The death of George Floyd in the US sparked the UK’s biggest anti-racism protests in centuries. We spoke to 50 young people at the heart of these rallies
Continue reading...Category Archives: US News
New York protester forced into unmarked van by plainclothes police – video
Footage showing police officers in New York forcing a female protester into an unmarked minivan in east Manhattan has provoked an outcry.
Video shows plainclothes officers carrying the woman away while uniformed police stand guard, actions criticised as ‘abusive and indefensible’ by the American Civil Liberties Union.
In a statement, the New York Police Department said the protester was wanted for damaging police cameras during five separate criminal incidents in and around City Hall Park
Continue reading...Joe Biden’s climate bet – putting jobs first will bring historic change
The presumptive Democrat presidential nominee is picking a path through the perilous politics of the economy and the climate crisis
Faced with a disgruntled climate voter during the primary season who wanted him to be tougher on the oil and gas industry, Joe Biden shot him one of his infamous “why don’t you go vote for someone else” responses.
But that was six months ago.
Continue reading...‘I want to stand up to Trump’: Portland protesters unleash fury over BLM, Covid-19 and economy
Protesters say they’re demonstrating for multiple reasons as concern grows that the nightly battles play into Trump’s hands
Some come early and leave before the atmosphere turns and the trouble begins. Others sit out the peaceful demonstration and arrive in time for the nightly showdown to the beat of drummers rallying Portland’s ad hoc force of protesters against “Trump’s troops”.
But each evening follows the same broad ritual in downtown Portland in support of Black Lives Matter and against Donald Trump’s deployment of federal paramilitaries even as the protests have swelled to draw in organized groups of mothers, military veterans and first time demonstrators pushed too far by the president.
Continue reading...Outcry in New York after police force protester into unmarked van
Video shows plain-clothes officers carrying the protester away while uniformed police stand guard, actions criticised as ‘abusive and indefensible’
Police officers in New York have been filmed arresting a female protester by forcing her into an unmarked minivan in east Manhattan.
Footage of Tuesday’s arrest drew sharp criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union, which called the arrest “dangerous, abusive, and indefensible,” in a post on Twitter.
Continue reading...Trump halts daily briefing amid questions about support for ‘alien DNA’ doctor – video
Donald Trump in his daily coronavirus briefing praises as 'very impressive' a doctor who dismissed the use of face masks, backed hydroxychloroquine and reportedly claimed that alien DNA is used in medical treatments. When asked about reports Dr Stella Immanuel believes scientists are creating a 'vaccine to make you immune from becoming religious', the US president claimed she had had success in using hydroxychloroquine before adding: 'I thought her voice was an important voice, but I know nothing about her.' On the topic of Dr Anthony Fauci's enduring popularity with the US public, he said: "So why don’t I have a high approval rating with respect – and the administration – with respect to the virus? We should have it very high ... but nobody likes me. It can only be my personality, that’s all.'
Continue reading...Coronavirus live news: US deaths near 150,000 as Italy extends state of emergency
Trump blames US case surge on protestors; WHO warns pandemic is “one big wave”, not seasonal; Air travel not expected to recover until 2024. Follow the latest updates
- Covid-19 still accelerating, warns WHO, as restrictions return in Europe
- Twitter limits Donald Trump Jr’s account for posting misinformation
- Clapped out of ICU, dead days later: the secondary impact of Covid-19
- Outbreak in Xinjiang prompts fears of spread inside Uighur camps
- See all our coronavirus coverage
Florida reported another record one-day rise in coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, and cases in Texas passed the 400,000 mark, fueling fear that the United States is still not taking control of the outbreak and adding pressure on Congress to pass another massive economic aid package.
Public health experts are becoming concerned about the levels of infection in states such as Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee and Kentucky, while the surge in Florida along with Texas, Arizona and California this month has strained many hospitals.
Related: Covid-19: Florida reports record one-day deaths as concerns grow for other states
US officials say Russian intelligence services are using a trio of English-language websites to spread disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, seeking to exploit a crisis that America is struggling to contain ahead of the presidential election in November.
Two Russians who have held senior roles in Moscow’s military intelligence service known as the GRU have been identified as responsible for a disinformation effort reaching American and western audiences, US government officials said on Tuesday. They spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Related: Russia used English-language sites to spread Covid-19 disinformation, US officials say
Continue reading...Coronavirus live news: US deaths near 150,000 as Hong Kong warns hospitals could collapse
Hong Kong outbreak ‘overwhelming’ medical system; pilgrims quarantined in Mecca as hajj begins; WHO warns pandemic is ‘one big wave’
- Twenty-one US states declared ‘red zone’ for infection spikes
- Italy ‘walking a fine line’ on coronavirus infections
- Vietnam on high alert as cases detected in major cities
- UK coronavirus updates – live
- See all our coronavirus coverage
The US attorney general William Barr will be tested for Covid-19, after coming in close contact with Texas Republican congressman Louie Gohmert on Tuesday when Barr testified before the House Judiciary Committee, a Justice Department spokeswoman confirmed to Reuters.
Department spokeswoman Kerri Kupec added that Barr already faces routine testing for Covid-19 at the White House.
Berlin’s Tegel airport began large-scale coronavirus testing on Wednesday, as airports across Germany prepared for the advent of free, compulsory testing for many passengers from next week.
Two rooms were set aside for tests, but an airport spokeswoman said a larger space was being prepared, indicating that authorities are preparing for testing to remain a fixture for a long time to come.
Continue reading...Russia used English-language sites to spread Covid-19 disinformation, US officials say
Intelligence services reportedly targeting American and western audiences to exploit crisis ahead of US presidential election
US officials say Russian intelligence services are using a trio of English-language websites to spread disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, seeking to exploit a crisis that America is struggling to contain ahead of the presidential election in November.
Two Russians who have held senior roles in Moscow’s military intelligence service known as the GRU have been identified as responsible for a disinformation effort reaching American and western audiences, US government officials said on Tuesday. They spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
Continue reading...Covid-19: Florida reports record one-day deaths as concerns grow for other states
- 191 people died in Florida in 24 hours and Texas cases rise
- Pressure on Congress to pass another huge stimulus package
Florida reported another record one-day rise in coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, and cases in Texas passed the 400,000 mark, fueling fear that the United States is still not taking control of the outbreak and adding pressure on Congress to pass another massive economic aid package.
Related: Coronavirus live news: Italy extends state of emergency as WHO warns of 'one big wave'
Continue reading...‘Beyond the pale’: antics of Trump ambassadors highlight crisis in US diplomacy
The president has given key diplomatic roles to big donors – who have stood out for their lack of qualifications or aptitude
The US ambassador to Iceland, a dermatologist and major Republican donor, reportedly became so paranoid about his security he asked to carry a gun and to be taken everywhere in an armoured car.
Related: Bill Clinton pushed 'appeasement' of Serbs after Srebrenica massacre
Continue reading...‘He never yielded’: mourners pay respects to John Lewis outside Capitol
Kept outdoors by coronavirus threat, hundreds view casket of congressman and civil rights icon
Born in Citronelle, Alabama, in the early 1950s, Frankie Blevins grew up with the cruelties imposed by the Jim Crow south: racially segregated drinking fountains, restrooms and restaurants.
On her family’s first road trip, her mother packed food to sustain them for the entire trip, knowing they would not be allowed to stop for provisions along the way.
Continue reading...William Barr: ‘I don’t agree there is systemic racism in police departments’ – video
Attorney general William Barr has said he does not generally believe there is systemic racism in US police departments. During a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Democratic congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas questioned Barr on whether he considered the killing of George Floyd to be indicative of a systemic problem in policing. Amid crosstalk between Lee and Barr, the attorney general said: ‘I don’t agree there is systemic racism in police departments generally in this country.’
Continue reading...Iran threatens US by targeting replica aircraft carrier in Strait of Hormuz
Drill designed to threaten US amid increasing tensions between Tehran and Washington
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have fired a missile from a helicopter targeting a replica aircraft carrier in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, in an exercise aimed at threatening the US amid tensions between Tehran and Washington.
The drill, in a waterway through which 20% of all traded oil passes, underlines the lingering threat of military conflict between Iran and the US after last summer saw a series of incidents targeting oil tankers in the region. In January, a US drone strike killed a top Iranian general in Baghdad and Tehran responded by firing ballistic missiles targeting American forces in Iraq.
Continue reading...Coronavirus live news: WHO says Covid-19 is ‘easily the most severe’ crisis it has faced
Global cases doubled in last six weeks; deaths pass 650,000; Amazon’s treatment of workers investigated. Follow the latest updates
- Global report: Covid-19 still accelerating, warns WHO, as restrictions return in Europe
- Democrats pan Republican plan to slash jobless benefits to $200 as ‘totally inadequate’
- Pet cat diagnosed with Covid-19 in first UK case of animal infection
- See all our coronavirus coverage
Hotels and restaurants in Kyrgyzstan have been converted into makeshift hospitals after widespread complaints about the lack of hospital beds to treat coronavirus patients, AP reports.
The head of the Chinese centre for disease control and prevention says he has been injected with an experimental coronavirus vaccine in an attempt to persuade the public to follow suit when one is approved, AP reports.
Continue reading...Gold eases from new $1,980 record as dollar lifts ahead of Fed meeting – business live
Gold rally cools amid profit-taking
Julie Palmer, partner at business advisory and restructuring firm Begbies Traynor, says:
The success of Greggs has been the envy of the high street in recent years, however, even the bakery chain hasn’t been immune to the impact of Covid-19 which has forced its stores to close and eaten away at its top line.
For Greggs, achieving rent reductions from landlords will be first on the tick list, and indeed this has been a priority for many on the high street. But once these costs have been reduced its push to return to success will begin. And given its track record of marketing & PR success with its famous vegan sausage roll, I wouldn’t be surprised to see another high profile campaign on the horizon that captures the sentiment of a nation experiencing seismic change.
Let’s have a look at today’s corporate news. Greggs, Britain’s biggest bakery chain (known for its vegan sausage roll) has warned that sales won’t get back to pre-pandemic levels for as long as physical distancing continues.
But it’s fared better than other retailers: sales are now running at 72% of the 2019 level. All of its 2,050 stores reopened by July, after being forced to close during the Covid-19 lockdown imposed on 23 March. Greggs made a £65.2m loss before tax in the first half, compared with a £36.7m profit a year ago.
Continue reading...‘Egregious’ distancing violations at Hamptons charity concert – Cuomo
New York governor says event featuring Goldman Sachs CEO and Chainsmokers breached Covid-19 rules
New York health authorities are to investigate a charity concert in the Hamptons, which included performances by the Goldman Sachs chief David Solomon and DJ duo the Chainsmokers, over “egregious” social distancing violations.
The drive-in event, Safe & Sound, had space for about 600 cars and was held in Southampton village on Saturday. It was the first in a series of such concerts planned for the US, according to the organisers’ website.
Continue reading...Mrs America’s Uzo Aduba: ‘It’s worth examining the shortcomings of our feminist heroes’
She stole the show in Orange Is the New Black. Now the actor is playing the first black woman to seek the US presidency – and rejecting suggestions she gets a ‘Hollywood smile’
Shirley Chisholm was a woman of many firsts. She was the first black woman elected to Congress, the first black candidate to seek the presidency, and the first woman, full-stop, to participate in a US presidential debate. She introduced more than 50 pieces of legislation, most championing racial, economic and gender equality, and is often credited as paving the way for Barack Obama. In doing so, she occupied a space that many black women recognise: the solitary seat as the only such face at the table.
Uzo Aduba, who plays Chisholm in the acclaimed new FX series Mrs America, says that this was a key factor in bringing this formidable politician to life. “That feeling of being the ‘only’,” she says, speaking via Zoom with a warm smile on her face. “It was important to get that right.”
Continue reading...Trump’s national security adviser tests positive for coronavirus
- White House insists ‘no risk’ of Trump being exposed
- Photos of Robert O’Brien’s Europe trip show lack of mask usage
- US politics – live updates
The national security adviser, Robert O’Brien, has tested positive for the coronavirus, but the White House insisted there was “no risk” of Donald Trump being exposed.
Related: Texas hospital forced to set up 'death panel' as Covid-19 cases surge
Continue reading...Ghislaine Maxwell: lawyers ask judge to stop accusers from posting evidence online
Lawyers don’t want women who claim Maxwell abused them to use evidence from criminal case to boost lawsuits by posting online
Lawyers for Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell asked a judge to stop her accusers from using evidence in the criminal case to boost civil lawsuits by posting materials to the internet.
The lawyers say attorneys for women who claim Maxwell recruited and abused them should be subject to the same secrecy rules as prosecutors and Maxwell’s defense lawyers.
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