk". Also Read | Judge under US sanctions set to take over Iran presidency The allegations were first reported by Der Spiegel news and they relate to a party held at a hotel in Lithuania during the end of April. The platoon was part of Nato's "Enhanced Forward Presence". This is a mission that aims at training local soldiers in the three Baltic states and Poland as a deterrent against Russian aggression. There are 620 German troops in Lithuania, leading a Nato battlegroup. Taking to her official Twitter handle, the minister wrote, "The misconduct of some soldiers in Lithuania is a slap in the face of everyone who works in the day after day #Bundeswehrserve the security of our country. The derailments damage the reputation of the Bundeswehr and Germany. That will be punished with all severity". She further mentioned, "In Germany, all necessary investigations and proceedings are continued and the consequences are drawn".

Racism case seen as a threat for the reputation of entire German army

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The Football Association have issued a statement asking England fans to respect the right of players to "take a knee" as a protest against racial injustice, and not boo them before matches at the European Championship.

England players were booed by some fans before two recent friendlies when they knelt - a protest borrowed from American NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and popularised by the Black Lives Matter movement.

"We encourage those that oppose this action to reflect on the message you are sending to the players you are supporting," the FA said ahead of England's opening match of the tournament against Croatia at Wembley on Sunday.

"Please respect their wishes and remember that we should all be united in the fight to tackle discrimination. Together. They will do their best for you. Please do your best for them."

England manager Gareth Southgate, who has participated in the gesture on the touchline, expressed his hope that the nation would unite behind the team during the tournament.

A YouGov poll published this week found that 54% of fans in England supported players "taking the knee" with 39% opposed.

Critics of the protest say it improperly politicises sport and they dislike the gesture's links to the organised element of Black Lives Matter, which some consider a far-left movement imported from the United States.

"Fans understand perfectly well ... they are there to watch a football match, not to be lectured on morality," said Brendan Clarke-Smith, a member of Parliament for the ruling Conservative Party.

The FA also released an emotional plea for fans to unite behind the players in a video on social media&nbsp;

"This is personally important to the players and the values the team collectively represents," the FA statement continued.

"It is not new, and English football has made it very clear that it does not view this as being aligned to a political organisation or ideology.

"There can be no doubt as to why the players are taking the knee and what it represents in a footballing context."

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday he thought it was "totally wrong" to boo the England team.

The Football Association have issued a statement asking England fans to respect the right of players to "take a knee" as a protest against racial injustice, and not boo them before matches at the European Championship.

The Football Association have issued a statement asking England fans to respect the right of players to "take a knee" as a protest against racial injustice, and not boo them before matches at the European Championship. England players were booed by some fans before two recent friendlies when they knelt - a protest borrowed from American NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick and popularised by the Black Lives Matter movement. "We encourage those that oppose this action to reflect on the message you are sending to the players you are supporting," the FA said ahead of England's opening match of the tournament against Croatia at Wembley on Sunday. "Please respect their wishes and remember that we should all be united in the fight to tackle discrimination. Together. They will do their best for you. Please do your best for them." England manager Gareth Southgate, who has participated in the gesture on the touchline, expressed his hope that the nation would unite behind the team during the tournament. A YouGov poll published this week found that 54% of fans in England supported players "taking the knee" with 39% opposed. Critics of the protest say it improperly politicises sport and they dislike the gesture's links to the organised element of Black Lives Matter, which some consider a far-left movement imported from the United States. "Fans understand perfectly well ... they are there to watch a football match, not to be lectured on morality," said Brendan Clarke-Smith, a member of Parliament for the ruling Conservative Party. The FA also released an emotional plea for fans to unite behind the players in a video on social media "This is personally important to the players and the values the team collectively represents," the FA statement continued. "It is not new, and English football has made it very clear that it does not view this as being aligned to a political organisation or ideology. "There can be no doubt as to why the players are taking the knee and what it represents in a footballing context." Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday he thought it was "totally wrong" to boo the England team.

Football: English FA implore fans not to boo players who 'take a knee'

England midfielder Jordan Henderson said fans who booed players for taking a knee before matches proved racism is still an issue and that the team will continue taking a stand against it during the upcoming European Championship.

There were jeers from a small section of spectators at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough when players took the knee before England's friendly wins over Austria and Romania last weekend.

"It shows that if there are still people booing because we're standing together against racism, then there still is a problem and we've still got to fight it and stand together," Henderson said before Sunday's opener against Croatia.

"It shows even more that we have to keep going, keep fighting it. From our side, it's about being together and doing what we think is right."

In an open letter to fans on Wednesday, coach Gareth Southgate said his team will not "just stick to football" during the Euros and that it was his responsibility to put debates such as racial awareness in the spotlight.

Henderson said the Three Lions are determined to lead the fight against racism but their focus was on playing football.

"Of course, everyone knows we stand together and you'll see that in taking the knee, but we want to get on with the football and concentrate on that," he said.

England, semi-finalists at the 2018 World Cup, face Scotland on June 18 and the Czech Republic four days later after playing Croatia, with all games being held at Wembley.

England midfielder Jordan Henderson said fans who booed players for taking a knee before matches proved racism is still an issue and that the team will continue taking a stand against it during the upcoming European Championship.

England midfielder Jordan Henderson said fans who booed players for taking a knee before matches proved racism is still an issue and that the team will continue taking a stand against it during the upcoming European Championship. There were jeers from a small section of spectators at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough when players took the knee before England's friendly wins over Austria and Romania last weekend. "It shows that if there are still people booing because we're standing together against racism, then there still is a problem and we've still got to fight it and stand together," Henderson said before Sunday's opener against Croatia. "It shows even more that we have to keep going, keep fighting it. From our side, it's about being together and doing what we think is right." In an open letter to fans on Wednesday, coach Gareth Southgate said his team will not "just stick to football" during the Euros and that it was his responsibility to put debates such as racial awareness in the spotlight. Henderson said the Three Lions are determined to lead the fight against racism but their focus was on playing football. "Of course, everyone knows we stand together and you'll see that in taking the knee, but we want to get on with the football and concentrate on that," he said. England, semi-finalists at the 2018 World Cup, face Scotland on June 18 and the Czech Republic four days later after playing Croatia, with all games being held at Wembley.

Football: Fans booing players taking a knee shows racism still a problem: Henderson

Deep Dasgupta expressed his opinion on the Ollie Robinson contention, proposing ways on how such outrages could stay away from later on. He wants boards to step in and sharpen players at the grassroots level.&nbsp;

Ollie Robinson's tweets reemerged on the day the bowler made his first appearance. A similar set-off shock on the web, with the bowler saying 'sorry' for his activities after Day 1 of England versus New Zealand Test.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-he-lends-flexibility-dinesh-karthik-on-rishabh-pant-ahead-of-wtc-finals-389602" hreflang="en">Cricket: 'He lends flexibility': Dinesh Karthik on Rishabh Pant ahead of WTC finals</a>

Deep Dasgupta tended to the contention on his YouTube channel, addressing whether cricket is finding a way any substantial ways to handle prejudice and other social indecencies at the grassroots level.

“We have been hearing about zero tolerance against racism, in football you see players taking a knee. All this is great for optics, but is anything happening at the ground level? That is more important" - he said.&nbsp;

"This is where associations who act as the safe-keepers of the sport, like the ECB, BCCI, and ICC, come into play. They will have to get involved at a very grassroots level. Optics and saying things like zero tolerance to racism is very easy. But working at the ground level is the most important thing” - he added&nbsp;

In the wake of conversations on how the circumstance could be improved, Deep Dasgupta, on his YouTube channel, submitted a practical idea to make cricket and players more comprehensive.&nbsp;

"For example, they are grassroots academies where kids are taught how to play the game. But along with that other things need to be taught to them as well because as sportspersons, they are ambassadors of the sport and the nation. It is very important to educate these kids and increase their awareness about racism, sexism, body-shaming, etc" - he said&nbsp;

Deep Dasgupta feels the current contention holds a fundamental exercise for youthful cricketers hoping to break into the senior groups.&nbsp;

“Another thing the upcoming generation needs to understand is that whatever they put up on social media, it is there for perpetuity. You can’t remove that. Please be mindful of what you do on social media. Be very responsible because whatever you put up right now can come back to bite you 5-8 years down the line” - he added.&nbsp;

Ollie Robinson is set to bear a major discipline for his activities. Notwithstanding intriguing in the initial Test against the Kiwis, different reports recommend he will be dropped for the subsequent Test. 
&nbsp;

Deep Dasgupta expressed his opinion on the Ollie Robinson contention, proposing ways on how such outrages could stay away from later on. He wants boards to step in and sharpen players at the grassroots level.

Deep Dasgupta expressed his opinion on the Ollie Robinson contention, proposing ways on how such outrages could stay away from later on. He wants boards to step in and sharpen players at the grassroots level. Ollie Robinson's tweets reemerged on the day the bowler made his first appearance. A similar set-off shock on the web, with the bowler saying 'sorry' for his activities after Day 1 of England versus New Zealand Test. ALSO READ: Cricket: 'He lends flexibility': Dinesh Karthik on Rishabh Pant ahead of WTC finals Deep Dasgupta tended to the contention on his YouTube channel, addressing whether cricket is finding a way any substantial ways to handle prejudice and other social indecencies at the grassroots level. “We have been hearing about zero tolerance against racism, in football you see players taking a knee. All this is great for optics, but is anything happening at the ground level? That is more important" - he said. "This is where associations who act as the safe-keepers of the sport, like the ECB, BCCI, and ICC, come into play. They will have to get involved at a very grassroots level. Optics and saying things like zero tolerance to racism is very easy. But working at the ground level is the most important thing” - he added In the wake of conversations on how the circumstance could be improved, Deep Dasgupta, on his YouTube channel, submitted a practical idea to make cricket and players more comprehensive. "For example, they are grassroots academies where kids are taught how to play the game. But along with that other things need to be taught to them as well because as sportspersons, they are ambassadors of the sport and the nation. It is very important to educate these kids and increase their awareness about racism, sexism, body-shaming, etc" - he said Deep Dasgupta feels the current contention holds a fundamental exercise for youthful cricketers hoping to break into the senior groups. “Another thing the upcoming generation needs to understand is that whatever they put up on social media, it is there for perpetuity. You can’t remove that. Please be mindful of what you do on social media. Be very responsible because whatever you put up right now can come back to bite you 5-8 years down the line” - he added. Ollie Robinson is set to bear a major discipline for his activities. Notwithstanding intriguing in the initial Test against the Kiwis, different reports recommend he will be dropped for the subsequent Test.

Cricket- 'Be mindful of what you do on social media': Deep Dasgupta on Ollie Robinson misconduct

English pacer Ollie Robinson's old tweets stirred massive controversy as they were sexist and racial. The fast bowler apologised for these tweets that were back in 2012-14 when he was a teenager.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-joe-root-eyes-clean-sweep-against-new-zealand-and-india-before-ashes-389059" hreflang="en">Cricket: Joe Root eyes clean-sweep against New Zealand and India before Ashes</a>

Robinson made his Test debut in the ongoing match against New Zealand at Lords'. He picked up his maiden Test wicket in the match, however, his joy was short-lived as these racial tweets resurfaced and brought Robinson to tears.&nbsp;

"On the biggest day of my career so far, I am embarrassed by the racist and sexist tweets that I posted over eight years ago, which have today become public," Robinson said in a statement. "I want to make it clear that I'm not racist and I'm not sexist.

"I deeply regret my actions, and I am ashamed of making such remarks. I would like to unreservedly apologise to anyone I have offended, my teammates and the game as a whole in what has been a day of action and awareness in combatting discrimination from our sport. I just want to apologize to everyone. I regret it hugely."

Robinson dismissed New Zealand batsman Tom Latham and Ross Taylor on Wednesday. He ended Day 1 with figures of 2/50. &nbsp;

"I don't want something that happened eight years ago to diminish the efforts of my teammates and the ECB as they continue to build meaningful action with their comprehensive initiatives and efforts, which I fully endorse and support," Robinson continued. "I will continue to educate myself, look for advice and work with the support network that is available to me to learn more about getting better in this area. I am sorry, and I have certainly learned my lesson today."

English pacer Ollie Robinson's old tweets stirred massive controversy as they were sexist and racial. The fast bowler apologised for these tweets that were back in 2012-14 when he was a teenager.

English pacer Ollie Robinson's old tweets stirred massive controversy as they were sexist and racial. The fast bowler apologised for these tweets that were back in 2012-14 when he was a teenager. ALSO READ: Cricket: Joe Root eyes clean-sweep against New Zealand and India before Ashes Robinson made his Test debut in the ongoing match against New Zealand at Lords'. He picked up his maiden Test wicket in the match, however, his joy was short-lived as these racial tweets resurfaced and brought Robinson to tears. "On the biggest day of my career so far, I am embarrassed by the racist and sexist tweets that I posted over eight years ago, which have today become public," Robinson said in a statement. "I want to make it clear that I'm not racist and I'm not sexist. "I deeply regret my actions, and I am ashamed of making such remarks. I would like to unreservedly apologise to anyone I have offended, my teammates and the game as a whole in what has been a day of action and awareness in combatting discrimination from our sport. I just want to apologize to everyone. I regret it hugely." Robinson dismissed New Zealand batsman Tom Latham and Ross Taylor on Wednesday. He ended Day 1 with figures of 2/50. "I don't want something that happened eight years ago to diminish the efforts of my teammates and the ECB as they continue to build meaningful action with their comprehensive initiatives and efforts, which I fully endorse and support," Robinson continued. "I will continue to educate myself, look for advice and work with the support network that is available to me to learn more about getting better in this area. I am sorry, and I have certainly learned my lesson today."

Cricket: 'Deeply regret my actions': Ollie Robinson apologises for sexist and racist tweets

Reigniting the debate over the British royal family and race, newly discovered documents, tell how until at least the 1960’s “coloured immigrants or foreigners” were banned from serving in clerical roles in the royal household.

Another major revelation done by these documents shed light on how controversial clauses are negotiated by Buckingham palace. Some of these controversial clauses remain to date, like the one exempting the Queen and her household out of the purview of laws that prevent race and sex discrimination.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/royal-mess-all-the-controversies-that-british-monarchy-has-faced-till-date-274729">Explained: Royal mess - all the controversies that British Monarchy has faced till date</a>

These papers discovered at the National Archives as part of an ongoing investigation by the Guardian.

The papers reveal how in 1968, the then Queen’s chief financial manager informed civil servants that, although they were permitted to work as domestic servants “it was not, in fact, the practice to appoint coloured immigrants or foreigners” to clerical roles in the royal household.

It is still unclear when the practice ended, as Buckingham Palace has refused to answer questions about the ban and when it was revoked. Instead, Buckingham palace claims that before the 1990s they didn’t keep records of their employees’ racial backgrounds. Palace records from the 1990s show that people from ethnic minority backgrounds were employed at the palace in that decade.

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Special Exemptions

While laws seeking to make illegal any discrimination on the grounds of race or ethnicity while hiring an employee, were sought to be introduced by government ministers in the 1960s, the queen has remained personally exempted from the equality laws for more than four decades.

An exemption that has made it impossible for royal household employees that are women or people from ethnic minorities to complain to the courts if they believe they have been discriminated against.

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Buckingham Palace in a statement chose not to dispute the Queen’s exemption from the laws but rather added that it had a separate process for hearing complaints related to discrimination. &nbsp;The palace however did not specify what this process consists of.

The newly discovered documents are likely to refocus attention on the royal family’s historical and current relationship with race, especially given what Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, the family’s first mixed-race member had to say in regard to her own ethnicity and those of her children.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-meghan-markles-father-dismisses-her-racist-allegation-against-the-royal-family-the-wholething-about-colouris-bullst-369151">Meghan Markle's father dismisses her racist allegation against the royal family: The whole&nbsp;thing about colour&nbsp;is bulls**t</a>

The exemption was brought into force in the 1970s when a series of racial and sexual equality laws to eradicate discrimination were implemented. A revelation that the documents make is regarding how government officials had to coordinate with Queen Elizabeth Windsor’s advisers on the wording of the laws.

Much of the royal family’s history is inextricably linked with the British empire and its subjugation of people all around the world. Some members of the royal family have also been criticised for their racist comments.

Queen’s consent

Some of the uncovered documents are concerned with the use of Queen’s consent, an obscure parliamentary mechanism using which the British monarch grants parliament permission to debate laws that affect her.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-is-the-actual-cost-of-sustaining-europes-royal-families-286998">What is the actual cost of sustaining Europe's royal families?</a>&nbsp;

While the documents&nbsp;shed light on the monarch’s manipulation of the parliamentary proceedings, Buckingham Palace says the process is a mere formality. This denial is in spite of compelling evidence that the Queen has repeatedly used this power&nbsp;to secretly lobby ministers to amend legislation that was not to her liking.

The documents reveal how this Queen’s consent procedure was used covertly to influence the formation of the draft race relations legislation.

In 1968, Callaghan wanted to expand the UK’s racial discrimination laws from the mere prohibition of discrimination in public places to encompassing racism in employment or services like housing. But the then home secretary, James Callaghan, and other civil servants appear to be under the impression that until the Queen’s advisers are sufficiently satisfied that the race relations bill cannot be used against her in court, they should not request Queen’s consent for parliament to debate the bill.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-prince-william-kate-middleton-not-happy-with-prince-harry-and-meghan-markles-oprah-interview-366390">Prince William, Kate Middleton not happy with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Oprah interview</a>

As a result of the exemption given to the Queen, the Race Relations Board that was given the task of investigating racial discrimination had to send any complaints from the Queen’s staff to the home secretary rather than the courts.

In the 1970s, three laws were brought in to counter racial and sexual discrimination in the workplace. While complainants, in general, were empowered to take their cases directly to the courts, staff in the royal household were specifically prevented from doing so. The wording of the ban was just vague enough to make sure that the public may not have even realised that their monarch’s staff has been exempted.&nbsp;

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “The royal household and the sovereign comply with the provisions of the Equality Act, in principle and in practice. This is reflected in the diversity, inclusion and dignity at work policies, procedures and practices within the royal household.

Reigniting the debate over the British royal family and race, newly discovered documents, tell how until at least the 1960’s “coloured immigrants or foreigners” were banned from serving in clerical roles in the royal household.

Reigniting the debate over the British royal family and race, newly discovered documents, tell how until at least the 1960’s “coloured immigrants or foreigners” were banned from serving in clerical roles in the royal household. Another major revelation done by these documents shed light on how controversial clauses are negotiated by Buckingham palace. Some of these controversial clauses remain to date, like the one exempting the Queen and her household out of the purview of laws that prevent race and sex discrimination. Also Read | Explained: Royal mess - all the controversies that British Monarchy has faced till date These papers discovered at the National Archives as part of an ongoing investigation by the Guardian. The papers reveal how in 1968, the then Queen’s chief financial manager informed civil servants that, although they were permitted to work as domestic servants “it was not, in fact, the practice to appoint coloured immigrants or foreigners” to clerical roles in the royal household. It is still unclear when the practice ended, as Buckingham Palace has refused to answer questions about the ban and when it was revoked. Instead, Buckingham palace claims that before the 1990s they didn’t keep records of their employees’ racial backgrounds. Palace records from the 1990s show that people from ethnic minority backgrounds were employed at the palace in that decade. Also Read | Meghan and Harry's interview: Depth of pain from royal life spills into view Special Exemptions While laws seeking to make illegal any discrimination on the grounds of race or ethnicity while hiring an employee, were sought to be introduced by government ministers in the 1960s, the queen has remained personally exempted from the equality laws for more than four decades. An exemption that has made it impossible for royal household employees that are women or people from ethnic minorities to complain to the courts if they believe they have been discriminated against. Also Read | Prince Harry finally takes on white privilege: His own Buckingham Palace in a statement chose not to dispute the Queen’s exemption from the laws but rather added that it had a separate process for hearing complaints related to discrimination. The palace however did not specify what this process consists of. The newly discovered documents are likely to refocus attention on the royal family’s historical and current relationship with race, especially given what Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, the family’s first mixed-race member had to say in regard to her own ethnicity and those of her children. Also Read | Meghan Markle's father dismisses her racist allegation against the royal family: The whole thing about colour is bulls**t The exemption was brought into force in the 1970s when a series of racial and sexual equality laws to eradicate discrimination were implemented. A revelation that the documents make is regarding how government officials had to coordinate with Queen Elizabeth Windsor’s advisers on the wording of the laws. Much of the royal family’s history is inextricably linked with the British empire and its subjugation of people all around the world. Some members of the royal family have also been criticised for their racist comments. Queen’s consent Some of the uncovered documents are concerned with the use of Queen’s consent, an obscure parliamentary mechanism using which the British monarch grants parliament permission to debate laws that affect her. Also Read | What is the actual cost of sustaining Europe's royal families? While the documents shed light on the monarch’s manipulation of the parliamentary proceedings, Buckingham Palace says the process is a mere formality. This denial is in spite of compelling evidence that the Queen has repeatedly used this power to secretly lobby ministers to amend legislation that was not to her liking. The documents reveal how this Queen’s consent procedure was used covertly to influence the formation of the draft race relations legislation. In 1968, Callaghan wanted to expand the UK’s racial discrimination laws from the mere prohibition of discrimination in public places to encompassing racism in employment or services like housing. But the then home secretary, James Callaghan, and other civil servants appear to be under the impression that until the Queen’s advisers are sufficiently satisfied that the race relations bill cannot be used against her in court, they should not request Queen’s consent for parliament to debate the bill. Also Read | Prince William, Kate Middleton not happy with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Oprah interview As a result of the exemption given to the Queen, the Race Relations Board that was given the task of investigating racial discrimination had to send any complaints from the Queen’s staff to the home secretary rather than the courts. In the 1970s, three laws were brought in to counter racial and sexual discrimination in the workplace. While complainants, in general, were empowered to take their cases directly to the courts, staff in the royal household were specifically prevented from doing so. The wording of the ban was just vague enough to make sure that the public may not have even realised that their monarch’s staff has been exempted. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “The royal household and the sovereign comply with the provisions of the Equality Act, in principle and in practice. This is reflected in the diversity, inclusion and dignity at work policies, procedures and practices within the royal household.

Newly discovered document sheds light on racist practices at Buckingham Palace

A white woman who had falsely accused a Black man of threatening her is now suing her employer for dismissing her from the job.

Amy Cooper used to work at Franklin Templeton, a financial advisory firm, but was fired from her job for being 'racist'.

She claims the accusations made by her employer are completely false.

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Cooper has decided to sue her employer for this and has filed a complaint in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday. She claims the company’s actions have "caused her such severe emotional distress that she was suicidal".

Once criticised all over the world for being a racist, Cooper is now accusing her employer of being a racist and is seeking damages for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence, as per Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-know-if-her-life-needed-to-be-torn-apart-what-mr-cooper-thinks-of-his-now-famous-racist-encounter-with-a-white-lady-301647">'Don’t know if her life needed to be torn apart': What Mr Cooper thinks of his now-famous racist encounter with a white lady</a>

The ground for Cooper's dismissal is her racist incident from May 2020. Cooper had called the police against "an African American man threatening my life" after a Black birdwatcher had advised her to put her dog back on a leash as unleashed dogs were not permitted in the park.

Cooper was fired from her job a day after a video of the incident was shared on social media. A few hours later, she was also charged with filing a false police report.

A white woman who had falsely accused a Black man of threatening her is now suing her employer for dismissing her from the job. Amy Cooper used to work at Franklin Templeton, a financial advisory firm, but was fired from her job for being 'racist'.

A white woman who had falsely accused a Black man of threatening her is now suing her employer for dismissing her from the job. Amy Cooper used to work at Franklin Templeton, a financial advisory firm, but was fired from her job for being 'racist'. She claims the accusations made by her employer are completely false. Also read | Amy Cooper charged with falsely accusing Black man of assaulting Cooper has decided to sue her employer for this and has filed a complaint in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday. She claims the company’s actions have "caused her such severe emotional distress that she was suicidal". Once criticised all over the world for being a racist, Cooper is now accusing her employer of being a racist and is seeking damages for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence, as per Reuters. Also read | 'Don’t know if her life needed to be torn apart': What Mr Cooper thinks of his now-famous racist encounter with a white lady The ground for Cooper's dismissal is her racist incident from May 2020. Cooper had called the police against "an African American man threatening my life" after a Black birdwatcher had advised her to put her dog back on a leash as unleashed dogs were not permitted in the park. Cooper was fired from her job a day after a video of the incident was shared on social media. A few hours later, she was also charged with filing a false police report.

Woman who falsely accused Black man of threatening her, now sues employer for 'racism'

A body-cam video released by Louisiana authorities showed a Black man&nbsp;being tased, dragged, choked and beaten. The man&nbsp;later died and the authorities initially said the cause of death was a car crash during a police chace.

The incident took place on May 10, 2019 when police in northern Louisiana tried to stop a car driven by Ronald Greene, a 49-year-old barber, for what they said was an unspecified traffic violation.

Greene's relatives have been reported to have said that police initially told them that he died on impact when, during a chase, his car crashed into a tree.&nbsp;

But a written police report later said Greene survived the crash and struggled with troopers trying to arrest him. It said he died en route to a hospital.

Only later did Louisiana state police acknowledge that they had used force during the arrest, which they said was justified.&nbsp;

But the body-camera (body-cam) footage acquired by Associated Press and released by authorities late on May 22 shows a horrific scuffle.

The newly-released bodycam footage shows a high-speed chase and Louisiana state troopers punching&nbsp;Greene when he was already in handcuffs.

He was also dragged across the ground by shackled feet, and stunned with tasers as he cried, "I'm scared."

Greene, of West Monroe, Louisiana, led police on a high-speed chase after midnight of May 10, 2019, and crashed his car before being taken into custody, police said. He died in an ambulance on the way to a hospital.

An autopsy showed that Greene had alcohol and cocaine in his system, suffered multiple injuries from the crash, as well as injuries from a physical struggle. The manner of death was not listed.

Earlier this week, the case quickly became another national touchstone of alleged police abuse after the unauthorised release of police video by the Associated Press.

In response to that release, Colonel Lamar Davis, the superintendent of the Louisiana State Police held a late night press conference and said the department is releasing all the police bodycam video to add context to what has already been public.

Of the troopers involved, DaKota DeMoss was notified that the department intends to fire him and remains on leave pending another excessive use of force case, police said.

Master Trooper Chris Hollingsworth was also notified of the department's intent to dismiss him, but died hours later in a fatal car crash in 2020, police said.

Another trooper, Kory York, served a 50-hour suspension and is back on active duty.

The case is also the subject of a federal civil rights investigation.

(With inputs from agencies)

A body-cam video released by Louisiana authorities showed a Black man being tased, dragged, choked and beaten. The man later died and the authorities initially said the cause of death was a car crash during a police chace.

A body-cam video released by Louisiana authorities showed a Black man being tased, dragged, choked and beaten. The man later died and the authorities initially said the cause of death was a car crash during a police chace. The incident took place on May 10, 2019 when police in northern Louisiana tried to stop a car driven by Ronald Greene, a 49-year-old barber, for what they said was an unspecified traffic violation. Greene's relatives have been reported to have said that police initially told them that he died on impact when, during a chase, his car crashed into a tree. But a written police report later said Greene survived the crash and struggled with troopers trying to arrest him. It said he died en route to a hospital. Only later did Louisiana state police acknowledge that they had used force during the arrest, which they said was justified. But the body-camera (body-cam) footage acquired by Associated Press and released by authorities late on May 22 shows a horrific scuffle. The newly-released bodycam footage shows a high-speed chase and Louisiana state troopers punching Greene when he was already in handcuffs. He was also dragged across the ground by shackled feet, and stunned with tasers as he cried, "I'm scared." Greene, of West Monroe, Louisiana, led police on a high-speed chase after midnight of May 10, 2019, and crashed his car before being taken into custody, police said. He died in an ambulance on the way to a hospital. An autopsy showed that Greene had alcohol and cocaine in his system, suffered multiple injuries from the crash, as well as injuries from a physical struggle. The manner of death was not listed. Earlier this week, the case quickly became another national touchstone of alleged police abuse after the unauthorised release of police video by the Associated Press. In response to that release, Colonel Lamar Davis, the superintendent of the Louisiana State Police held a late night press conference and said the department is releasing all the police bodycam video to add context to what has already been public. Of the troopers involved, DaKota DeMoss was notified that the department intends to fire him and remains on leave pending another excessive use of force case, police said. Master Trooper Chris Hollingsworth was also notified of the department's intent to dismiss him, but died hours later in a fatal car crash in 2020, police said. Another trooper, Kory York, served a 50-hour suspension and is back on active duty. The case is also the subject of a federal civil rights investigation. (With inputs from agencies)

Police in US seen choking Black man they said died in car crash

Two companies owned by a Black US business mogul have sued&nbsp;McDonald's&nbsp;alleging the fast-food giant discriminates again Black-owned media companies.

The suit was filed in the Superior Court of California and seeks $10 billion in damages.

It is part of a drive by the mogul, Byron Allen, to get major US corporations to spend more advertising money on Black-owned media.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lawsuit-says-mcdonalds-discriminates-against-black-franchisees-324489">Lawsuit says McDonald's discriminates against Black franchisees</a>

This suit was filed by two companies owned by Allen: Entertainment Studios Networks Inc. and Weather Group LLC.

Allen Media Group/Entertainment Studios produces movies and owns more than a dozen television stations.

The lawsuit argues that&nbsp;McDonald's&nbsp;spent approximately $1.6 billion on television ads in the United States in 2019 but only 0.31 per cent of that went to Black-owned media.

The two companies filing the suit did not say how they arrived at the $1.6 billion figure.

"This is about economic inclusion of African American-owned businesses in the US economy," Allen said in a statement.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/at-black-owned-activist-bookstore-talk-of-the-next-chapter-in-us-civil-rights-379550/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"McDonald's&nbsp;takes billions from African American consumers and gives almost nothing back. The biggest trade deficit in America is the trade deficit between White corporate America and Black America, and&nbsp;McDonald's&nbsp;is guilty of perpetuating this disparity," Allen added.

McDonald's&nbsp;intentionally discriminated against&nbsp;Entertainment Studios&nbsp;and&nbsp;Weather Group&nbsp;through a pattern of racial stereotyping and refusals to contract, the lawsuit states.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-franchise-owners-at-mcdonalds-file-new-multi-billion-dollar-lawsuit-338896">Black franchise owners at McDonald's file new multi-billion-dollar lawsuit</a>

A&nbsp;McDonald's&nbsp;spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal it would review the lawsuit.

Earlier Thursday,&nbsp;McDonald's&nbsp;announced it would more than double the advertising money it pays to media companies owned by Blacks, Hispanics, women and other underrepresented groups over the next four years.

Spending with Black-owned properties will increase from 2 per cent to 5 per cent of national advertising spend over this time period.

Two companies owned by a Black US business mogul have sued McDonald's alleging the fast-food giant discriminates again Black-owned media companies. The suit was filed in the Superior Court of California and seeks $10 billion in damages.

Two companies owned by a Black US business mogul have sued McDonald's alleging the fast-food giant discriminates again Black-owned media companies. The suit was filed in the Superior Court of California and seeks $10 billion in damages. It is part of a drive by the mogul, Byron Allen, to get major US corporations to spend more advertising money on Black-owned media. Also Read | Lawsuit says McDonald's discriminates against Black franchisees This suit was filed by two companies owned by Allen: Entertainment Studios Networks Inc. and Weather Group LLC. Allen Media Group/Entertainment Studios produces movies and owns more than a dozen television stations. The lawsuit argues that McDonald's spent approximately $1.6 billion on television ads in the United States in 2019 but only 0.31 per cent of that went to Black-owned media. The two companies filing the suit did not say how they arrived at the $1.6 billion figure. "This is about economic inclusion of African American-owned businesses in the US economy," Allen said in a statement. "McDonald's takes billions from African American consumers and gives almost nothing back. The biggest trade deficit in America is the trade deficit between White corporate America and Black America, and McDonald's is guilty of perpetuating this disparity," Allen added. McDonald's intentionally discriminated against Entertainment Studios and Weather Group through a pattern of racial stereotyping and refusals to contract, the lawsuit states. Also Read | Black franchise owners at McDonald's file new multi-billion-dollar lawsuit A McDonald's spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal it would review the lawsuit. Earlier Thursday, McDonald's announced it would more than double the advertising money it pays to media companies owned by Blacks, Hispanics, women and other underrepresented groups over the next four years. Spending with Black-owned properties will increase from 2 per cent to 5 per cent of national advertising spend over this time period.

McDonald's sued for alleged discrimination against Black-owned media companies

One of the biggest conversations in the world over the last year included the name George Floyd. The black man died after a police officer in Minneapolis, United States knelt on his neck while he gasped for breath on May 25, 2020.

His last words, “I can’t breathe” became symbolic of America’s fight against systemic racism and police brutality. The officer who led to his death, Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all three charges against him - second-degree unintentional murder,&nbsp;third-degree murder, and second-degree&nbsp;manslaughter - some of the most severe charges in the US.

Now, it’s been a year since the unfortunate crime, but things aren’t looking up for black community and racial minorities in the US. The protests that followed Floyd’s death ignited the painful conversation surrounding racism in the US. Protests spilled into multiple cities in the country and many turned violent. The world too, took notice and protested against police brutality in their own countries.

But even after all that happened, a new poll reveals that only 17 per cent of Americans believe that race relations in the country are better contemporarily than last year. The survey, undertaken by NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist sheds light on how people from different races perceive the country’s response to the twin crisis of racism and police brutality.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/george-floyd-case-us-judge-postpones-trial-for-three-ex-cops-384839" hreflang="en">George Floyd case: US judge postpones trial for three ex-cops</a>

Out of 1,249 people from diverse races who participated in the poll, over a third of the respondents believed that race relations would improve with Joe Biden as US President. 28 per cent believed that race relations would take a turn for the worse under Biden, as opposed to 52 per cent who believed the same in 2017, when Donald Trump was president.

Among black people, six out of 10 claimed that they faced discrimination or unfair treatment due to their race or ethnicity. Only 15 per cent white Americans said the same. In terms of police treatment, 61 per cent black Americans and 39 per cent latinos claimed that they received harsher treatment from the police.

According to the survey, almost 50 per cent of white Americans believe that the police could gain the trust of the community. At the same time, only 12 per cent of black Americans said the same. The trends indicate&nbsp;that a lot of work in the arena of racial equality needs to be undertaken in the United States.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-grand-jury-indicts-4-ex-minneapolis-police-officers-in-george-floyds-murder-383660" hreflang="en">US grand jury indicts 4 ex-Minneapolis police officers in George Floyd's murder</a>

One of the biggest conversations in the world over the last year included the name George Floyd. The black man died after a police officer in Minneapolis, United States knelt on his neck while he gasped for breath on May 25, 2020.

One of the biggest conversations in the world over the last year included the name George Floyd. The black man died after a police officer in Minneapolis, United States knelt on his neck while he gasped for breath on May 25, 2020. His last words, “I can’t breathe” became symbolic of America’s fight against systemic racism and police brutality. The officer who led to his death, Derek Chauvin was found guilty of all three charges against him - second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter - some of the most severe charges in the US. Now, it’s been a year since the unfortunate crime, but things aren’t looking up for black community and racial minorities in the US. The protests that followed Floyd’s death ignited the painful conversation surrounding racism in the US. Protests spilled into multiple cities in the country and many turned violent. The world too, took notice and protested against police brutality in their own countries. But even after all that happened, a new poll reveals that only 17 per cent of Americans believe that race relations in the country are better contemporarily than last year. The survey, undertaken by NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist sheds light on how people from different races perceive the country’s response to the twin crisis of racism and police brutality. Also read: George Floyd case: US judge postpones trial for three ex-cops Out of 1,249 people from diverse races who participated in the poll, over a third of the respondents believed that race relations would improve with Joe Biden as US President. 28 per cent believed that race relations would take a turn for the worse under Biden, as opposed to 52 per cent who believed the same in 2017, when Donald Trump was president. Among black people, six out of 10 claimed that they faced discrimination or unfair treatment due to their race or ethnicity. Only 15 per cent white Americans said the same. In terms of police treatment, 61 per cent black Americans and 39 per cent latinos claimed that they received harsher treatment from the police. According to the survey, almost 50 per cent of white Americans believe that the police could gain the trust of the community. At the same time, only 12 per cent of black Americans said the same. The trends indicate that a lot of work in the arena of racial equality needs to be undertaken in the United States. Also read: US grand jury indicts 4 ex-Minneapolis police officers in George Floyd's murder

Year after George Floyd's death, poll reveals how Americans feel about race relations

Dr Anthony Fauci, the Biden administration's top medical adviser said that the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed racial disparities in living conditions and access to healthcare across the US that required serious action to fix.&nbsp;

During a commencement address given virtually to new graduates of Emory University, the president's chief medical adviser pointed to higher rates of COVID-19 deaths among Black Americans, Latino Americans, and members of other minority groups as evidence of 'social determinants' that caused the pandemic to hit those communities especially hard, The Hill reported.&nbsp;

"Now, very few of these comorbidities [with COVID-19] have racial determinants. Almost all relate to the social determinants of health dating back to disadvantageous conditions that some people of color find themselves in from birth regarding the availability of an adequate diet, access to health care, and the undeniable effects of racism in our society," he said. &nbsp;

Fauci said correcting societal wrongs will take a commitment of decades, and he urged the graduates to be part of the solution.&nbsp;

He said that the infectious disease disparately hospitalised and killed people of color. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last fall that Black Americans as well as those who are Hispanic or Latino were dying at disproportionately higher rates from COVID-19 compared to non-Hispanic white Americans.&nbsp;

Researchers have linked the higher rates of deaths in those groups to social factors including housing and employment as well as some health factors including higher rates of diabetes and other underlying conditions in those communities. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

Dr Anthony Fauci, the Biden administration's top medical adviser said that the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed racial disparities in living conditions and access to healthcare across the US that required serious action to fix.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the Biden administration's top medical adviser said that the COVID-19 pandemic had exposed racial disparities in living conditions and access to healthcare across the US that required serious action to fix. During a commencement address given virtually to new graduates of Emory University, the president's chief medical adviser pointed to higher rates of COVID-19 deaths among Black Americans, Latino Americans, and members of other minority groups as evidence of 'social determinants' that caused the pandemic to hit those communities especially hard, The Hill reported. "Now, very few of these comorbidities [with COVID-19] have racial determinants. Almost all relate to the social determinants of health dating back to disadvantageous conditions that some people of color find themselves in from birth regarding the availability of an adequate diet, access to health care, and the undeniable effects of racism in our society," he said. Fauci said correcting societal wrongs will take a commitment of decades, and he urged the graduates to be part of the solution. He said that the infectious disease disparately hospitalised and killed people of color. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced last fall that Black Americans as well as those who are Hispanic or Latino were dying at disproportionately higher rates from COVID-19 compared to non-Hispanic white Americans. Researchers have linked the higher rates of deaths in those groups to social factors including housing and employment as well as some health factors including higher rates of diabetes and other underlying conditions in those communities. (With inputs from agencies)

Fauci says pandemic exposed 'undeniable effects of racism' in US 

An Indigenous New Zealand lawmaker was thrown out of Parliament's debating chamber on Wednesday for performing a Maori haka in protest at what he said were racist arguments.

Rawiri Waititi's stance came after ongoing debate among lawmakers about the government's plans to set up a new Maori Health Authority as part of sweeping changes to the health care system.

Some conservative lawmakers have said the plan is separatist. Waititi, the co-leader of the Maori Party, said those arguments amounted to racist rhetoric.

Waititi told lawmakers in the chamber that he was forced to listen to a "constant barrage of insults"&nbsp;directed toward Indigenous people.

If that kind of attitude was acceptable, he said, "then I find this House in disrepute."

Speaker Trevor Mallard then told Waititi to sit down but instead, he performed the haka, traditional dance or challenge accompanied by a chant.

"Order. The member will now leave the chamber," Mallard told Waititi, which he did along with his party's other co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealands-parliament-backs-down-as-maori-lawmaker-rejects-colonial-noose-362646">New Zealand's parliament backs down as Maori lawmaker rejects 'colonial noose'</a>

It's not the first time Waititi has clashed with Mallard. In February, he won a battle against wearing a tie in Parliament, ending a longstanding dress requirement for men that he described as a "colonial noose".

Mallard also threw out Waititi from the debating chamber during that dispute after Waititi showed up wearing a traditional pendant around his neck called a hei tiki.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/new-zealand-maori-party-mp-asked-to-leave-parliament-over-tie-362603/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

But Mallard backed down the next day, saying neckties would no longer be compulsory after a committee of lawmakers came out in favour of ending the requirement.

But Waititi's latest stance isn't supported by all Maori lawmakers.

After Waititi left, Labour Party Deputy Leader Kelvin Davis pointed out the relatively small support base for the Maori Party.

"Don't ever think that a party that gets 1.2 per cent&nbsp;of the vote actually represent the views of Maoridom," Davis told lawmakers.&nbsp;

An Indigenous New Zealand lawmaker was thrown out of Parliament's debating chamber on Wednesday for performing a Maori haka in protest at what he said were racist arguments.

An Indigenous New Zealand lawmaker was thrown out of Parliament's debating chamber on Wednesday for performing a Maori haka in protest at what he said were racist arguments. Rawiri Waititi's stance came after ongoing debate among lawmakers about the government's plans to set up a new Maori Health Authority as part of sweeping changes to the health care system. Some conservative lawmakers have said the plan is separatist. Waititi, the co-leader of the Maori Party, said those arguments amounted to racist rhetoric. Waititi told lawmakers in the chamber that he was forced to listen to a "constant barrage of insults" directed toward Indigenous people. If that kind of attitude was acceptable, he said, "then I find this House in disrepute." Speaker Trevor Mallard then told Waititi to sit down but instead, he performed the haka, traditional dance or challenge accompanied by a chant. "Order. The member will now leave the chamber," Mallard told Waititi, which he did along with his party's other co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. Also read | New Zealand's parliament backs down as Maori lawmaker rejects 'colonial noose' It's not the first time Waititi has clashed with Mallard. In February, he won a battle against wearing a tie in Parliament, ending a longstanding dress requirement for men that he described as a "colonial noose". Mallard also threw out Waititi from the debating chamber during that dispute after Waititi showed up wearing a traditional pendant around his neck called a hei tiki. But Mallard backed down the next day, saying neckties would no longer be compulsory after a committee of lawmakers came out in favour of ending the requirement. But Waititi's latest stance isn't supported by all Maori lawmakers. After Waititi left, Labour Party Deputy Leader Kelvin Davis pointed out the relatively small support base for the Maori Party. "Don't ever think that a party that gets 1.2 per cent of the vote actually represent the views of Maoridom," Davis told lawmakers.

Indigenous New Zealand lawmaker censured for Haka protest

A Chinese man allegedly assaulted an Indian-origin woman and subjected her to racial slurs for not wearing a mask while she was brisk walking in Singapore. Police have arrested the man for public nuisance, uttering words with intent to wound the racial feelings of others and voluntarily causing hurt.

Singapore: Indian-origin woman allegedly kicked and racially abused by Chinese man

A US federal grand jury on Friday indicted all four former Minneapolis police officers involved in the killing of George Floyd last year, including Derek Chauvin who was convicted of murder and manslaughter charges in April.

According to The Hill, the multicount indictment from the US District Court for the District of Minnesota, accuses Chauvin along with Thomas Lane, J Kueng and Tou Thao of violating Floyd`s constitutional rights.

All of the men were charged with failing to administer first aid to Floyd as Chauvin kneeled on his neck for more than nine minutes.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/derek-chauvin-demands-new-trial-in-george-floyd-case-382897/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The indictment announced Friday states that the offenses violated the US Code known as the "colour of law" statute, something that Democrats in Congress have sought to change through the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.

Under the George Floyd bill, which would implement sweeping national reforms to policing, "willfully" would be changed to "knowingly or recklessly," and the scope of the statute would also broaden.

Also read |<a href="George Floyd's death: Jury to hear opening arguments in Derek Chauvin trial ">&nbsp;George Floyd's death: Jury to hear opening arguments in Derek Chauvin trial&nbsp;</a>

Chauvin also was charged in a separate indictment related to an incident in which he allegedly used unreasonable force on a Minneapolis 14-year-old in September 2017, CNN reported citing a Justice Department statement on Friday.

Meanwhile, Chauvin will be sentenced on June 16. The Hennepin County District Court said that he will be sentenced at 1:30 pm (local time) on June 16, The Hill reported.

The 12 jurors found Chauvin guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd`s death in May 2020.

The maximum sentence for second-degree unintentional murder is imprisonment of not more than 40 years. The maximum sentence for third-degree murder is imprisonment of not more than 25 years.

The maximum sentence for second-degree manslaughter is 10 years and/or USD 20,000.US President Joe Biden later said that the verdict can be a giant step forward on the march towards justice in America.

"Today, a jury in Minnesota found former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd. The verdict is a step forward.

And while nothing can ever bring George Floyd back, this can be a giant step forward on the march towards justice in America," he said in an address to the nation.

Chauvin was the first white police officer in Minnesota to be convicted of murdering a Black person, and many in the country saw the high-profile trial as a referendum on policing in the US, according to The Hill.

A US federal grand jury on Friday indicted all four former Minneapolis police officers involved in the killing of George Floyd last year, including Derek Chauvin who was convicted of murder and manslaughter charges in April.

A US federal grand jury on Friday indicted all four former Minneapolis police officers involved in the killing of George Floyd last year, including Derek Chauvin who was convicted of murder and manslaughter charges in April. According to The Hill, the multicount indictment from the US District Court for the District of Minnesota, accuses Chauvin along with Thomas Lane, J Kueng and Tou Thao of violating Floyd`s constitutional rights. All of the men were charged with failing to administer first aid to Floyd as Chauvin kneeled on his neck for more than nine minutes. Watch | The indictment announced Friday states that the offenses violated the US Code known as the "colour of law" statute, something that Democrats in Congress have sought to change through the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Under the George Floyd bill, which would implement sweeping national reforms to policing, "willfully" would be changed to "knowingly or recklessly," and the scope of the statute would also broaden. Also read | George Floyd's death: Jury to hear opening arguments in Derek Chauvin trial Chauvin also was charged in a separate indictment related to an incident in which he allegedly used unreasonable force on a Minneapolis 14-year-old in September 2017, CNN reported citing a Justice Department statement on Friday. Meanwhile, Chauvin will be sentenced on June 16. The Hennepin County District Court said that he will be sentenced at 1:30 pm (local time) on June 16, The Hill reported. The 12 jurors found Chauvin guilty of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd`s death in May 2020. The maximum sentence for second-degree unintentional murder is imprisonment of not more than 40 years. The maximum sentence for third-degree murder is imprisonment of not more than 25 years. The maximum sentence for second-degree manslaughter is 10 years and/or USD 20,000.US President Joe Biden later said that the verdict can be a giant step forward on the march towards justice in America. "Today, a jury in Minnesota found former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin guilty of murdering George Floyd. The verdict is a step forward. And while nothing can ever bring George Floyd back, this can be a giant step forward on the march towards justice in America," he said in an address to the nation. Chauvin was the first white police officer in Minnesota to be convicted of murdering a Black person, and many in the country saw the high-profile trial as a referendum on policing in the US, according to The Hill.

US grand jury indicts 4 ex-Minneapolis police officers in George Floyd's murder

The US embassy in Beijing had good news to share: Student visa applications for Chinese nationals were resuming after a yearlong hiatus.

“Spring has come and the flowers are in bloom,” the embassy wrote in a Chinese-language social media post on Wednesday that included a video of a dog trying to jump over a fence. “Are you like this doggy who can’t wait to go out and play?”

It backfired, big time.

The post on Weibo, a Twitter-like platform in China, could be read as a ham-handed attempt to be cute. But at a moment of heightened nationalism on the Chinese internet, it set off criticism — and accusations of racism — that were amplified by the ruling Communist Party’s formidable propaganda machine.

The embassy quickly removed the post and apologized, but the damage was done. The spat is the latest thorn in a diplomatic relationship that is prickly at the best of times and has lately been at its most delicate point in decades.

Some Weibo users wrote that the US&nbsp;State Department had deliberately tried to insult Chinese students by likening them to dogs. The Global Times, an English-language Chinese tabloid, piled on, aggregating criticism of the post and criticizing former President Donald Trump’s visa policies.

Fang Kecheng, a professor of journalism and communication at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said the response was a typical example of how nationalistic news outlets and social media users in China wage “public opinion warfare.”

“They pay close attention to what the US&nbsp;government and media say, and amplify any inappropriate expressions to discredit them,” he said.

Fang said that such campaigns sometimes drew attention to statements that he said deserved to be criticized, such as Trump’s use of the term “China virus” to describe the coronavirus. That phrase has been widely criticized in the United States and beyond as racist and anti-Chinese.

“In this case, it’s amplifying a misstep,” he added, referring to the embassy’s social media post.

Early last year, Trump imposed restrictions on travelers from China, including students, prompting criticism from Beijing. The Weibo post on Wednesday by the US&nbsp;Embassy’s consular section announced that student applications had resumed under President Joe Biden’s administration.

Not everyone who criticized the embassy’s post in China expressed full-throated outrage. Some Weibo users said that they were more disappointed than angry, adding that the post was tone deaf rather than deliberately malicious.

“There was no need for the Weibo post to include that line about the dog,” said Susan Chen, a student from the southern Chinese province of Guangdong who returned to China last year after starting a master’s program in Connecticut. “It could have simply said ‘Spring has come and the flowers are in bloom, come get the visa.’”

A spokesperson for the embassy said on Thursday that the United States had the utmost respect for all Chinese people and that the social media post was meant to be “lighthearted and humorous.” The spokesperson, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under embassy rules, said staff members took down the post as soon as it became clear that many Chinese people saw the message differently.

The episode further illustrates how frayed US-China relations have become over tariffs, human rights violations in the Xinjiang region of China and a technology Cold War, among other issues. Travel between the two countries has largely been frozen by strict visa controls, a result of both COVID-19 protocols and souring relations. Even attempts to restore diplomatic normalcy have been fraught.

There are potential financial implications for the US&nbsp;education sector, too.

About 1 million international students enroll in American universities every year. More than a third were from China in the 2019-2020 academic year, according to data compiled by the Institute of International Education.

But experts say that universities in the United States and other English-speaking countries could lose billions of dollars in the coming years because of travel restrictions and anger among Chinese students and parents about what they see as a permissive attitude toward public health during the pandemic.

Last year, the Trump administration abandoned a plan to strip international college students of their visas if they did not attend at least some classes in person. Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and attorneys general of 20 states had sued over the proposed policy, saying it was reckless, cruel and senseless.

The US embassy in Beijing had good news to share: Student visa applications for Chinese nationals were resuming after a yearlong hiatus. “Spring has come and the flowers are in bloom,” the embassy wrote in a Chinese-language social media post on Wednesday that included a video of a dog trying to jump over a fence.

The US embassy in Beijing had good news to share: Student visa applications for Chinese nationals were resuming after a yearlong hiatus. “Spring has come and the flowers are in bloom,” the embassy wrote in a Chinese-language social media post on Wednesday that included a video of a dog trying to jump over a fence. “Are you like this doggy who can’t wait to go out and play?” It backfired, big time. The post on Weibo, a Twitter-like platform in China, could be read as a ham-handed attempt to be cute. But at a moment of heightened nationalism on the Chinese internet, it set off criticism — and accusations of racism — that were amplified by the ruling Communist Party’s formidable propaganda machine. The embassy quickly removed the post and apologized, but the damage was done. The spat is the latest thorn in a diplomatic relationship that is prickly at the best of times and has lately been at its most delicate point in decades. Some Weibo users wrote that the US State Department had deliberately tried to insult Chinese students by likening them to dogs. The Global Times, an English-language Chinese tabloid, piled on, aggregating criticism of the post and criticizing former President Donald Trump’s visa policies. Fang Kecheng, a professor of journalism and communication at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said the response was a typical example of how nationalistic news outlets and social media users in China wage “public opinion warfare.” “They pay close attention to what the US government and media say, and amplify any inappropriate expressions to discredit them,” he said. Fang said that such campaigns sometimes drew attention to statements that he said deserved to be criticized, such as Trump’s use of the term “China virus” to describe the coronavirus. That phrase has been widely criticized in the United States and beyond as racist and anti-Chinese. “In this case, it’s amplifying a misstep,” he added, referring to the embassy’s social media post. Early last year, Trump imposed restrictions on travelers from China, including students, prompting criticism from Beijing. The Weibo post on Wednesday by the US Embassy’s consular section announced that student applications had resumed under President Joe Biden’s administration. Not everyone who criticized the embassy’s post in China expressed full-throated outrage. Some Weibo users said that they were more disappointed than angry, adding that the post was tone deaf rather than deliberately malicious. “There was no need for the Weibo post to include that line about the dog,” said Susan Chen, a student from the southern Chinese province of Guangdong who returned to China last year after starting a master’s program in Connecticut. “It could have simply said ‘Spring has come and the flowers are in bloom, come get the visa.’” A spokesperson for the embassy said on Thursday that the United States had the utmost respect for all Chinese people and that the social media post was meant to be “lighthearted and humorous.” The spokesperson, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under embassy rules, said staff members took down the post as soon as it became clear that many Chinese people saw the message differently. The episode further illustrates how frayed US-China relations have become over tariffs, human rights violations in the Xinjiang region of China and a technology Cold War, among other issues. Travel between the two countries has largely been frozen by strict visa controls, a result of both COVID-19 protocols and souring relations. Even attempts to restore diplomatic normalcy have been fraught. There are potential financial implications for the US education sector, too. About 1 million international students enroll in American universities every year. More than a third were from China in the 2019-2020 academic year, according to data compiled by the Institute of International Education. But experts say that universities in the United States and other English-speaking countries could lose billions of dollars in the coming years because of travel restrictions and anger among Chinese students and parents about what they see as a permissive attitude toward public health during the pandemic. Last year, the Trump administration abandoned a plan to strip international college students of their visas if they did not attend at least some classes in person. Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and attorneys general of 20 states had sued over the proposed policy, saying it was reckless, cruel and senseless.

‘Are you like this doggy?’ US embassy asked Chinese students. It backfired.

Britain's&nbsp;Prince&nbsp;William&nbsp;has joined a boycott of social media channels launched on Friday by football clubs, players and sporting bodies aimed at tackling online abuse.

A number of football organisations including the English Football Association and Premier League revealed they would not post on their platforms this weekend and the campaign has snowballed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/two-men-charged-over-alleged-online-racial-abuse-of-nrl-player-latrell-mitchell-379509">Two men charged over alleged online racial abuse of NRL player Latrell Mitchell</a>

European football's governing body UEFA is also observing the blackout, which will last from 1400 GMT on Friday until 2259 GMT on Monday.

In a statement released before the boycott began, the Premier League said social media companies must do more to stamp out online abuse.

A number of high-profile players including Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and Chelsea full-back Reece James have been racially abused in recent months.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/disgusted-chelsea-strongly-condemns-online-racist-abuse-against-reece-james-360251">'Disgusted': Chelsea strongly condemns online racist abuse against Reece James</a>

"The Premier League and our clubs stand alongside football in staging this boycott to highlight the urgent need for social media companies to do more in eliminating racial hatred," said Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.

Prince&nbsp;William, who is president of the English Football Association, threw his weight behind the campaign.

"As President of the FA I join the entire football community in the social media boycott this weekend," he tweeted.

In January&nbsp;William&nbsp;hit out at racist abuse in football, describing it as "despicable" and saying it must stop after several black players were targeted online.

A number of players posted statements shortly before the protest began on Friday, while football clubs changed their Twitter logos to show their support for the campaign.

Escalating abuse&nbsp;

Earlier, Manchester United said their own analysis had shown that online abuse aimed at their players had increased by 350 per cent since 2019.

"The analysis has found that since September 2019, there has been a 350 per cent increase in&nbsp;abuse directed towards the club's players," United said in a statement.

"By taking part in this boycott this weekend, we, alongside the rest of English football,&nbsp;want to shine a light on the issue," said United's group managing director Richard Arnold.

The Premier League club also said they had banned six fans alleged to have abused Tottenham's South Korean forward Son Heung-min on social media.

Chelsea said they had banned a supporter for posting anti-Semitic messages online.

"Following the conclusion of court proceedings in February, the club conducted our own investigation into the matter and has taken the decision to ban the individual from Chelsea FC for a period of 10 years," said a statement from the club.

A wide range of sporting organisations including England Rugby, British Cycling, the England and Wales Cricket Board and the International Tennis Federation are supporting the blackout.

Formula One is not taking part but world champion Lewis Hamilton said he was ready to join the boycott on the weekend of the Portuguese Grand Prix.

Wolverhampton boss Nuno Espirito Santo believes it will need to be repeated in the push for change.

"Not everyone on social media uses it badly, you have to balance, and we can't compromise our freedom but at the moment I think it's a good measure," he said.

"Will we have to repeat it again? Probably so, it takes time for people to understand the right message."

Britain's Prince William has joined a boycott of social media channels launched on Friday by football clubs, players and sporting bodies aimed at tackling online abuse.

Britain's Prince William has joined a boycott of social media channels launched on Friday by football clubs, players and sporting bodies aimed at tackling online abuse. A number of football organisations including the English Football Association and Premier League revealed they would not post on their platforms this weekend and the campaign has snowballed. Also read | Two men charged over alleged online racial abuse of NRL player Latrell Mitchell European football's governing body UEFA is also observing the blackout, which will last from 1400 GMT on Friday until 2259 GMT on Monday. In a statement released before the boycott began, the Premier League said social media companies must do more to stamp out online abuse. A number of high-profile players including Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and Chelsea full-back Reece James have been racially abused in recent months. Also read | 'Disgusted': Chelsea strongly condemns online racist abuse against Reece James "The Premier League and our clubs stand alongside football in staging this boycott to highlight the urgent need for social media companies to do more in eliminating racial hatred," said Premier League chief executive Richard Masters. Prince William, who is president of the English Football Association, threw his weight behind the campaign. "As President of the FA I join the entire football community in the social media boycott this weekend," he tweeted. In January William hit out at racist abuse in football, describing it as "despicable" and saying it must stop after several black players were targeted online. A number of players posted statements shortly before the protest began on Friday, while football clubs changed their Twitter logos to show their support for the campaign. Escalating abuse Earlier, Manchester United said their own analysis had shown that online abuse aimed at their players had increased by 350 per cent since 2019. "The analysis has found that since September 2019, there has been a 350 per cent increase in abuse directed towards the club's players," United said in a statement. "By taking part in this boycott this weekend, we, alongside the rest of English football, want to shine a light on the issue," said United's group managing director Richard Arnold. The Premier League club also said they had banned six fans alleged to have abused Tottenham's South Korean forward Son Heung-min on social media. Chelsea said they had banned a supporter for posting anti-Semitic messages online. "Following the conclusion of court proceedings in February, the club conducted our own investigation into the matter and has taken the decision to ban the individual from Chelsea FC for a period of 10 years," said a statement from the club. A wide range of sporting organisations including England Rugby, British Cycling, the England and Wales Cricket Board and the International Tennis Federation are supporting the blackout. Formula One is not taking part but world champion Lewis Hamilton said he was ready to join the boycott on the weekend of the Portuguese Grand Prix. Wolverhampton boss Nuno Espirito Santo believes it will need to be repeated in the push for change. "Not everyone on social media uses it badly, you have to balance, and we can't compromise our freedom but at the moment I think it's a good measure," he said. "Will we have to repeat it again? Probably so, it takes time for people to understand the right message."

Prince William joins social media sports boycott to tackle abuse

The sister of a black man Lymond Moses shot to death by Delaware police in January sued the officers, saying her brother’s death was not justified and another example of unnecessary deadly force by white police against Black citizens.

US: Sister of dead black man Lymond Moses sues Delaware police

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