London, United Kingdom | AFP | Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was setting up a commission to look at “all aspects of inequality” following race protests across Britain. Writing in the Telegraph newspaper on Monday, Johnson said there was “much more that we need to do” to tackle racism despite …
Read More »Fresh world protests against racism and police violence
Paris, France | AFP | Thousands marched in cities around the world for a second week of rallies Saturday to support the US Black Lives Matter movement, but also to highlight racism and police brutality in their own countries. There were rallies in cities across Europe, with thousands demonstrating in …
Read More »US police torn between shame and pride for their badge
New York, United States | AFP | US police officers at the center of demonstrations that have roiled the country are caught between their commitment to the job and recognition that reforms are needed to address institutional racism within their ranks. From California to Massachusetts, several officers interviewed by AFP said …
Read More »Fight the Power: the soundtrack of US anti-racism protests
New York, United States | AFP | Anti-racism protesters have rolled out a creative batch of chants to soundtrack the ongoing US demonstrations, but both fresh music and timeless classics are also front and center. Rapper YG’s recently released “FTP” — Fuck The Police — has become a de-facto anthem for …
Read More »Trump addresses West Point grads but largely ducks controversies
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump on Saturday addressed the new graduating class of the West Point military academy, praising the “righteous glory of the American warrior” but largely side-stepping recent controversies over racial unrest and the military’s role in putting it down. “America is the greatest country …
Read More »China races to find virus vaccine, put scandals in the past
Beijing, China | AFP | China has mobilised its army and fast-tracked tests in the global race to find a coronavirus vaccine, but its labs also have an image tarnished by past health scandals to overcome. Six months after the first cases emerged in the city of Wuhan, China has moved quickly to develop a …
Read More »Fresh virus cluster in China raises fears for pandemic control
Beijing, China | AFP | Lockdowns were imposed in parts of Beijing on Saturday to try and prevent the spread of a new coronavirus cluster, highlighting the challenges that lie ahead even for places where outbreaks are under control. It came as Brazil claimed the unenviable position of having the second-highest …
Read More »Italy PM presses on with much-maligned economic pow-wow
Rome, Italy | AFP | EU leaders are set to join Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Saturday for talks on jumpstarting the nation’s economy, but opposition figures shunned the hastily organised — and roundly criticised — initiative. Despite a bevy of A-list political speakers, Italians such as far-right leader Matteo …
Read More »Trump to address West Point amid tensions with Pentagon
Washington, United States | AFP | President Donald Trump plans to address the new graduating class of the West Point military academy Saturday, as relations with the Pentagon fray over accusations that he has politicized the US military. Tensions have soared in two weeks since Trump threatened to call out active …
Read More »Protests show ‘progress’ on diversity, says ‘Star Trek’ icon Takei
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | George Takei, the pioneering Asian American “Star Trek” actor and LGBTQ icon, said massive anti-racism protests this month show the US is “making progress” on diversity, but warned the pandemic is renewing deep-rooted prejudices. Speaking to AFP ahead of his address at the University …
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