Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of a 2000-year-old “slave room” at a Roman villa in Pompeii, Italy. Officials lauded the discovery as a rare insight into slavery and the daily life of the enslaved.

Archaeologists discover 2000-year-old ‘slave room’ at Pompeii, Italy

UN human rights experts on Friday called on Mali to crack down on hereditary slavery after a series of violent attacks against people born into servitude.

Slavery was officially abolished in colonial Mali in 1905, but a system persists in which people are still forced to work without pay for families that enslaved their ancestors, the United Nations group of experts said in a statement.

Malian law does not specifically criminalise this form of slavery, so perpetrators are rarely held accountable, they said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mali-france-tensions-spurs-debate-over-foreign-influence-419400">Mali-France tensions spurs debate over foreign influence</a>

In September, a group of people considered slaves were attacked by other Malians who objected to their celebrating Independence Day, according to the UN&nbsp;experts.

The attacks went on for two days, leaving one man dead and at least 12 people injured. It was the eight&nbsp;such attack this year in the Kayes region, about 500 kilometres (310 miles) northwest of the capital Bamako, the experts said.

"The fact that these attacks occur so often in this area shows that descent-based slavery is still socially accepted by some influential politicians, traditional leaders, law enforcement officials and judicial authorities in Mali," they said.

"We have condemned this heinous practice many times before - now the Malian government must take action, starting with ending impunity for attacks on 'slaves'."

At least 30 people have been arrested from both sides and police have launched an investigation, the UN&nbsp;statement added.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/may-god-bless-mali-colombian-nun-captured-by-jihadists-released-after-4-years-419536">'May God bless Mali': Colombian nun captured by jihadists released after 4 years</a>

Malian authorities could not immediately be reached for comment.

Descent-based slavery is also practiced in Mali's neighbours Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritania, which became the last country in the world to abolish slavery in 1981.

In Mali, prosecutors charge most hereditary slavery cases as misdemeanours, according to the US&nbsp;State Departments latest Trafficking in Persons report. It recommended a 2012 anti-trafficking law be revised to include hereditary slavery.

UN human rights experts on Friday called on Mali to crack down on hereditary slavery after a series of violent attacks against people born into servitude. Slavery was officially abolished in colonial Mali in 1905, but a system persists in which people are still forced to work without pay for families that enslaved their ancestors, the United Nations group of experts said in a statement.

UN human rights experts on Friday called on Mali to crack down on hereditary slavery after a series of violent attacks against people born into servitude. Slavery was officially abolished in colonial Mali in 1905, but a system persists in which people are still forced to work without pay for families that enslaved their ancestors, the United Nations group of experts said in a statement. Malian law does not specifically criminalise this form of slavery, so perpetrators are rarely held accountable, they said. Also Read | Mali-France tensions spurs debate over foreign influence In September, a group of people considered slaves were attacked by other Malians who objected to their celebrating Independence Day, according to the UN experts. The attacks went on for two days, leaving one man dead and at least 12 people injured. It was the eight such attack this year in the Kayes region, about 500 kilometres (310 miles) northwest of the capital Bamako, the experts said. "The fact that these attacks occur so often in this area shows that descent-based slavery is still socially accepted by some influential politicians, traditional leaders, law enforcement officials and judicial authorities in Mali," they said. "We have condemned this heinous practice many times before - now the Malian government must take action, starting with ending impunity for attacks on 'slaves'." At least 30 people have been arrested from both sides and police have launched an investigation, the UN statement added. Also Read | 'May God bless Mali': Colombian nun captured by jihadists released after 4 years Malian authorities could not immediately be reached for comment. Descent-based slavery is also practiced in Mali's neighbours Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mauritania, which became the last country in the world to abolish slavery in 1981. In Mali, prosecutors charge most hereditary slavery cases as misdemeanours, according to the US State Departments latest Trafficking in Persons report. It recommended a 2012 anti-trafficking law be revised to include hereditary slavery.

UN urges Mali to end hereditary slavery

A new report reveals that people who are forced to leave their homes as an impact of climate crisis are at risk of modern slavery and human trafficking in the coming times.

A new report reveals that people who are forced to leave their homes as an impact of climate crisis are at risk of modern slavery and human trafficking in the coming times. The climate crisis and the increasing frequency of extreme weather disasters including floods, droughts and mega fires are having a devastating effect on the livelihoods of people already living in poverty and this is making them more vulnerable to slavery, says the report. Researchers from the International Institute for Environment and Development and Anti-Slavery International have found that drought in northern Ghana had led young men and women to migrate to major cities. The report further reveals that many women begin working as porters and are at risk of trafficking, sexual exploitation and debt bondage. A woman who migrated to Accra from northern Ghana, used to farm until the land was ruined by flooding. She was then forced to move. Also read | Police, anti-vaccine protesters clash in Melbourne For a period of seven years she has worked as a porter (kayayie), carrying items on her head. She was quoted by The Guardian as saying, “Working as a kayayie has not been easy for me. When I came here, I did not know anything about the work. I was told that the woman providing our pans will also feed us and give us accommodation. However, all my earnings go to her and only sometimes will she give me a small part of the money I’ve earned.” Fran Witt, a climate change and modern slavery adviser at Anti-Slavery International said that the research shows the domino effect of climate change on millions of people’s lives. "Extreme weather events contribute to environmental destruction, forcing people to leave their homes and leaving them vulnerable to trafficking, exploitation and slavery.” As per an estimate by The World Bank estimates that by the year 2050, the impact of the climate crisis will force more than 216 million people across six regions, including sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America, from their homes.

Climate crisis may increase trafficking and slavery, says report

A Melbourne couple was sentenced to prison for keeping an Indian grandmother as a slave in their home for eight years.

Kumuthini Kannan, 53, and her husband Kandasamy, 57, were convicted guilty in April of keeping the Tamil woman inside their Mount Waverley home as a working prisoner.&nbsp;

Kumuthini Kannan, 53, was ordered to spend eight years behind bars. Her husband, Kandasamy Kannan, 57, was ordered to serve six years.

It's the first time an Australian court has heard a case entirely about domestic servitude slavery, and it's the country's longest period of enslavement, according to prosecutors.

However, the court heard that the couple refused to recognise that they had enslaved the Indian woman and continued to "strenuously" proclaim their innocence.&nbsp;

The woman's deplorable state was revealed in July 2015, when she was discovered in a pool of urine and weighing only 40 kg.

She had sepsis, uncontrolled diabetes, and was missing teeth.&nbsp; 
 
The couple paid her just over $3 a day to cook, clean and care for their three children.

(With inputs from agencies)

A Melbourne couple was sentenced to prison for keeping an Indian grandmother as a slave in their home for eight years. Kumuthini Kannan, 53, and her husband Kandasamy, 57, were convicted guilty in April of keeping the Tamil woman inside their Mount Waverley home as a working prisoner.

A Melbourne couple was sentenced to prison for keeping an Indian grandmother as a slave in their home for eight years. Kumuthini Kannan, 53, and her husband Kandasamy, 57, were convicted guilty in April of keeping the Tamil woman inside their Mount Waverley home as a working prisoner. Kumuthini Kannan, 53, was ordered to spend eight years behind bars. Her husband, Kandasamy Kannan, 57, was ordered to serve six years. It's the first time an Australian court has heard a case entirely about domestic servitude slavery, and it's the country's longest period of enslavement, according to prosecutors. However, the court heard that the couple refused to recognise that they had enslaved the Indian woman and continued to "strenuously" proclaim their innocence. The woman's deplorable state was revealed in July 2015, when she was discovered in a pool of urine and weighing only 40 kg. She had sepsis, uncontrolled diabetes, and was missing teeth. The couple paid her just over $3 a day to cook, clean and care for their three children. (With inputs from agencies)

Melbourne couple kept Indian woman as a slave for 8 years, jailed for 'crime against humanity'

The United Nation chief for rights on Monday urged countries to end systemic racism and provide "reparatory justice" for past wrongdoings like slavery and colonialism.

Michelle Bachelet was speaking before the United Nations Human Rights Council and described how systemic racism against Africans and those with African descent continues to paralyse many aspects of their lives.

Following the death&nbsp;of George Floyd in the United States at the hands of a white police officer, Bachelet said that there was "an urgent need to confront the legacies of enslavement".

Her report also addressed systemic racism around the globe. She urged countries to confront legacies of "the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism and successive racially discriminatory policies and systems, and to seek reparatory justice."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-marks-slaverys-end-on-new-juneteenth-national-holiday-392665" hreflang="en">US marks slavery's end on new 'Juneteenth' national holiday</a>

In her report, Bachelet referred to 190 deaths of Africans and people of African descent at the hands of law enforcement officials - mostly in the Americans and Europe.

Bachelet added that racial violence and systemic racism were highly rooted in "the absence of formal acknowledgement of the responsibilities of states and others that engaged in or profited from" such practices, "as well as those who continue to profit from this legacy".

The text is due to be discussed later on Monday or Tuesday and has proposed the creation of "independent expert mechanism" in hopes of advancing "racial justice and equality" especially in the context of law enforcement in "all parts of the world".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/seminary-built-on-slavery-and-jim-crow-labour-has-begun-paying-reparations-388586" hreflang="en">Seminary built on slavery and Jim crow labour has begun paying reparations</a>

Bachelet urged the council to create "a specific, time-bound mechanism to advance racial justice" while adding that it was only through past behaviour&nbsp;that countries could hope to "transform the structures, institutions and behaviour&nbsp;that lead to direct or indirect discrimination".

The United Nation chief for rights on Monday urged countries to end systemic racism and provide "reparatory justice" for past wrongdoings like slavery and colonialism.

The United Nation chief for rights on Monday urged countries to end systemic racism and provide "reparatory justice" for past wrongdoings like slavery and colonialism. Michelle Bachelet was speaking before the United Nations Human Rights Council and described how systemic racism against Africans and those with African descent continues to paralyse many aspects of their lives. Following the death of George Floyd in the United States at the hands of a white police officer, Bachelet said that there was "an urgent need to confront the legacies of enslavement". Her report also addressed systemic racism around the globe. She urged countries to confront legacies of "the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism and successive racially discriminatory policies and systems, and to seek reparatory justice." Also read: US marks slavery's end on new 'Juneteenth' national holiday In her report, Bachelet referred to 190 deaths of Africans and people of African descent at the hands of law enforcement officials - mostly in the Americans and Europe. Bachelet added that racial violence and systemic racism were highly rooted in "the absence of formal acknowledgement of the responsibilities of states and others that engaged in or profited from" such practices, "as well as those who continue to profit from this legacy". The text is due to be discussed later on Monday or Tuesday and has proposed the creation of "independent expert mechanism" in hopes of advancing "racial justice and equality" especially in the context of law enforcement in "all parts of the world". Also read: Seminary built on slavery and Jim crow labour has begun paying reparations Bachelet urged the council to create "a specific, time-bound mechanism to advance racial justice" while adding that it was only through past behaviour that countries could hope to "transform the structures, institutions and behaviour that lead to direct or indirect discrimination".

UN urges countries to consider reparations for slavery, colonialism

With marches, music and speeches, Americans on Saturday celebrated "Juneteenth," the newly declared national holiday that marks the end of slavery and which comes a year after George Floyd's murder sparked anti-racism protests.

With marches, music and speeches, Americans on Saturday celebrated "Juneteenth," the newly declared national holiday that marks the end of slavery and which comes a year after George Floyd's murder sparked anti-racism protests. Hundreds of events were held across the country, from New York to Los Angeles, and most notably in Galveston, Texas, the symbolic heart of the Juneteenth commemoration. On June 19, 1865, it was in that Texas coastal area that the Union army -- victorious after the bitterly fought Civil War -- announced to African Americans that, even if some in Texas were trying to ignore it, enslaved people were now free. Slavery was formally abolished in December 1865, with the adoption of the 13th amendment to the US Constitution, but Juneteenth has remained the emblematic date marking the freeing of enslaved Americans. This year's Juneteenth celebrations are all the more celebratory, coming just days after President Joe Biden signed legislation making June 19 a national holiday, and at a time when pandemic-imposed restrictions on public gatherings are steadily being erased. "I feel wonderful, I feel proud, I feel a sense of accomplishment for the struggle," Sharonda Newby said at a rally in Galveston, where she grew up. "I feel like they've given us some momentum, some resilience to continue to push forward." "It was a long time coming," said 68-year-old Cheryl Green, who was attending the unveiling in the New York City borough of Brooklyn of a bust of George Floyd, the Black man killed by a white policeman in Minneapolis in May 2020. "It's good that people get to recognize what happened," said Green, an African-American resident of Brooklyn's Flatbush neighbourhood. "Changes are being made slowly, but surely we'll get there." In Washington, hundreds celebrated on Black Lives Matter Plaza, a section of the main road near the White House that was renamed by the city amid the huge anti-racism protests galvanized by Floyd's death. Kevin Blanks, a 29-year-old Black man, said he had come to denounce the racism that is "still very much embedded in the DNA of this country." He wore a T-shirt that paid tribute to Black leaders Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Harriet Tubman. Danique McGuire, a 51-year-old Black woman, said that by signing the Juneteenth legislation into law, "President Biden has recognized the importance of Black Americans." She added, however, that "the fight is still long" for equality. Floyd's killing touched off global protests against racism and police violence toward minorities. That movement helped raise the visibility of Juneteenth -- a date that many Americans, including many African Americans, had not heard of even two years ago. An opinion survey published Tuesday by the Gallup institute found that 28 per cent of Americans knew "nothing at all" about the anniversary. "I didn't learn about Juneteenth until I got to high school," said Farah Louis, a Black city official in New York, who was attending the Floyd unveiling in Brooklyn. She said Juneteenth should be used to "educate our young people" about the treatment of Black people through American history. 'While the iron is hot' Celebrating Juneteenth now seems "a bit surreal" at a time many Republican-led states are passing laws that limit voting options in ways that "most acutely affect communities of colour," tweeted Sharif Street, a Black state legislator from Pennsylvania. From January through May, 14 states, notably Georgia and Florida, passed laws limiting opportunities to vote -- measures seen as aimed at reducing the influence of minority voters, particularly African-Americans. To Street, it is "a reminder that our wins are not permanent." Draft legislation to protect voting rights is currently being debated in the US Senate, but with many Republicans opposing it, its fate appears uncertain. Also Read | Iran elects new president, mixed reactions across world To Louis, the Juneteenth proclamation together with the impetus from the George Floyd movement presents an opportunity. "You have to strike while the iron is hot," she said, citing among other issues the idea of government-paid reparations to compensate descendants of enslaved people. On Friday, the mayors of 11 American cities, including Los Angeles and Denver, vowed to pursue the question of how best to carry out reparations. They invited Congress and the US government to follow their example. "We see change" in the country, said Terrence Floyd at the Brooklyn unveiling of the bust honouring his brother George. Terrence Floyd, who lives in New York, recently created a group called "We Are Floyd" to help "keep the change going," he told AFP. "Because right now, it's not a moment. It's a movement.

US marks slavery's end on new 'Juneteenth' national holiday

One night in 1858, Carter Dowling, an enslaved Black man forced to work without pay at the Virginia Theological Seminary in Northern Virginia, made the brave decision to escape.

He made it to Philadelphia, where he met famed abolitionist William Still. He then continued north to Canada and, after the Civil War, returned to Washington, D.C., where he was able to open a bank account for his children. He eventually went on to work as a labour organizer in Buffalo.

To this day, Dowling’s family line continues. And, most likely for one of the first times in American history, his descendants could receive cash payments for his forced labour.

In February, the Virginia Theological Seminary began handing out cash payments to the descendants of Black Americans who were forced to work there during the time of slavery and Jim Crow.

The program is among the first of its kind. Although other institutions have created atonement programs, such as scholarships and housing vouchers for Black people, few, if any, have provided cash. (The New York Times could not verify whether the seminary is the first to provide cash payments.)

“When white institutions have to face up with the sins of their past, we’ll do everything we can to prevaricate, and we’ll especially prevaricate if it’s going to have some sort of financial implication,” said the Rev. Ian Markham, president and dean of the seminary, which is in Alexandria, Virginia. “We wanted to make sure that we both not just say and articulate and speak what’s right but also take some action — and we were committed to that from the outset.”

The checks, about $2,100 this year, will come annually and have begun to flow to the descendants of those Black workers. The money has been pulled from a $1.7 million fund, which is set to grow at the rate of the seminary’s large endowment. Although just 15 people have received payments so far, that number could grow by the dozens as genealogists pore through records to find living descendants.

The program authorized payments to the members of the generation closest to the original workers, calling them “shareholders.” If that generation includes people who have died, the payments would go to their children. And if that person had no children, the money would be split among the siblings of the eldest generation.

The Rev. Joseph Thompson, the seminary’s director of multicultural ministries, remembers the day that Markham walked into his office and asked what he thought about creating a reparations program.

“This is one of those things I never thought I would see in my lifetime — a serious, a kind of broad conversation about reparations in the United States of America,” he said. “That was a very striking moment for me.”

The seminary’s leaders acknowledge that the particulars of who will receive money, and how much, could be complicated. Take the case of Dowling. While he was Black, his grandchildren identified themselves on official records as white, and so have their descendants.

Maddy McCoy, a genealogist working with the seminary to find the descendants of enslaved individuals, said that while such situations have presented difficult questions, the seminary had tackled them head-on.

“There is no manual that we are referring to as we move through this,” McCoy said. “With that, it’s going to be a lot of ups and downs and a lot of really, really difficult decisions and difficult conversations, but that’s what this work is.”

The expansion of the program in the coming years will coincide with the seminary’s 200th anniversary in 2023. The seminary, a 25-minute drive south from Washington, has become the most powerful in the Episcopal Church. It graduates about 50 students a year and boasts a $191 million endowment.

But the institution, for all its prominence, depended for decades on the labour of Black people who were never paid adequately for their labour — or were never paid at all. They included gardeners, cooks, janitors, dishwashers and laundry workers. The exact number of Black workers from 1823 to 1951 is still unknown, but they probably numbered in the hundreds.

Among them was the grandfather of Linda Thomas, the first woman to receive a $2,100 payment from the seminary. Thomas’ grandfather, John Samuel Thomas Jr., worked at the seminary after World War I as a janitor and most likely also as a labourer on the seminary’s farm.

Linda Thomas, 65, said her mother remembered growing up in a little white house on the campus. She said her grandfather had dreamed of becoming a minister but had been barred from applying to the seminary because of his skin colour. Eventually, near the end of World War II, he moved to Washington and became a minister before his death in 1967.

Although the payments are modest, she said she hoped the program would mark a shift in the American narrative around reparations — both about the exploitation of Black people and the institutions that benefited. “For so many years, people with the sweat on their backs not only picked cotton but built institutions,” she said.

While the seminary’s program is groundbreaking in the United States, William Darity, a professor of public policy and African American studies at Duke University, said such atonement programs should not be interpreted as sufficient in righting the wrongs of slavery or in eliminating the effects of racist policies.

The only institution that can fund a comprehensive reparations program large enough to atone for the lost wages of slavery or bridge the racial wealth gap is the federal government, he said. “This is not a matter of personal guilt,” he added, estimating that such a comprehensive program would require $11 trillion. “This is a matter of national responsibility.”

Public support for reparations has grown over the years, from 19% of those surveyed in 1999 to 31% in 2021, according to polls from ABC and The Washington Post. But even within the seminary, the atonement program drew some pushback.

Markham said a handful of donors had objected and had said they would no longer contribute money. They also heard from some people who asked to be removed from the seminary’s mailing lists.

In determining how to provide reparations, a common dividing line has been whether to provide cash. The City Council of Evanston, Illinois, agreed to distribute $10 million to Black families in the form of housing grants, though the particulars of that plan remain unclear. Earlier this year, Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia signed a law requiring five public universities to create scholarships and community development programs for Black individuals. And in March, a prominent order of Catholic priests vowed to raise $100 million to benefit the descendants of the enslaved people it once owned.

Payments are a fundamental part of the Virginia seminary’s program, said Ebonee Davis, the associate for multicultural ministries, but she added that relationships with families as well as the recognition of their ancestors’ contributions were also crucial. “I’ve cried on the phone with shareholders,” she said. “We’ve laughed and kind of shared our disbelief that this is actually happening.”

It is no small task to confirm the identities of enslaved people who worked at the seminary, along with their descendants. It is likely that from 1823 to 1865, at least 290 people laboured there, according to the research staff. From 1865 to 1951, there were probably hundreds more.

Gerald Wanzer, one of the shareholders, said the records examined by the seminary had revealed new details about several members of his family who worked there as general labourers, laundresses and janitors. His great-grandfather, a blacksmith, is believed to have been the first.

But Wanzer, 77, said that the seminary “can never make up for what happened 150 years ago, and the money is not going to change, personally, my views.” Wanzer said that in his own lifetime, he had experienced much of the racism that his ancestors endured.

“I never had to ride in the back of the bus, but I do remember the separate bathrooms and the separate water foundations and not being able to get served at the carryout,” he said, adding that those experiences had fueled his belief that he would never live to see atonement in the form of cash payments.

Markham said that he believed America was facing a reckoning over racial inequality and that the seminary’s program, though modest, would help nudge the nation away from its tendency to turn a blind eye.

“I think the time has come to say, ‘No, you can’t anymore,’” he said. “You actually do need to really face up to what happened, how it happened and how you make it right.”

One night in 1858, Carter Dowling, an enslaved Black man forced to work without pay at the Virginia Theological Seminary in Northern Virginia, made the brave decision to escape.

One night in 1858, Carter Dowling, an enslaved Black man forced to work without pay at the Virginia Theological Seminary in Northern Virginia, made the brave decision to escape. He made it to Philadelphia, where he met famed abolitionist William Still. He then continued north to Canada and, after the Civil War, returned to Washington, D.C., where he was able to open a bank account for his children. He eventually went on to work as a labour organizer in Buffalo. To this day, Dowling’s family line continues. And, most likely for one of the first times in American history, his descendants could receive cash payments for his forced labour. In February, the Virginia Theological Seminary began handing out cash payments to the descendants of Black Americans who were forced to work there during the time of slavery and Jim Crow. The program is among the first of its kind. Although other institutions have created atonement programs, such as scholarships and housing vouchers for Black people, few, if any, have provided cash. (The New York Times could not verify whether the seminary is the first to provide cash payments.) “When white institutions have to face up with the sins of their past, we’ll do everything we can to prevaricate, and we’ll especially prevaricate if it’s going to have some sort of financial implication,” said the Rev. Ian Markham, president and dean of the seminary, which is in Alexandria, Virginia. “We wanted to make sure that we both not just say and articulate and speak what’s right but also take some action — and we were committed to that from the outset.” The checks, about $2,100 this year, will come annually and have begun to flow to the descendants of those Black workers. The money has been pulled from a $1.7 million fund, which is set to grow at the rate of the seminary’s large endowment. Although just 15 people have received payments so far, that number could grow by the dozens as genealogists pore through records to find living descendants. The program authorized payments to the members of the generation closest to the original workers, calling them “shareholders.” If that generation includes people who have died, the payments would go to their children. And if that person had no children, the money would be split among the siblings of the eldest generation. The Rev. Joseph Thompson, the seminary’s director of multicultural ministries, remembers the day that Markham walked into his office and asked what he thought about creating a reparations program. “This is one of those things I never thought I would see in my lifetime — a serious, a kind of broad conversation about reparations in the United States of America,” he said. “That was a very striking moment for me.” The seminary’s leaders acknowledge that the particulars of who will receive money, and how much, could be complicated. Take the case of Dowling. While he was Black, his grandchildren identified themselves on official records as white, and so have their descendants. Maddy McCoy, a genealogist working with the seminary to find the descendants of enslaved individuals, said that while such situations have presented difficult questions, the seminary had tackled them head-on. “There is no manual that we are referring to as we move through this,” McCoy said. “With that, it’s going to be a lot of ups and downs and a lot of really, really difficult decisions and difficult conversations, but that’s what this work is.” The expansion of the program in the coming years will coincide with the seminary’s 200th anniversary in 2023. The seminary, a 25-minute drive south from Washington, has become the most powerful in the Episcopal Church. It graduates about 50 students a year and boasts a $191 million endowment. But the institution, for all its prominence, depended for decades on the labour of Black people who were never paid adequately for their labour — or were never paid at all. They included gardeners, cooks, janitors, dishwashers and laundry workers. The exact number of Black workers from 1823 to 1951 is still unknown, but they probably numbered in the hundreds. Among them was the grandfather of Linda Thomas, the first woman to receive a $2,100 payment from the seminary. Thomas’ grandfather, John Samuel Thomas Jr., worked at the seminary after World War I as a janitor and most likely also as a labourer on the seminary’s farm. Linda Thomas, 65, said her mother remembered growing up in a little white house on the campus. She said her grandfather had dreamed of becoming a minister but had been barred from applying to the seminary because of his skin colour. Eventually, near the end of World War II, he moved to Washington and became a minister before his death in 1967. Although the payments are modest, she said she hoped the program would mark a shift in the American narrative around reparations — both about the exploitation of Black people and the institutions that benefited. “For so many years, people with the sweat on their backs not only picked cotton but built institutions,” she said. While the seminary’s program is groundbreaking in the United States, William Darity, a professor of public policy and African American studies at Duke University, said such atonement programs should not be interpreted as sufficient in righting the wrongs of slavery or in eliminating the effects of racist policies. The only institution that can fund a comprehensive reparations program large enough to atone for the lost wages of slavery or bridge the racial wealth gap is the federal government, he said. “This is not a matter of personal guilt,” he added, estimating that such a comprehensive program would require $11 trillion. “This is a matter of national responsibility.” Public support for reparations has grown over the years, from 19% of those surveyed in 1999 to 31% in 2021, according to polls from ABC and The Washington Post. But even within the seminary, the atonement program drew some pushback. Markham said a handful of donors had objected and had said they would no longer contribute money. They also heard from some people who asked to be removed from the seminary’s mailing lists. In determining how to provide reparations, a common dividing line has been whether to provide cash. The City Council of Evanston, Illinois, agreed to distribute $10 million to Black families in the form of housing grants, though the particulars of that plan remain unclear. Earlier this year, Gov. Ralph Northam of Virginia signed a law requiring five public universities to create scholarships and community development programs for Black individuals. And in March, a prominent order of Catholic priests vowed to raise $100 million to benefit the descendants of the enslaved people it once owned. Payments are a fundamental part of the Virginia seminary’s program, said Ebonee Davis, the associate for multicultural ministries, but she added that relationships with families as well as the recognition of their ancestors’ contributions were also crucial. “I’ve cried on the phone with shareholders,” she said. “We’ve laughed and kind of shared our disbelief that this is actually happening.” It is no small task to confirm the identities of enslaved people who worked at the seminary, along with their descendants. It is likely that from 1823 to 1865, at least 290 people laboured there, according to the research staff. From 1865 to 1951, there were probably hundreds more. Gerald Wanzer, one of the shareholders, said the records examined by the seminary had revealed new details about several members of his family who worked there as general labourers, laundresses and janitors. His great-grandfather, a blacksmith, is believed to have been the first. But Wanzer, 77, said that the seminary “can never make up for what happened 150 years ago, and the money is not going to change, personally, my views.” Wanzer said that in his own lifetime, he had experienced much of the racism that his ancestors endured. “I never had to ride in the back of the bus, but I do remember the separate bathrooms and the separate water foundations and not being able to get served at the carryout,” he said, adding that those experiences had fueled his belief that he would never live to see atonement in the form of cash payments. Markham said that he believed America was facing a reckoning over racial inequality and that the seminary’s program, though modest, would help nudge the nation away from its tendency to turn a blind eye. “I think the time has come to say, ‘No, you can’t anymore,’” he said. “You actually do need to really face up to what happened, how it happened and how you make it right.”

Seminary built on slavery and Jim crow labour has begun paying reparations

Napoleon a misogynistic, slaving autocrat? France reviews Bonaparte's legacy on death anniversary

The local authority that runs London's historic financial district is planning to remove statues of two British colonial-era politicians over their links to slave trade.

The City of London Corporation voted on Thursday to remove the statues of two 17th and 18th century figures. The monuments to William Beckford, a former London mayor who drew his wealth from plantations in Jamaica that used slave labour, and John Cass, an MP and major figure in the Royal Africa Company that facilitated the transatlantic slave trade, the authority believes, were made in memory of leaders who had accrued wealth through the slave trade.

They will hence be re-sited.

The corporation launched a public consultation on monuments connected to slavery in September in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests that swept Britain and Europe following the&nbsp;death in US police custody of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, months earlier.

The demonstrations, which culminated in the toppling of a statue of Bristol slave trader Edward Colston during an anti-racism protest, sparked nationwide calls to remove monuments linked to Britain's colonial past.

The movement also faced a significant backlash, particularly after a statue of Britain's wartime prime minister Winston Churchill was targetted by protesters.

Earlier this week, new legal protections came into force meaning historic statues will only be removed in "the most exceptional circumstances".

Under the legislation, if a local authority intends to remove a monument and the national heritage body Historic England objects, the final decision will rest with communities minister Robert Jenrick.

(with inputs)

The local authority that runs London's historic financial district is planning to remove statues of two British colonial-era politicians over their links to slave trade.

The local authority that runs London's historic financial district is planning to remove statues of two British colonial-era politicians over their links to slave trade. The City of London Corporation voted on Thursday to remove the statues of two 17th and 18th century figures. The monuments to William Beckford, a former London mayor who drew his wealth from plantations in Jamaica that used slave labour, and John Cass, an MP and major figure in the Royal Africa Company that facilitated the transatlantic slave trade, the authority believes, were made in memory of leaders who had accrued wealth through the slave trade. They will hence be re-sited. The corporation launched a public consultation on monuments connected to slavery in September in the wake of Black Lives Matter protests that swept Britain and Europe following the death in US police custody of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, months earlier. The demonstrations, which culminated in the toppling of a statue of Bristol slave trader Edward Colston during an anti-racism protest, sparked nationwide calls to remove monuments linked to Britain's colonial past. The movement also faced a significant backlash, particularly after a statue of Britain's wartime prime minister Winston Churchill was targetted by protesters. Earlier this week, new legal protections came into force meaning historic statues will only be removed in "the most exceptional circumstances". Under the legislation, if a local authority intends to remove a monument and the national heritage body Historic England objects, the final decision will rest with communities minister Robert Jenrick. (with inputs)

Two statues in London to be removed because of links to slavery

Saudi Arabia has abolished its controversial Kafala system. The decision was announced on Wednesday by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

The ministry said it will remove restrictions tying millions of low-paid and vulnerable migrant workers to their employers, which had often led to abuse and exploitation. Called the Labor Relation Initiative, the reforms will come into effect in March 2021.

The plans, to take effect in March 2021, aim to make the Saudi labour market more attractive, the deputy minister for human resources said, by granting foreign workers the right to change jobs and leave the country without employers’ permission.

“Through this initiative, we aim to build an attractive labour market and improve the working environment,” Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthunain told reporters.

Saudi Arabia, which chairs the Group of 20 major economies (G20) this year, is seeking to boost its private sector, part of an ambitious plan to diversify its oil-dependent economy.

The move will help attract high-skilled workers and help create more jobs for Saudi nationals, Sattam Alharbi, deputy minister for development of the work environment, told Reuters in a phone interview, adding that hiring would be based on workers’ efficiency.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform plan is a package of economic and social policies designed to free the kingdom from reliance on oil exports.

The currently applicable kafala system generally binds a migrant worker to one employer. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have been calling on Saudi authorities to end that system which leaves workers vulnerable to abuses.

“The term kafala does not officially exist in Saudi labour laws since more than 20 years ago; however, there were many wrong practices of it that helped breach the contractual relation,” Alharbi said.

The new initiative will base the relationship between employers and workers on a standard contract that should be certified by the government and will allow workers to apply directly for services via an e-government portal, instead of a mandatory employers’ approval.

The ministry aims to certify the contracts of all foreign workers by the end of the first quarter of 2021.

(With inputs from agencies)

Saudi Arabia has abolished its controversial Kafala system. The decision was announced on Wednesday by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.

Saudi Arabia has abolished its controversial Kafala system. The decision was announced on Wednesday by the Kingdom’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development. The ministry said it will remove restrictions tying millions of low-paid and vulnerable migrant workers to their employers, which had often led to abuse and exploitation. Called the Labor Relation Initiative, the reforms will come into effect in March 2021. The plans, to take effect in March 2021, aim to make the Saudi labour market more attractive, the deputy minister for human resources said, by granting foreign workers the right to change jobs and leave the country without employers’ permission. “Through this initiative, we aim to build an attractive labour market and improve the working environment,” Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthunain told reporters. Saudi Arabia, which chairs the Group of 20 major economies (G20) this year, is seeking to boost its private sector, part of an ambitious plan to diversify its oil-dependent economy. The move will help attract high-skilled workers and help create more jobs for Saudi nationals, Sattam Alharbi, deputy minister for development of the work environment, told Reuters in a phone interview, adding that hiring would be based on workers’ efficiency. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform plan is a package of economic and social policies designed to free the kingdom from reliance on oil exports. The currently applicable kafala system generally binds a migrant worker to one employer. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have been calling on Saudi authorities to end that system which leaves workers vulnerable to abuses. “The term kafala does not officially exist in Saudi labour laws since more than 20 years ago; however, there were many wrong practices of it that helped breach the contractual relation,” Alharbi said. The new initiative will base the relationship between employers and workers on a standard contract that should be certified by the government and will allow workers to apply directly for services via an e-government portal, instead of a mandatory employers’ approval. The ministry aims to certify the contracts of all foreign workers by the end of the first quarter of 2021. (With inputs from agencies)

End to 'kafala slavery': Saudi Arabia announces major labour reforms

As per a report by the United Nations, called "Stacked odds", close to 29 million women and young girls are victims of 'modern slavery' — including practises such as debt-bondage and domestic servitude.

This report has come as an eye-opener for the world where women and young girls are ill-treated on a daily basis in various countries.

According to this report,&nbsp;one in every 130 women and girls are subjected to forced labor, forced marriage, debt-bondage and domestic servitude on a daily basis.

This number is&nbsp;more than the population of Australia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-stillbirth-every-16-seconds-and-this-could-get-worse-due-to-covid-19-pandemic-333385">Also read|&nbsp;One stillbirth every 16 seconds and this could get worse due to COVID-19 pandemic</a>

"The reality is that there are more people living in slavery today than any other time in human history,”&nbsp;Grace Forrest, the co-founder of the Walk Free anti-slavery organization said in a UN press conference.

Modern slavery is defined&nbsp;as "the systematic removal of a person’s freedom, where one person is exploited by another for personal or financial gain,” Forrest explained.

This report has been combined with observations, data and studies conducted by&nbsp;Walk Free, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-ngos-shaken-by-dr-congo-sex-abuse-claims-332143">Also read|&nbsp;UN, NGOs shaken by DR Congo sex abuse claims</a>

As per the report, 99 per cent of the victims of forced sexual exploitation are women. Additionally, 84 per cent&nbsp;of all victims of forced marriage and 58 per cent of all victims of forced labor are also women.

What is more saddening is that the researchers found out that this exploitation is slowly becoming a normalised concept and the pandemic is only making things worse for these victims.&nbsp;

"We’re seeing normalized exploitation in our economy in transnational supply chains and also in migration pathways,” Forrest said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beirut-blast-has-caused-trauma-to-600000-children-says-unicef-325388">Also read|&nbsp;Beirut blast has caused trauma to 600,000 children, says Unicef</a>

However, she explained that the report does not have the values of the year of pandemic, but the exploitation of women and young girls in the onademic has increased.&nbsp;"The world’s most vulnerable people have been pushed even further into this practice of modern slavery because of COVID-19.”

In order to help the ailing women and bring global attention towards this issue,&nbsp;Walk Free and the U.N.’s Every Woman Every Child program are launching a global campaign.

One of the main motives of this campaign will be to urge governments around the world to criminalise child and forced marriage — practises that are yet popular and decrimnalised in nearly 136 countries.

Forrest also aims to completely eliminate the practice of&nbsp;kefala — a bondage programme that legally binds a migrant worker to an employer or sponsor&nbsp;for the period of their contract.

She has also urged people to turn towards the exploitation-free products, rather than buying the products which are made by forced labour.&nbsp;"We know that women and girls are experiencing unprecedented levels of exploitation and forced labor in supply chains of the goods we buy and use every day – clothing, coffee, technology," Forest said.

As per a report by the United Nations, called "Stacked odds", close to 29 million women and young girls are victims of 'modern slavery' — including practises such as debt-bondage and domestic servitude.

As per a report by the United Nations, called "Stacked odds", close to 29 million women and young girls are victims of 'modern slavery' — including practises such as debt-bondage and domestic servitude. This report has come as an eye-opener for the world where women and young girls are ill-treated on a daily basis in various countries. According to this report, one in every 130 women and girls are subjected to forced labor, forced marriage, debt-bondage and domestic servitude on a daily basis. This number is more than the population of Australia. Also read| One stillbirth every 16 seconds and this could get worse due to COVID-19 pandemic "The reality is that there are more people living in slavery today than any other time in human history,” Grace Forrest, the co-founder of the Walk Free anti-slavery organization said in a UN press conference. Modern slavery is defined as "the systematic removal of a person’s freedom, where one person is exploited by another for personal or financial gain,” Forrest explained. This report has been combined with observations, data and studies conducted by Walk Free, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Also read| UN, NGOs shaken by DR Congo sex abuse claims As per the report, 99 per cent of the victims of forced sexual exploitation are women. Additionally, 84 per cent of all victims of forced marriage and 58 per cent of all victims of forced labor are also women. What is more saddening is that the researchers found out that this exploitation is slowly becoming a normalised concept and the pandemic is only making things worse for these victims. "We’re seeing normalized exploitation in our economy in transnational supply chains and also in migration pathways,” Forrest said. Also read| Beirut blast has caused trauma to 600,000 children, says Unicef However, she explained that the report does not have the values of the year of pandemic, but the exploitation of women and young girls in the onademic has increased. "The world’s most vulnerable people have been pushed even further into this practice of modern slavery because of COVID-19.” In order to help the ailing women and bring global attention towards this issue, Walk Free and the U.N.’s Every Woman Every Child program are launching a global campaign. One of the main motives of this campaign will be to urge governments around the world to criminalise child and forced marriage — practises that are yet popular and decrimnalised in nearly 136 countries. Forrest also aims to completely eliminate the practice of kefala — a bondage programme that legally binds a migrant worker to an employer or sponsor for the period of their contract. She has also urged people to turn towards the exploitation-free products, rather than buying the products which are made by forced labour. "We know that women and girls are experiencing unprecedented levels of exploitation and forced labor in supply chains of the goods we buy and use every day – clothing, coffee, technology," Forest said.

Around 29 million women and girls victims of modern slavery: UN report

A public garden, honouring a Black woman who fought for the liberation of slaves on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, was inaugurated in Paris.

Mayor Anne Hidalgo also announced plans to erect a statue of the woman, Solitude, at the site in northeastern Paris. It will be the city’s first statue honouring a Black woman.

Amid global protests against racism, French leaders have resisted taking down statues but pushed instead to design new monuments to honour more of lesser-known historical figures.

Solitude was born around 1772 to an African slave who was raped by a white sailor on the ship bringing her to the Antilles, according to newspaper Le Monde.

Solitude later joined Guadeloupe's resistance movement, according to city hall. Napoleon's forces arrested a then-pregnant Solitude, and sentenced her to death.

She gave birth on November 28, 1802, and was hanged the next day.

France abolished slavery again in 1848. Guadeloupe, a part of France, saw protests earlier this year against racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd's death in the US.

A public garden, honouring a Black woman who fought for the liberation of slaves on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, was inaugurated in Paris. Mayor Anne Hidalgo also announced plans to erect a statue of the woman, Solitude, at the site in northeastern Paris.

A public garden, honouring a Black woman who fought for the liberation of slaves on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, was inaugurated in Paris. Mayor Anne Hidalgo also announced plans to erect a statue of the woman, Solitude, at the site in northeastern Paris. It will be the city’s first statue honouring a Black woman. Amid global protests against racism, French leaders have resisted taking down statues but pushed instead to design new monuments to honour more of lesser-known historical figures. Solitude was born around 1772 to an African slave who was raped by a white sailor on the ship bringing her to the Antilles, according to newspaper Le Monde. Solitude later joined Guadeloupe's resistance movement, according to city hall. Napoleon's forces arrested a then-pregnant Solitude, and sentenced her to death. She gave birth on November 28, 1802, and was hanged the next day. France abolished slavery again in 1848. Guadeloupe, a part of France, saw protests earlier this year against racial injustice in the wake of George Floyd's death in the US.

Paris inaugurates city’s first park honouring a Black woman

Lebanon has approved a new work contract allowing foreign domestic workers to resign and keep hold of their own passport, but activists say the exploitative "kafala" system remains in place.

The economic crisis-hit Mediterranean country is home to around 250,000 migrants, mostly women from Africa and Asia, who toil away in people's homes as housekeepers, carers or nannies.

They are not protected by the country's labour law, but instead work under a set of laws, policies and customs called kafala repeatedly slammed by rights groups as allowing a wide range of abuse.

Under kafala, meaning "sponsorship" in Arabic, the employer sponsors the worker's legal immigration status in the country, and the latter cannot resign without their consent or they become undocumented. The law also does not ban withholding a worker's passport.

All this leaves a worker at the employer's mercy.

Lebanon's economic and coronavirus crises have increased the urgency for reform over the past year, with many families now paying their workers in the devaluated local currency, and some not at all.

In recent months, dozens of foreign helpers have been thrown out into the streets without due pay or even their passport, many of them interviewed by AFP.

After the August 4 blast at Beirut port that devastated swathes of the capital and killed more than 190 people, foreign workers have staged rallies outside their consulates appealing to be sent home.

The labour ministry finally this month published a new and revised work contract for domestic workers, the main legal document governing their stay in Lebanon.

- Private room, holidays -

Outgoing labour minister Lamia Yammine has said the new contract -- to replace a 2009 version -- "abolishes the kafala system".

Campaigners have welcomed the detailed five-page document outlining workers' rights, but say it is only a beginning.

"It is no doubt a much better version than the older one," said Amnesty International researcher Diala Haidar. But "a contract alone doesn't end kafala."

Most importantly, the new contract gives the workers the right to resign and change employers, and says they can keep their passport.

If their employer withholds their wages or passport, they can immediately quit without notice.

It finally gives the worker the right to the national minimum wage of 675,000 pounds ($450 before the crisis, less than $100 at the black market rate) -- albeit allowing the substraction of an undetermined amount to cover food, board and clothes.

The new contract states workers must be provided with a private, well-ventilated room with a key, an improvement after many women said they were forced to sleep in the living room or on a balcony.

It limits labour to eight hours a day in a six-day week, and details the right to daily rest, paid holidays and sick leave.

- Ink on paper? -

But activists warn that all these new provisions will amount to nothing without inspections and unless employers violating the agreement are held accountable.

"In the absence of an enforcement mechanism, this contract will remain ink on paper," Haidar said.

The old contract, for example, states the worker must receive their wages at the end of the month, but this had not stopped some from kicking out workers without pay.

"We haven't seen any employers held to account for this breach of the contract," she said.

A Beirut housewife, who employs a Filipina domestic worker, insisted there are two sides to the story.

"The employer needs to keep at least one document as security... I know some employers are bad but also some employees are ungrateful," the 59-year-old said, asking not to be named.

Rights groups have documented manifold abuses over the years, including no day off, locking workers inside the house, and physical or sexual assault.

Activists have reported up to two deaths a week.

They have repeatedly called for an end to kafala, which is common in the Middle East and often compared to modern-day slavery.

Zeina Mezher of the International Labour Organization (ILO) called the new contract "one step in the right direction" towards dismantling kafala.

But it's just "the first step on a road that is still complicated", she said.

She said support was needed to ensure a worker could resign without losing their residency permit.

Activists have also called for parliament to amend the labour law to bring all domestic workers -- Lebanese and foreign -- under its protection, and give them the right to set up unions.

Lebanon has approved a new work contract allowing foreign domestic workers to resign and keep hold of their own passport, but activists say the exploitative "kafala" system remains in place.

Lebanon has approved a new work contract allowing foreign domestic workers to resign and keep hold of their own passport, but activists say the exploitative "kafala" system remains in place. The economic crisis-hit Mediterranean country is home to around 250,000 migrants, mostly women from Africa and Asia, who toil away in people's homes as housekeepers, carers or nannies. They are not protected by the country's labour law, but instead work under a set of laws, policies and customs called kafala repeatedly slammed by rights groups as allowing a wide range of abuse. Under kafala, meaning "sponsorship" in Arabic, the employer sponsors the worker's legal immigration status in the country, and the latter cannot resign without their consent or they become undocumented. The law also does not ban withholding a worker's passport. All this leaves a worker at the employer's mercy. Lebanon's economic and coronavirus crises have increased the urgency for reform over the past year, with many families now paying their workers in the devaluated local currency, and some not at all. In recent months, dozens of foreign helpers have been thrown out into the streets without due pay or even their passport, many of them interviewed by AFP. After the August 4 blast at Beirut port that devastated swathes of the capital and killed more than 190 people, foreign workers have staged rallies outside their consulates appealing to be sent home. The labour ministry finally this month published a new and revised work contract for domestic workers, the main legal document governing their stay in Lebanon. - Private room, holidays - Outgoing labour minister Lamia Yammine has said the new contract -- to replace a 2009 version -- "abolishes the kafala system". Campaigners have welcomed the detailed five-page document outlining workers' rights, but say it is only a beginning. "It is no doubt a much better version than the older one," said Amnesty International researcher Diala Haidar. But "a contract alone doesn't end kafala." Most importantly, the new contract gives the workers the right to resign and change employers, and says they can keep their passport. If their employer withholds their wages or passport, they can immediately quit without notice. It finally gives the worker the right to the national minimum wage of 675,000 pounds ($450 before the crisis, less than $100 at the black market rate) -- albeit allowing the substraction of an undetermined amount to cover food, board and clothes. The new contract states workers must be provided with a private, well-ventilated room with a key, an improvement after many women said they were forced to sleep in the living room or on a balcony. It limits labour to eight hours a day in a six-day week, and details the right to daily rest, paid holidays and sick leave. - Ink on paper? - But activists warn that all these new provisions will amount to nothing without inspections and unless employers violating the agreement are held accountable. "In the absence of an enforcement mechanism, this contract will remain ink on paper," Haidar said. The old contract, for example, states the worker must receive their wages at the end of the month, but this had not stopped some from kicking out workers without pay. "We haven't seen any employers held to account for this breach of the contract," she said. A Beirut housewife, who employs a Filipina domestic worker, insisted there are two sides to the story. "The employer needs to keep at least one document as security... I know some employers are bad but also some employees are ungrateful," the 59-year-old said, asking not to be named. Rights groups have documented manifold abuses over the years, including no day off, locking workers inside the house, and physical or sexual assault. Activists have reported up to two deaths a week. They have repeatedly called for an end to kafala, which is common in the Middle East and often compared to modern-day slavery. Zeina Mezher of the International Labour Organization (ILO) called the new contract "one step in the right direction" towards dismantling kafala. But it's just "the first step on a road that is still complicated", she said. She said support was needed to ensure a worker could resign without losing their residency permit. Activists have also called for parliament to amend the labour law to bring all domestic workers -- Lebanese and foreign -- under its protection, and give them the right to set up unions.

Lebanon's new domestic worker contract: end to 'kafala slavery'?

A French magazine,&nbsp;Valeurs Actuelles, depicted a French lawmaker as a slave. The magazine has, now, issued an apology after the depiction was criticised by several French government officials.

The lawmaker in the image was&nbsp;Danielle Obono from the far-left party&nbsp;Defiant France, and the magazine mainly caters to the far-right audience.

Obono took to Twitter to condemn the depiction and said, "It seems 'That We-Can-Could-Nothing-Say' #BienPensance . Fortunately, we can still write racist sh**&nbsp;in a tea towel illustrated by the images of a black African French MP repainted as a slave ...&nbsp;The extreme right, odious, stupid and cruel. In short, equal to itself."&nbsp;(translated from French)

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Il paraît 'Qu'on-Peut-Pu-Rien-Dire' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BienPensance?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BienPensance</a>. Heureusement on peut encore écrire de la merde raciste dans un torchon illustrée par les images d'une députée française noire africaine repeinte en esclave... 
L'extrême-droite, odieuse, bête et cruelle. Bref, égale à elle-même. <a href="https://t.co/EupKSXZ207">pic.twitter.com/EupKSXZ207</a>
— Députée Obono (@Deputee_Obono) <a href="https://twitter.com/Deputee_Obono/status/1299411949239906306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Deputy Editor Tagdual Denis, on the other hand, claimed that the image was not intended to hurt Obono and it was surely not a try to gain attention. However, he did add that he regrets the image the magazine is being painted in on social media since the picture came out. "What I regret is that we are always accused of racism ... we are politically incorrect, it''s in our DNA."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-man-freed-from-prison-44-years-after-being-wrongly-convicted-of-rape-323859">Also read:&nbsp;Black man freed from prison 44 years after being wrongly convicted of rape</a>

Prime Minister Jean Castex from the conservative Republicans party tweeted: “This revolting publication calls for unambiguous condemnation. ... The fight against racism will always transcend our differences.”

The junior minister for equality and the only Black member of the French government, Elisabeth Moreno, who has rarely been on the same page as Obono also offered support to her on this matter and tweeted, "I don''t share Danielle Obono''s ideas, but today I offer her all my support.”

A French magazine, Valeurs Actuelles, depicted a French lawmaker as a slave. The magazine has, now, issued an apology after the depiction was criticised by several French government officials.

A French magazine, Valeurs Actuelles, depicted a French lawmaker as a slave. The magazine has, now, issued an apology after the depiction was criticised by several French government officials. The lawmaker in the image was Danielle Obono from the far-left party Defiant France, and the magazine mainly caters to the far-right audience. Obono took to Twitter to condemn the depiction and said, "It seems 'That We-Can-Could-Nothing-Say' #BienPensance . Fortunately, we can still write racist sh** in a tea towel illustrated by the images of a black African French MP repainted as a slave ... The extreme right, odious, stupid and cruel. In short, equal to itself." (translated from French) Il paraît 'Qu'on-Peut-Pu-Rien-Dire' #BienPensance. Heureusement on peut encore écrire de la merde raciste dans un torchon illustrée par les images d'une députée française noire africaine repeinte en esclave... L'extrême-droite, odieuse, bête et cruelle. Bref, égale à elle-même. pic.twitter.com/EupKSXZ207 — Députée Obono (@Deputee_Obono) August 28, 2020 × Deputy Editor Tagdual Denis, on the other hand, claimed that the image was not intended to hurt Obono and it was surely not a try to gain attention. However, he did add that he regrets the image the magazine is being painted in on social media since the picture came out. "What I regret is that we are always accused of racism ... we are politically incorrect, it''s in our DNA." Also read: Black man freed from prison 44 years after being wrongly convicted of rape Prime Minister Jean Castex from the conservative Republicans party tweeted: “This revolting publication calls for unambiguous condemnation. ... The fight against racism will always transcend our differences.” The junior minister for equality and the only Black member of the French government, Elisabeth Moreno, who has rarely been on the same page as Obono also offered support to her on this matter and tweeted, "I don''t share Danielle Obono''s ideas, but today I offer her all my support.”

French magazine depicts Black lawmaker as slave; issues apology

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday claimed that the Confederate flag was a symbol of “pride” for people of southern US.

The Confederate flag signifies a faction of US states that revolted against plans to end slavery of African Americans, which led to the 1861-65 American Civil War. Recently, ringing bells of police brutality and institutional racism, protesters have taken over the streets across major US cities.

'It depends'

This came in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis. Since then, many such instances of police brutality have come to light in the US, and around the world.

In conversation with Fox News, the leader said that people who liked the Confederate flag need not be racist, even though the flag largely symbolises white supremacy and slavery. It is also used by many hate crime groups such as the Ku Klux Klan.&nbsp;He said, "It depends on who you're talking about, when you're talking about”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-not-competent-to-lead-united-states-hes-mentally-shot-donald-trump-314508" hreflang="en">Joe Biden ‘not competent’ to lead United States, he’s mentally shot’: Donald Trump</a>

”When people proudly had their Confederate flags they're not talking about racism. They love their flag, it represents the South. They like the South ... I say it's freedom of many things, but it's freedom of speech”, he added.

This comes at a time when protesters are tearing down the remnants of Confederate legacy across the country, including statues, which was recently outlawed by Trump, causing a series of arrests in Portland on Sunday.

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'Freedom of speech'?

Besides claiming it qualifies as “freedom as speech”, in 2017 Trump was critical of people taking down Confederate statues, and claimed that there were “very fine people on both sides”.

NASCAR banned the flag earlier, which drew ire from the president.

Recently, US lawmakers including Republicans had initiated an amendment to remove the names of Confederate generals from US military bases within a year. Trump recently promised to veto the “National Defense Authorization Act”, saying “I’m not gonna go changing”.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/im-not-losing-donald-trump-refuses-to-commit-to-election-results-if-defeated-314500" hreflang="en">I'm not losing: Donald Trump refuses to commit to election results if defeated</a>

"We won World Wars out of these, out of these military bases, no I'm not gonna go changing. I'm not gonna go changing," he said.

He further said that similarly, the Black Lives Matter movement did not offend him, for it also represented freedom of speech. "I’m not offended either by Black Lives Matter. That’s freedom of speech," Trump said.

Many fear that Trump is disillusioning Republican leaders with his tactics. Recently, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, endorsed Democrat Joe Biden, while claiming that the Confederate flag represents “something that was never the USA”.

"It was the Confederate States of America. They were not part of us and this is not the time to keep demonstrating who they were and what they were back then," Powell, the black Republican leader said.

“We have one flag and only one flag only”, he added.

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday claimed that the Confederate flag was a symbol of “pride” for people of southern US. The Confederate flag signifies a faction of US states that revolted against plans to end slavery of African Americans, which led to the 1861-65 American Civil War.

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday claimed that the Confederate flag was a symbol of “pride” for people of southern US. The Confederate flag signifies a faction of US states that revolted against plans to end slavery of African Americans, which led to the 1861-65 American Civil War. Recently, ringing bells of police brutality and institutional racism, protesters have taken over the streets across major US cities. 'It depends' This came in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd in the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis. Since then, many such instances of police brutality have come to light in the US, and around the world. In conversation with Fox News, the leader said that people who liked the Confederate flag need not be racist, even though the flag largely symbolises white supremacy and slavery. It is also used by many hate crime groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. He said, "It depends on who you're talking about, when you're talking about”. Also read: Joe Biden ‘not competent’ to lead United States, he’s mentally shot’: Donald Trump ”When people proudly had their Confederate flags they're not talking about racism. They love their flag, it represents the South. They like the South ... I say it's freedom of many things, but it's freedom of speech”, he added. This comes at a time when protesters are tearing down the remnants of Confederate legacy across the country, including statues, which was recently outlawed by Trump, causing a series of arrests in Portland on Sunday. 'Freedom of speech'? Besides claiming it qualifies as “freedom as speech”, in 2017 Trump was critical of people taking down Confederate statues, and claimed that there were “very fine people on both sides”. NASCAR banned the flag earlier, which drew ire from the president. Recently, US lawmakers including Republicans had initiated an amendment to remove the names of Confederate generals from US military bases within a year. Trump recently promised to veto the “National Defense Authorization Act”, saying “I’m not gonna go changing”. Also read: I'm not losing: Donald Trump refuses to commit to election results if defeated "We won World Wars out of these, out of these military bases, no I'm not gonna go changing. I'm not gonna go changing," he said. He further said that similarly, the Black Lives Matter movement did not offend him, for it also represented freedom of speech. "I’m not offended either by Black Lives Matter. That’s freedom of speech," Trump said. Many fear that Trump is disillusioning Republican leaders with his tactics. Recently, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, endorsed Democrat Joe Biden, while claiming that the Confederate flag represents “something that was never the USA”. "It was the Confederate States of America. They were not part of us and this is not the time to keep demonstrating who they were and what they were back then," Powell, the black Republican leader said. “We have one flag and only one flag only”, he added.

Confederate flags not about 'racism', but about 'freedom of speech': Donald Trump

The police officer charged with the murder of Rayshard Brooks, who was killed on June 12, has been released from jail, a local television network WSBTV reported.

Garrett Rolfe, the officer in question, has been released on the condition of wearing an ankle monitor and obeying a curfew. The 27-year-old’s bond has been set at $500,000. He was charged with murder.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/ex-atlanta-policeman-charged-with-felony-murder-of-rayshard-brooks-306662" hreflang="en">Ex-Atlanta policeman charged with felony murder of Rayshard Brooks</a>

Brooks, a black man was killed amid protests over the murder of George Floyd at the hands of the police. Protests escalated after news broke that Brooks was shot in the back twice by Atlanta police on June 12, outside of a fast-food restaurant.

Over the last month, protests across the United States soared again racist behaviour by police, with many analysts backing the view that black folks are more susceptible to police brutality in the country, and have a higher rate of dying in an altercation with the police.

<h6><img alt="A Wendy’s burns following a rally against racial inequality and the police shooting death of Rayshard Brooks, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="fda07367-db75-47e9-959d-fc89c295f261" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-6_5.jpg" /> 
A Wendy’s burns following a rally against racial inequality and the police shooting death of&nbsp;Rayshard&nbsp;Brooks, in Atlanta, Georgia, US | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

A second officer involved in the murder, Devin Brosnan, 26, was put on administrative duty and charged with aggravated assault. Following the uproar, the city's police chief had resigned.

Protesters had torched the Wendy’s restaurant where Brooks was killed. The employees of the restaurant had called the police saying that a man had fallen asleep in the parking lot.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/gravitas-anti-racism-movement-another-black-man-killed-in-us-306137/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Brooks was killed amid a national wave of protests in the US sparked by the murder of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer, Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nine minutes. He was charged with second-degree murder and other three Minneapolis officers were charged with aiding and abetting.

Brooks was sleeping in his car when the police officer encountered him in the restaurant’s drive-through lane. Rolfe and Brosnan proceeded to administer a sobriety test, which led the situation to escalate.

In a video, Brooks was seen grabbing one of the officer’s Taser stun guns, and pointing it towards Rolfe before he was shot. However, investigators found that Rolfe had full knowledge of the fact that Taser had already been used twice, rendering it useless.

(With inputs from Reuters)

The police officer charged with the murder of Rayshard Brooks, who was killed on June 12, has been released from jail, a local television network WSBTV reported.

The police officer charged with the murder of Rayshard Brooks, who was killed on June 12, has been released from jail, a local television network WSBTV reported. Garrett Rolfe, the officer in question, has been released on the condition of wearing an ankle monitor and obeying a curfew. The 27-year-old’s bond has been set at $500,000. He was charged with murder. Also read: Ex-Atlanta policeman charged with felony murder of Rayshard Brooks Brooks, a black man was killed amid protests over the murder of George Floyd at the hands of the police. Protests escalated after news broke that Brooks was shot in the back twice by Atlanta police on June 12, outside of a fast-food restaurant. Over the last month, protests across the United States soared again racist behaviour by police, with many analysts backing the view that black folks are more susceptible to police brutality in the country, and have a higher rate of dying in an altercation with the police. A Wendy’s burns following a rally against racial inequality and the police shooting death of Rayshard Brooks, in Atlanta, Georgia, US | Reuters A second officer involved in the murder, Devin Brosnan, 26, was put on administrative duty and charged with aggravated assault. Following the uproar, the city's police chief had resigned. Protesters had torched the Wendy’s restaurant where Brooks was killed. The employees of the restaurant had called the police saying that a man had fallen asleep in the parking lot. Brooks was killed amid a national wave of protests in the US sparked by the murder of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white police officer, Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nine minutes. He was charged with second-degree murder and other three Minneapolis officers were charged with aiding and abetting. Brooks was sleeping in his car when the police officer encountered him in the restaurant’s drive-through lane. Rolfe and Brosnan proceeded to administer a sobriety test, which led the situation to escalate. In a video, Brooks was seen grabbing one of the officer’s Taser stun guns, and pointing it towards Rolfe before he was shot. However, investigators found that Rolfe had full knowledge of the fact that Taser had already been used twice, rendering it useless. (With inputs from Reuters)

Former officer charged with murdering Rayshard Brooks released from jail

The US Department of Homeland Security announce a special new task force Wednesday to protect historic monuments across the country, some of which have come under attack for glorifying the country's racist past. 
 
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said in a statement that he was positioning "rapid deployment teams" around the country to protect monuments and statues during the July 4th Independence Day holiday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/four-men-charged-for-trying-to-pull-down-statue-outside-white-house-309230" hreflang="en">Four men charged for trying to pull down statue outside White House</a> 
 
Many monuments have come under attack, and some pulled down, in the past month as protestors against police abuse of African Americans target figures of the pro-slavery south in the 1860s Civil War and other symbols of the country's legacy of slavery. 
 
But the monument protests have extended to revered early presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, both slave owners. 
 
In some cases, local governments under popular pressure have decided to remove the monuments themselves. 
 
President Donald Trump expressed outrage when on June 22 demonstrators attempted to pull down a statue directly in front of the White House of president Andrew Jackson, another slave owner who presided over the mass expulsion of Native Americans from their homelands in the 1830s.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/trump-issues-wanted-poster-for-people-who-vandalized-statues-308903" hreflang="en">Trump issues 'wanted' poster for people who vandalized statues</a> 
 
Trump demanded US law enforcement arrest and prosecute anyone who damages a monument and imprison them for the maximum 10 years. 
 
"DHS is answering the president's call to use our law enforcement personnel across the country to protect our historic landmarks," Wolf said in the statement.&nbsp; 
 
"We won't stand idly by while violent anarchists and rioters seek not only to vandalize and destroy the symbols of our nation, but to disrupt law and order and sow chaos in our communities." 
 
The new "Protecting American Communities Task Force" will coordinate law enforcement and provide intelligence to protect monuments, he said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/trump-signs-executive-order-to-protect-statues-makes-it-twitter-official-308907" hreflang="en">Trump signs executive order to protect statues; makes it Twitter-official</a> 
 
Trump tweeted early Wednesday that his recent executive order to protect monuments and statues is now in effect, reminding that damaging federal property could bring more than 10 years in prison. 
 
"Please do not put yourself in jeopardy. Many people now under arrest!" he wrote.

The US Department of Homeland Security announce a special new task force Wednesday to protect historic monuments across the country, some of which have come under attack for glorifying the country's racist past.

The US Department of Homeland Security announce a special new task force Wednesday to protect historic monuments across the country, some of which have come under attack for glorifying the country's racist past. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said in a statement that he was positioning "rapid deployment teams" around the country to protect monuments and statues during the July 4th Independence Day holiday. Also read: Four men charged for trying to pull down statue outside White House Many monuments have come under attack, and some pulled down, in the past month as protestors against police abuse of African Americans target figures of the pro-slavery south in the 1860s Civil War and other symbols of the country's legacy of slavery. But the monument protests have extended to revered early presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, both slave owners. In some cases, local governments under popular pressure have decided to remove the monuments themselves. President Donald Trump expressed outrage when on June 22 demonstrators attempted to pull down a statue directly in front of the White House of president Andrew Jackson, another slave owner who presided over the mass expulsion of Native Americans from their homelands in the 1830s. Also read: Trump issues 'wanted' poster for people who vandalized statues Trump demanded US law enforcement arrest and prosecute anyone who damages a monument and imprison them for the maximum 10 years. "DHS is answering the president's call to use our law enforcement personnel across the country to protect our historic landmarks," Wolf said in the statement. "We won't stand idly by while violent anarchists and rioters seek not only to vandalize and destroy the symbols of our nation, but to disrupt law and order and sow chaos in our communities." The new "Protecting American Communities Task Force" will coordinate law enforcement and provide intelligence to protect monuments, he said. Also read: Trump signs executive order to protect statues; makes it Twitter-official Trump tweeted early Wednesday that his recent executive order to protect monuments and statues is now in effect, reminding that damaging federal property could bring more than 10 years in prison. "Please do not put yourself in jeopardy. Many people now under arrest!" he wrote.

US creates force to protect monuments amid anti-racism protests

The Governor of Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo has signed an executive order to change the official name of the state as it has links to American slavery.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-appeals-court-orders-dismissal-of-criminal-case-against-michael-flynn-308322" hreflang="en">US appeals court orders dismissal of criminal case against Michael Flynn</a>

According to the state papers, the state's name is 'The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations' but the new order would shorten it to 'Rhode Island'.&nbsp;

“The pain that this association causes to some of our residents should be of concern to all Rhode Islanders and we should do everything in our power to ensure that all communities can take pride in our state,” the governor wrote.

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Rhode Island was founded on the principles of acceptance and tolerance, and our state’s name – and actions – should reflect those values.
— Gina Raimondo (@GovRaimondo) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovRaimondo/status/1275188309023735809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Democrat governor has said that the name will take effect as soon as it is 'practicable'. The executive order will apply to all state government communications, including agency websites and correspondence.

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The steps I am announcing today are just the beginning, and I am fully committed to continuing to work alongside the community in stamping out individual and institutional racism in our state.
— Gina Raimondo (@GovRaimondo) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovRaimondo/status/1275188381597736962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Many states have put similar efforts to remove 'plantations' from the name. The state's senate will also introduce a referendum for residents to vote on the change in the November general election. In 2010, such referendum was opposed by 75 per cent of voters, as per Providence Journal.&nbsp;

Harold Metts, Rhode Island’s only Black state senator, introduced the 2020 bill. He said: “Whatever the meaning of the term ‘plantations’ in the context of Rhode Island’s history, it carries a horrific connotation when considering the [country’s] tragic and racist history.”

In the United States, the word 'plantation' was associated with the institution of chattel slavery. However, the brutal chattel slavery has origins in Spain, but the plantation slavery was British.&nbsp;

The Governor of Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo has signed an executive order to change the official name of the state as it has links to American slavery. Also read: US appeals court orders dismissal of criminal case against Michael Flynn According to the state papers, the state's name is 'The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations' but the new order would shorten it to 'Rhode Island'.

The Governor of Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo has signed an executive order to change the official name of the state as it has links to American slavery. Also read: US appeals court orders dismissal of criminal case against Michael Flynn According to the state papers, the state's name is 'The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations' but the new order would shorten it to 'Rhode Island'. “The pain that this association causes to some of our residents should be of concern to all Rhode Islanders and we should do everything in our power to ensure that all communities can take pride in our state,” the governor wrote. Rhode Island was founded on the principles of acceptance and tolerance, and our state’s name – and actions – should reflect those values. — Gina Raimondo (@GovRaimondo) June 22, 2020 × The Democrat governor has said that the name will take effect as soon as it is 'practicable'. The executive order will apply to all state government communications, including agency websites and correspondence. The steps I am announcing today are just the beginning, and I am fully committed to continuing to work alongside the community in stamping out individual and institutional racism in our state. — Gina Raimondo (@GovRaimondo) June 22, 2020 × Many states have put similar efforts to remove 'plantations' from the name. The state's senate will also introduce a referendum for residents to vote on the change in the November general election. In 2010, such referendum was opposed by 75 per cent of voters, as per Providence Journal. Harold Metts, Rhode Island’s only Black state senator, introduced the 2020 bill. He said: “Whatever the meaning of the term ‘plantations’ in the context of Rhode Island’s history, it carries a horrific connotation when considering the [country’s] tragic and racist history.” In the United States, the word 'plantation' was associated with the institution of chattel slavery. However, the brutal chattel slavery has origins in Spain, but the plantation slavery was British.

Rhode Island to change official name over links to colonial slavery; Governor signs executive orders

Juneteenth, the commemoration of the end of slavery in the US, will be celebrated this year by Black Americans amid a national reckoning on race prompted by the police killing of George Floyd and the sweeping protests that followed.

On June 1865, Major General Gordon Granger landed on Galveston Island in Texas, along with 2000 union troops, and announced the end of both the Civil War and slavery. "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the executive of the United States, all slaves are free.'

For Texans, the first Juneteenth celebration started in 1866, with community-centric events, gatherings and feasts.

Juneteenth is likely to have a special significance this year with the killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta by white policemen. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/emancipation-day-juneteenth-and-its-significance-in-us-history-307011#portmanteau-306994">In Pics:&nbsp;Emancipation Day: Juneteenth and its significance in US history</a>

There is much discussion and introspection about race in America and racial injustice has become a part of the dinner table conversation.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-bizarre-trump-says-he-made-juneteenth-famous-307194/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

But like everything else, Juneteenth too has been stained by politics. US President Donald Trump claimed that he should be given the credit for throwing the spotlight on Juneteenth.

"I did something good: I made juneteenth very famous', this is what Trump told the US media. 
 
There's a lot of talk about Trump's first political rally since the coronavirus pandemic, which was originally supposed to be held today in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/think-about-it-as-a-celebration-trump-on-juneteenth-rally-305433">Also Read: 'Think about it as a celebration': Trump on Juneteenth rally</a> 
 
This is the same city which saw race riots 99 years ago on May 31, 1921. The incident referred to as the Tulsa race massacre or the Tulsa race riot, resulted in the deaths of over 300 people and is noted as one of the worst episodes of racial violence in US history.

The rally will now be held on Saturday and there is an uneasy calm in Tulsa ahead of the event. Experts fear that Trump's rally will worsen the racial unrest.

Juneteenth, the commemoration of the end of slavery in the US, will be celebrated this year by Black Americans amid a national reckoning on race prompted by the police killing of George Floyd and the sweeping protests that followed.

Juneteenth, the commemoration of the end of slavery in the US, will be celebrated this year by Black Americans amid a national reckoning on race prompted by the police killing of George Floyd and the sweeping protests that followed. On June 1865, Major General Gordon Granger landed on Galveston Island in Texas, along with 2000 union troops, and announced the end of both the Civil War and slavery. "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the executive of the United States, all slaves are free.' For Texans, the first Juneteenth celebration started in 1866, with community-centric events, gatherings and feasts. Juneteenth is likely to have a special significance this year with the killings of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Rayshard Brooks in Atlanta by white policemen. In Pics: Emancipation Day: Juneteenth and its significance in US history There is much discussion and introspection about race in America and racial injustice has become a part of the dinner table conversation. But like everything else, Juneteenth too has been stained by politics. US President Donald Trump claimed that he should be given the credit for throwing the spotlight on Juneteenth. "I did something good: I made juneteenth very famous', this is what Trump told the US media. There's a lot of talk about Trump's first political rally since the coronavirus pandemic, which was originally supposed to be held today in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Also Read: 'Think about it as a celebration': Trump on Juneteenth rally This is the same city which saw race riots 99 years ago on May 31, 1921. The incident referred to as the Tulsa race massacre or the Tulsa race riot, resulted in the deaths of over 300 people and is noted as one of the worst episodes of racial violence in US history. The rally will now be held on Saturday and there is an uneasy calm in Tulsa ahead of the event. Experts fear that Trump's rally will worsen the racial unrest.

Juneteenth coincides with global protests against racial injustice this year

The United States is currently witnessing two crises: COVID-19, and stressful race relations which have spurred protests across the country.

What largely began in retaliation against the police killing of a black man, George Floyd, has turned into a bigger debate about racism in America, and police brutality targeting people of colour.

Japan’s richest man feels this will impact the global perception of the United States.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/16-americans-who-went-to-a-bar-in-florida-return-home-with-covid-19-306553" hreflang="en">16 Americans who went to a bar in Florida return home with COVID-19</a>

In a conversation with CNN, Tadashi Yanai, the CEO of Uniqlo’s Fast Retailing said that he hopes the ongoing protests have a “positive impact” in the long-term, while juxtaposing it with the Civil Rights Movement.

The 71-year-old is Japan’s biggest billionaire, and one of the world’s most prosperous individuals. His company Fast Retailing is Asia’s biggest clothing retailer. As per Bloomberg data, his net worth is about $31.3 billion.

The company operates globally and its operations across major US cities like New York, Los Angeles have been hit hard. Yanai also referred to the political situation in the US as “untenable”, while calling for quick reformative action to end discrimination.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/second-wave-of-coronavirus-in-the-us-six-states-record-most-cases-ever-306544" hreflang="en">Second-wave of coronavirus in the US? Six states record most cases ever!</a>

He further told CNN that companies like his own are using this moment to bring about change in their own organisational set-up, and the purpose they serve in a post-pandemic world, where the distinctions between essentials and non-essentials become more pronounced.

The US is also witnessing a surge in the number of COVID-19 infections. The six American states to report record-high cases are Arizona, Florida, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Nevada. This comes in the aftermath of what many researchers claimed was the end of the country’s coronavirus peak. Many states have been forced to reopen in the middle of an economic crisis, with the country recording record unemployment rates after the lockdown.

The United States is currently witnessing two crises: COVID-19, and stressful race relations which have spurred protests across the country. What largely began in retaliation against the police killing of a black man, George Floyd, has turned into a bigger debate about racism in America, and police brutality targeting people of colour.

The United States is currently witnessing two crises: COVID-19, and stressful race relations which have spurred protests across the country. What largely began in retaliation against the police killing of a black man, George Floyd, has turned into a bigger debate about racism in America, and police brutality targeting people of colour. Japan’s richest man feels this will impact the global perception of the United States. Also read: 16 Americans who went to a bar in Florida return home with COVID-19 In a conversation with CNN, Tadashi Yanai, the CEO of Uniqlo’s Fast Retailing said that he hopes the ongoing protests have a “positive impact” in the long-term, while juxtaposing it with the Civil Rights Movement. The 71-year-old is Japan’s biggest billionaire, and one of the world’s most prosperous individuals. His company Fast Retailing is Asia’s biggest clothing retailer. As per Bloomberg data, his net worth is about $31.3 billion. The company operates globally and its operations across major US cities like New York, Los Angeles have been hit hard. Yanai also referred to the political situation in the US as “untenable”, while calling for quick reformative action to end discrimination. Also read: Second-wave of coronavirus in the US? Six states record most cases ever! He further told CNN that companies like his own are using this moment to bring about change in their own organisational set-up, and the purpose they serve in a post-pandemic world, where the distinctions between essentials and non-essentials become more pronounced. The US is also witnessing a surge in the number of COVID-19 infections. The six American states to report record-high cases are Arizona, Florida, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Nevada. This comes in the aftermath of what many researchers claimed was the end of the country’s coronavirus peak. Many states have been forced to reopen in the middle of an economic crisis, with the country recording record unemployment rates after the lockdown.

Global public perception of the US at stake, suggests Japan's richest man

Syria's central bank devalued the Syrian pound on Wednesday giving in to weeks of depreciation on the black market as new US sanctions took effect. 
 
The central bank raised the official exchange rate from 704 to 1,256 Syrian pounds to the dollar, in a statement published on its social media pages.&nbsp; 
 
The previous rate had been in force since March.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/opinions-blogs/china-shows-greater-interest-in-syria-amid-coronavirus-pandemic-and-deteriorating-ties-with-the-us-305295" hreflang="en">China shows greater interest in Syria amid coronavirus pandemic and deteriorating ties with the US</a> 
 
Earlier this month, the war-torn country's currency hit a record low on the black market of around 3,000 pounds to the dollar, sparking rare protests, before appreciating slightly after an apparent injection of dollars. 
 
On Wednesday, the rate on the parallel market stood at around 2,600 to 2,800 pounds to the dollar, traders told AFP. 
 
The devaluation comes as the United States prepares to implement new sanctions this week under the Caesar Act, targeting foreigners doing business with the Damascus government, as well as reconstruction of the country. 
 
Zaki Mehchy, a senior consulting fellow at the London-based Chatham House think tank, said the central bank was trying to minimise the gap between the official and black market rates.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/syria-records-20-new-coronavirus-cases-in-largest-single-day-increase-300964" hreflang="en">Syria records 20 new coronavirus cases in largest single-day increase</a> 
 
"It is trying to encourage people to use the official channel instead of the black market," he said. 
 
But the pound would probably continue its slide, punctuated by short periods of appreciation, he said.&nbsp; 
 
Syria's economy has been battered by nine years of war, and is now reeling from the knock-on effects of a financial crisis in neighbouring Lebanon that has stemmed the flow of dollars into government-held areas. 
 
Analysts have said the recent lows on the black market are likely due to worries ahead of the introduction of new US sanctions, and the sudden fall from grace of tycoon and cousin of the president, Rami Makhlouf, which has set other top businessmen on edge. 
 
The Damascus government has long blamed the country's economic crisis on international sanctions. 
 
Last week, President Bashar al-Assad sacked his prime minister of four years after criticism of the government's handling of the crisis. 
 
Before the conflict, the exchange rate stood at 47 Syrian pounds to the dollar.

Syria's central bank devalued the Syrian pound on Wednesday giving in to weeks of depreciation on the black market as new US sanctions took effect. The central bank raised the official exchange rate from 704 to 1,256 Syrian pounds to the dollar, in a statement published on its social media pages.

Syria's central bank devalued the Syrian pound on Wednesday giving in to weeks of depreciation on the black market as new US sanctions took effect. The central bank raised the official exchange rate from 704 to 1,256 Syrian pounds to the dollar, in a statement published on its social media pages. The previous rate had been in force since March. Also read: China shows greater interest in Syria amid coronavirus pandemic and deteriorating ties with the US Earlier this month, the war-torn country's currency hit a record low on the black market of around 3,000 pounds to the dollar, sparking rare protests, before appreciating slightly after an apparent injection of dollars. On Wednesday, the rate on the parallel market stood at around 2,600 to 2,800 pounds to the dollar, traders told AFP. The devaluation comes as the United States prepares to implement new sanctions this week under the Caesar Act, targeting foreigners doing business with the Damascus government, as well as reconstruction of the country. Zaki Mehchy, a senior consulting fellow at the London-based Chatham House think tank, said the central bank was trying to minimise the gap between the official and black market rates. Also read: Syria records 20 new coronavirus cases in largest single-day increase "It is trying to encourage people to use the official channel instead of the black market," he said. But the pound would probably continue its slide, punctuated by short periods of appreciation, he said. Syria's economy has been battered by nine years of war, and is now reeling from the knock-on effects of a financial crisis in neighbouring Lebanon that has stemmed the flow of dollars into government-held areas. Analysts have said the recent lows on the black market are likely due to worries ahead of the introduction of new US sanctions, and the sudden fall from grace of tycoon and cousin of the president, Rami Makhlouf, which has set other top businessmen on edge. The Damascus government has long blamed the country's economic crisis on international sanctions. Last week, President Bashar al-Assad sacked his prime minister of four years after criticism of the government's handling of the crisis. Before the conflict, the exchange rate stood at 47 Syrian pounds to the dollar.

Syria devalues currency as new US sanctions hit

A group of scientists have unearthed inconsistencies in the global body World Health Organization’s (WHO) study about the risks of contracting/spreading COVID-19 within a certain distance.

Recently, the United Kingdom announced plans to relax the two-metre physical distancing rule. Scientists warned that the study in question should not ideally be used to justify the relaxation.

After WHO earlier stipulated two metres as the ideal distance between two people, critics across the globe called it too cautionary a tale.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/coronavirus-spreading-like-wildfire-in-africa-test-kits-needed-who-305077" hreflang="en">Coronavirus spreading like wildfire in Africa, test kits needed: WHO</a>

The WHO research now being questioned claimed that a reduction in social distancing from two to one metres would increase increase the infection risk from 1.3 per cent to 2.6 per cent.

However, scientists believe the aforementioned research is short-sighted and should not be used as the blueprint to enforce distancing measures.

“The analysis of infection risk at 1 metre versus 2 metre should be treated with great caution,” Professor&nbsp;David Spiegelhalter, from Cambridge University told the Guardian. “I’m very suspicious of it”, Spiegelhalter added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/after-saying-asymptomatic-carriers-spreading-covid-19-very-rare-who-clarifies-304664" hreflang="en">After saying asymptomatic carriers spreading COVID-19 very rare, WHO clarifies</a>

Another researcher from Open University referred to WHO’s analysis as “inappropriate”, while adding that the research “should not be used in arguments about how much greater the infection risk is at 1-metre minimum distance as opposed to 2 metres”.

This brings into question the veracity of research papers published on online portals like the Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers found that some papers are being hurriedly written and published, making the conclusions hard to process and verify.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/confusion-in-the-times-of-coronavirus-who-is-a-poor-example-to-follow-304928" hreflang="en">Confusion in the times of coronavirus: WHO is a poor example to follow</a>

The two portals mentioned above were recently forced to retract a few studies after flaws surfaced.

Boris Johnson recently said that the two metre distancing rule will be put under review.

(With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

A group of scientists have unearthed inconsistencies in the global body World Health Organization’s (WHO) study about the risks of contracting/spreading COVID-19 within a certain distance.

A group of scientists have unearthed inconsistencies in the global body World Health Organization’s (WHO) study about the risks of contracting/spreading COVID-19 within a certain distance. Recently, the United Kingdom announced plans to relax the two-metre physical distancing rule. Scientists warned that the study in question should not ideally be used to justify the relaxation. After WHO earlier stipulated two metres as the ideal distance between two people, critics across the globe called it too cautionary a tale. Also read: Coronavirus spreading like wildfire in Africa, test kits needed: WHO The WHO research now being questioned claimed that a reduction in social distancing from two to one metres would increase increase the infection risk from 1.3 per cent to 2.6 per cent. However, scientists believe the aforementioned research is short-sighted and should not be used as the blueprint to enforce distancing measures. “The analysis of infection risk at 1 metre versus 2 metre should be treated with great caution,” Professor David Spiegelhalter, from Cambridge University told the Guardian. “I’m very suspicious of it”, Spiegelhalter added. Also read: After saying asymptomatic carriers spreading COVID-19 very rare, WHO clarifies Another researcher from Open University referred to WHO’s analysis as “inappropriate”, while adding that the research “should not be used in arguments about how much greater the infection risk is at 1-metre minimum distance as opposed to 2 metres”. This brings into question the veracity of research papers published on online portals like the Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers found that some papers are being hurriedly written and published, making the conclusions hard to process and verify. Also read: Confusion in the times of coronavirus: WHO is a poor example to follow The two portals mentioned above were recently forced to retract a few studies after flaws surfaced. Boris Johnson recently said that the two metre distancing rule will be put under review. (With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

Scientists question WHO's study on relaxing social distancing norms

The death of another Black man by a police officer in the United States, Rayshard Brooks, in Atlanta has triggered a fresh wave of protests in the country against police brutality and racism.

Brooks was shot at by an officer, who succumbed to gun shot wounds in the back.

The Fulton country medical examiner’s office has ruled it as homicide, while protests continue to rage for the fourth straight week in the country.

Brooks, 27, died from blood loss and organ injuries caused by the gunshot wounds, the autopsy revealed.

The statement from the medical examiner’s office referred to the manner of death as “homicide”.

<h6><img alt="A burned Wendy’s restaurant is seen on the second day following the police shooting death of Rayshard Brooks in the restaurant parking lot June 14, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4ac1257b-f9fb-4f2a-9220-9d5f1fab23c3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-3_20.jpg" /> 
A burned Wendy’s restaurant is seen on the second day following the police shooting death of Rayshard Brooks in the restaurant parking lot June 14, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Allegedly, Brooks was asleep in the drive through lane of a Wendy’s restaurant in Atlanta, after which an employee called the police. In the process of this, he was shot in the back, leading to his death.

Protests soon circled a Wendy’s store and set it on fire, the visuals of which made rounds on social media.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/video-released-of-moment-man-was-shot-by-2-cops-in-atlanta-watch-it-306020/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Earlier, George Floyd was knelt on by a police officer for almost 9 minutes which led to his death and spurred global outrage spreading as far as New Zealand and France.

Protesters in Atlanta were heard chanting “This is not a riot” while demanding justice for the murder.

The body camera footage of the police encounter with Brooks showed the conversation beginning in a friendly manner, but as officers proceeded to arrest him, there was restraint. As he fled with a taser gun, one of the officers shot him, after which he fell to the ground.

The death of another Black man by a police officer in the United States, Rayshard Brooks, in Atlanta has triggered a fresh wave of protests in the country against police brutality and racism.

The death of another Black man by a police officer in the United States, Rayshard Brooks, in Atlanta has triggered a fresh wave of protests in the country against police brutality and racism. Brooks was shot at by an officer, who succumbed to gun shot wounds in the back. The Fulton country medical examiner’s office has ruled it as homicide, while protests continue to rage for the fourth straight week in the country. Brooks, 27, died from blood loss and organ injuries caused by the gunshot wounds, the autopsy revealed. The statement from the medical examiner’s office referred to the manner of death as “homicide”. A burned Wendy’s restaurant is seen on the second day following the police shooting death of Rayshard Brooks in the restaurant parking lot June 14, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia | AFP Allegedly, Brooks was asleep in the drive through lane of a Wendy’s restaurant in Atlanta, after which an employee called the police. In the process of this, he was shot in the back, leading to his death. Protests soon circled a Wendy’s store and set it on fire, the visuals of which made rounds on social media. Earlier, George Floyd was knelt on by a police officer for almost 9 minutes which led to his death and spurred global outrage spreading as far as New Zealand and France. Protesters in Atlanta were heard chanting “This is not a riot” while demanding justice for the murder. The body camera footage of the police encounter with Brooks showed the conversation beginning in a friendly manner, but as officers proceeded to arrest him, there was restraint. As he fled with a taser gun, one of the officers shot him, after which he fell to the ground.

Brooks shooting in Atlanta was 'homicide', claims medical examiner

The Democratic National Committee's council on climate change irked party leadership when it published policy recommendations this month that ventured beyond presidential candidate Joe Biden's plan, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The party tension shows the tricky nature of climate politics as Biden seeks to court young and more progressive voters without turning off voters in energy-producing swing states like Pennsylvania and Ohio, where a boom in shale gas drilling had created blue-collar jobs.

Members of the DNC Environment and Climate Crisis Council,&nbsp;formed last year, published proposals for the party's four-year platform on June 4 in a press release, calling for up to $16 trillion in spending to shift the U.S. economy away from fossil fuels while banning hydraulic fracturing and oil and gas exports.

The council's proposals far exceed Biden's current climate plan, which bans new oil and gas permits on public lands and dedicates $1.7 trillion to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, but allows continued fracking and exports in the meantime.

Biden's campaign is updating its climate plan as it prepares for the Nov. 3 election contest against Republican President Donald Trump, a fervent advocate of fossil fuel drilling and mining who has downplayed climate change risks and unwound hundreds of environmental regulations.&nbsp;

Biden is being advised by a panel led by U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has called for a vast government-run effort to move away from fossil fuels, and John Kerry, who helped negotiate the Paris climate agreement as President Barack Obama's Secretary of State.

One senior Democrat familiar with the DNC's workings said climate council members overstepped by putting out recommendations ahead of the convention that are unlikely to be adopted in the party's platform, which will be drafted by a DNC committee by its August convention.

"It's a nonstarter," said the Democrat, who requested anonymity to discuss the matter. "Nobody takes them seriously. Joe Biden will be writing the platform for our national convention."

Two people close to the DNC said the council blindsided the party by publicly releasing the 14-page document.

"They acted like insurgents within the party trying to stake out a left flank before the convention," one of the sources said.

DNC and Biden campaign officials declined to comment.

The DNC agreed to create the council last year after angering environmental activists and progressives for declining to hold a standalone climate debate among competitors for the party's presidential nomination.

Council Chair Michelle Deatrick said the council has been in touch with both Biden's climate advisory panel and the campaign but published the recommendations ahead of the convention to help galvanize support for an aggressive plan.

"We are advocating to ensure these recommendations are adopted in the Democratic Party platform. We have strong support, and are building a coalition of environmental groups, Democratic Party groups and more," she said.

Deatrick was a campaign surrogate of Biden rival Bernie Sanders, who had released a $16 trillion climate plan last year before dropping his bid for the party nomination. Other council members include representatives and activists from conservation and environmental justice groups.

Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mineworkers Union, said the recommendations would have "political consequences."

"I can assure you that the mere issuing of this report has already cost Democrats potential votes in places like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan," he said.

The Democratic National Committee's council on climate change irked party leadership when it published policy recommendations this month that ventured beyond presidential candidate Joe Biden's plan, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The Democratic National Committee's council on climate change irked party leadership when it published policy recommendations this month that ventured beyond presidential candidate Joe Biden's plan, according to three people familiar with the matter. The party tension shows the tricky nature of climate politics as Biden seeks to court young and more progressive voters without turning off voters in energy-producing swing states like Pennsylvania and Ohio, where a boom in shale gas drilling had created blue-collar jobs. Members of the DNC Environment and Climate Crisis Council, formed last year, published proposals for the party's four-year platform on June 4 in a press release, calling for up to $16 trillion in spending to shift the U.S. economy away from fossil fuels while banning hydraulic fracturing and oil and gas exports. The council's proposals far exceed Biden's current climate plan, which bans new oil and gas permits on public lands and dedicates $1.7 trillion to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, but allows continued fracking and exports in the meantime. Biden's campaign is updating its climate plan as it prepares for the Nov. 3 election contest against Republican President Donald Trump, a fervent advocate of fossil fuel drilling and mining who has downplayed climate change risks and unwound hundreds of environmental regulations. Biden is being advised by a panel led by U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who has called for a vast government-run effort to move away from fossil fuels, and John Kerry, who helped negotiate the Paris climate agreement as President Barack Obama's Secretary of State. One senior Democrat familiar with the DNC's workings said climate council members overstepped by putting out recommendations ahead of the convention that are unlikely to be adopted in the party's platform, which will be drafted by a DNC committee by its August convention. "It's a nonstarter," said the Democrat, who requested anonymity to discuss the matter. "Nobody takes them seriously. Joe Biden will be writing the platform for our national convention." Two people close to the DNC said the council blindsided the party by publicly releasing the 14-page document. "They acted like insurgents within the party trying to stake out a left flank before the convention," one of the sources said. DNC and Biden campaign officials declined to comment. The DNC agreed to create the council last year after angering environmental activists and progressives for declining to hold a standalone climate debate among competitors for the party's presidential nomination. Council Chair Michelle Deatrick said the council has been in touch with both Biden's climate advisory panel and the campaign but published the recommendations ahead of the convention to help galvanize support for an aggressive plan. "We are advocating to ensure these recommendations are adopted in the Democratic Party platform. We have strong support, and are building a coalition of environmental groups, Democratic Party groups and more," she said. Deatrick was a campaign surrogate of Biden rival Bernie Sanders, who had released a $16 trillion climate plan last year before dropping his bid for the party nomination. Other council members include representatives and activists from conservation and environmental justice groups. Cecil Roberts, president of the United Mineworkers Union, said the recommendations would have "political consequences." "I can assure you that the mere issuing of this report has already cost Democrats potential votes in places like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan," he said.

US Democratic Party irked by council's 'insurgent' climate plan

The United Nations Human Rights Council is set to hold a debate on the ongoing crisis of racial discrimination clubbed with “ systemic racism, police brutality, and violence against peaceful protesters”.

According to UNHRC’s latest statement, the body will analyse related events in the United States.

The issue was brought to the body’s notice by African countries, and on a request made by Burkina Faso.

The United States does not hold the membership of the 47-member UNHRC in Geneva. Two years ago the US had quit the forum for its alleged bias against Israel.

<h6><img alt="People react on Highway 395 during a demonstration against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Washington, U.S., June 14, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="10e9d976-6fa6-4f92-811f-870b32e263cf" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-3_19.jpg" /> 
People react on Highway 395 during a demonstration against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Washington, US, June 14, 2020 | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

"The death of George Floyd is unfortunately not an isolated incident," said the letter which was marked to UNHRC.

The letter referred to the murder of George Floyd, who was knelt on by a police officer, following which he died on May 25 in the US city of Minneapolis. This stirred nationwide protests that have now spawned into a global movement against racial injustice and police brutality.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/virus-has-exposed-deep-seated-internal-crises-in-us-putin-305979" hreflang="en">Virus has exposed deep-seated internal crises in US: Putin</a>

"The numbers of previous cases of unarmed people of African descent who met the same fate because of uncontrolled police violence are legion," the letter said.&nbsp;“The international outrage provoked by the death underlined the importance of the Human Rights Council discussing these issue”, it further&nbsp;said.

The letter also claimed that 600 activist groups and relatives of victims have demanded a special session to address racism.

Amid calls to defund the police, the Minneapolis City Council on Friday approved a resolution which would disband contemporary policing methods in favour of a community driven safety mechanism for the citizens.

Just on Friday, another Black man Rayshard Brooks was shot by the police in Atlanta, which spurred protests across the country again.

(With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

The United Nations Human Rights Council is set to hold a debate on the ongoing crisis of racial discrimination clubbed with “ systemic racism, police brutality, and violence against peaceful protesters”.

The United Nations Human Rights Council is set to hold a debate on the ongoing crisis of racial discrimination clubbed with “ systemic racism, police brutality, and violence against peaceful protesters”. According to UNHRC’s latest statement, the body will analyse related events in the United States. The issue was brought to the body’s notice by African countries, and on a request made by Burkina Faso. The United States does not hold the membership of the 47-member UNHRC in Geneva. Two years ago the US had quit the forum for its alleged bias against Israel. People react on Highway 395 during a demonstration against racial inequality in the aftermath of the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Washington, US, June 14, 2020 | Reuters "The death of George Floyd is unfortunately not an isolated incident," said the letter which was marked to UNHRC. The letter referred to the murder of George Floyd, who was knelt on by a police officer, following which he died on May 25 in the US city of Minneapolis. This stirred nationwide protests that have now spawned into a global movement against racial injustice and police brutality. Also read: Virus has exposed deep-seated internal crises in US: Putin "The numbers of previous cases of unarmed people of African descent who met the same fate because of uncontrolled police violence are legion," the letter said. “The international outrage provoked by the death underlined the importance of the Human Rights Council discussing these issue”, it further said. The letter also claimed that 600 activist groups and relatives of victims have demanded a special session to address racism. Amid calls to defund the police, the Minneapolis City Council on Friday approved a resolution which would disband contemporary policing methods in favour of a community driven safety mechanism for the citizens. Just on Friday, another Black man Rayshard Brooks was shot by the police in Atlanta, which spurred protests across the country again. (With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

UN's human rights body to examine racism and police brutality in the United States

One of the most-widely used dictionaries, Merriam-Webster is set to change the definition of “racism” after a young black woman suggested the word should reflect the oppressive realities faced by many people of colour.

A graduate from Drake University in Iowa, Kennedy Mitchum contacted the dictionary makers to improve its definition of racism.

"I basically told them that they need to include that there's a systematic oppression upon a group of people," she told a local news outlet. "It's not just, 'Oh, I don't like someone.'"

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-votes-on-scrapping-law-which-protects-disciplinary-records-of-police-officers-304716" hreflang="en">New York votes on scrapping law which protects disciplinary records of police officers</a>

Peter Sokolowski, the editorial head of Merriam-Webster told news agency AFP that Mitchum’s request will be entertained and the meaning updated.

According to the Sokolowski, the dictionary has three available definitions of racism, and that it does touch on oppression. But with the new definition coming up, they intend to “make that even more clear in next release".

Racism is defined as "a doctrine or political program based on the assumption of racism and designed to execute its principles," and "a political or social system founded on racism” in the current edition.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nyc-police-officer-who-shoved-protester-charged-with-assault-304679" hreflang="en">NYC police officer who shoved protester charged with assault</a>

"This is the kind of continuous revision that is part of the work of keeping the dictionary up to date, based on rigorous criteria and research we employ in order to describe the language as it is actually used," Sokolowski told AFP.

Not just the word, but corollary worlds about racism will be updated to acknowledge oppression. He said, words "related to racism or have racial connotations" will be updated based on the new definition.

Additionally, he also apologised on behalf of the company for not addressing the issue sooner. "We apologize for the harm and offense we have caused in failing to address this issue sooner”.

The company has been publishing dictionaries since 1847.

One of the most-widely used dictionaries, Merriam-Webster is set to change the definition of “racism” after a young black woman suggested the word should reflect the oppressive realities faced by many people of colour.

One of the most-widely used dictionaries, Merriam-Webster is set to change the definition of “racism” after a young black woman suggested the word should reflect the oppressive realities faced by many people of colour. A graduate from Drake University in Iowa, Kennedy Mitchum contacted the dictionary makers to improve its definition of racism. "I basically told them that they need to include that there's a systematic oppression upon a group of people," she told a local news outlet. "It's not just, 'Oh, I don't like someone.'" Also read: New York votes on scrapping law which protects disciplinary records of police officers Peter Sokolowski, the editorial head of Merriam-Webster told news agency AFP that Mitchum’s request will be entertained and the meaning updated. According to the Sokolowski, the dictionary has three available definitions of racism, and that it does touch on oppression. But with the new definition coming up, they intend to “make that even more clear in next release". Racism is defined as "a doctrine or political program based on the assumption of racism and designed to execute its principles," and "a political or social system founded on racism” in the current edition. Also read: NYC police officer who shoved protester charged with assault "This is the kind of continuous revision that is part of the work of keeping the dictionary up to date, based on rigorous criteria and research we employ in order to describe the language as it is actually used," Sokolowski told AFP. Not just the word, but corollary worlds about racism will be updated to acknowledge oppression. He said, words "related to racism or have racial connotations" will be updated based on the new definition. Additionally, he also apologised on behalf of the company for not addressing the issue sooner. "We apologize for the harm and offense we have caused in failing to address this issue sooner”. The company has been publishing dictionaries since 1847.

Merriam-Webster will reframe definition of 'racism' to address oppression

Greg Glassman, the CEO of CrossFit has resigned after his comments on the US protests sparked trouble for him.

Currently, major American cities are witnessing protests over the murder of George Floyd, who was murdered by a policeman named Derek Chauvin. The officer knelt his knee on the black man’s neck for almost nine minutes, which led to his death.

He decided to resign after creating ”a rift in the CrossFit community and unintentionally hurt many of its members”, Glassman said in a statement on Tuesday.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="wionews.com/world/reebok-slams-crossfit-in-outrage-over-ceos-racist-tweet-304215" hreflang="en">Reebok slams CrossFit in outrage over CEO's 'racist' tweet</a>

"Those who know me know that my sole issue is the chronic disease epidemic," Glassman said.

"I know that CrossFit is the solution to this epidemic and that CrossFit HQ and its staff serve as the stewards of CrossFit affiliates worldwide. I cannot let my behavior stand in the way of HQ's or affiliates' missions”, he added.

CrossFit got involved in controversies over the past week over its silence on the murder of George Floyd, and for its failure to express solidarity with Black Lives Matter protests.

Corporations not only in the US, but across the world have openly voiced support to protesters in ending police brutality.

While referring to Floyd’s death, Glassman made a passing remark about the inclusion of racism into public health issues by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, and wrote, “Floyd-19”.

Building up on the tweet, Glassman said that the institute had failed with its coronavirus model and expressed disapproval for their “solution to racism”.

After his tweets, many brand partners like Reebok pulled out of their arrangements. Glasmman issued an apology on Sunday and asserted that the company “will not stand for racism”.

Dave Castor, the director of CrossFit games is expected to replace Glassman.

"I'm honored to take on the role of CEO of CrossFit, Inc.," Castro said in a statement.

Greg Glassman, the CEO of CrossFit has resigned after his comments on the US protests sparked trouble for him. Currently, major American cities are witnessing protests over the murder of George Floyd, who was murdered by a policeman named Derek Chauvin.

Greg Glassman, the CEO of CrossFit has resigned after his comments on the US protests sparked trouble for him. Currently, major American cities are witnessing protests over the murder of George Floyd, who was murdered by a policeman named Derek Chauvin. The officer knelt his knee on the black man’s neck for almost nine minutes, which led to his death. He decided to resign after creating ”a rift in the CrossFit community and unintentionally hurt many of its members”, Glassman said in a statement on Tuesday. Also read: Reebok slams CrossFit in outrage over CEO's 'racist' tweet "Those who know me know that my sole issue is the chronic disease epidemic," Glassman said. "I know that CrossFit is the solution to this epidemic and that CrossFit HQ and its staff serve as the stewards of CrossFit affiliates worldwide. I cannot let my behavior stand in the way of HQ's or affiliates' missions”, he added. CrossFit got involved in controversies over the past week over its silence on the murder of George Floyd, and for its failure to express solidarity with Black Lives Matter protests. Corporations not only in the US, but across the world have openly voiced support to protesters in ending police brutality. While referring to Floyd’s death, Glassman made a passing remark about the inclusion of racism into public health issues by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, and wrote, “Floyd-19”. Building up on the tweet, Glassman said that the institute had failed with its coronavirus model and expressed disapproval for their “solution to racism”. After his tweets, many brand partners like Reebok pulled out of their arrangements. Glasmman issued an apology on Sunday and asserted that the company “will not stand for racism”. Dave Castor, the director of CrossFit games is expected to replace Glassman. "I'm honored to take on the role of CEO of CrossFit, Inc.," Castro said in a statement.

Greg Glassman, CEO of CrossFit resigns after 'racist' remarks

Twitter Inc and Square Inc's chief executive, Jack Dorsey has announced that June 19 will be observed as a company-wide holiday in the United States to support racial diversity. He termed it as "Juneteenth".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/justice-for-george-floyds-brother-makes-way-to-first-congressional-hearing-since-his-death-304892" hreflang="en">'Justice for George': Floyd's brother makes way to first congressional hearing since his death</a>

June 19 commemorates US abolition of Slavery under &nbsp;President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation which was announced in the state of Texas in 1865 just after the end of the Civil War.&nbsp;

This move comes after the death of African American George Floyd in police custody triggered widespread protests against racism and police brutality, while also reigniting the debate on diversity and inclusion among corporate firms.

Jack took to Twitter to make this announcement.&nbsp;

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Both Twitter and Square are making <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Juneteenth?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Juneteenth</a> (June 19th) a company holiday in the US, forevermore. A day for celebration, education, and connection.<a href="https://t.co/xmR3fWMiRs">https://t.co/xmR3fWMiRs</a>
— jack (@jack) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack/status/1270448639622524928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The murder of George Floyd in the United States has triggered protests not only in the country but across the world. Protesters are demanding justice for Floyd while calling for an end to systemic racism which targets black people across the globe.

In the video that went viral after Floyd’s death, the officer was seen kneeling on the man for almost nine minutes, even when he was repeatedly telling the officer about his inability to breathe. It was only when the ambulance arrived that the officer retracted his knee from the neck. An hour later, Floyd was dead.

Derek Chauvin, the 44-year-old police officer who knelt on Floyd was charged with second and third-degree murder, with his previous bail set at $1 million. However, on Tuesday, the bail was raised by $250,000 to $1.25 million.

The officer from Minneapolis appeared in front of the court via video call and was seen in an orange jumpsuit with handcuffs.

Twitter Inc and Square Inc's chief executive, Jack Dorsey has announced that June 19 will be observed as a company-wide holiday in the United States to support racial diversity.

Twitter Inc and Square Inc's chief executive, Jack Dorsey has announced that June 19 will be observed as a company-wide holiday in the United States to support racial diversity. He termed it as "Juneteenth". Also read: 'Justice for George': Floyd's brother makes way to first congressional hearing since his death June 19 commemorates US abolition of Slavery under President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation which was announced in the state of Texas in 1865 just after the end of the Civil War. This move comes after the death of African American George Floyd in police custody triggered widespread protests against racism and police brutality, while also reigniting the debate on diversity and inclusion among corporate firms. Jack took to Twitter to make this announcement. Both Twitter and Square are making #Juneteenth (June 19th) a company holiday in the US, forevermore. A day for celebration, education, and connection.https://t.co/xmR3fWMiRs — jack (@jack) June 9, 2020 × The murder of George Floyd in the United States has triggered protests not only in the country but across the world. Protesters are demanding justice for Floyd while calling for an end to systemic racism which targets black people across the globe. In the video that went viral after Floyd’s death, the officer was seen kneeling on the man for almost nine minutes, even when he was repeatedly telling the officer about his inability to breathe. It was only when the ambulance arrived that the officer retracted his knee from the neck. An hour later, Floyd was dead. Derek Chauvin, the 44-year-old police officer who knelt on Floyd was charged with second and third-degree murder, with his previous bail set at $1 million. However, on Tuesday, the bail was raised by $250,000 to $1.25 million. The officer from Minneapolis appeared in front of the court via video call and was seen in an orange jumpsuit with handcuffs.

Twitter and Square announce company-wide holiday on June 19 to support racial diversity

The Trump administration on Tuesday overturned an Obama-era rule that barred hunters in Alaska national preserves from baiting bear traps or killing denning bear cubs and wolf pups or other practices that have been condemned by environmental and wildlife protection groups.Under the new National Park Service rule, effective July 9, hunting on natural preserves in Alaska will be controlled by the state, which allows baiting of brown and black bears; hunting of denning black bears with artificial light, killing of denning wolves and coyotes, hunting of swimming caribou and hunting of caribou from motorboats.

The Obama administration had banned all those practices in National Parks.

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The change stems from 2017 orders issued by then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to provide greater recreational access for hunting and fishing in Alaksa, National Park Service spokesman Peter Christian said, acknowledging that the rule-change was unpopular.

“I would say the vast majority of people did believe this was a controversial move and were almost entirely opposed to us lifting the ban,” he said.

"The Trump administration has shockingly reached a new low in its treatment of wildlife. Allowing the killing of bear cubs and wolf pups in their dens is barbaric and inhumane. The proposed regulations cast aside a primary purpose of national preserves to conserve wildlife and wild places," Jamie Rappaport Clark, president of Defenders of Wildlife, said in a written statement.

State officials said the Obama-era rule was wrongheaded.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nyc-police-officer-who-shoved-protester-charged-with-assault-304679" hreflang="en">NYC police officer who shoved protester charged with assault</a>

“From our perspective, the Park Service was infringing on our territory,” said Eddie Grasser, director of wildlife management for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, adding that some of the hunting practices now allowed in national preserves are part of indigenous culture.

Those practices are used by only a small number of people in a few places, Grasser said.

Another pending Trump administration rule, expected to be released on Wednesday, would overturn similar restrictions in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

The Trump administration on Tuesday overturned an Obama-era rule that barred hunters in Alaska national preserves from baiting bear traps or killing denning bear cubs and wolf pups or other practices that have been condemned by environmental and wildlife protection groups.

The Trump administration on Tuesday overturned an Obama-era rule that barred hunters in Alaska national preserves from baiting bear traps or killing denning bear cubs and wolf pups or other practices that have been condemned by environmental and wildlife protection groups.Under the new National Park Service rule, effective July 9, hunting on natural preserves in Alaska will be controlled by the state, which allows baiting of brown and black bears; hunting of denning black bears with artificial light, killing of denning wolves and coyotes, hunting of swimming caribou and hunting of caribou from motorboats. The Obama administration had banned all those practices in National Parks. Also read: Canada, US set to extend border closure to end-July The change stems from 2017 orders issued by then-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to provide greater recreational access for hunting and fishing in Alaksa, National Park Service spokesman Peter Christian said, acknowledging that the rule-change was unpopular. “I would say the vast majority of people did believe this was a controversial move and were almost entirely opposed to us lifting the ban,” he said. "The Trump administration has shockingly reached a new low in its treatment of wildlife. Allowing the killing of bear cubs and wolf pups in their dens is barbaric and inhumane. The proposed regulations cast aside a primary purpose of national preserves to conserve wildlife and wild places," Jamie Rappaport Clark, president of Defenders of Wildlife, said in a written statement. State officials said the Obama-era rule was wrongheaded. Also read: NYC police officer who shoved protester charged with assault “From our perspective, the Park Service was infringing on our territory,” said Eddie Grasser, director of wildlife management for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, adding that some of the hunting practices now allowed in national preserves are part of indigenous culture. Those practices are used by only a small number of people in a few places, Grasser said. Another pending Trump administration rule, expected to be released on Wednesday, would overturn similar restrictions in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge.

Trump administration ends ban on killing Alaska bear cubs, wolf pups

A New York City police officer who was recorded on video shoving a woman to the ground during a protest against police brutality was criminally charged on Tuesday over the incident.

Vincent D'Andraia, 28, who works in the 73rd precinct in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, was charged with misdemeanor assault, criminal mischief and menacing, as well as harassment, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said.

The criminal case is the first against a New York City police officer arising from two weeks of protests after the May 25 death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in Minneapolis police custody sparked worldwide protests against racism.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rest-in-power-george-floyd-buried-in-houston-amid-protests-304666" hreflang="en">'Rest in power': George Floyd buried in Houston amid protests</a>

D'Andraia, who had last week been suspended without pay, faces a maximum one-year prison term on the top count.

He made a brief appearance on Tuesday at a Brooklyn Criminal Court hearing. No bail was set. His lawyer was not available to comment.

The case arose from a May 29 protest near the Barclays Center arena in downtown Brooklyn.

Cellphone video showed D'Andraia appearing to shove 20-year-old Dounya Zayer to the ground and calling her a derogatory name.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-governor-andrew-cuomo-slams-trumps-claim-that-protester-fell-harder-than-was-pushed-304648" hreflang="en">New York Governor Andrew Cuomo slams Trump's claim that protester 'fell harder than was pushed'</a>

Zayer, who posted her own video from the incident online, has said D'Andraia shoved her after she asked him why he told her to move off the street. She said she suffered a concussion and has had seizures.

"The charges are a step in the right direction," Zayer's lawyer Tahanie Aboushi said. "Dounya was assaulted for the very reason she was protesting - police brutality."

Gonzalez said he could not tolerate excessive force toward peaceful protesters. "This is especially true of those who are sworn to protect us and uphold the law," he said.

Floyd died after a white officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes, in an incident also recorded on video.

Chauvin was charged last week with second degree murder.

A New York City police officer who was recorded on video shoving a woman to the ground during a protest against police brutality was criminally charged on Tuesday over the incident.

A New York City police officer who was recorded on video shoving a woman to the ground during a protest against police brutality was criminally charged on Tuesday over the incident. Vincent D'Andraia, 28, who works in the 73rd precinct in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, was charged with misdemeanor assault, criminal mischief and menacing, as well as harassment, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez said. The criminal case is the first against a New York City police officer arising from two weeks of protests after the May 25 death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in Minneapolis police custody sparked worldwide protests against racism. Also read: 'Rest in power': George Floyd buried in Houston amid protests D'Andraia, who had last week been suspended without pay, faces a maximum one-year prison term on the top count. He made a brief appearance on Tuesday at a Brooklyn Criminal Court hearing. No bail was set. His lawyer was not available to comment. The case arose from a May 29 protest near the Barclays Center arena in downtown Brooklyn. Cellphone video showed D'Andraia appearing to shove 20-year-old Dounya Zayer to the ground and calling her a derogatory name. Also read: New York Governor Andrew Cuomo slams Trump's claim that protester 'fell harder than was pushed' Zayer, who posted her own video from the incident online, has said D'Andraia shoved her after she asked him why he told her to move off the street. She said she suffered a concussion and has had seizures. "The charges are a step in the right direction," Zayer's lawyer Tahanie Aboushi said. "Dounya was assaulted for the very reason she was protesting - police brutality." Gonzalez said he could not tolerate excessive force toward peaceful protesters. "This is especially true of those who are sworn to protect us and uphold the law," he said. Floyd died after a white officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes, in an incident also recorded on video. Chauvin was charged last week with second degree murder.

NYC police officer who shoved protester charged with assault

A judge in Richmond, Virginia, on Monday issued a 10-day injunction against Governor Ralph Northam's decision to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from the city, according to the Washington Post.&nbsp;

Northam said last week that the statue should be taken down from its pedestal "as soon as possible", amid nationwide protests demanding racial equality following the death of George Floyd, a black man, in Minneapolis police custody on May 25.

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The injunction was issued by a Richmond City Circuit Court judge on Monday, the Post reported. A lawyer for the man who sought the injunction - William C. Gregory - did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did Northam's office.&nbsp;

Calling for the Department of General Services to remove the towering statue of Lee, Governor Northam acknowledged the move could stir anger among admirers of the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.

"Yes, that statue has been there for a long time. But it was wrong then and it is wrong now, so we're taking it down," Northam said last week.&nbsp;

At the time of the American Civil War, Virginia had been a slave-owning state, and Richmond had been the capital of the rebel Confederate states.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bail-raised-to-125-million-for-officer-charged-with-murdering-george-floyd-304432" hreflang="en">Bail raised to $1.25 million for officer charged with murdering George Floyd</a>

Waves of protests have erupted across the United States and abroad over the death of George Floyd, who died as an police officer drove a knee into his neck while he lay on the ground with his wrists handcuffed.&nbsp;

Protesters in Richmond have defaced the statue of Lee in the past week.

It has been repeatedly vandalized in recent years, while many other Confederate statues have been removed from numerous locations across the southern United States. Civil rights activists charge they promote racism while advocates of the statues contend they are a reminder of their heritage.

A judge in Richmond, Virginia, on Monday issued a 10-day injunction against Governor Ralph Northam's decision to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E.

A judge in Richmond, Virginia, on Monday issued a 10-day injunction against Governor Ralph Northam's decision to remove a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee from the city, according to the Washington Post. Northam said last week that the statue should be taken down from its pedestal "as soon as possible", amid nationwide protests demanding racial equality following the death of George Floyd, a black man, in Minneapolis police custody on May 25. Also read: New York to introduce a package of bills to curb police excesses The injunction was issued by a Richmond City Circuit Court judge on Monday, the Post reported. A lawyer for the man who sought the injunction - William C. Gregory - did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did Northam's office. Calling for the Department of General Services to remove the towering statue of Lee, Governor Northam acknowledged the move could stir anger among admirers of the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. "Yes, that statue has been there for a long time. But it was wrong then and it is wrong now, so we're taking it down," Northam said last week. At the time of the American Civil War, Virginia had been a slave-owning state, and Richmond had been the capital of the rebel Confederate states. Also read: Bail raised to $1.25 million for officer charged with murdering George Floyd Waves of protests have erupted across the United States and abroad over the death of George Floyd, who died as an police officer drove a knee into his neck while he lay on the ground with his wrists handcuffed. Protesters in Richmond have defaced the statue of Lee in the past week. It has been repeatedly vandalized in recent years, while many other Confederate statues have been removed from numerous locations across the southern United States. Civil rights activists charge they promote racism while advocates of the statues contend they are a reminder of their heritage.

Virginia judge blocks governor's demand to pull down Confederate statue

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