The death of George Floyd in the US has triggered mass protests. Floyd was suffocated to death under police custody. WION'S Palki Sharma brings you a video timeline of what happened on the 25th of May.

Gravitas: How George Floyd's death unfolded in Minneapolis? | US Riots

Various agencies of the United States often issue resolutions on human rights violations across the world. But, does the US practice what it preaches? WION's Palki Sharma tells you how America has failed to ensure equal rights to the African American community.

Gravitas: The United States | The biggest violator of human rights?

The death of an African American in Minnesota has triggered violent mass protests. The clashes between the cops and the protesters even led to riots and mass looting. WION's Palki Sharma sums up how America's moral authority and credibility is fast eroding.

Gravitas: Superpower unravels | Riots in the United States

Politics is intensifying after the death of an African American in the United States triggered violent protests. WION'a Palki Sharma tells you how the opposition is blaming US President Donald Trump for the escalating tensions.

Gravitas: United States | Politics erupts over the death of an African American

The US leaves no opportunity in commenting on the affairs of other countries. What does the world make of violence in America? WION's Palki Sharma brings you global reactions.

Gravitas: Riots in the United States | How is the world reacting?

President Donald Trump on Tuesday taunted state governors for not embracing his proposal to send in the US&nbsp;military to quell unrest, hours after five officers were shot and wounded in an escalation of tensions between law enforcement and crowds protesting the killing of a black man in police custody.

Demonstrators smashed windows and looted stores in New York City late on Monday, including luxury retailers on Fifth Avenue, and set fire to a Los Angeles strip mall. Four officers were shot and wounded in St. Louis and one in Las Vegas who was critically wounded, authorities said.

Trump has threatened to use the military to crack down on the unrest, now in a second week, and has derided local authorities, including U.S. governors, for their response to the violent protests.

"New York was lost to the looters, thugs, Radical Left, and all others forms of Lowlife &amp; Scum. The Governor refuses to accept my offer of a dominating National Guard. NYC was ripped to pieces," tweeted Trump, a Republican, in a reference to New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo.

<h6><img alt="Protesters wearing protective face coverings peacefully march down Broadway from the State Capitol despite the 9 p.m. curfew in Denver, Colorado, U.S., June 1, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ff8179bc-05ef-46f7-9210-38b4181111aa" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-2_16.jpg" /> 
Protesters wearing protective face coverings peacefully march down Broadway from the State Capitol despite the 9 p.m. curfew in Denver, Colorado, U.S., June 1, 2020 | Reuters</h6>

Trump has provided no evidence that leftists are behind the violence that has engulfed U.S. cities.

Cuomo said he was outraged by the violence and looting in New York City on Monday, and that the city's mayor and police force "did not do their job last night." He said he believed Mayor Bill de Blasio underestimated the scope of the problem.&nbsp;

The governor said he had offered the state's mayors support from state police or 13,000 National Guard who are on standby and said that with a 38,000-strong police force, New York City should be able to address its unrest on its own. He said the president sought to blur the line between protesters with a legitimate cause and looters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadians-watching-the-us-in-horror-says-prime-minister-justin-trudeau-302710" hreflang="en">Canadians watching the US 'in horror', says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau</a>

De Blasio poured cold water on the idea of bringing the National Guard to America's largest city. He said when forces not trained to handle New York City crowds intervene, "still with loaded weapons and under stress, horrible things happen."

The head of the National Guard, General Joseph Lengyel, said violence had decreased across the United States on Monday night, even as protest activity was sustained or increased. He said no Guard members were injured overnight.

Lengyel said 18,000 Guard members were assisting local law enforcement in 29 states, a figure that was increasing.

Clashes with police

The violent U.S. protests were triggered by the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American who died after a white policeman pinned his neck under a knee for nearly nine minutes in Minneapolis on May 25.

Derek Chauvin, the 44-year-old Minneapolis police officer who planted his knee on Floyd's neck, has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers involved have not been charged.

Floyd's death has reignited the explosive issue of excessive police force, especially against African Americans, and raised tensions on the front lines where officers have faced off against sometimes hostile crowds.

Four officers in St. Louis were shot late on Monday and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. An emotional St. Louis police commissioner, John Hayden, said about 200 protesters were looting and hurling fireworks and rocks at officers.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-dispatch-rioters-vandalize-stores-as-protest-turns-violent-in-us-302699/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"They had officers with gas poured on them. What is going on? How can this be? Mr Floyd was killed somewhere else and they are tearing up cities all across the country,” he told reporters.

A police officer was shot during protests in Las Vegas, police there said in a statement. Officers were injured in clashes elsewhere, including one who was in critical condition after being hit by a car in the Bronx, police said.&nbsp;

The protests have escalated racial tensions in a politically divided country that has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with African Americans accounting for a disproportionately high number of cases.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Tuesday told ABC News he is "considering all charges" against the officers involved in the Floyd case and that "all options are on the table."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-night-curfew-to-be-extended-amid-violence-302704" hreflang="en">New York night curfew to be extended amid violence</a>

Trump, who is seeking re-election in November, has condemned the killing of Floyd and promised justice, but he has vowed to take action to stop rightful protests from being hijacked by an "angry mob," deploying thousands of armed soldiers and law enforcement in the U.S. capital and vowing to do the same elsewhere if mayors and governors fail to regain control.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden pledged in a speech on Tuesday to try to heal the racial divide in America and blasted Trump's response to the protests.

Dozens of cities are under curfews not seen since riots after the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

"President Trump is right to be focused on law and order. He wasn't hired to be the consoler-in-chief," said Jason Miller, who advised the Republican president's 2016 presidential campaign.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday taunted state governors for not embracing his proposal to send in the US military to quell unrest, hours after five officers were shot and wounded in an escalation of tensions between law enforcement and crowds protesting the killing of a black man in police custody.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday taunted state governors for not embracing his proposal to send in the US military to quell unrest, hours after five officers were shot and wounded in an escalation of tensions between law enforcement and crowds protesting the killing of a black man in police custody. Demonstrators smashed windows and looted stores in New York City late on Monday, including luxury retailers on Fifth Avenue, and set fire to a Los Angeles strip mall. Four officers were shot and wounded in St. Louis and one in Las Vegas who was critically wounded, authorities said. Trump has threatened to use the military to crack down on the unrest, now in a second week, and has derided local authorities, including U.S. governors, for their response to the violent protests. "New York was lost to the looters, thugs, Radical Left, and all others forms of Lowlife & Scum. The Governor refuses to accept my offer of a dominating National Guard. NYC was ripped to pieces," tweeted Trump, a Republican, in a reference to New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo. Protesters wearing protective face coverings peacefully march down Broadway from the State Capitol despite the 9 p.m. curfew in Denver, Colorado, U.S., June 1, 2020 | Reuters Trump has provided no evidence that leftists are behind the violence that has engulfed U.S. cities. Cuomo said he was outraged by the violence and looting in New York City on Monday, and that the city's mayor and police force "did not do their job last night." He said he believed Mayor Bill de Blasio underestimated the scope of the problem. The governor said he had offered the state's mayors support from state police or 13,000 National Guard who are on standby and said that with a 38,000-strong police force, New York City should be able to address its unrest on its own. He said the president sought to blur the line between protesters with a legitimate cause and looters. Also read: Canadians watching the US 'in horror', says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau De Blasio poured cold water on the idea of bringing the National Guard to America's largest city. He said when forces not trained to handle New York City crowds intervene, "still with loaded weapons and under stress, horrible things happen." The head of the National Guard, General Joseph Lengyel, said violence had decreased across the United States on Monday night, even as protest activity was sustained or increased. He said no Guard members were injured overnight. Lengyel said 18,000 Guard members were assisting local law enforcement in 29 states, a figure that was increasing. Clashes with police The violent U.S. protests were triggered by the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American who died after a white policeman pinned his neck under a knee for nearly nine minutes in Minneapolis on May 25. Derek Chauvin, the 44-year-old Minneapolis police officer who planted his knee on Floyd's neck, has been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Three other officers involved have not been charged. Floyd's death has reignited the explosive issue of excessive police force, especially against African Americans, and raised tensions on the front lines where officers have faced off against sometimes hostile crowds. Four officers in St. Louis were shot late on Monday and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. An emotional St. Louis police commissioner, John Hayden, said about 200 protesters were looting and hurling fireworks and rocks at officers. "They had officers with gas poured on them. What is going on? How can this be? Mr Floyd was killed somewhere else and they are tearing up cities all across the country,” he told reporters. A police officer was shot during protests in Las Vegas, police there said in a statement. Officers were injured in clashes elsewhere, including one who was in critical condition after being hit by a car in the Bronx, police said. The protests have escalated racial tensions in a politically divided country that has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, with African Americans accounting for a disproportionately high number of cases. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on Tuesday told ABC News he is "considering all charges" against the officers involved in the Floyd case and that "all options are on the table." Also read: New York night curfew to be extended amid violence Trump, who is seeking re-election in November, has condemned the killing of Floyd and promised justice, but he has vowed to take action to stop rightful protests from being hijacked by an "angry mob," deploying thousands of armed soldiers and law enforcement in the U.S. capital and vowing to do the same elsewhere if mayors and governors fail to regain control. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden pledged in a speech on Tuesday to try to heal the racial divide in America and blasted Trump's response to the protests. Dozens of cities are under curfews not seen since riots after the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. "President Trump is right to be focused on law and order. He wasn't hired to be the consoler-in-chief," said Jason Miller, who advised the Republican president's 2016 presidential campaign.

New York ripped to pieces, Governor refuses dominating National Guard: Trump

The chance of transmission without a face mask or respirator (like an N95 mask) was 17.4%, while that fell to 3.1% when a mask was worn

Volunteers Deliver Masks In London

While alluding to the ongoing protests in the United States over the murder of George Floyd who was pinned down by a cop in Minneapolis, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserted that Canadians were watching the mishaps in the US “in horror”.

The US president, Donald Trump had recently threatened to call in the military to quell the protests across American cities, and had previously referred to the protesters as “thugs”. Over 4,000 protesters have arrested in the country so far.

"We all watch in horror and consternation what's going on in the United States”, Trudeau said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trump-poses-for-cameras-with-bible-in-hand-amid-riots-302684" hreflang="en">US President Trump poses for cameras with bible in hand amid riots</a>

"It is a time to pull people together... it is a time to listen, to learn what injustices continue despite progress over years and decades”, the Canadian Prime Minister added.

He additionally called on Canadians to work hard to fight racism on Canadian soil as well.

However, when pressed for more comments over Trump’s actions, Trudeau responded to a reporter with, "My job as a Canadian prime minister is to stand up for Canadians”.

Related video:&nbsp;Riots grip America -&nbsp;Stars share powerful messages in support of George Floyd

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://wionews.com/videos/riots-grip-america-stars-share-powerful-messages-in-support-of-george-floyd-302626/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Trudeau had been on the forefront for speaking out against racism since his election, however photos of him donning the “blackface” surfaced last September, almost jeopardising his re-election.

Protests are currently going on across the United States. The demonstrations began in after a black man, George Floyd was knelt on and killed by a policeman in Minneapolis, a city in the US state of Minnesota. The man died on May 25, raising concerns of race-oriented state brutality in the country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-protests-highlight-inequalities-and-endemic-racial-discrimination-un-rights-chief-michelle-bachelet-302667" hreflang="en">US protests highlight inequalities and endemic racial discrimination: UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet</a>

George Floyd was 46 years old. He was accused of buying cigarettes with a fake 20 dollar bill. 17 minutes after he was arrested, he was lying dead on the ground.

President Donald Trump threatened to deploy the military if states and cities failed to quell the protests sparked by the death of George Floyd.

Calling himself the "law and order" president, Trump said that&nbsp;he was deploying thousands of "heavily armed" soldiers and police to prevent further protests in Washington, where buildings and monuments have been vandalised near the White House.

“My first and highest duty as president is to defend our great country and the American people,” Trump said. “I swore an oath to uphold the laws of our nation and that is exactly what I will do.”

(With inputs from Reuters)

While alluding to the ongoing protests in the United States over the murder of George Floyd who was pinned down by a cop in Minneapolis, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserted that Canadians were watching the mishaps in the US “in horror”.

While alluding to the ongoing protests in the United States over the murder of George Floyd who was pinned down by a cop in Minneapolis, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asserted that Canadians were watching the mishaps in the US “in horror”. The US president, Donald Trump had recently threatened to call in the military to quell the protests across American cities, and had previously referred to the protesters as “thugs”. Over 4,000 protesters have arrested in the country so far. "We all watch in horror and consternation what's going on in the United States”, Trudeau said. Also read: US President Trump poses for cameras with bible in hand amid riots "It is a time to pull people together... it is a time to listen, to learn what injustices continue despite progress over years and decades”, the Canadian Prime Minister added. He additionally called on Canadians to work hard to fight racism on Canadian soil as well. However, when pressed for more comments over Trump’s actions, Trudeau responded to a reporter with, "My job as a Canadian prime minister is to stand up for Canadians”. Related video: Riots grip America - Stars share powerful messages in support of George Floyd Trudeau had been on the forefront for speaking out against racism since his election, however photos of him donning the “blackface” surfaced last September, almost jeopardising his re-election. Protests are currently going on across the United States. The demonstrations began in after a black man, George Floyd was knelt on and killed by a policeman in Minneapolis, a city in the US state of Minnesota. The man died on May 25, raising concerns of race-oriented state brutality in the country. Also read: US protests highlight inequalities and endemic racial discrimination: UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet George Floyd was 46 years old. He was accused of buying cigarettes with a fake 20 dollar bill. 17 minutes after he was arrested, he was lying dead on the ground. President Donald Trump threatened to deploy the military if states and cities failed to quell the protests sparked by the death of George Floyd. Calling himself the "law and order" president, Trump said that he was deploying thousands of "heavily armed" soldiers and police to prevent further protests in Washington, where buildings and monuments have been vandalised near the White House. “My first and highest duty as president is to defend our great country and the American people,” Trump said. “I swore an oath to uphold the laws of our nation and that is exactly what I will do.” (With inputs from Reuters)

Canadians watching the US 'in horror', says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

As US drafts sanctions on many Chinese firms in order to counter its autonomous Hong Kong Security Bill, China retaliated by saying 'Stay out of Hong Kong'.

China warns US to 'Stay out of Hong Kong'

Britain urged China to rethink its plans and the strategy therein to assert more control over Hong Kong, which was earlier British territory, and was handed back to China under special terms -&nbsp;including democratic freedoms.

"There is time for China to reconsider," UK’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said while referring to the new security laws, which have spurred protests across the city.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-considering-offering-citizenship-to-hong-kongers-amid-crisis-with-china-302621" hreflang="en">United States 'considering' offering citizenship to Hong Kongers amid crisis with China</a>

“There is a moment for China to step back from the brink and respect Hong Kong's autonomy and respect China's own international obligations”, Raab added,

China’s parliament recently approved the new security law. This makes disapproval of the Chinese government a crime, with sedition as one of the main charges now allowed to be used against naysayers.

<h6><img alt="A pro-democracy protester (C) waves a British colonial flag during a &quot;Lunch With You&quot; rally at a shopping mall in the Central district in Hong Kong on June 1, 2020." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d8302af4-3158-4775-a3e4-e220ad473381" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-2_14.jpg" /> 
A pro-democracy protester (C) waves a British colonial flag during a "Lunch With You" rally at a shopping mall in the Central district in Hong Kong on June 1, 2020 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Recently, UK ministers wrote to the government to begin a coordinated international response to the crisis, which would also include offering hosting Hong Kongers in the country. The UK’s Indian-origin Home Secretary Priti Patel promised support to the people of Hong Kong. More people from Hong Kong are now eligible to apply for UK citizenship, as an international relief measure.

Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997 as part of the “Two Systems, One Country” vision which guaranteed privileges to Hong Kongers not available elsewhere in mainland China.

Raab also urged Hong Kong and Chinese governments to collectively work "to end the recent violence and resolve the underlying tensions based on political dialogue".

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-cant-be-silent-hong-kong-people-aim-to-mark-tiananmen-despite-ban-302645" hreflang="en">'I can't be silent': Hong Kong people aim to mark Tiananmen despite ban</a>

On Tuesday, the United States may let in people living in Hong Kong amid the ongoing China-Hong Hong crisis, which has spurred protests across the city.

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said his country will let in those who aren’t “comfortable” in Hong Kong. The US has continuously called China’s actions an attempt to subvert democracy in the territory.

He addressed this difference in British and American policy and said, “I don’t know precisely how it will play out. The British have, as you know, a different relationship. A lot of these folks have British national passports. There’s a long history between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom; it’s very different.”

(With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

Britain urged China to rethink its plans and the strategy therein to assert more control over Hong Kong, which was earlier British territory, and was handed back to China under special terms - including democratic freedoms.

Britain urged China to rethink its plans and the strategy therein to assert more control over Hong Kong, which was earlier British territory, and was handed back to China under special terms - including democratic freedoms. "There is time for China to reconsider," UK’s Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said while referring to the new security laws, which have spurred protests across the city. Also read: United States 'considering' offering citizenship to Hong Kongers amid crisis with China “There is a moment for China to step back from the brink and respect Hong Kong's autonomy and respect China's own international obligations”, Raab added, China’s parliament recently approved the new security law. This makes disapproval of the Chinese government a crime, with sedition as one of the main charges now allowed to be used against naysayers. A pro-democracy protester (C) waves a British colonial flag during a "Lunch With You" rally at a shopping mall in the Central district in Hong Kong on June 1, 2020 | AFP Recently, UK ministers wrote to the government to begin a coordinated international response to the crisis, which would also include offering hosting Hong Kongers in the country. The UK’s Indian-origin Home Secretary Priti Patel promised support to the people of Hong Kong. More people from Hong Kong are now eligible to apply for UK citizenship, as an international relief measure. Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997 as part of the “Two Systems, One Country” vision which guaranteed privileges to Hong Kongers not available elsewhere in mainland China. Raab also urged Hong Kong and Chinese governments to collectively work "to end the recent violence and resolve the underlying tensions based on political dialogue". Also read: 'I can't be silent': Hong Kong people aim to mark Tiananmen despite ban On Tuesday, the United States may let in people living in Hong Kong amid the ongoing China-Hong Hong crisis, which has spurred protests across the city. The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said his country will let in those who aren’t “comfortable” in Hong Kong. The US has continuously called China’s actions an attempt to subvert democracy in the territory. He addressed this difference in British and American policy and said, “I don’t know precisely how it will play out. The British have, as you know, a different relationship. A lot of these folks have British national passports. There’s a long history between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom; it’s very different.” (With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

'Step back': United Kingdom hits out at China's attempts to assume control of Hong Kong

The war of words between China and the United States has intensified with Beijing now warning of strong countermeasures against any move that damages China's interests. Watch the WION ground report from Hong Kong.

China slams US move to revoke Hong Kong status : US vs China over Hong Kong

As hundred of thousands of protesters took to the streets to protest against the unlawful death of George Floyd, caused by police brutality, some Americans have made it clear that they do not agree with the protesters.

However, one man took it to another level to express his displeasure as drove his tanker truck on the westbound lanes of Interstate 35, honking, while the protesters were present on the road. The freeway was closed to traffic at the time.

“Very disturbing actions by a truck driver on I-35W, inciting a crowd of peaceful demonstrators,” the Minneapolis Department of Public Safety said on Twitter. “The truck driver was injured &amp; taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He is under arrest. It doesn’t appear any protesters were hit by the truck.”

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/george-floyd-protests-spread-far-and-wide-at-least-25-us-cities-impose-curfew-302194">Also read:&nbsp;George Floyd protests spread far and wide; at least 25 US cities impose curfew</a>

The tanker driver was dragged&nbsp;out of the cab of his tractor-trailer rig and apparently beaten by the protesters, before being handed over to the local police. The police has not commented on whether the driver was beaten up, but have confirmed him being injured with non-life threatening injuries.

However, pictures show him standing shirtless and trying to hide his face next to the police officers, after he was taken into the custody.

The protests have been sparked all over the country after George&nbsp;Floyd, an unarmed black man, died last Monday after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck.&nbsp;

As hundred of thousands of protesters took to the streets to protest against the unlawful death of George Floyd, caused by police brutality, some Americans have made it clear that they do not agree with the protesters.

As hundred of thousands of protesters took to the streets to protest against the unlawful death of George Floyd, caused by police brutality, some Americans have made it clear that they do not agree with the protesters. However, one man took it to another level to express his displeasure as drove his tanker truck on the westbound lanes of Interstate 35, honking, while the protesters were present on the road. The freeway was closed to traffic at the time. “Very disturbing actions by a truck driver on I-35W, inciting a crowd of peaceful demonstrators,” the Minneapolis Department of Public Safety said on Twitter. “The truck driver was injured & taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. He is under arrest. It doesn’t appear any protesters were hit by the truck.” Also read: George Floyd protests spread far and wide; at least 25 US cities impose curfew The tanker driver was dragged out of the cab of his tractor-trailer rig and apparently beaten by the protesters, before being handed over to the local police. The police has not commented on whether the driver was beaten up, but have confirmed him being injured with non-life threatening injuries. However, pictures show him standing shirtless and trying to hide his face next to the police officers, after he was taken into the custody. The protests have been sparked all over the country after George Floyd, an unarmed black man, died last Monday after a white Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck.

Tanker truck drives into George Floyd protests in Minneapolis; driver handed over to police

China slams US: US drafting sanctions on Chinese firms

The &nbsp;‘Boone City bargain’ and the ‘ Emerald City consensus’- allegorical and metaphorical references to post-Cold War frameworks or bargains- &nbsp;were the defining features of American political life, according to the American scholar of scholars and the writer of writers, &nbsp;Professor Andrew Bacevich in his lucid, eminently readable and very engaging book, ‘ The Age of Illusions: How America &nbsp;Squandered its Post-Cold War Victory’. The former, emerging out of the context of the Second World War, defined by certain sobriety, was where freedom had a moral foundation and the latter, incubated in the post-Cold War context was characterized by four intersecting ideas: neoliberal globalization and its spread and advancement, a militarized quest for leadership or hegemony, akin to a post-colonial form of an empire, a presidency that was quasi monarchical and a conception of ‘freedom, an ancient word now drastically revised. The new conception of freedom emphasized autonomy, with traditional moral prohibitions declared obsolete and the removal of constraints maximizing choice. Order and abundance together would underwrite freedom relieving Americans of existential concerns about safety and survival’.

This American idea and conception of modernity was to be transplanted across the world in the service of American interests, holds Professor Bacevich. Each of the elements undergirding the ‘Emerald City Consensus’ was encouraged by academics and journalists – aka Francis Fukuyamas and Thomas Friedman’s of the world- connected to Washington, the former by way of ‘boosterism’- that is intellectual and philosophical gloss referred to as ‘The End of History’, where American inspired democracy and capitalism were the only game in town- and the latter by giving the ‘Emerald City Consensus’ the simulated sheen and framework of coherence. This consensus was validated and reinforced by each of the Post-Cold War presidents, ranging from Bill Clinton, to George Bush Jr and finally Barack Obama, in varying contexts, permutations ad combinations.

While these bargains were riven by contradictions, which inhered in them, and the subsurface anxieties that these generated were pointed out by intellectuals and writers but because they lacked clout, these alarm bells were ignored. Incubating under the cover or patina of the post-Cold War ‘ Emerald City Consensus’ was massive inequality and an assault to democracy, whose early portents were insurgent presidential candidates, Pat Buchanan, Ross Perot and even Hillary Clinton( not a presidential candidate then but an aspirant to power through her husband, Bill Clinton). These inchoate trends were obscured by the seeming transfer of the baton of power to a younger, new generation of politicians.

Beneath the surface, America was changing and had changed, a fact that became painfully evident in 2016 and emblematized by-elections that year. This had to do with the paradoxes of privilege and inequality that undercut democracy. As Professor Bacevich posits, ‘ in a nation that had once prided itself on being immune to class distinctions- simply being American sufficed as identity-such distinctions were becoming omnipresent. ‘On a daily basis, tens of millions of Americans were enduring what one writer called “financial impotence” according to Professor Bacevich. ‘ In the 2016 election, financial impotence was to turn into political outrage , bringing the post-Cold war era to an abrupt end’.

The implication here is that the elements undergirding the Emerald city consensus created conditions propitious for Donald Trump’s rise to US presidency who turned the election into a plebiscite.&nbsp;

Trump’ ascendancy, a metaphor for the malaises identified by Professor Bacevich, was greeted with howls of protest and continues to be done so by mainstream American media. But, according to the good professor, ‘obsessing about Trump, impeded efforts to understand what his election actually signified, diverting attention from matters of far greater relevance to the wellbeing of the United States and the planet as a whole. It was Obama mania turned inside out and magnified’. ‘ What the president’s most prominent opponents have yet to appreciate, according to Professor Bacevich, is that the Emerald City consensus is as defunct as the Boone City consensus that preceded it. They confuse cause for effect. They charge him with dividing America when, in fact, it was a pervasive division that vaulted him to the centre of American politics in the first place’. &nbsp;Assessing this in a grim tone, Professor Bacevich adds, ‘Trump did not create this cleavage. He merely turned it to his advantage. So regardless of the date or terms of Trump’s departure from office, the schism that allowed him to become president is likely to persist after he is gone. It’s that schism […] that merits more attention than it has received’. All in all, asserts Professor Bacevich, ‘Trump’s America did not differ appreciably from pre-Trump America. While a noxious and venal die-hard, the president turned out not to be the disruptive force that his critics have charged him with being’.

Amidst all this, the hat has accrued, according to Professor Bacevich, is that that the West has lost its claim to primacy and, ‘no less important is the fact that belief in the inherent superiority of Western civilization has now become politically and morally unacceptable’.

Calling attention to the American political establishment’s aversion or inability to brook dissent, Professor Bacevich points out to the need of enlarging the discussion now and developing a new consensus and even social contact around issues like Climate change. ‘Around this’ new conception of citizenship can emerge and also an enlightened notion of leadership’. Implying that this potential change will not be top-down, Professor Bacevich leaves the proverbial ball for this to crystallize in the court of the American people. The alternative, too bleak to countenance, can lead to ‘ even something worse than Trump’

All in all, Professor Andrew Bacevich’s book is a lucid and brilliant exposition of what ails America and the deeper, underlying sources of Trump’s ascent to power. &nbsp;The good professor articulates a trenchant critique of the post-war American establishment and what in his schema are and have been its warped preferences-conceptually and in policy terms. While his overall assessment is suggestive or reflective of his political preference-that of conservativism, laced with religious beliefs, these instead of detracting from his core arguments add weight to his overall thesis. But the analysis is more or less monofocal, at times, devolving into mere polemic. Moreover, Professor Bacevich, while delineating the core elements of the ‘ Emerald City consensus’ elides over the context of some foreign policy goals of the United States. For example, the bombings in Yugoslavia were not motivated by some fetish over militarism by the grid lock at the UN Security council and other structural and contextual factors. Similarly, globalization, in its pure form may not be an unalloyed good but surely it has lifted millions out of poverty worldwide.

The rise of China, in some senses, accrues from globalization. Last but not the least, while rallying around climate change is a laudable and noble objective, and a clarion but it implies the United States retreating into itself. The world of states is a ruthless one defined by the quest for power and its maximization. Where would a retreat leave the United States and its allies? While professor Bacevich alludes to ‘enlightened leadership’, he is curiously silent on its nature and content. However, &nbsp;by its very nature, ‘The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered its Cold War Victory’ constitutes essential reading for all those who seek to understand the trajectory of this peculiar nation after the second world war, during and after the Cold War. While it should be of immense interest to policymakers, policy intellectuals, and anyone interested in a fairer, just world, its ultimate readership should be the American people, upon who may rest the future of their nation and by extension that of the world. It is then time a real and robust conversation inspired by the eminent Professor Bacevich should begin!

&nbsp;(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) .&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The ‘Boone City bargain’ and the ‘ Emerald City consensus’- allegorical and metaphorical references to post-Cold War frameworks or bargains- were the defining features of American political life, according to the American scholar of scholars and the writer of writers, Professor Andrew Bacevich in his lucid, eminently readable and very engaging book, ‘ The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered its Post-Cold War Victory’.

The ‘Boone City bargain’ and the ‘ Emerald City consensus’- allegorical and metaphorical references to post-Cold War frameworks or bargains- were the defining features of American political life, according to the American scholar of scholars and the writer of writers, Professor Andrew Bacevich in his lucid, eminently readable and very engaging book, ‘ The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered its Post-Cold War Victory’. The former, emerging out of the context of the Second World War, defined by certain sobriety, was where freedom had a moral foundation and the latter, incubated in the post-Cold War context was characterized by four intersecting ideas: neoliberal globalization and its spread and advancement, a militarized quest for leadership or hegemony, akin to a post-colonial form of an empire, a presidency that was quasi monarchical and a conception of ‘freedom, an ancient word now drastically revised. The new conception of freedom emphasized autonomy, with traditional moral prohibitions declared obsolete and the removal of constraints maximizing choice. Order and abundance together would underwrite freedom relieving Americans of existential concerns about safety and survival’. This American idea and conception of modernity was to be transplanted across the world in the service of American interests, holds Professor Bacevich. Each of the elements undergirding the ‘Emerald City Consensus’ was encouraged by academics and journalists – aka Francis Fukuyamas and Thomas Friedman’s of the world- connected to Washington, the former by way of ‘boosterism’- that is intellectual and philosophical gloss referred to as ‘The End of History’, where American inspired democracy and capitalism were the only game in town- and the latter by giving the ‘Emerald City Consensus’ the simulated sheen and framework of coherence. This consensus was validated and reinforced by each of the Post-Cold War presidents, ranging from Bill Clinton, to George Bush Jr and finally Barack Obama, in varying contexts, permutations ad combinations. While these bargains were riven by contradictions, which inhered in them, and the subsurface anxieties that these generated were pointed out by intellectuals and writers but because they lacked clout, these alarm bells were ignored. Incubating under the cover or patina of the post-Cold War ‘ Emerald City Consensus’ was massive inequality and an assault to democracy, whose early portents were insurgent presidential candidates, Pat Buchanan, Ross Perot and even Hillary Clinton( not a presidential candidate then but an aspirant to power through her husband, Bill Clinton). These inchoate trends were obscured by the seeming transfer of the baton of power to a younger, new generation of politicians. Beneath the surface, America was changing and had changed, a fact that became painfully evident in 2016 and emblematized by-elections that year. This had to do with the paradoxes of privilege and inequality that undercut democracy. As Professor Bacevich posits, ‘ in a nation that had once prided itself on being immune to class distinctions- simply being American sufficed as identity-such distinctions were becoming omnipresent. ‘On a daily basis, tens of millions of Americans were enduring what one writer called “financial impotence” according to Professor Bacevich. ‘ In the 2016 election, financial impotence was to turn into political outrage , bringing the post-Cold war era to an abrupt end’. The implication here is that the elements undergirding the Emerald city consensus created conditions propitious for Donald Trump’s rise to US presidency who turned the election into a plebiscite. Trump’ ascendancy, a metaphor for the malaises identified by Professor Bacevich, was greeted with howls of protest and continues to be done so by mainstream American media. But, according to the good professor, ‘obsessing about Trump, impeded efforts to understand what his election actually signified, diverting attention from matters of far greater relevance to the wellbeing of the United States and the planet as a whole. It was Obama mania turned inside out and magnified’. ‘ What the president’s most prominent opponents have yet to appreciate, according to Professor Bacevich, is that the Emerald City consensus is as defunct as the Boone City consensus that preceded it. They confuse cause for effect. They charge him with dividing America when, in fact, it was a pervasive division that vaulted him to the centre of American politics in the first place’. Assessing this in a grim tone, Professor Bacevich adds, ‘Trump did not create this cleavage. He merely turned it to his advantage. So regardless of the date or terms of Trump’s departure from office, the schism that allowed him to become president is likely to persist after he is gone. It’s that schism […] that merits more attention than it has received’. All in all, asserts Professor Bacevich, ‘Trump’s America did not differ appreciably from pre-Trump America. While a noxious and venal die-hard, the president turned out not to be the disruptive force that his critics have charged him with being’. Amidst all this, the hat has accrued, according to Professor Bacevich, is that that the West has lost its claim to primacy and, ‘no less important is the fact that belief in the inherent superiority of Western civilization has now become politically and morally unacceptable’. Calling attention to the American political establishment’s aversion or inability to brook dissent, Professor Bacevich points out to the need of enlarging the discussion now and developing a new consensus and even social contact around issues like Climate change. ‘Around this’ new conception of citizenship can emerge and also an enlightened notion of leadership’. Implying that this potential change will not be top-down, Professor Bacevich leaves the proverbial ball for this to crystallize in the court of the American people. The alternative, too bleak to countenance, can lead to ‘ even something worse than Trump’ All in all, Professor Andrew Bacevich’s book is a lucid and brilliant exposition of what ails America and the deeper, underlying sources of Trump’s ascent to power. The good professor articulates a trenchant critique of the post-war American establishment and what in his schema are and have been its warped preferences-conceptually and in policy terms. While his overall assessment is suggestive or reflective of his political preference-that of conservativism, laced with religious beliefs, these instead of detracting from his core arguments add weight to his overall thesis. But the analysis is more or less monofocal, at times, devolving into mere polemic. Moreover, Professor Bacevich, while delineating the core elements of the ‘ Emerald City consensus’ elides over the context of some foreign policy goals of the United States. For example, the bombings in Yugoslavia were not motivated by some fetish over militarism by the grid lock at the UN Security council and other structural and contextual factors. Similarly, globalization, in its pure form may not be an unalloyed good but surely it has lifted millions out of poverty worldwide. The rise of China, in some senses, accrues from globalization. Last but not the least, while rallying around climate change is a laudable and noble objective, and a clarion but it implies the United States retreating into itself. The world of states is a ruthless one defined by the quest for power and its maximization. Where would a retreat leave the United States and its allies? While professor Bacevich alludes to ‘enlightened leadership’, he is curiously silent on its nature and content. However, by its very nature, ‘The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered its Cold War Victory’ constitutes essential reading for all those who seek to understand the trajectory of this peculiar nation after the second world war, during and after the Cold War. While it should be of immense interest to policymakers, policy intellectuals, and anyone interested in a fairer, just world, its ultimate readership should be the American people, upon who may rest the future of their nation and by extension that of the world. It is then time a real and robust conversation inspired by the eminent Professor Bacevich should begin! (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) .

The Age of illusions: How America squandered its cold war victory

Any incident in the US, particularly adverse incident, whether big or small, gets world-wide publicity almost instantaneously. This is mainly due to the fact that the US is recognised as a rich country with superpower status and known for significant advancement in a variety of fields. Such news is followed by debates and discussions in the world media, with some pledged critics stating that such adverse incidents clearly show that the US&nbsp;is a troubled society. Is that really so?

Shoot-out incidents&nbsp;

In recent years, many shoot-outs have taken place in the US&nbsp;in universities, malls and other public places, when a number of innocent lives have been lost. Shoot-outs have been carried out by individuals for one reason or other and even due to psychic problems. &nbsp;

It is generally said that the liberal gun policy and the prevailing gun culture in the US&nbsp;is the primary reason for such shoot outs and violence.

Most of the Americans possess guns and rarely anyone amongst them indulges in such practices. If the violent prone person would not have a gun, he can use a knife or any other weapon.&nbsp;

No evidence of widespread racial conflict :

Now, the case of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white officer pressed his knee into his neck has caused widespread anger across the country. Obviously, the police officer should be punished severely.

Even while President Trump has condemned the incident, protestors burned businesses in Minneapolis. &nbsp;They smashed police cars and windows in Atlanta, broke into police headquarters in Portland and chanted curses at Donald Trump outside the White House.

This sad incident should not be misinterpreted as a result of racial conflict. 
 
While some protestors turned violent, there have been a number of other protestors who conducted themselves peacefully and with dignity, holding placards and demanding justice for George Floyd. Of these protestors, many of them are white, brown or black Americans.

Certainly, there is no racial conflict issue involved in the George Floyd murder but only the stupidity of a violent prone police officer was seen.

A tolerant country :

George Floyd incident has created an impression all over the world that the US&nbsp;is a country under the boil. This certainly is not so.

There are many civilized and sane voices in the US, who rarely get adequate coverage in the media and their civilized thoughts are not adequately publicised for the benefit of the country.

Today, one cannot but deny the fact that the US&nbsp;is the most tolerant country in the world. People from countries with various background seek migration to the US&nbsp;and think that they would be privileged to get US citizenship. This is mainly due to their confidence that they would get a fair deal in the US&nbsp;and the law would protect their interests.

Today, the US&nbsp;is essentially described as a migrant country with people visiting the US as students, job seekers or immigrants and most of them seeking to stay in the US&nbsp;life long by getting citizenship.

Any attempt to describe the US&nbsp;as a country under boil after the George Floyd issue is a mischievous and motivated attempt to discredit the US.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) .

Any incident in the US, particularly adverse incident, whether big or small, gets world-wide publicity almost instantaneously. This is mainly due to the fact that the US is recognised as a rich country with superpower status and known for significant advancement in a variety of fields.

Any incident in the US, particularly adverse incident, whether big or small, gets world-wide publicity almost instantaneously. This is mainly due to the fact that the US is recognised as a rich country with superpower status and known for significant advancement in a variety of fields. Such news is followed by debates and discussions in the world media, with some pledged critics stating that such adverse incidents clearly show that the US is a troubled society. Is that really so? Shoot-out incidents In recent years, many shoot-outs have taken place in the US in universities, malls and other public places, when a number of innocent lives have been lost. Shoot-outs have been carried out by individuals for one reason or other and even due to psychic problems. It is generally said that the liberal gun policy and the prevailing gun culture in the US is the primary reason for such shoot outs and violence. Most of the Americans possess guns and rarely anyone amongst them indulges in such practices. If the violent prone person would not have a gun, he can use a knife or any other weapon. No evidence of widespread racial conflict : Now, the case of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white officer pressed his knee into his neck has caused widespread anger across the country. Obviously, the police officer should be punished severely. Even while President Trump has condemned the incident, protestors burned businesses in Minneapolis. They smashed police cars and windows in Atlanta, broke into police headquarters in Portland and chanted curses at Donald Trump outside the White House. This sad incident should not be misinterpreted as a result of racial conflict. While some protestors turned violent, there have been a number of other protestors who conducted themselves peacefully and with dignity, holding placards and demanding justice for George Floyd. Of these protestors, many of them are white, brown or black Americans. Certainly, there is no racial conflict issue involved in the George Floyd murder but only the stupidity of a violent prone police officer was seen. A tolerant country : George Floyd incident has created an impression all over the world that the US is a country under the boil. This certainly is not so. There are many civilized and sane voices in the US, who rarely get adequate coverage in the media and their civilized thoughts are not adequately publicised for the benefit of the country. Today, one cannot but deny the fact that the US is the most tolerant country in the world. People from countries with various background seek migration to the US and think that they would be privileged to get US citizenship. This is mainly due to their confidence that they would get a fair deal in the US and the law would protect their interests. Today, the US is essentially described as a migrant country with people visiting the US as students, job seekers or immigrants and most of them seeking to stay in the US life long by getting citizenship. Any attempt to describe the US as a country under boil after the George Floyd issue is a mischievous and motivated attempt to discredit the US. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) .

Does recent violence in US indicate a basic flaw in American society?

From London to New Zealand, people join in on 'Black Lives Matter' protests

In 2014, Russian space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin took a dig at NASA for the lack of US manned flight programme and said, they will "deliver its astronauts to the ISS by using a trampoline".

After six years, Elon Musk and NASA launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturday in a landmark mission. To which Musk responded, "The trampoline is working." SpaceX CEO made this statement alongside NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine. Both men laughed after that. "It's an inside joke," Musk added.

After this launch, Musk's SpaceX became the first private rocket company to send humans into orbit. &nbsp;

Netizens began trolling Dmitry Rogozin for his remarks he made years ago and they compared it to the situation after launch.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Dmitry Rogozin in 2014: "US should use a trampoline to get into space" <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> 2020: "The trampoline is working 🤣" <a href="https://t.co/OKu4JF5i0M">pic.twitter.com/OKu4JF5i0M</a>
— Pranay Pathole (@PPathole) <a href="https://twitter.com/PPathole/status/1267000614002683906?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
“The trampoline is working” <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@elonmusk</a> joking about a 2014 zing from Roscosmos’ Dmitry Rogozin, “After analyzing the sanctions against our space industry, I suggest to the USA to bring their astronauts to the International Space Station using a trampoline” 😂
— Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) <a href="https://twitter.com/Erdayastronaut/status/1266866641704534021?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
How do you like it, Dmitry Rogozin?
— Донна Роза де Альвадорец (@deAlvadorec) <a href="https://twitter.com/deAlvadorec/status/1266653331080036352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
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After the launch of Falcon 9, Rogozin remained conspicuously silent but his spokesman was forced to react.

"We don't really understand the hysteria sparked by the successful launch of a Crew Dragon spacecraft," spokesman Vladimir Ustimenko said on Twitter.&nbsp;

"What should have happened a long time ago happened," he added.

While Sergey Krikalev,&nbsp;&nbsp;Roscosmos executive director for crewed space programmes, congratulated US for the launch.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Roscosmos Executive Director on Crewed Space Programs Sergey Krikalev address on the successful Falcon 9 carrier rocket launch with Crew Dragon crewed spacecraft <a href="https://t.co/25pDIdIXLe">pic.twitter.com/25pDIdIXLe</a>
— РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) <a href="https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1266821703478411265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In 2014, Russian space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin took a dig at NASA for the lack of US manned flight programme and said, they will "deliver its astronauts to the ISS by using a trampoline".

In 2014, Russian space agency chief Dmitry Rogozin took a dig at NASA for the lack of US manned flight programme and said, they will "deliver its astronauts to the ISS by using a trampoline". After six years, Elon Musk and NASA launched two Americans into orbit from Florida on Saturday in a landmark mission. To which Musk responded, "The trampoline is working." SpaceX CEO made this statement alongside NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine. Both men laughed after that. "It's an inside joke," Musk added. After this launch, Musk's SpaceX became the first private rocket company to send humans into orbit. Netizens began trolling Dmitry Rogozin for his remarks he made years ago and they compared it to the situation after launch. Dmitry Rogozin in 2014: "US should use a trampoline to get into space" @elonmusk 2020: "The trampoline is working 🤣" pic.twitter.com/OKu4JF5i0M — Pranay Pathole (@PPathole) May 31, 2020 × “The trampoline is working” @elonmusk joking about a 2014 zing from Roscosmos’ Dmitry Rogozin, “After analyzing the sanctions against our space industry, I suggest to the USA to bring their astronauts to the International Space Station using a trampoline” 😂 — Everyday Astronaut (@Erdayastronaut) May 30, 2020 × How do you like it, Dmitry Rogozin? — Донна Роза де Альвадорец (@deAlvadorec) May 30, 2020 × After the launch of Falcon 9, Rogozin remained conspicuously silent but his spokesman was forced to react. "We don't really understand the hysteria sparked by the successful launch of a Crew Dragon spacecraft," spokesman Vladimir Ustimenko said on Twitter. "What should have happened a long time ago happened," he added. While Sergey Krikalev, Roscosmos executive director for crewed space programmes, congratulated US for the launch. Roscosmos Executive Director on Crewed Space Programs Sergey Krikalev address on the successful Falcon 9 carrier rocket launch with Crew Dragon crewed spacecraft pic.twitter.com/25pDIdIXLe — РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) May 30, 2020 ×

'Trampoline is working': Musk taunts Russian space agency chief

The United States is terminating its relationship with the World Health Organization over the body's handling of the coronavirus pandemic, US President Donald Trump said on Friday, accusing the UN agency of becoming a puppet of China.

Trump: US is terminating its relationship with the WHO

US President Donald Trump on Friday said that he has directed his administration to begin the process of eliminating policy exemptions that give Hong Kong different and special treatment, in response to a new security law pushed by Beijing.

Donald Trump orders elimination of special treatment for Hong Kong

The white former Minneapolis police officer shown in video footage using his knee to pin an unarmed black man’s neck to the street was charged with murder on Friday in the man’s death, an incident that has unleashed four nights of violent protests.

Derek Chauvin, who was dismissed from the police department with three fellow officers the day after the fatal encounter, was arrested on third-degree murder and manslaughter charges for his role in Monday’s death of 46-year-old George Floyd.

The charges brought by Hennepin County prosecutors came after a third night of arson, looting and vandalism in Minnesota’s largest city that saw protesters set fire to a police station and the National Guard deployed to help restore order.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/violence-grips-minneapolis-for-the-third-consecutive-night-301846">Also read:&nbsp;Violence grips Minneapolis for the third consecutive night</a>

Mayor Jacob Frey said he ordered police late on Thursday to retreat from the precinct station to prevent an escalation of violence. But on Friday night, law enforcement officers were out in force again.

Authorities had hoped Chauvin’s arrest would allay public anger and avert continued unrest. But defying an 8 p.m. curfew imposed by the mayor, about 500 demonstrators clashed anew Friday evening with riot police outside the battered Third Precinct building.

Police, who created a two-block buffer area around the precinct house, opened fire with tear gas, plastic bullets and concussion grenades, sending the crowd scattering.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/smokes-flames-and-destruction-protests-intensify-over-killing-in-minneapolis-us-301569">Have a look:&nbsp;Smokes, flames, and destruction: Protests intensify over killing in Minneapolis, US</a>

There were also sympathy protests on Friday in several cities across the country, including New York, Denver, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit and Louisville, Kentucky.

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, announcing Chauvin’s arrest earlier in the day, said a key piece of evidence in the case was the widely seen video footage, taken with an onlooker’s cellphone, showing Floyd lying face down in the street, with Chauvin kneeling on the back of Floyd’s neck.

The graphic footage shows Floyd gasping for air and pleading for help as he repeatedly groaned, “please, I can’t breathe,” while a crowd of anguished bystanders shouted at police to let the man up.

After several minutes, Floyd gradually grows unresponsive and ceases to move. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital a short time later.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/minneapolis-in-flames-after-the-death-of-black-man-george-floyd-protests-turn-violent-301818">Also watch:&nbsp;Minneapolis in flames after the death of black man George Floyd, protests turn violent</a>

“We have evidence, we have the citizen’s camera’s video, the horrible, horrific, terrible thing we have all seen over and over again,” Freeman said. “We have the officer’s body-worn camera, we have statements from some witnesses.”

Chauvin had his knee on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, according to an autopsy report. Medical examiners found the combined impact of being restrained by police, underlying health conditions and any potential intoxicants in his system likely contributed to his death.

Floyd, a Houston native who had worked security for a nightclub, was arrested for allegedly using counterfeit money at a store to buy cigarettes on Monday evening. An employee who called police described the suspect as possibly drunk, according to an official transcript of the call.

Freeman said the investigation into Chauvin, who faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted, was ongoing and he anticipated also charging the three other officers, identified by the city as Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng.

The prosecutor said it was appropriate to charge “the most dangerous perpetrator” first.

Harrowing 
U.S. Attorney General William Barr called the video “harrowing and deeply disturbing” in a written statement and said a parallel federal investigation would determine if the officers violated civil rights laws.

Floyd’s death recalled the 2014 killing of Eric Garner, an unarmed black man in New York City, who died after being put in a police chokehold and telling the officers, “I can’t breathe.”

Mike Griffin, a community organizer in Minneapolis, said the protests reflected years of frustration over economic inequalities and the feeling that black lives were not valued as highly by police.

He said anger has been building since the 2015 fatal shooting by Minneapolis police of 24-year-old Jamar Clark, and the 2016 killing of Philando Castile, a 32-year old black man shot by Minnesota police during a traffic stop.

“George’s murder was just the last straw,” Griffin told Reuters, calling the charges against Chauvin a step in the right direction, but adding there needed to be systemic changes.

The protests were driven in part by the initial lack of arrests in the case.

But Freeman stressed that charges in similar cases typically take nine months to a year, adding, “This is by far the fastest we’ve ever charged a police officer.”

Earlier on Friday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he understood why people had “lost faith” in the police but argued Floyd’s plight had become “lost in 48 hours of anarchy” and called for an end to destruction of property. He has declared a state of emergency and called in the state’s National Guard.

The governor also apologized to CNN after police arrested three members of its TV crew during an early morning sweep.

Separately, CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta came under violent attack by protesters who smashed windows in the lobby of that building as riot police stood guard.

The white former Minneapolis police officer shown in video footage using his knee to pin an unarmed black man’s neck to the street was charged with murder on Friday in the man’s death, an incident that has unleashed four nights of violent protests.

The white former Minneapolis police officer shown in video footage using his knee to pin an unarmed black man’s neck to the street was charged with murder on Friday in the man’s death, an incident that has unleashed four nights of violent protests. Derek Chauvin, who was dismissed from the police department with three fellow officers the day after the fatal encounter, was arrested on third-degree murder and manslaughter charges for his role in Monday’s death of 46-year-old George Floyd. The charges brought by Hennepin County prosecutors came after a third night of arson, looting and vandalism in Minnesota’s largest city that saw protesters set fire to a police station and the National Guard deployed to help restore order. Also read: Violence grips Minneapolis for the third consecutive night Mayor Jacob Frey said he ordered police late on Thursday to retreat from the precinct station to prevent an escalation of violence. But on Friday night, law enforcement officers were out in force again. Authorities had hoped Chauvin’s arrest would allay public anger and avert continued unrest. But defying an 8 p.m. curfew imposed by the mayor, about 500 demonstrators clashed anew Friday evening with riot police outside the battered Third Precinct building. Police, who created a two-block buffer area around the precinct house, opened fire with tear gas, plastic bullets and concussion grenades, sending the crowd scattering. Have a look: Smokes, flames, and destruction: Protests intensify over killing in Minneapolis, US There were also sympathy protests on Friday in several cities across the country, including New York, Denver, Houston, Atlanta, Detroit and Louisville, Kentucky. Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, announcing Chauvin’s arrest earlier in the day, said a key piece of evidence in the case was the widely seen video footage, taken with an onlooker’s cellphone, showing Floyd lying face down in the street, with Chauvin kneeling on the back of Floyd’s neck. The graphic footage shows Floyd gasping for air and pleading for help as he repeatedly groaned, “please, I can’t breathe,” while a crowd of anguished bystanders shouted at police to let the man up. After several minutes, Floyd gradually grows unresponsive and ceases to move. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital a short time later. Also watch: Minneapolis in flames after the death of black man George Floyd, protests turn violent “We have evidence, we have the citizen’s camera’s video, the horrible, horrific, terrible thing we have all seen over and over again,” Freeman said. “We have the officer’s body-worn camera, we have statements from some witnesses.” Chauvin had his knee on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, according to an autopsy report. Medical examiners found the combined impact of being restrained by police, underlying health conditions and any potential intoxicants in his system likely contributed to his death. Floyd, a Houston native who had worked security for a nightclub, was arrested for allegedly using counterfeit money at a store to buy cigarettes on Monday evening. An employee who called police described the suspect as possibly drunk, according to an official transcript of the call. Freeman said the investigation into Chauvin, who faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted, was ongoing and he anticipated also charging the three other officers, identified by the city as Thomas Lane, Tou Thao and J Alexander Kueng. The prosecutor said it was appropriate to charge “the most dangerous perpetrator” first. Harrowing U.S. Attorney General William Barr called the video “harrowing and deeply disturbing” in a written statement and said a parallel federal investigation would determine if the officers violated civil rights laws. Floyd’s death recalled the 2014 killing of Eric Garner, an unarmed black man in New York City, who died after being put in a police chokehold and telling the officers, “I can’t breathe.” Mike Griffin, a community organizer in Minneapolis, said the protests reflected years of frustration over economic inequalities and the feeling that black lives were not valued as highly by police. He said anger has been building since the 2015 fatal shooting by Minneapolis police of 24-year-old Jamar Clark, and the 2016 killing of Philando Castile, a 32-year old black man shot by Minnesota police during a traffic stop. “George’s murder was just the last straw,” Griffin told Reuters, calling the charges against Chauvin a step in the right direction, but adding there needed to be systemic changes. The protests were driven in part by the initial lack of arrests in the case. But Freeman stressed that charges in similar cases typically take nine months to a year, adding, “This is by far the fastest we’ve ever charged a police officer.” Earlier on Friday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he understood why people had “lost faith” in the police but argued Floyd’s plight had become “lost in 48 hours of anarchy” and called for an end to destruction of property. He has declared a state of emergency and called in the state’s National Guard. The governor also apologized to CNN after police arrested three members of its TV crew during an early morning sweep. Separately, CNN’s headquarters in Atlanta came under violent attack by protesters who smashed windows in the lobby of that building as riot police stood guard.

Arrest of Minneapolis police officer fails to restore peace; people demand justice

Trump says, "China violated Hong Kong's autonomy," China blocks US & UK's bid to raise HK at UN

A day after tweeting 'looting leads to shooting',&nbsp;US President Donald Trump is walking back a threat to respond to the critical and violent riots that have occurred during the protests in Minneapolis.

The protests were against the killing of an unarmed black man by the Minneapolis Police Department.

&nbsp;Trump, on May 29, tweeted that the "thugs" were dishonouring the victim.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
....These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1266231100780744704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
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However, Twitter flagged the tweet as an encouragement of violence.

<img alt="Twitter flagged Trump's tweet" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8454551f-ed83-4a39-8b8f-82ec4923a03b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled.jpg" />

After this warning from the Twitter, and a lot of criticism from Twitterati and other locals, he said he understands the reason behind the protest and feels the pain, but will not allow this to turn into a lawless anarchy.

"The looters should not be allowed to drown out the voices of so many peaceful protesters," Mr Trump said.

"I understand the hurt, I understand the pain," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/twitter-flags-donald-trumps-tweet-twitter-says-post-glorified-violence-301937">Also watch:&nbsp;Twitter flags Donald Trump's tweet, Twitter says post 'Glorified Violence'</a>

Trump blamed both sides&nbsp;for the violence that erupted out of the protests, and said he will not let the country burn this way.

"This is no time for incendiary tweets. It's no time to encourage violence. This is a national crisis and we need real leadership right now. Leadership that will bring everyone to the table so that we can take measures to root out systemic racism,"&nbsp;said former vice-president Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

A day after tweeting 'looting leads to shooting', US President Donald Trump is walking back a threat to respond to the critical and violent riots that have occurred during the protests in Minneapolis.

A day after tweeting 'looting leads to shooting', US President Donald Trump is walking back a threat to respond to the critical and violent riots that have occurred during the protests in Minneapolis. The protests were against the killing of an unarmed black man by the Minneapolis Police Department. Trump, on May 29, tweeted that the "thugs" were dishonouring the victim. ....These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020 × However, Twitter flagged the tweet as an encouragement of violence. After this warning from the Twitter, and a lot of criticism from Twitterati and other locals, he said he understands the reason behind the protest and feels the pain, but will not allow this to turn into a lawless anarchy. "The looters should not be allowed to drown out the voices of so many peaceful protesters," Mr Trump said. "I understand the hurt, I understand the pain," he added. Also watch: Twitter flags Donald Trump's tweet, Twitter says post 'Glorified Violence' Trump blamed both sides for the violence that erupted out of the protests, and said he will not let the country burn this way. "This is no time for incendiary tweets. It's no time to encourage violence. This is a national crisis and we need real leadership right now. Leadership that will bring everyone to the table so that we can take measures to root out systemic racism," said former vice-president Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

'I understand the hurt and pain': Trump backtracks on his tweets

Twitter has now flagged another post from The White House's official account. Twitter says post 'Glorified Violence'. Watch this video to know more.

Twitter flags Donald Trump's tweet, Twitter says post 'Glorified Violence'

New York was titled as the epicenter of coronavirus in the US, which has been one of the worst hit countries with the highest death toll due to coronavirus in the world.

However, New York has been making significant improvements, according to reports. Following this, New York Mayor&nbsp;Bill de Blasio, on Thursday, said “We're now actually in a position to start talking about opening things up step by step, phase by phase."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/100000-deaths-very-sad-milestone-says-trump-on-coronavirus-fatalities-301661">Also read:&nbsp;100,000 deaths very sad milestone, says Trump on coronavirus fatalities</a>

As stated by the Mayor, the city should must stay below a certain number of hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) patients, and percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19, which it has. Therefore, the NYC government is considering to move to Phase one of reopening the economy.

Phase one will allow activities related to&nbsp;means construction, manufacturing, wholesale and non essential retail businesses to reopen.

However, social distancing rules along with other rules such as compulsory face mask, employers keeping a check on employees' health, no dine-in etc. will be maintained.

“We do not have a specific date. I think I've given people plenty of warning multiple times now for days and days you can expect it to be in the first or second week of June if the numbers continue to hold in most cases or progress,” the Mayor said.

The New York government is also currently trying to finalize a draft of the new budget that will help the city resume the economy without much losses.

New York was titled as the epicenter of coronavirus in the US, which has been one of the worst hit countries with the highest death toll due to coronavirus in the world.

New York was titled as the epicenter of coronavirus in the US, which has been one of the worst hit countries with the highest death toll due to coronavirus in the world. However, New York has been making significant improvements, according to reports. Following this, New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, on Thursday, said “We're now actually in a position to start talking about opening things up step by step, phase by phase." Also read: 100,000 deaths very sad milestone, says Trump on coronavirus fatalities As stated by the Mayor, the city should must stay below a certain number of hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) patients, and percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19, which it has. Therefore, the NYC government is considering to move to Phase one of reopening the economy. Phase one will allow activities related to means construction, manufacturing, wholesale and non essential retail businesses to reopen. However, social distancing rules along with other rules such as compulsory face mask, employers keeping a check on employees' health, no dine-in etc. will be maintained. “We do not have a specific date. I think I've given people plenty of warning multiple times now for days and days you can expect it to be in the first or second week of June if the numbers continue to hold in most cases or progress,” the Mayor said. The New York government is also currently trying to finalize a draft of the new budget that will help the city resume the economy without much losses.

The day is fast approaching: NYC Mayor talks about lifting lockdown

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