skynewsus--2020-06-07--Trump downplays huge day of Black Lives Matter protests across US

America has seen one of its largest days of protests against racism and police brutality since George Floyd died in custody .
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators , mostly wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic , marched in cities across the country on the 12th day of protests .
A second memorial service for Mr Floyd , who died in Minneapolis , Minnesota , on 25 May , was held in Raeford , North Carolina , where he was born .
Hundreds lined up to pay their respects ahead of a private family service later in the day and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DC 's protest was shaping up to be the largest in the country - and the world - as people of all colours demanded Donald Trump deal with institutional racism in America 's police forces .
A party-like atmosphere , with a serious undertone , was among the capital 's tens of thousands of protesters , which included families and people of all ages , playing music and carrying signs saying `` fed up '' , `` all lives do not matter until black lives do '' , and `` my black son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uniformed officers than earlier in the week and they were generally more relaxed , but the White House was heavily armed , with six buses of uniformed military personnel wearing body armour and carrying shields unloading into the grounds of the president 's home .
Despite the massive crowds , Mr Trump tweeted : `` Much smaller crowd in DC than anticipated . ''
The peaceful atmosphere appeared to continue across the country following pockets of violence earlier this week and last week .
Violence has largely subdued since the three police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer who knelt on Mr Floyd 's neck for almost nine minutes before he died , were arrested on Wednesday and Chauvin 's charge was upgraded to second-degree murder .
However , two police officers in Buffalo , New York , were charged with assault on Saturday after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protester who smashed his head on the pavement as officers walked by .
In New York , where an 8pm curfew remains but was not tightly enforced , a large crowd of protesters marched over Brooklyn Bridge into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where many shops were boarded up over fears of looting .
Thousands more gathered in Harlem to march downtown to Washington Square Park but there were few signs of violence .
One of the more surprising protests was a gathering of about 200 people in the east Texas town of Vidor , infamous for its long association with the Ku Klux Klan .
Philadelphia saw demonstrators gathering on the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum and chanting `` no justice , no peace '' .
The US 's most populous state , California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including Los Angeles and San Francisco , where protesters blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge briefly as motorists honked their horns in solidarity .
Marching for George Floyd and others recently killed Most cities had lifted curfews imposed following violence , including Atlanta , where the protest to City Hall was more like a festival .
But there was a serious undertone as not only were they marching for Mr Floyd and all black people targeted unfairly by police , but also for two college students who were pulled out of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stun gun .
The incident was caught on video by a local TV station and six officers were fired and charged .
In Louisville , Kentucky , hundreds of people also had a cause closer to home as they joined a vigil for Breonna Taylor , a black woman shot and killed by police nearly three months ago as they attempted to search her home for drugs .
None were found .
And in Minneapolis , the city where Mr Floyd died , the mayor Jacob Frey was forced to walk through hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they chanted `` shame '' after he said he does not want to defund the police .
Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have been out in force around the world , including in London where a march remained peaceful until Saturday evening when some people started throwing bottles at police outside Downing Street .
After a noticeably thinned down police presence , mounted officers were brought in to calm the crowd , with one officer hitting a traffic light and falling off her horse .
She remains in hospital in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made its own way back to the nearby stables .
In France , hundreds of people gathered in Paris in defiance of a police ban on large protests as they chanted Adam Traore 's name , a black man whose death in police custody has been likened to Mr Floyd 's death .
Authorities in the southern city of Marseille fired tear gas and pepper spray in skirmishes with protesters who hurled bottles and rocks .
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America has seen one of its largest days of protests against racism and police brutality since George Floyd died in custody.
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators, mostly wearing masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, marched in cities across the country on the 12th day of protests.
A second memorial service for Mr Floyd, who died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 25 May, was held in Raeford, North Carolina, where he was born. Hundreds lined up to pay their respects ahead of a private family service later in the day and his funeral on Tuesday in Houston.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:34 Protests and memorials for George Floyd
Peaceful protests
Washington DC's protest was shaping up to be the largest in the country - and the world - as people of all colours demanded Donald Trump deal with institutional racism in America's police forces.
A party-like atmosphere, with a serious undertone, was among the capital's tens of thousands of protesters, which included families and people of all ages, playing music and carrying signs saying "fed up", "all lives do not matter until black lives do", and "my black son matters".
There were noticeably fewer uniformed officers than earlier in the week and they were generally more relaxed, but the White House was heavily armed, with six buses of uniformed military personnel wearing body armour and carrying shields unloading into the grounds of the president's home.
Despite the massive crowds, Mr Trump tweeted: "Much smaller crowd in DC than anticipated."
The peaceful atmosphere appeared to continue across the country following pockets of violence earlier this week and last week.
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Violence has largely subdued since the three police officers who were with Derek Chauvin, the officer who knelt on Mr Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes before he died, were arrested on Wednesday and Chauvin's charge was upgraded to second-degree murder.
Image: Protesters filled the newly named Black Lives Matter Plaza on 16th Street near the White House in Washington DC
However, two police officers in Buffalo, New York, were charged with assault on Saturday after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protester who smashed his head on the pavement as officers walked by.
In New York, where an 8pm curfew remains but was not tightly enforced, a large crowd of protesters marched over Brooklyn Bridge into lower Manhattan and up a deserted Broadway where many shops were boarded up over fears of looting.
Thousands more gathered in Harlem to march downtown to Washington Square Park but there were few signs of violence.
Image: Thousands of demonstrators marched across San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge, blocking motorists who honked their horns in support
One of the more surprising protests was a gathering of about 200 people in the east Texas town of Vidor, infamous for its long association with the Ku Klux Klan.
Philadelphia saw demonstrators gathering on the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum and chanting "no justice, no peace".
The US's most populous state, California, had protests in several cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, where protesters blocked traffic on the Golden Gate Bridge briefly as motorists honked their horns in solidarity.
Marching for George Floyd and others recently killed
Most cities had lifted curfews imposed following violence, including Atlanta, where the protest to City Hall was more like a festival.
But there was a serious undertone as not only were they marching for Mr Floyd and all black people targeted unfairly by police, but also for two college students who were pulled out of their car last Saturday and shocked with a stun gun.
The incident was caught on video by a local TV station and six officers were fired and charged.
Image: George Floyd's second memorial was held in Raeford, North Carolina, where he was born
Image: George Floyd's casket was shown to the public in Raeford before a private family memorial and ahead of his funeral in Houston next week
In Louisville, Kentucky, hundreds of people also had a cause closer to home as they joined a vigil for Breonna Taylor, a black woman shot and killed by police nearly three months ago as they attempted to search her home for drugs. None were found.
And in Minneapolis, the city where Mr Floyd died, the mayor Jacob Frey was forced to walk through hundreds of people, mainly sitting down, as they chanted "shame" after he said he does not want to defund the police.
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UK and France protests turn violent
Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement have been out in force around the world, including in London where a march remained peaceful until Saturday evening when some people started throwing bottles at police outside Downing Street.
After a noticeably thinned down police presence, mounted officers were brought in to calm the crowd, with one officer hitting a traffic light and falling off her horse.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:29 Moment police officer rides into traffic light
She remains in hospital in a non-life threatening condition and the horse made its own way back to the nearby stables.
In France, hundreds of people gathered in Paris in defiance of a police ban on large protests as they chanted Adam Traore's name, a black man whose death in police custody has been likened to Mr Floyd's death.
Authorities in the southern city of Marseille fired tear gas and pepper spray in skirmishes with protesters who hurled bottles and rocks.
:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker


skynewsus--2020-06-07--Colin Powell calls Trump a liar and says he will vote for Biden

Republican Colin Powell , the former secretary of state under George W Bush , has called Donald Trump a liar and stated he will be voting for the Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden .
His comments follow President Trump threatening to use the military against Americans protesting racism and police brutality following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Mr Powell , a retired general and the first African-American secretary of state , told CNN that Republican Mr Trump had `` drifted away '' from the Constitution , and lied `` all the time '' .
`` We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow that Constitution .
And the president has drifted away from it , '' he said .
His comments echoed criticisms of the president made by the former defence secretary James Mattis who this week delivered a scathing assessment of Mr Trump , accusing him of dividing the country and `` abusing '' his position of authority .
`` Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people - does not even pretend to try .
Instead , he tries to divide us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magazine .
Asked directly if he agreed with the criticisms of the president by the ex-defence secretary , Mr Powell said : `` You have to agree with it .
`` I mean , look at what he has done to divide us , '' he added .
`` I agree with all of my former colleagues .
I 'm proud of what they 're doing .
I 'm proud that they were willing to take the risk of speaking honesty and speaking truth to those who are not speaking truth . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump , Mr Powell added .
`` The one word I have to use with respect to what he 's been doing for the last several years is the word I would never have used before , never would have used with any of the four presidents I worked for , he lies , '' said Mr Powell .
`` He lies about things .
And he gets away with it because people will not hold him accountable . ''
Mr Powell said he had not voted for the Republican candidate in 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden in November 's election .
`` I 'm very close to Joe Biden on a social matter and on a political matter .
I worked with him for 35 , 40 years , and he is now the candidate and I will be voting for him , '' he told CNN .

Republican Colin Powell, the former secretary of state under George W Bush, has called Donald Trump a liar and stated he will be voting for the Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden.
His comments follow President Trump threatening to use the military against Americans protesting against racism and police brutality following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Mr Powell, a retired general and the first African-American secretary of state, told CNN that Republican Mr Trump had "drifted away" from the Constitution, and lied "all the time".
"We have a constitution. And we have to follow that constitution. And the president has drifted away from it," he said.
His comments echoed criticisms of the president made by the former defence secretary James Mattis, who this week delivered a scathing assessment of Mr Trump, accusing him of dividing the country and "abusing" his position of authority.
"Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people - does not even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us," Mr Mattis wrote in The Atlantic magazine.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:58 Trump provokes outrage over Floyd comment
Asked directly if he agreed with the criticisms of the president by the ex-defence secretary, Mr Powell said: "You have to agree with it.
"I mean, look at what he has done to divide us," he added.
"I agree with all of my former colleagues. I'm proud of what they're doing. I'm proud that they were willing to take the risk of speaking honesty and speaking truth to those who are not speaking truth."
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Truth was in short supply with President Trump, Mr Powell added.
"The one word I have to use with respect to what he's been doing for the last several years is the word I would never have used before, never would have used with any of the four presidents I worked for - he lies," said Mr Powell.
"He lies about things. And he gets away with it because people will not hold him accountable."
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Mr Powell said he had not voted for the Republican candidate in 2016, and would instead be voting for Mr Biden in November's election.
"I'm very close to Joe Biden on a social matter and on a political matter. I worked with him for 35, 40 years, and he is now the candidate and I will be voting for him," he told CNN.


skynewsus--2020-06-07--Americans drinking and inhaling bleach to try to prevent COVID-19 infections - study

Americans trying to prevent COVID-19 infections have reported cleaning their food and themselves with disinfectant and bleach , with some even inhaling or drinking the household cleaning products , a study has found .
According to research from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , nearly four in 10 people ( 39 % ) admitted to actions the health protection agency would consider dangerous .
The study took place in May shortly after President Donald Trump publicly asked whether injecting such products could treat COVID-19 .
Of the 502 adults surveyed , 19 % said they had put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vegetables , while 18 % admitted using household cleaning and disinfectant products on their hands or skin .
Some 4 % had drank or gargled bleach solutions , soapy water or disinfectants , 6 % had inhaled vapours from household cleaners or disinfectants , and 10 % said they had misted their body with a cleaning or disinfectant spray .
Health officials have cautioned explicitly against such behaviour .
The online poll analysed household cleaning habits during the coronavirus pandemic .
Overall , 60 % of respondents ( with an average age of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often in the month before they completed the survey than they did in the months leading up to the pandemic .
A quarter reported at least one adverse health effect which they believed was linked to the use of cleaning products , such as the skin , eye and sinus irritation , dizziness and headaches , nausea and breathing problems .
Those who reported at least one high-risk act reported health problems twice as often as those who did not behave dangerously .
Majority of participants also fared poorly on knowledge of cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and high-risk practices identified in this survey , most respondents believed that they knew how to clean and disinfect their homes safely ; thus , prevention messages should highlight identified gaps in knowledge about safe and effective practices and provide targeted information using innovative communication strategies regarding safe cleaning and disinfection .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The researchers acknowledged several limitations to the findings , such as not knowing whether the participants were truly representative of the broader US population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such ) or whether the adverse health effects were directly linked to the risky behaviour .
`` Finally , responses were recorded at a single point in time and might not reflect ongoing shifts in public opinion or cleaning and disinfection practices by the public throughout the national COVID-19 response , '' they added .
In April , CDC reported an unusual hike in poison control centre calls over harmful exposures to household cleaning products , such as bleach .
Mr Trump has come under fire from medical experts for suggesting further research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with disinfectant could cure them from coronavirus .
These comments prompted the maker of Dettol to warn against its product being ingested `` under any circumstances ''

Americans trying to prevent COVID-19 infections have reported cleaning their food and themselves with disinfectant and bleach, with some even inhaling or drinking the household cleaning products, a study has found.
According to research from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly four in 10 people (39%) admitted to actions the health protection agency would consider dangerous.
The study took place in May shortly after President Donald Trump publicly asked whether injecting such products could treat COVID-19.
Image: Health officials say washing hands thoroughly and often is one of the most effective ways to prevent coronavirus
Of the 502 adults surveyed, 19% said they had put bleach on food, including fruit and vegetables, while 18% admitted using household cleaning and disinfectant products on their hands or skin.
Some 4% had drank or gargled bleach solutions, soapy water or disinfectants, 6% had inhaled vapours from household cleaners or disinfectants, and 10% said they had misted their body with a cleaning or disinfectant spray.
Health officials have cautioned explicitly against such behaviour.
The online poll analysed household cleaning habits during the coronavirus pandemic.
Overall, 60% of respondents (with an average age of 46) reported cleaning and disinfecting more often in the month before they completed the survey than they did in the months leading up to the pandemic.
A quarter reported at least one adverse health effect which they believed was linked to the use of cleaning products, such as the skin, eye and sinus irritation, dizziness, headaches, nausea or breathing problems.
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Those who reported at least one high-risk act reported health problems twice as often as those who did not behave dangerously.
The majority of participants also fared poorly on knowledge of cleaning practices.
Researchers concluded: "Despite the knowledge gaps and high-risk practices identified in this survey, most respondents believed that they knew how to clean and disinfect their homes safely; thus, prevention messages should highlight identified gaps in knowledge about safe and effective practices and provide targeted information using innovative communication strategies regarding safe cleaning and disinfection."
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The researchers acknowledged several limitations to the findings, such as not knowing whether the participants were truly representative of the broader US population (despite efforts to weight them as such) or whether the adverse health effects were directly linked to the risky behaviour.
"Finally, responses were recorded at a single point in time and might not reflect ongoing shifts in public opinion or cleaning and disinfection practices by the public throughout the national COVID-19 response," they added.
In April, CDC reported an unusual hike in poison control centre calls over harmful exposures to household cleaning products such as bleach.
Mr Trump has come under fire from medical experts for suggesting further research and tests into whether injecting COVID-19 patients with disinfectant could cure them from coronavirus.
These comments prompted the maker of Dettol to warn against its product being ingested "under any circumstances"


skynewsus--2020-06-07--Wrongly imprisoned man freed after 28 years on death row

A 55-year-old man who spent nearly three decades on death row over the sexual assault and murder of a four-year-old girl in Philadelphia has been freed after prosecutors concluded he is not guilty .
A judge overturned Walter Ogrod 's conviction for the crimes against Barbara Jean Horn , his neighbour , in July 1988 .
Prosecutor Carrie Wood apologised to Ogrod , who still faces a small chance of a new trial , saying at a hearing : `` I 'm sorry it took 28 years . ''
She added she now accepted `` that you are innocent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of confession came from Philadelphia Police detectives and not you '' .
Barbara Jean was found by a neighbour in a TV box left on pavement about 1,000ft ( 300m ) from her home .
She had head wounds and had been partially wrapped in a garbage bag .
Ogrod was arrested four years later while working as a bakery truck driver .
On Friday , a Philadelphia judge vacated Ogrod 's conviction , based on misconduct by the prosecution and new evidence supporting his innocence .
Ogrod 's lawyers said police had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his defence lawyers argued that the girl may have died of asphyxiation and not blows to the head .
They said that jailhouse informers fabricated statements from him and that eyewitness accounts do not match Ogrod 's appearance .
His confession , his lawyers said , had wrong details about the crime , including how Barbara Jean died .
A review by the Philadelphia district attorney 's office found violations of Ogrod 's right to due process of law , and that prosecutors had withheld potentially helpful material to his defence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ different suspect .
Prosecutors and Ogrod 's lawyers agreed there is no physical evidence linking him to Barbara Jean .
Ogrod was convicted after a second trial in 1996 after his first ended in a mistrial .
The judge said she was not able to throw out the case completely but lowered the charge to third-degree murder , allowing him to post bail and get released .
The judge ordered a new trial , but prosecutors filed a now-pending request to decline to retry him .
One of his lawyers , James Rollins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and he was heading to a relative 's backyard barbecue .
`` He was very pleased and relieved to be out of prison , '' Mr Rollins said .
Pennsylvania has executed only three people since the 1970s , the most recent in 1999 , and all three voluntarily dropped their appeals .

A 55-year-old man who spent nearly three decades on death row over the sexual assault and murder of a four-year-old girl in Philadelphia has been freed after prosecutors concluded he is not guilty.
A judge overturned Walter Ogrod's conviction for the crimes against Barbara Jean Horn, his neighbour, in July 1988.
Prosecutor Carrie Wood apologised to Ogrod, who still faces a small chance of a new trial, saying at a hearing: "I'm sorry it took 28 years."
She added she now accepted "that you are innocent, and that the words of your statement of confession came from Philadelphia Police detectives and not you".
Barbara Jean was found by a neighbour in a TV box left on pavement about 1,000ft (300m) from her home. She had head wounds and had been partially wrapped in a garbage bag.
Ogrod was arrested four years later while working as a bakery truck driver.
On Friday, a Philadelphia judge vacated Ogrod's conviction, based on misconduct by the prosecution and new evidence supporting his innocence.
Ogrod's lawyers said police had coerced a false confession from him, and his defence lawyers argued that the girl may have died of asphyxiation and not blows to the head.
They said that jailhouse informers fabricated statements from him and that eyewitness accounts do not match Ogrod's appearance.
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His confession, his lawyers said, had wrong details about the crime, including how Barbara Jean died.
A review by the Philadelphia district attorney's office found violations of Ogrod's right to due process of law, and that prosecutors had withheld potentially helpful material to his defence.
It is unclear whether authorities have a different suspect.
Prosecutors and Ogrod's lawyers agreed there is no physical evidence linking him to Barbara Jean.
Ogrod was convicted after a second trial in 1996 after his first ended in a mistrial.
The judge said she was not able to throw out the case completely but lowered the charge to third-degree murder, allowing him to post bail and get released.
The judge ordered a new trial, but prosecutors filed a now-pending request to decline to retry him.
One of his lawyers, James Rollins, said Ogrod was "very tired" and he was heading to a relative's backyard barbecue.
"He was very pleased and relieved to be out of prison," Mr Rollins said.
Pennsylvania has executed only three people since the 1970s, the most recent in 1999, and all three voluntarily dropped their appeals.


skynewsus--2020-06-07--Looney Tunes ditches guns for modern relaunch - but dynamite is still allowed

There might be scythes and explosives aplenty , but characters in the latest series of Looney Tunes have been banned from using guns .
New episodes of the classic cartoon have been released for the launch of the HBO Max streaming service in the US , hoping to introduce a new generation of fans to the adventures of Bugs Bunny and pals .
One staple of the original Warner Bros show , which dates back to the 1930s , was Bugs being hunted down by sworn nemesis Elmer Fudd , who regularly wielded shotguns and rifles .
Guns were also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including so-called `` suicide gags '' that saw characters such as Bugs , Yosemite Sam and the skunk Pepe Le Pew intimate that they were going to shoot themselves .
But now , in response to continued incidents of gun violence in the US , animators have decided not to equip the characters with any firearms in the new incarnation of the show .
Executive producer Peter Browngardt told The New York Times the show would still employ `` cartoony violence '' , including the use of dynamite , but said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said the move was part of a bid to modernise the cartoon , adding : `` We 're going through this wave of anti-bullying , 'everyone needs to be friends ' , 'everyone needs to get along ' .
`` Looney Tunes is pretty much the antithesis of that .
It 's two characters in conflict , sometimes getting pretty violent . ''
Besides the absence of firearms , the new series of shorts - spanning between and six minutes in length - has been pitched as a faithful tribute to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I always thought , 'What if Warner Bros had never stopped making Looney Tunes cartoons ?
As much as we possibly could , we treated the production in that way . ''
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Looney Tunes is one of many classic US cartoons to have been updated to reflect modern sensibilities , with some shows having been littered with racial stereotypes and other offensive tropes when they originally aired .
Upon the launch of its Disney+ streaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Peter Pan and Dumbo , advising that they contained `` outdated cultural depictions '' .
Similar notes added to old Hanna-Barbera cartoons on other streaming platforms have been even more explicit , with episodes of Tom and Jerry flagged for depicting scenes of `` racial prejudice '' .
That warning says : `` Tom and Jerry shorts may depict some ethnic and racial prejudices that were once commonplace in American society .
Such depictions were wrong then and are wrong today . ''

There might be scythes and explosives aplenty, but characters in the latest series of Looney Tunes have been banned from using guns.
New episodes of the classic cartoon have been released for the launch of the HBO Max streaming service in the US, hoping to introduce a new generation of fans to the adventures of Bugs Bunny and pals.
One staple of the original Warner Bros show, which dates back to the 1930s, was Bugs being hunted down by sworn nemesis Elmer Fudd, who regularly wielded shotguns and rifles.
Guns were also used in jest by other characters, including so-called "suicide gags" that saw characters such as Bugs, Yosemite Sam and the skunk Pepe Le Pew intimate that they were going to shoot themselves.
But now, in response to continued incidents of gun violence in the US, animators have decided not to equip the characters with any firearms in the new incarnation of the show.
Executive producer Peter Browngardt told The New York Times the show would still employ "cartoony violence", including the use of dynamite, but said: "We're not doing guns."
He said the move was part of a bid to modernise the cartoon, adding: "We're going through this wave of anti-bullying, 'everyone needs to be friends', 'everyone needs to get along'.
"Looney Tunes is pretty much the antithesis of that. It's two characters in conflict, sometimes getting pretty violent."
Besides the absence of firearms, the new series of shorts - spanning between and six minutes in length - has been pitched as a faithful tribute to the original show.
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Mr Browngardt said: "I always thought, 'What if Warner Bros had never stopped making Looney Tunes cartoons? As much as we possibly could, we treated the production in that way."
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Looney Tunes is one of many classic US cartoons to have been updated to reflect modern sensibilities, with some shows having been littered with racial stereotypes and other offensive tropes when they originally aired.
Upon the launch of its Disney+ streaming service, Disney added warnings to films like Peter Pan and Dumbo, advising that they contained "outdated cultural depictions".
Similar notes added to old Hanna-Barbera cartoons on other streaming platforms have been even more explicit, with episodes of Tom and Jerry flagged for depicting scenes of "racial prejudice".
That warning says: "Tom and Jerry shorts may depict some ethnic and racial prejudices that were once commonplace in American society. Such depictions were wrong then and are wrong today."


skynewsus--2020-06-08--Man arrested after driving car into protesters and shooting demonstrator

A man has been arrested after driving his car into a crowd of protesters in Seattle before shooting a demonstrator who confronted him .
Footage from the scene shows the car appearing to accelerate towards the crowd before hitting a barricade , as people can be heard screaming `` Oh God !
Oh God !
No !
No ! ''
.
Protesters surround the car as it comes to a stop and a man on the driver 's side falls to the ground after what sounds like a gunshot .
The driver later gets out of the car and appears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then heads into a crowd of people .
The victim is a 27-year-old black man who is in a stable condition in hospital , according to Seattle firefighters and eyewitness video .
Other images from the scene showed protesters forming a protective ring around the victim before he was helped up by medics .
Police were heard asking the crowd to bring him in for treatment .
He was seen walking away - supported by the medics - and being taken into an ambulance .
The suspect is in custody and a gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe there were any other victims .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Protests in the US over the weekend were mostly peaceful , as many continued to demonstrate over the death of George Floyd .
Mr Floyd was an unarmed black man who was killed after a police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes .

A man has been arrested after driving his car into a crowd of protesters in Seattle before shooting a demonstrator who confronted him.
Footage from the scene shows the car appearing to accelerate towards the crowd before hitting a barricade, as people can be heard screaming "Oh God! Oh God! No! No!".
Protesters surround the car as it comes to a stop and a man on the driver's side falls to the ground after what sounds like a gunshot.
Image: The person appears to be brandishing a gun
The driver later gets out of the car and appears to be brandishing a gun.
He then heads into a crowd of people.
The victim is a 27-year-old black man who is in a stable condition in hospital, according to Seattle firefighters and eyewitness video.
Other images from the scene showed protesters forming a protective ring around the victim before he was helped up by medics.
Police were heard asking the crowd to bring him in for treatment.
He was seen walking away - supported by the medics - and being taken into an ambulance.
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Image: The victim walked away helped by medics
The suspect is in custody and a gun has been recovered.
Police do not believe there were any other victims.
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Protests in the US over the weekend were mostly peaceful, as many continued to demonstrate over the death of George Floyd.
Mr Floyd was an unarmed black man who was killed after a police officer in Minneapolis knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.


skynewsus--2020-06-08--Minneapolis votes to disband police force after failing to reform

Minneapolis is poised to disband its police department after a majority of city council members vowed to end policing as the city knows it .
The dramatic move comes as the state of Minnesota has launched a civil rights investigation after the killing of George Floyd while in police custody .
Nine of the Minneapolis City Council 's 12 members appeared with activists on Sunday afternoon and vowed to start the city 's police force over again .
Council member Jeremiah Ellison promised that the council would `` dismantle '' the department .
`` It is clear that our system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe , '' Lisa Bender , the council president , said .
`` Our efforts at incremental reform have failed , period . ''
Ms Bender said she and the eight other council members who joined the rally were committed to ending the city 's relationship with the police force and `` to end policing as we know it and recreate systems that actually keep us safe '' .
Mr Floyd , 46 , died on May 25 after police officer Derek Chauvin was filmed kneeling on his neck for at least eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a counterfeit $ 20 note in a shop .
Activists have criticised the Minneapolis department for years for what they say is a racist and brutal culture that resists change .
On Friday the city agreed to ban chokeholds and neck restraints by police .
And a more complete remaking of the city 's police department is likely to unfold in coming months , with the push to defund or abolish the Minneapolis department far from assured as the civil rights investigation is conducted .
Disbanding an entire department has happened before .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Camden , New Jersey , the city disbanded its police department and replaced it with a new force that covered Camden County .
Compton , California , took the same step in 2000 , shifting its policing to Los Angeles County .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Meanwhile , officials in New York City lifted a curfew imposed amid the protests .
And In Washington , DC , National Guard troops from South Carolina were seen checking out of their hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was giving the order to withdraw them from the capital .

Minneapolis is poised to disband its police department after a majority of city council members vowed to end policing as the city knows it.
The dramatic move comes as the state of Minnesota has launched a civil rights investigation after the killing of George Floyd while in police custody.
Nine of the Minneapolis City Council's 12 members appeared with activists on Sunday afternoon and vowed to start the city's police force over again.
Council member Jeremiah Ellison promised that the council would "dismantle" the department.
"It is clear that our system of policing is not keeping our communities safe," Lisa Bender, the council president, said. "Our efforts at incremental reform have failed, period."
Ms Bender said she and the eight other council members who joined the rally were committed to ending the city's relationship with the police force and "to end policing as we know it and recreate systems that actually keep us safe".
Mr Floyd, 46, died on May 25 after police officer Derek Chauvin was filmed kneeling on his neck for at least eight minutes while arresting him for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 note in a shop.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:33 Protests and memorials for George Floyd
Activists have criticised the Minneapolis department for years for what they say is a racist and brutal culture that resists change.
On Friday the city agreed to ban chokeholds and neck restraints by police.
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And a more complete remaking of the city's police department is likely to unfold in coming months, with the push to defund or abolish the Minneapolis department far from assured as the civil rights investigation is conducted.
Disbanding an entire department has happened before. In 2012, with crime rampant in Camden, New Jersey, the city disbanded its police department and replaced it with a new force that covered Camden County.
Compton, California, took the same step in 2000, shifting its policing to Los Angeles County.
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Meanwhile, officials in New York City lifted a curfew imposed amid the protests.
And In Washington, DC, National Guard troops from South Carolina were seen checking out of their hotel shortly before president Donald Trump tweeted he was giving the order to withdraw them from the capital.


skynewsus--2020-06-07--Republican Colin Powell calls Trump a liar and says he will vote for Biden

Republican Colin Powell , the former secretary of state under George W Bush , has called Donald Trump a liar and stated he will be voting for the Democrat presidential candidate Joe Biden .
His comments follow President Trump threatening to use the military against Americans protesting against racism and police brutality following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Mr Powell , a retired general and the first African-American secretary of state , told CNN that Republican Mr Trump had `` drifted away '' from the Constitution , and lied `` all the time '' .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to follow that constitution .
And the president has drifted away from it , '' he said .
His comments echoed criticisms of the president made by the former defence secretary James Mattis , who this week delivered a scathing assessment of Mr Trump , accusing him of dividing the country and `` abusing '' his position of authority .
`` Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people - does not even pretend to try .
Instead , he tries to divide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Atlantic magazine .
Asked directly if he agreed with the criticisms of the president by the ex-defence secretary , Mr Powell said : `` You have to agree with it .
`` I mean , look at what he has done to divide us , '' he added .
`` I agree with all of my former colleagues .
I 'm proud of what they 're doing .
I 'm proud that they were willing to take the risk of speaking honesty and speaking truth to those who are not speaking truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with President Trump , Mr Powell added .
`` The one word I have to use with respect to what he 's been doing for the last several years is the word I would never have used before , never would have used with any of the four presidents I worked for - he lies , '' said Mr Powell .
`` He lies about things .
And he gets away with it because people will not hold him accountable . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Powell said he had not voted for the Republican candidate in 2016 , and would instead be voting for Mr Biden in November 's election .
`` I 'm very close to Joe Biden on a social matter and on a political matter .
I worked with him for 35 , 40 years , and he is now the candidate and I will be voting for him , '' he told CNN .


skynewsus--2020-06-08--Thousands of mourners say goodbye to George Floyd

Thousands of mourners said goodbye to George Floyd in his native Houston on Monday as his death continues to spark protests around the world .
Some of those who attended the Fountain of Praise church in Texas were seen wearing T-shirts bearing Mr Floyd 's picture or the words `` I ca n't breathe '' - the phrase he said repeatedly as a police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
People waited for hours to see the 46-year-old 's body as he was dressed in a brown suit in an open gold-coloured casket .
One man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sang `` Lean On Me '' .
Some of them knew Mr Floyd from the nearby housing projects where he grew up , while others travelled for hours or drove in from other states .
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden met with Mr Floyd 's family as mourners paid tribute at the church on Monday .
Benjamin Crump , the family 's lawyer , said Mr Biden showed compassion that `` meant the world to them '' .
The former vice president , who first spoke with the family by telephone more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies to address `` systemic racism '' in law enforcement .
He has also accused President Donald Trump of stoking division in response to massive street demonstrations that spread across the United States and around the world .
Mr Trump has also spoken with Mr Floyd 's family in a call that the brother Philonise said in interviews was brief and did not provide him with an opportunity to say much .
The president said at a law enforcement roundtable on Monday that he is looking at policing reforms .
People across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the church in Texas held tributes of their own .
A funeral-style procession of cars inched through downtown Los Angeles as the viewing began in Houston , while people in Memphis , Tennessee , held a moment of silence A judge in Minneapolis kept bail at $ 1m ( £786m ) for Derek Chauvin , the police officer charged with second-degree murder in relation Floyd 's death , while the viewing was taking place .
Chauvin , 44 , said almost nothing during the 11-minute hearing while appearing on closed-circuit television from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 25 May has inspired international protests and drawn new attention to the treatment of African Americans in the US by police and the criminal justice system .
Democrats in Washington proposed a sweeping overhaul of police oversight and procedures that would include a nationwide ban on chokeholds on Monday .
Senior Democrats had earlier paid honour Mr Floyd by kneeling on the ground for 8 minutes and 46 seconds - the time prosecutors say Mr Chauvin kneeled on his neck .
The Minneapolis City Council has vowed to dismantle the city 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take place on Tuesday followed by his burial at the Houston Memorial Gardens cemetery in suburban Pearland , where he will be laid to rest next to his mother , Larcenia Floyd .

Thousands of mourners said goodbye to George Floyd in his native Houston on Monday as his death continues to spark protests around the world.
Some of those who attended the Fountain of Praise church in Texas were seen wearing T-shirts bearing Mr Floyd's picture or the words "I can't breathe" - the phrase he said repeatedly as a police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
People waited for hours to see the 46-year-old's body as he was dressed in a brown suit in an open gold-coloured casket.
One man in line fainted, while others waiting sang "Lean On Me".
Image: A woman hugs a police officer outside the church in Houston, Texas
Some of them knew Mr Floyd from the nearby housing projects where he grew up, while others travelled for hours or drove in from other states.
Image: Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden with George Floyd's family
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden met with Mr Floyd's family as mourners paid tribute at the church on Monday.
Benjamin Crump, the family's lawyer, said Mr Biden showed compassion that "meant the world to them".
Image: Mourners viewed Mr Floyd at a church in Houston on Monday
The former vice president, who first spoke with the family by telephone more than a week ago, has called for policies to address "systemic racism" in law enforcement.
He has also accused President Donald Trump of stoking division in response to massive street demonstrations that spread across the United States and around the world.
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Mr Trump has also spoken with Mr Floyd's family in a call that the brother Philonise said in interviews was brief and did not provide him with an opportunity to say much.
The president said at a law enforcement roundtable on Monday that he is looking at policing reforms.
Image: Mourners view George Floyd's body in Texas
People across the US who couldn't make it to the church in Texas held tributes of their own.
A funeral-style procession of cars inched through downtown Los Angeles as the viewing began in Houston, while people in Memphis, Tennessee, held a moment of silence
A judge in Minneapolis increased bail from $1m (£786m) to $1.25m for Derek Chauvin, the police officer charged with second-degree murder in relation Floyd's death, while the viewing was taking place.
Chauvin, 44, said almost nothing during the 11-minute hearing while appearing on closed-circuit television from a maximum-security prison.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:50 Senior Democrats kneeled for eight minutes and 46 seconds in honour of black man killed in police custody
Mr Floyd's death on 25 May has inspired international protests and drawn new attention to the treatment of African Americans in the US by police and the criminal justice system.
Democrats in Washington proposed a sweeping overhaul of police oversight and procedures that would include a nationwide ban on chokeholds on Monday.
Senior Democrats had earlier paid honour Mr Floyd by kneeling on the ground for 8 minutes and 46 seconds - the time prosecutors say Mr Chauvin kneeled on his neck.
The Minneapolis City Council has vowed to dismantle the city's 800-member police agency.
Floyd's funeral take place on Tuesday followed by his burial at the Houston Memorial Gardens cemetery in suburban Pearland, where he will be laid to rest next to his mother, Larcenia Floyd.


skynewsus--2020-06-08--Prince Andrew won't be extradited to US over Epstein - attorney general

Prince Andrew wo n't be extradited to America for questioning over his links to Jeffrey Epstein , the US attorney general has said .
William Barr told Fox News the Duke of York 's involvement in the case against the convicted paedophile `` is n't a question of handing him over '' but a matter of `` having him provide some evidence '' .
Asked if there were plans to extradite Prince Andrew , 60 , to the United States , he replied : `` No . ''
US federal investigators have been trying to speak to Andrew for months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who killed himself in his New York prison cell while awaiting trial for sex-trafficking charges .
On Monday , the duke 's legal team hit out after prosecutors made a formal request to interview him , with his lawyers claiming he has previously offered to assist them with the case on three occasions .
But Geoffrey S Berman , attorney for the southern district of New York , later dismissed his claims , saying the prince has `` repeatedly declined requests to schedule an interview '' .
He said Andrew had sought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as eager and willing to cooperate '' , because the prince told his team `` unequivocally '' four months ago that he would not travel to the US to be interviewed .
Mr Berman added : `` If Prince Andrew is , in fact , serious about cooperating with the ongoing federal investigation , our doors remain open , and we await word of when we should expect him . ''
In March , Mr Berman said Andrew had `` completely shut the door '' on voluntary cooperation and that investigators were `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal action against him .
Both Andrew and Epstein 's former girlfriend , Ghislaine Maxwell , have previously denied any knowledge that Epstein was sexually abusing teenage girls .
Prosecutors accused the politically-connected financier of preying on dozens of underage girls in New York and Florida in the early 2000s .
One woman , Virginia Roberts Giuffre , claims Andrew had sex with her when she was still a minor , a claim he emphatically denies .
Last December , in the aftermath of a TV interview he did about his friendship with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ royal duties .

Prince Andrew won't be extradited to America for questioning over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, the US attorney general has said.
William Barr told Fox News the Duke of York's involvement in the case against the convicted paedophile "isn't a question of handing him over" but a matter of "having him provide some evidence".
Asked if there were plans to extradite Prince Andrew, 60, to the United States, he replied: "No."
US federal investigators have been trying to speak to Andrew for months about the disgraced billionaire, 66, who killed himself in his New York prison cell while awaiting trial for sex-trafficking charges.
On Monday, the duke's legal team hit out after prosecutors made a formal request to interview him, with his lawyers claiming he has previously offered to assist them with the case on three occasions.
But Geoffrey S Berman, attorney for the southern district of New York, later dismissed his claims, saying the prince has "repeatedly declined requests to schedule an interview".
He said Andrew had sought to "falsely portray himself to the public as eager and willing to co-operate", because the prince told his team "unequivocally" four months ago that he would not travel to the US to be interviewed.
Mr Berman added: "If Prince Andrew is, in fact, serious about co-operating with the ongoing federal investigation, our doors remain open, and we await word of when we should expect him."
In March, Mr Berman said Andrew had "completely shut the door" on voluntary co-operation and that investigators were "considering its options" with regards to legal action against him.
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Both Andrew and Epstein's former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, have previously denied any knowledge that Epstein was sexually abusing teenage girls.
Prosecutors accused the politically-connected financier of preying on dozens of underage girls in New York and Florida in the early 2000s.
One woman, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, claims Andrew had sex with her when she was still a minor, a claim he emphatically denies.
Last December, in the aftermath of a TV interview he did about his friendship with Epstein, the duke stepped back from royal duties.


skynewsus--2020-06-08--Senior Democrats kneel for eight minutes and 46 seconds in honour of George Floyd

Democrat politicians knelt for eight minutes and 46 seconds at the Capitol in Washington DC to honour the death of George Floyd .
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi had earlier led the House and Senate Democrats in a moment of silence after the unarmed black man was killed in police custody , sparking protests across the US and the world .
Senator Chuck Schumer and former Democrat presidential candidates Cory Booker and Kamala Harris were among those who knelt in the building 's Emancipation Hall .
The duration they knelt for was the length of time prosecutors say George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer 's knee before his death in Minneapolis on 25 May .
Ms Pelosi read out the names of Mr Floyd and others who have been killed in police custody in the US .
The house speaker , drawing on the nation 's founding with slavery , also said : `` We 're here to observe that pain . ''
Before kneeling , she added : `` We 're here to respect the actions of the American people to speak out against that .
`` We are here to honour George Floyd .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of police oversight and procedures as mass protests denounce the deaths of black Americans at the hands of law enforcement .
Ms Pelosi said : `` We can not settle for anything less than transformative structural change . ''
The Justice in Policing Act would limit legal protections for police , create a national database of excessive-force incidents and ban police choke holds , among other changes , according to an early draft .
Representative Karen Bass , chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus which is leading the effort , called it `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She added : `` The world is witnessing the birth of a new movement in this country . ''
Ms Bass continued : `` A profession where you have the power to kill should be a profession where you have highly-trained officers that are accountable to the public . ''
The package confronts several aspects of law enforcement accountability and practices that have come under criticism , especially as more police violence is captured on video and shared around the world .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Revise the federal criminal police misconduct statute to make it easier to prosecute officers involved in misconduct `` knowingly or with reckless disregard '' • Change `` qualified immunity '' protections for police `` to enable individuals to recover damages when law enforcement officers violate their constitutional rights '' • Seek to provide greater oversight and transparency of police behaviour including by granting subpoena power to the Justice Department to conduct `` pattern and practice '' investigations of potential misconduct and help states conduct independent investigations • Create a National Police Misconduct Registry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from one department to another with past misconduct undetected A long-sought federal anti-lynching bill which stalled in Congress is also included in the package .
However , it stops short of calls by activists to `` defund the police '' , a push to dismantle or reduce financial resources to police departments that has struck new intensity in the protests since Mr Floyd 's death .
House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler will convene a hearing on the legislation on Wednesday .
It is unclear if law enforcement and the powerful police unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or if congressional Republicans will join the effort .

Democrat politicians knelt for eight minutes and 46 seconds at the Capitol in Washington DC to honour the death of George Floyd.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi had earlier led the House and Senate Democrats in a moment of silence after the unarmed black man was killed in police custody, sparking protests across the US and the world.
Senator Chuck Schumer and former Democrat presidential candidates Cory Booker and Kamala Harris were among those who knelt in the building's Emancipation Hall.
The duration they knelt for was the length of time prosecutors say George Floyd was pinned under a white police officer's knee before his death in Minneapolis on 25 May.
Image: Nancy Pelosi, centre, read out the names of people killed in police custody
Ms Pelosi read out the names of Mr Floyd and others who have been killed in police custody in the US.
The house speaker, drawing on the nation's founding with slavery, also said: "We're here to observe that pain."
Before kneeling, she added: "We're here to respect the actions of the American people to speak out against that.
"We are here to honour George Floyd."
Democrats later proposed a sweeping overhaul of police oversight and procedures as mass protests denounce the deaths of black Americans at the hands of law enforcement.
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Ms Pelosi said: "We cannot settle for anything less than transformative structural change."
Image: Democrats knelt down in honour of George Floyd
The Justice in Policing Act would limit legal protections for police, create a national database of excessive-force incidents and ban police choke holds, among other changes, according to an early draft.
Representative Karen Bass, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus which is leading the effort, called it "bold" and "transformative".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:44 Trump 'won't be defunding' police
She added: "The world is witnessing the birth of a new movement in this country."
Ms Bass continued: "A profession where you have the power to kill should be a profession where you have highly-trained officers that are accountable to the public."
The package confronts several aspects of law enforcement accountability and practices that have come under criticism, especially as more police violence is captured on video and shared around the world.
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The proposed legislation would:
Revise the federal criminal police misconduct statute to make it easier to prosecute officers involved in misconduct "knowingly or with reckless disregard"
Change "qualified immunity" protections for police "to enable individuals to recover damages when law enforcement officers violate their constitutional rights"
Seek to provide greater oversight and transparency of police behaviour including by granting subpoena power to the Justice Department to conduct "pattern and practice" investigations of potential misconduct and help states conduct independent investigations
Ban racial profiling and boost requirements for police body cameras
Create a National Police Misconduct Registry to try to prevent officers from transferring from one department to another with past misconduct undetected
A long-sought federal anti-lynching bill which stalled in Congress is also included in the package.
However, it stops short of calls by activists to "defund the police", a push to dismantle or reduce financial resources to police departments that has struck new intensity in the protests since Mr Floyd's death.
House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler will convene a hearing on the legislation on Wednesday.
It is unclear if law enforcement and the powerful police unions will back any of the proposed changes or if congressional Republicans will join the effort.


skynewsus--2020-06-08--Former Obama rival Mitt Romney first Republican to join George Floyd protests

Mitt Romney has become the first known Republican senator to join protests over how police treat black Americans .
The Utah senator posted a picture on Twitter of himself wearing a mask as he walked with protesters at a rally in Washington DC , along with the caption : `` Black Lives Matter . ''
Mr Romney has repeatedly used Twitter in response to the death of George Floyd , who died on May 25 after a police officer was filmed kneeling on his neck for nearly nine minutes .
He has called for protests to be `` peaceful '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 46-year-old in Minneapolis as `` abhorrent '' .
The march through the capital on Sunday came on the 12th day of nationwide protests since Mr Floyd 's death .
It was one of many other such rallies in the US , including in New York and Chicago , and across the world .
Mr Romney , who lost to Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election , told NBC News : `` We need a voice against racism , we need many voices against racism and against brutality . ''
: : Listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker On Saturday the 73-year-old had tweeted a photograph of his father , governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969 , which showed him marching with civil rights protesters in Detroit in the 1960s .
With the picture , Mr Romney wrote : `` This is my father , George Romney , participating in a Civil Rights march in the Detroit suburbs during the late 1960s .
`` 'Force alone will not eliminate riots , ' he said .
'We must eliminate the problems from which they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ march , Mr Romney has again put himself at odds with Donald Trump , who has criticised protesters and threatened to use the military against them .
Mr Romney was the only Republican senator to vote to seek the removal of Mr Trump when he faced impeachment charges last year .

Mitt Romney has become the first known Republican senator to join protests over how police treat black Americans.
The Utah senator posted a picture on Twitter of himself wearing a mask as he walked with protesters at a rally in Washington DC, along with the caption: "Black Lives Matter."
Mr Romney has repeatedly used Twitter in response to the death of George Floyd, who died on May 25 after a police officer was filmed kneeling on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
He has called for protests to be "peaceful", and labelled the killing of the 46-year-old in Minneapolis as "abhorrent".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:03 DC Mayor: 'Let us stand with determination'
The march through the capital on Sunday came on the 12th day of nationwide protests since Mr Floyd's death.
It was one of many other such rallies in the US, including in New York and Chicago, and across the world.
Mr Romney, who lost to Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election, told NBC News: "We need a voice against racism, we need many voices against racism and against brutality."
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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On Saturday the 73-year-old had tweeted a photograph of his father, governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969, which showed him marching with civil rights protesters in Detroit in the 1960s.
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With the picture, Mr Romney wrote: "This is my father, George Romney, participating in a Civil Rights march in the Detroit suburbs during the late 1960s.
"'Force alone will not eliminate riots,' he said. 'We must eliminate the problems from which they stem.'"
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In joining the march, Mr Romney has again put himself at odds with Donald Trump, who has criticised protesters and threatened to use the military against them.
Mr Romney was the only Republican senator to vote to seek the removal of Mr Trump when he faced impeachment charges last year.


skynewsus--2020-06-08--Treasure hunt lasting 10 years finally ends after man finds $1m in mountains

Treasure worth at least $ 1m ( £790,000 ) buried in the US wilderness 10 years ago has finally been found .
Forrest Fenn , an art and antiques dealer from Santa Fe , New Mexico , said the chest of valuables he buried somewhere in the Rocky Mountains has been claimed .
At least four people are believed to have died while searching the wilderness for the haul , while others gave up jobs and ran through their life savings .
Millionaire Mr Fenn , 89 , said the lucky man , who is from the eastern US and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chest a few days ago and confirmed the find by sending him a photograph .
The dealer posted clues to the treasure 's whereabouts online and in a 24-line poem that was published in his 2010 autobiography The Thrill Of The Chase .
Hundreds of thousands have hunted in vain across remote corners of the US west for the bronze chest believed to be filled with gold coins , jewellery and other valuable items .
Some have said it was all a hoax and have taken legal action .
Mr Fenn , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the wilderness , kept digging up and repacking his treasure chest , sprinkling in gold dust and adding hundreds of rare gold coins and gold nuggets , leading some to speculate its value was closer to $ 2m ( £1,578,000 ) .
Pre-Colombian animal figures went in , along with prehistoric mirrors of hammered gold , ancient Chinese faces carved from jade and antique jewellery with rubies and emeralds , The Guardian said .
He delivered the 19kg ( 42lb ) chest to its hiding place in two separate trips , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked how he felt now it had been found , Mr Fenn said : `` I do n't know , I feel halfway kind of glad , halfway kind of sad . ''

Treasure worth at least $1m (£790,000) buried in the US wilderness 10 years ago has finally been found.
Forrest Fenn, an art and antiques dealer from Santa Fe, New Mexico, said the chest of valuables he buried somewhere in the Rocky Mountains has been claimed.
At least four people are believed to have died while searching the wilderness for the haul, while others gave up jobs and ran through their life savings.
Image: Forrest Fenn says the chest he buried somewhere in the Rocky Mountains 10 years ago has been claimed. Pic: Forrest Fenn
Millionaire Mr Fenn, 89, said the lucky man, who is from the eastern US and wishes to remain anonymous, located the chest a few days ago and confirmed the find by sending him a photograph.
The dealer posted clues to the treasure's whereabouts online and in a 24-line poem that was published in his 2010 autobiography The Thrill Of The Chase.
Hundreds of thousands have hunted in vain across remote corners of the US west for the bronze chest believed to be filled with gold coins, jewellery and other valuable items.
Some have said it was all a hoax and have taken legal action.
Mr Fenn, whose aim was to encourage people to get into the wilderness, kept digging up and repacking his treasure chest, sprinkling in gold dust and adding hundreds of rare gold coins and gold nuggets, leading some to speculate its value was closer to $2m (£1,578,000).
Pre-Colombian animal figures went in, along with prehistoric mirrors of hammered gold, ancient Chinese faces carved from jade and antique jewellery with rubies and emeralds, The Guardian said.
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He delivered the 19kg (42lb) chest to its hiding place in two separate trips, he told the New Mexican in 2017.
Asked how he felt now it had been found, Mr Fenn said: "I don't know, I feel halfway kind of glad, halfway kind of sad."


skynewsus--2020-06-08--Republic Records drops term 'urban' to describe music made by black artists

Republic Records will no longer use the term `` urban '' to describe music produced by black artists .
The label , which is owned by the world 's largest record label company Universal Music Group , said it was erasing the `` outdated '' tag from all parts of its business with immediate effect .
The company , which represents stars including Drake , Ariana Grande , Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift , is urging all others in the music business to do the same .
Republic posted the announcement on its official Instagram page , saying : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out verbiage in describing departments , employee titles and music genres . ''
It went on : `` We encourage the rest of the music industry to follow suit as it is important to shape the future of what we want it to look like , and not adhere to the outdated structures of the past . ''
The term `` urban '' has frequently been applied as a catch-all to describe music genres including hip-hop , grime , R & B , soul and rap .
While the term `` urban contemporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way the mid-1970s by black New York radio DJ Frankie Crocker , the generalisation has since taken on negative undertones .
The label has also formed an action committee to specifically address social justice issues .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Artist management company Milk & Honey has also said it will be `` eliminating '' the word .
`` We will no longer be using the term as we believe it 's an important step forward , and an outdated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 onwards , '' the firm said on social media .
Telling followers `` change starts at home '' , the post signed off with the Dr Martin Luther King Jr quote : `` The time is always right , to do what 's right '' .
Both companies are just the latest to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement , following the death of George Floyd .
Floyd , 46 , was killed on 25 May in Minneapolis after white police officer Derek Chauvin was filmed kneeling on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arresting him for allegedly using a counterfeit $ 20 note in a shop .
Last week the music industry paused work for a day as `` an urgent step of action to provoke accountability and change '' .
Rihanna , Jamie Foxx , Drake , Nile Rodgers and music mogul Quincy Jones were among the stars to post black squares on their Instagram accounts as part of # BlackoutTuesday .

Republic Records will no longer use the term "urban" to describe music produced by black artists.
The label, which is owned by the world's largest record label company Universal Music Group, said it was erasing the "outdated" tag from all parts of its business with immediate effect.
The company, which represents stars including Drake, Ariana Grande, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift, is urging all others in the music business to do the same.
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Republic posted the announcement on its official Instagram page, saying: "Republic Records will remove 'Urban' from out verbiage in describing departments, employee titles and music genres."
It went on: "We encourage the rest of the music industry to follow suit as it is important to shape the future of what we want it to look like, and not adhere to the outdated structures of the past."
The term "urban" has frequently been applied as a catch-all to describe music genres including hip-hop, grime, R&B, soul and rap.
While the term "urban contemporary" was first used in a positive way the mid-1970s by black New York radio DJ Frankie Crocker, the generalisation has since taken on negative undertones.
The label has also formed an action committee to specifically address social justice issues.
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Artist management company Milk & Honey has also said it will be "eliminating" the word.
"We will no longer be using the term as we believe it's an important step forward, and an outdated word, which has no place in 2020 onwards," the firm said on social media.
Telling followers "change starts at home", the post signed off with the Dr Martin Luther King Jr quote: "The time is always right, to do what's right".
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Both companies are just the latest to show their support for the Black Lives Matter movement, following the death of George Floyd.
Floyd, 46, was killed on 25 May in Minneapolis after white police officer Derek Chauvin was filmed kneeling on his neck for at least eight minutes while arresting him for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 note in a shop.
Last week the music industry paused work for a day as "an urgent step of action to provoke accountability and change".
Rihanna, Jamie Foxx, Drake, Nile Rodgers and music mogul Quincy Jones were among the stars to post black squares on their Instagram accounts as part of #BlackoutTuesday.


skynewsus--2020-06-09--'He sacrificed for the world': George Floyd to be laid to rest

When George Floyd left Houston it was in search of a fresh start in life .
He returned to Texas in death , his name now the focus of a nationwide , a worldwide , call to action .
George Floyd 's funeral at The Fountain of Praise Church will be attended , alongside his family and friends , by political , religious and civil rights leaders .
His death on a Minneapolis street two weeks ago , so public and so brutal , has sparked protests , marches and rallies .
Millions are demanding America finally and properly address @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatment of the African-American community .
On Monday , thousands queued in the heat and humidity of Houston to pay their respects at the final public memorial .
In groups of 500 , they filed past his open gold-coloured coffin .
`` Change has come , '' said Jesse Holmes .
What Martin Luther King had long sought , he said , George Floyd had delivered .
`` The world will never be the same .
We 're thankful .
He sacrificed for the world . ''
At the same time , Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd 's family .
His compassion , the family 's lawyer said , `` meant the world to them '' .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker The former vice-president has recorded a video message to be played at today 's funeral service .
The reckoning in America following George Floyd 's death has forced the issue on to the agenda of the nation 's politicians .
Mr Biden has described Donald Trump 's response as `` despicable '' , Mr Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law and order '' .
In Washington DC , Democrats on Capitol Hill knelt for 8 minutes and 46 seconds - the length of time Mr Floyd spent with a police officer 's knee on his neck - to honour him and the campaign his death has reignited .
The party also unveiled proposals to overhaul police procedures .
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called for `` transformative structural change '' .
But across America there is a real determination to keep the pressure on those politicians , many of whom have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demonstrate that serious change will take place this time .
Anger and outrage at deaths in the past has too often faded with little material change .
In Houston , as in his birthplace in North Carolina at the weekend , the memorials for George Floyd represent a sense of personal loss .
A highly-talented basketball and football player , known to friends and family by his middle name Perry , he was also a familiar figure on the city 's hip hop scene .
He moved to Minneapolis six years ago but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas .
There is a new mural in his memory near his old home in Houston 's Third Ward .
`` It is a watershed moment for the American people , '' said Houston 's police chief Art Acevedo .
Following his funeral service , George Floyd will be laid to rest at a cemetery in the suburb of Pearland .
He will be buried next to his mother , the end of a life story that could reverberate for generations , in a legacy of real and lasting change .

When George Floyd left Houston it was in search of a fresh start in life.
He returned to Texas in death, his name now the focus of a nationwide, a worldwide, call to action.
George Floyd's funeral at The Fountain of Praise Church will be attended, alongside his family and friends, by political, religious and civil rights leaders.
Image: Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden with George Floyd's family
His death on a Minneapolis street two weeks ago, so public and so brutal, has sparked protests, marches and rallies. Millions are demanding America finally and properly address the age-old problem of inequality in the treatment of the African-American community.
On Monday, thousands queued in the heat and humidity of Houston to pay their respects at the final public memorial. In groups of 500, they filed past his open gold-coloured coffin.
"Change has come," said Jesse Holmes. What Martin Luther King had long sought, he said, George Floyd had delivered. "The world will never be the same. We're thankful. He sacrificed for the world."
At the same time, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden was meeting George Floyd's family. His compassion, the family's lawyer said, "meant the world to them".
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
The former vice-president has recorded a video message to be played at today's funeral service.
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The reckoning in America following George Floyd's death has forced the issue on to the agenda of the nation's politicians. Mr Biden has described Donald Trump's response as "despicable", Mr Trump has retreated to a message of "law and order".
In Washington DC, Democrats on Capitol Hill knelt for 8 minutes and 46 seconds - the length of time Mr Floyd spent with a police officer's knee on his neck - to honour him and the campaign his death has reignited. The party also unveiled proposals to overhaul police procedures.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called for "transformative structural change".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:22 Pelosi leads Democrats in kneeling for George Floyd
But across America there is a real determination to keep the pressure on those politicians, many of whom have been in office for decades, to demonstrate that serious change will take place this time.
Anger and outrage at deaths in the past has too often faded with little material change.
Image: Mourners file past the open coffin of George Floyd
In Houston, as in his birthplace in North Carolina at the weekend, the memorials for George Floyd represent a sense of personal loss.
A highly-talented basketball and football player, known to friends and family by his middle name Perry, he was also a familiar figure on the city's hip hop scene. He moved to Minneapolis six years ago but two of his children still live in Texas.
Image: A memorial honouring George Floyd in Houston's Third Ward where he grew up
There is a new mural in his memory near his old home in Houston's Third Ward.
"It is a watershed moment for the American people," said Houston's police chief Art Acevedo.
Following his funeral service, George Floyd will be laid to rest at a cemetery in the suburb of Pearland.
He will be buried next to his mother, the end of a life story that could reverberate for generations, in a legacy of real and lasting change.


skynewsus--2020-06-09--IBM scraps facial recognition software over racial profiling concerns

IBM has said it will stop offering facial recognition or analysis software and will oppose use of the technology for mass surveillance and racial profiling .
Chief executive Arvind Krishna made the announcement in a letter to members of the US Congress .
The tech firm 's decision comes as the US contends with nationwide protests over the killing of a black man , George Floyd , in police custody in Minneapolis .
`` IBM firmly opposes and will not condone uses of any technology , including facial recognition technology offered by other vendors , for mass surveillance , racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and freedoms , or any purpose which is not consistent with our values and principles of trust and transparency , '' he was quoted as saying in the letter .
Government officials across the country have proposed reforms to address police brutality and racial injustice aimed at boosting oversight of law enforcement agencies .
In the letter sent to prominent US senators , including Cory Booker and Kamala Harris , Mr Krishna also called for greater transparency and accountability to policing .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes just months after a US government study suggested facial recognition algorithms are far less accurate at identifying African-American and Asian faces compared to Caucasian faces .
African-American females were even more likely to be misidentified , the research by The National Institute of Standards and Technology ( NIST ) found .
Meanwhile , in London the Met Police has made its controversial live facial recognition ( LFR ) technology operational following 10 trials across the capital .
This is despite an independent report into the force 's use of the technology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Sky News , which found the technology was actually 81 % inaccurate .

IBM has said it will stop offering facial recognition or analysis software and will oppose use of the technology for mass surveillance and racial profiling.
Chief executive Arvind Krishna made the announcement in a letter to members of the US Congress.
The tech firm's decision comes as the US contends with nationwide protests over the killing of a black man, George Floyd, in police custody in Minneapolis.
"IBM firmly opposes and will not condone uses of any technology, including facial recognition technology offered by other vendors, for mass surveillance, racial profiling, violations of basic human rights and freedoms, or any purpose which is not consistent with our values and principles of trust and transparency," he was quoted as saying in the letter.
Government officials across the country have proposed reforms to address police brutality and racial injustice aimed at boosting oversight of law enforcement agencies.
In the letter sent to prominent US senators, including Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, Mr Krishna also called for greater transparency and accountability to policing.
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
It comes just months after a US government study suggested facial recognition algorithms are far less accurate at identifying African-American and Asian faces compared to Caucasian faces.
African-American females were even more likely to be misidentified, the research by The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) found.
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Image: The Met Police announced its system was being launched
Meanwhile, in London the Met Police has made its controversial live facial recognition (LFR) technology operational following 10 trials across the capital.
This is despite an independent report into the force's use of the technology, commissioned by the Met itself and revealed by Sky News, which found the technology was actually 81% inaccurate.