france24--2020-06-08--George Floyd: US Democrats take the knee, plan to overhaul police

U.S. Democrats kneel during a moment of silence to honor George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , Ahmaud Arbery and others inside Emancipation Hall , at the U.S. Capitol in Washington , U.S. , June 8 , 2020 .
A sweeping overhaul of police oversight and procedures is being proposed Monday by congressional Democrats in response to the deaths of black Americans at the hands of law enforcement .
House and Senate Democrats held moment of silence at the Capitol 's Emancipation Hall , reading the names of George Floyd and others killed .
They then knelt for 8 minutes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police brutality and violence — the length of time prosecutors say Floyd was pinned under a white police officer ’ s knee before he died .
“ We 're here to observe that pain , ” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said , drawing on the nation 's founding with slavery .
“ We 're here to respect the actions of the American people to speak out against that , ” she said , before kneeling on one knee .
`` We are here to honor George Floyd . ''
According to a draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Justice in Policing Act to be unveiled Monday would limit legal protections for police , create a national database of excessive-force incidents and ban police choke holds , among other changes .
It outlines the most ambitious changes to law enforcement sought by Congress in years .
Rep. Karen Bass , D-Calif. , chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus , which is leading the effort , said called it “ transformative.
” “ We ’ re in a real moment in our country , '' she said Sunday on CNN , speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the death of George Floyd and other African Americans involving the police .
Bass said the package from House and Senate Democrats will be bolder than any law enforcement changes of the past decade .
“ It is time for police culture in many departments to change , ” she said .
“ And we believe that the legislation will make a major step forward in that direction.
” The package confronts several aspects of law enforcement accountability and practices that have come under criticism , especially as more and more police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shared widely across the nation , and the world .
The draft document said the proposed legislation would revise the federal criminal police misconduct statute to make it easier to prosecute officers who are involved in misconduct “ knowingly or with reckless disregard . ''

A sweeping overhaul of police oversight and procedures is being proposed Monday by congressional Democrats in response to the deaths of black Americans at the hands of law enforcement.
U.S. Democrats kneel during a moment of silence to honor George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others inside Emancipation Hall, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., June 8, 2020.
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House and Senate Democrats held moment of silence at the Capitol's Emancipation Hall, reading the names of George Floyd and others killed. They then knelt for 8 minutes and 46 seconds — now a symbol of police brutality and violence — the length of time prosecutors say Floyd was pinned under a white police officer’s knee before he died.
“We're here to observe that pain,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, drawing on the nation's founding with slavery.
“We're here to respect the actions of the American people to speak out against that,” she said, before kneeling on one knee. "We are here to honor George Floyd."
According to a draft outline obtained by The Associated Press, the Justice in Policing Act to be unveiled Monday would limit legal protections for police, create a national database of excessive-force incidents and ban police choke holds, among other changes. It outlines the most ambitious changes to law enforcement sought by Congress in years.
'Police culture must change'
Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, which is leading the effort, said called it “transformative.”
“We’re in a real moment in our country," she said Sunday on CNN, speaking after days of massive protests set off by the death of George Floyd and other African Americans involving the police.
The Justice in Policing Act of 2020 will hold abusive law enforcement officers accountable, change the culture of law enforcement and build trust between law enforcement and our communities.
It establishes a bold, transformative vision of policing in America.
Today we act. — Congressmember Bass (@RepKarenBass) June 8, 2020
Bass said the package from House and Senate Democrats will be bolder than any law enforcement changes of the past decade. “It is time for police culture in many departments to change,” she said. “And we believe that the legislation will make a major step forward in that direction.”
The package confronts several aspects of law enforcement accountability and practices that have come under criticism, especially as more and more police violence is captured on cell phone video and shared widely across the nation, and the world.
The draft document said the proposed legislation would revise the federal criminal police misconduct statute to make it easier to prosecute officers who are involved in misconduct “knowingly or with reckless disregard."
(AP)
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france24--2020-06-08--‘It represents years of hurt’: Statue of slave trader toppled by UK protesters

A statue of Edward Colston was toppled by protesters in Bristol , UK , on Sunday , June 7 .
The statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston torn down by protesters in the UK city of Bristol on Sunday has long been a source of contention in the city , with one demonstrator calling it “ a kick in the teeth to all black people ” .
The stature was toppled amid anti-racism protests triggered by the death of unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of police in the US that have now spread to countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statue commemorating him has been a controversial figure in Bristol for years .
Born in Bristol in 1636 Colston made the bulk of his fortune as part of the Royal African Company ( RAC ) which for decades held a monopoly on the West African slave trade , transporting around 212,000 slaves between 1662 and 1731 .
Colston sold his shares in the company in 1689 then gained a reputation as a generous philanthropist , making donations to schools , hospitals and churches in Britstol and London .
It was for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was erected in 1895 .
But calls for the statue ’ s removal have grown in recent years , with one online petition gaining more than 11,000 signatures .
“ It represents years of hurt and just a lot of emotion and hatred that has been built up inside of us that we have internalised for years and that coming down today hopefully signifies change , ” protester Elliot McLean said Sunday .
“ Hopefully , we ’ ve sent a message not just to everyone in the UK or the US , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The statue is not the only memorial to Colston in Bristol , which itself was at the centre of Britain ’ s role in the international slave trade .
His name has also been given to tower blocks , schools , several streets and a concert hall , though plans are in place to rename Colston Hall later this year .
“ Colston is a slave owner and Bristol is pasted with Colston , there is streets named after Colston , there is a school called Colston and they ’ ve just ripped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symbolises down , ” said one protester , who gave her name only as Jasmine .
“ And people might say that ’ s vandalism but black people have to walk these streets .
Black slaves built Bristol , we have to walk these streets and see that statue of Colston every day , that ’ s what it means .
That statue is a kick in the face to all black people , it ’ s a disgrace .
Now look at it , now look at it .
Gone .
”

The statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston torn down by protesters in the UK city of Bristol on Sunday has long been a source of contention in the city, with one demonstrator calling it “a kick in the teeth to all black people”.
A statue of Edward Colston was toppled by protesters in Bristol, UK, on Sunday, June 7.
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The stature was toppled amid anti-racism protests triggered by the death of unarmed black man George Floyd at the hands of police in the US that have now spread to countries around the world.
But Colston and the statue commemorating him has been a controversial figure in Bristol for years.
Born in Bristol in 1636 Colston made the bulk of his fortune as part of the Royal African Company (RAC) which for decades held a monopoly on the West African slave trade, transporting around 212,000 slaves between 1662 and 1731.
Colston sold his shares in the company in 1689 then gained a reputation as a generous philanthropist, making donations to schools, hospitals and churches in Britstol and London. It was for his charitable work that the statue of Colston was erected in 1895.
But calls for the statue’s removal have grown in recent years, with one online petition gaining more than 11,000 signatures.
“It represents years of hurt and just a lot of emotion and hatred that has been built up inside of us that we have internalised for years and that coming down today hopefully signifies change,” protester Elliot McLean said Sunday.
“Hopefully, we’ve sent a message not just to everyone in the UK or the US, worldwide, we need worldwide difference.”
The statue is not the only memorial to Colston in Bristol, which itself was at the centre of Britain’s role in the international slave trade.
His name has also been given to tower blocks, schools, several streets and a concert hall, though plans are in place to rename Colston Hall later this year.
“Colston is a slave owner and Bristol is pasted with Colston, there is streets named after Colston, there is a school called Colston and they’ve just ripped that down and ripped everything that Colston symbolises down,” said one protester, who gave her name only as Jasmine.
“And people might say that’s vandalism but black people have to walk these streets. Black slaves built Bristol, we have to walk these streets and see that statue of Colston every day, that’s what it means. That statue is a kick in the face to all black people, it’s a disgrace. Now look at it, now look at it. Gone.”
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france24--2020-06-08--George Floyd's violent death 'a pattern repeated regularly in American history'

George Floyd , an unarmed black man , died on May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on @ @ @ @ @ for almost nine minutes , even after he complained he could not breathe and appeared @ @ @ @ @ incident was captured on video , setting off massive street demonstrations that have spread across @ @ @ @ @ the world .
But this was not the first time that the public has seen @ @ @ @ @ Americans .
FRANCE 24 's Erin Ogunkeye tells us more .

George Floyd's violent death 'a pattern repeated regularly in American history'
George Floyd, an unarmed black man, died on May 25 after a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on the back of his neck for almost nine minutes, even after he complained he could not breathe and appeared to lose consciousness. The incident was captured on video, setting off massive street demonstrations that have spread across the United States and around the world. But this was not the first time that the public has seen images of violences against African Americans. FRANCE 24's Erin Ogunkeye tells us more.
04:26 FRANCE 24's Erin Ogunkeye looks at how George Floyd's death has sparked an investigation into systemic racial abuse that has existed in the US over the centuries, June 8 2020. © FRANCE 24 screengrab.


france24--2020-06-08--France reports 54 daily Covid deaths, new confirmed cases at one-week low

Orderlies clean a room of a former Covid-19 patient at the AP-HP ( Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris ) in Paris , May 28 , 2020 .
France 's coronavirus deaths were four times higher on Monday than a day earlier but the increase of new confirmed cases of Covid-19 were at a one-week low .
In a statement , the health ministry said the country 's death toll rose by 54 , or 0.2 % , to 29,209 , the fifth-highest total in the world .
On Sunday , 13 Covid-19 deaths were reported .
The figure could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chosen by the government to add , once a week , data from nursing homes , which account for more than a third of the total deaths .
The number of confirmed cases rose by 0.1 % to 154,188 , which is lower than the rolling seven-day average of 0.2 % .
> > Read more : From ‘ under control ’ to ‘ critical ’ : Four potential scenarios for Covid-19 in France According to Reuters calculations , if probable cases of coronavirus in care homes are added , France 's total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the ninth-highest tally in the world on that basis .
The ministry said the number of people being treated in hospital for Covid-19 fell by 146 to 12,315 .
At the peak of the outbreak in mid-April that number reached 32,292 .
The number of people in intensive care fell by 29 , or 2.8 percent , to 1,024 , versus an April 8 high of 7,148 .

France's coronavirus deaths were four times higher on Monday than a day earlier but the increase of new confirmed cases of Covid-19 were at a one-week low.
Orderlies clean a room of a former Covid-19 patient at the AP-HP (Assistance Publique - Hopitaux de Paris) in Paris, May 28, 2020.
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In a statement, the health ministry said the country's death toll rose by 54, or 0.2%, to 29,209, the fifth-highest total in the world. On Sunday, 13 Covid-19 deaths were reported.
The figure could spike on Tuesday, the day now chosen by the government to add, once a week, data from nursing homes, which account for more than a third of the total deaths.
The number of confirmed cases rose by 0.1% to 154,188, which is lower than the rolling seven-day average of 0.2%.
>> Read more: From ‘under control’ to ‘critical’: Four potential scenarios for Covid-19 in France
According to Reuters calculations, if probable cases of coronavirus in care homes are added, France's total number of cases stands at almost 191,00, the ninth-highest tally in the world on that basis.
The ministry said the number of people being treated in hospital for Covid-19 fell by 146 to 12,315. At the peak of the outbreak in mid-April that number reached 32,292.
The number of people in intensive care fell by 29, or 2.8 percent, to 1,024, versus an April 8 high of 7,148.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-08--'Violent minority' in anti-racist protests must be brought to justice, says UK's Priti Patel

A video grab from footage broadcast by the UK Parliament 's Parliamentary Recording Unit ( PRU ) shows Britain 's @ @ @ @ @ she gives a statement to the House of Commons in London on June 8 , @ @ @ @ @ disorder at the Black Lives Matter protests over the weekend .
A minority of protesters @ @ @ @ @ weekend 's `` Black Lives Matter '' protests in Britain undermined the cause and should @ @ @ @ @ Priti Patel said on Monday .
Patel said she sympathised with peaceful protesters but added @ @ @ @ @ unlawful due to the public health risks around the spread of the new coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ protesters have regrettably turned to violence ... as of this morning , the total number @ @ @ @ @ , '' Patel told parliament , adding that they had `` subverted this cause with @ @ @ @ @ I want to see the violent minority responsible arrested brought to justice , '' she @ @

A minority of protesters who were violent during the weekend's "Black Lives Matter" protests in Britain undermined the cause and should face justice, interior minister Priti Patel said on Monday.
A video grab from footage broadcast by the UK Parliament's Parliamentary Recording Unit (PRU) shows Britain's Home Secretary Priti Patel as she gives a statement to the House of Commons in London on June 8, 2020, on the public disorder at the Black Lives Matter protests over the weekend.
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Patel said she sympathised with peaceful protesters but added that large gatherings were currently unlawful due to the public health risks around the spread of the new coronavirus.
"A lawless minority of protesters have regrettably turned to violence... as of this morning, the total number of arrests stood at 135," Patel told parliament, adding that they had "subverted this cause with their thuggery".
"I want to see the violent minority responsible arrested brought to justice," she added.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-08--UK starts mandatory 14-day quarantine for most new arrivals

An aircrew member at Heathrow Airport , as Britain launches its 14-day quarantine for international arrivals on June 8 , 2020 .
Britain introduced a two-week quarantine on Monday for most people arriving from abroad to try to limit the spread of the coronavirus , sparking condemnation from the ailing aviation sector , which claims it could cost tens of thousands of jobs .
British residents and overseas visitors will have to comply with the 14-day self-isolation rules or face a £1,000 ( €1,125 ) fine or prosecution .
Critics question why Britain , which has been hardest hit by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easing a lockdown , is inflicting more pain on hotels and airlines by reducing travel from countries with fewer virus cases .
British Airways and budget carriers EasyJet and Ryanair have launched joint legal proceedings against the government over what they called a `` disproportionate and unfair '' step .
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary told Sky News television on Monday the plan was `` useless '' and unenforceable , and said it would `` devastate thousands of jobs in British tourism '' .
The chief executive of London 's Heathrow , John Holland-Kaye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could lead to the loss of potentially 25,000 jobs at his airport – a third of staff .
But UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new rules made sense because `` the proportion of infections that come from abroad increases '' as Britain 's own caseload drops .
`` We 've got to take an approach that starts with caution , '' he told Sky News .
To enter Britain by plane , train , road or sea , travellers must provide details of their journey and the address where they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implemented differs between Britain 's devolved nations , and the measures will be assessed every three weeks .
Exemptions are being made in several cases – including for lorry drivers , `` essential '' healthcare workers and people travelling from Ireland who have been there for at least two weeks .
At Heathrow , where only two of the five terminals are operating due to reduced travel , the quarantine got a mixed reception .
`` It 's a good idea , '' said Sandy Banks , 45 , returning to Britain with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States .
`` Other countries are doing it . ''
But a 52-year-old Dutch lawyer living in London , who wished to remain anonymous , called it a `` political thing '' .
`` I just think it 's a bonkers idea .
More people are ill and dying in the UK ; probably Europe should be protected from us . ''
Britain 's official death toll is 40,542 – second only to the United States .
Home Secretary Priti Patel told sceptical lawmakers in Parliament last week the measure was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public , and essential to save lives '' .
`` Weeks ago other countries put quarantine in and we did n't , now as everybody 's lifting it we are putting it in , '' he told LBC radio , adding he would prefer testing within airports .
As part of the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions , non-essential retail outlets will reopen from June 15 .
Restaurants and bars will follow with a limited service in early July .
But the devastated hospitality sector relies heavily on tourists , and business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the summer season will be lost .
It comes after heavily hit Italy reopened its borders last week and other European states follow suit .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's government is trying to arrange `` travel corridors '' with countries such as France and Spain that could see them lift their quarantine demands .
But officials are reportedly giving themselves until late June to strike these deals – and the airlines behind the lawsuit say they can not wait that long .
`` These measures are disproportionate and unfair on British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the UK , '' the airlines said in a joint statement .
The quarantine `` will have a devastating effect on ( the ) UK 's tourism industry and will destroy thousands of jobs in this unprecedented crisis '' , they said .

Britain introduced a two-week quarantine on Monday for most people arriving from abroad to try to limit the spread of the coronavirus, sparking condemnation from the ailing aviation sector, which claims it could cost tens of thousands of jobs.
An aircrew member at Heathrow Airport, as Britain launches its 14-day quarantine for international arrivals on June 8, 2020.
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British residents and overseas visitors will have to comply with the 14-day self-isolation rules or face a £1,000 (€1,125) fine or prosecution.
Critics question why Britain, which has been hardest hit by Covid-19 in Europe and is only gradually easing a lockdown, is inflicting more pain on hotels and airlines by reducing travel from countries with fewer virus cases.
British Airways and budget carriers EasyJet and Ryanair have launched joint legal proceedings against the government over what they called a "disproportionate and unfair" step.
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary told Sky News television on Monday the plan was "useless" and unenforceable, and said it would "devastate thousands of jobs in British tourism".
The chief executive of London's Heathrow, John Holland-Kaye, told the City AM newspaper it could lead to the loss of potentially 25,000 jobs at his airport – a third of staff.
But UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the new rules made sense because "the proportion of infections that come from abroad increases" as Britain's own caseload drops.
"We've got to take an approach that starts with caution," he told Sky News.
To enter Britain by plane, train, road or sea, travellers must provide details of their journey and the address where they will self-isolate.
How the quarantine will be implemented differs between Britain's devolved nations, and the measures will be assessed every three weeks.
Exemptions are being made in several cases – including for lorry drivers, "essential" healthcare workers and people travelling from Ireland who have been there for at least two weeks.
Travel corridor hopes
At Heathrow, where only two of the five terminals are operating due to reduced travel, the quarantine got a mixed reception.
"It's a good idea," said Sandy Banks, 45, returning to Britain with her three children from Jamaica via the United States. "Other countries are doing it."
But a 52-year-old Dutch lawyer living in London, who wished to remain anonymous, called it a "political thing".
"I just think it's a bonkers idea. More people are ill and dying in the UK; probably Europe should be protected from us."
Britain's official death toll is 40,542 – second only to the United States.
Home Secretary Priti Patel told sceptical lawmakers in Parliament last week the measure was "backed by the science, supported by the public, and essential to save lives".
But main opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer called it a "blunt instrument".
"Weeks ago other countries put quarantine in and we didn't, now as everybody's lifting it we are putting it in," he told LBC radio, adding he would prefer testing within airports.
As part of the gradual easing of lockdown restrictions, non-essential retail outlets will reopen from June 15. Restaurants and bars will follow with a limited service in early July.
But the devastated hospitality sector relies heavily on tourists, and business leaders fear the quarantine will mean much of the summer season will be lost.
It comes after heavily hit Italy reopened its borders last week and other European states follow suit.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government is trying to arrange "travel corridors" with countries such as France and Spain that could see them lift their quarantine demands.
But officials are reportedly giving themselves until late June to strike these deals – and the airlines behind the lawsuit say they cannot wait that long.
"These measures are disproportionate and unfair on British citizens as well as international visitors arriving in the UK," the airlines said in a joint statement.
The quarantine "will have a devastating effect on (the) UK's tourism industry and will destroy thousands of jobs in this unprecedented crisis", they said.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-06-08--Polish journalists, judges and opposition turn to rap to denounce govt's authoritarian bent

In Poland , opposition to the government 's authoritarian tendencies has found a new form of expression : rap music @ @ @ @ @ , judges and journalists are using rap to denounce attempts to muzzle the courts and @ @ @ @ @ side , President Andrzej Duda has recorded his own rap lyrics in support of medics @ @ @ @ @ That has n't been enough to silence criticism on the eve of a presidential election @ @ @ @ @ is itself controversial : Postponed at the last minute due to the virus outbreak , @ @ @ @ @ on June 28 .
Click on the player to watch FRANCE 24 's full report

In Poland, opposition to the government's authoritarian tendencies has found a new form of expression: rap music. Musicians, opposition figures, judges and journalists are using rap to denounce attempts to muzzle the courts and media.
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On the government side, President Andrzej Duda has recorded his own rap lyrics in support of medics fighting the Covid-19 pandemic. That hasn't been enough to silence criticism on the eve of a presidential election, the date of which is itself controversial: Postponed at the last minute due to the virus outbreak, it will now be held on June 28.
Click on the player to watch FRANCE 24's full report
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france24--2020-06-08--More than 140 journalists have been arrested or attacked by law enforcement during US protests

In this video , which was posted on May 31 and has since garnered more than two million views , Los Angeles Times journalist Molly Hennefessy-Fiske explains how she and her colleagues were attacked by the Minnesota State Patrol : “ We identified ourselves as press and they fired tear gas canisters at us at point blank range .
I got hit in the leg.
” Law enforcement have carried out numerous attacks on the press covering the demonstrations that have swept the United States after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , Minnesota , on May 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bullets at journalists and destroying their cameras.Between May 30 and June 7 , journalist Nick Waters recorded at least 144 cases when journalists covering the protests were arrested or attacked by law enforcement .
Many of the incidents occurred in Minneapolis , where the protests began , but others also occurred in other states.According to British daily newspaper The Guardian which analysed the attacks alongside Bellingcat , in 72 percent of these cases , the journalists were attacked when their credentials were visible or after they had identified themselves as members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press .
On June 2 , American TV channel ABC broadcast a video showing a police officer using his shield to hit a journalist and his camera at a protest in front of the White House in Washington , DC .
The journalist was quickly identified as Tim Meyers , who works for the Australian TV channel 7newsAustralia .
His colleague was also shoved by police.Australian Prime Minister Scott Morisson called on the Australian Embassy in Washington to investigate the incident On June 4 , the website US Press Freedom Tracker , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had recorded more than 300 incidents since the start of protests , including more than 54 arrests , 208 assaults and 73 physical attacks , 47 of which were made by police.French journalist Matthieu Derrien , who works for TF1 , posted photos on Twitter on May 31 showing the window of his car smashed by a rubber bullet fired by Minneapolis police .
He and his colleague Amandine Atalaya were both briefly arrested .

UNITED STATES
Nick Waters, an investigative journalist with Bellingcat, has recorded 138 cases of journalists being arrested or attacked by law enforcement since the start of the protest movement sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Law enforcement have carried out numerous attacks on the press covering the demonstrations that have swept the United States after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on May 25, including firing tear gas and rubber bullets at journalists and destroying their cameras.
Between May 30 and June 7, journalist Nick Waters recorded at least 144 cases when journalists covering the protests were arrested or attacked by law enforcement. Many of the incidents occurred in Minneapolis, where the protests began, but others also occurred in other states.
The third clear example of a news crew being deliberately targeted by law enforcement in the US I’ve seen.
Anybody else seen similar incidents? https://t.co/pzOWjQZru6 Nick Waters (@N_Waters89) May 30, 2020
Minnesota State Patrol just fired tear gas at reporters and photographers at point blank range. pic.twitter.com/r7X6J7LKo8 Molly Hennessy-Fiske (@mollyhf) May 31, 2020
In this video, which was posted on May 31 and has since garnered more than two million views, Los Angeles Times journalist Molly Hennefessy-Fiske explains how she and her colleagues were attacked by the Minnesota State Patrol: “We identified ourselves as press and they fired tear gas canisters at us at point blank range. I got hit in the leg.”
According to British daily newspaper The Guardian which analysed the attacks alongside Bellingcat, in 72 percent of these cases, the journalists were attacked when their credentials were visible or after they had identified themselves as members of the press.
Some videos showed police deliberately targeting the press. On June 2, American TV channel ABC broadcast a video showing a police officer using his shield to hit a journalist and his camera at a protest in front of the White House in Washington, DC. The journalist was quickly identified as Tim Meyers, who works for the Australian TV channel 7newsAustralia. His colleague was also shoved by police.
The moment our @7NewsAustralia team is attacked by police. Cameraman Tim Myers has covered war zones around the world. Today this is what confronted him and @AmeliaBrace outside the White House pic.twitter.com/KPY0NZIwsm Ashlee Mullany (@AshleeMullany) June 1, 2020
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morisson called on the Australian Embassy in Washington to investigate the incident.
"We'll have a few bruises tomorrow"
7NEWS US Correspondent @AmeliaBrace confirms her and cameraman Tim Myers are OK after police violently moved them on in Washington D.C.
More on this story: https://t.co/oriGjoIz6B pic.twitter.com/gFrHcqhoZH Sunrise (@sunriseon7) June 1, 2020
On June 4, the website US Press Freedom Tracker, which tracks press freedom violations, reported that they had recorded more than 300 incidents since the start of protests, including more than 54 arrests, 208 assaults and 73 physical attacks, 47 of which were made by police.
LATEST DATA, MAY 26 - JUNE 6 12pm ET
*328+ total press freedom incidents*
54+ arrests
208 assaults (173 by police)
45 equipment/newsroom damage
Assault category breakdown:
73 physical attacks (47 by police)
49 tear gassings
25 pepper sprayings
83 rubber bullets/projectiles U.S. Press Freedom Tracker (@uspresstracker) June 6, 2020
French journalist Matthieu Derrien, who works for TF1, posted photos on Twitter on May 31 showing the window of his car smashed by a rubber bullet fired by Minneapolis police. He and his colleague Amandine Atalaya were both briefly arrested.
A Minneapolis hier soir, à proximité d’un barrage, la police a tiré une balle en caoutchouc sur notre véhicule en marche côté conducteur, puis nous a arrêtés avec @AmandineAtalaya . Relâchés rapidement heureusement, plus de peur que de mal pic.twitter.com/hEZtkxyDDF Mathieu Derrien (@MatDerrien) May 31, 2020
“Every time a journalist is hit with a baton, hit with tear gas, sprayed with pepper spray, detained, arrested, beaten up, other journalists become more scared to do their job”
Waters told the FRANCE 24 Observers team why he started recording these incidents.
So when I saw the CNN crew being arrested live on television [on May 29] it was quite shocking for me. I decided it was important to record that this was happening. At first I thought I would just find a few examples of police violence towards journalists, but it became clear that this was widespread across the United States. The president of the United States has created a culture in which journalists and the media are viewed as, in his words, “the enemy of the people”. So therefore it becomes more acceptable for law enforcement to attack them and to use them as a target. I don’t think the police have orders to attack journalists, but for me, it was clear that in certain cases, the police clearly knew at the beginning of the demonstration that they would attack journalists.
Since he took office in 2017, President Donald Trump has frequently criticised journalists in his speeches and on his Twitter account.
The Lamestream Media is doing everything within their power to foment hatred and anarchy. As long as everybody understands what they are doing, that they are FAKE NEWS and truly bad people with a sick agenda, we can easily work through them to GREATNESS! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2020
President Donald Trump posted this tweet on May 31, 2020.
Waters says that it is extremely important for journalists as well as citizens to continue to document these incidents.
Every time a journalist is hit with a baton, hit with tear gas, sprayed with pepper spray, detained, arrested, beaten up, that means other journalists become more scared to do their jobs. The risks become higher. So therefore they are less likely to take risks, less able to cover as much of what is happening as they need to. That means the public is less informed about what is happening around them. The action by law enforcement in the United States directly affects the kind of information that the public receives from the press. So this is incredibly important and appears to directly attack press freedom in the United States.
When you hear journalists talk about getting fired on by police, this is one of the things we’re getting hit with. It felt like I got hit with a baseball bat... pic.twitter.com/Xp4ZSYalvE Lionel Donovan, III (@LionelDonovan3) June 1, 2020
In this tweet posted on June 1, journalist Lionel Donovan III shows the injury he sustained from a non-lethal grenade thrown by police.
Article by par Marie Genries


france24--2020-06-08--Spain's supreme court probes role of former King Juan Carlos in Saudi deal

In this file photo taken on December 6 , 2018 Spain 's former king Juan Carlos attends commemorative acts marking the 40th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution at the parliament in Madrid .
Spain 's supreme court prosecutor has opened an investigation into former King Juan Carlos in connection with a high-speed train contract in Saudi Arabia , piling pressure on a once-popular monarch who abdicated six years ago .
The supreme court prosecutor will investigate whether the former king can be included in the case in respect of any action that took place after he lost his immunity when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his son Felipe , the general prosecutor said on Monday .
`` This investigation focuses , precisely , on establishing or discarding the criminal relevance of deeds that happened after June 2014 , when the King Emeritus was no longer protected by inviolability , '' the statement said .
The Spanish Royal House did not respond to a request for comment .
Juan Carlos ' lawyer could not be reached for comment .
Juan Carlos was popular for his role in the country 's transition to democracy in the late seventies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade ago and forced him to pass the throne to his son .
The Supreme Court prosecutor 's investigation into the king derived from another probe led by the country 's anti-corruption prosecutor over the second phase of a high-speed railway linking the cities of Medina and Mecca in Saudi Arabia that was granted to a group of Spanish companies in 2011 .
In mid-March , King Felipe said he had renounced any inheritance from his father and ended his palace allowance following allegations of secret offshore accounts .
Felipe 's decision came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspaper reported that Juan Carlos , while he was king , allegedly received $ 100 million from Saudi Arabia 's late king .
The Spanish king 's office declined to comment .
The newspaper added that Juan Carlos later gave $ 65 million to Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein , a businesswoman with whom he had a relationship that led to his abdication .
Her representatives declined to comment at the time .

Spain's supreme court prosecutor has opened an investigation into former King Juan Carlos in connection with a high-speed train contract in Saudi Arabia, piling pressure on a once-popular monarch who abdicated six years ago.
In this file photo taken on December 6, 2018 Spain's former king Juan Carlos attends commemorative acts marking the 40th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution at the parliament in Madrid.
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The supreme court prosecutor will investigate whether the former king can be included in the case in respect of any action that took place after he lost his immunity when he abdicated in June 2014 in favour of his son Felipe, the general prosecutor said on Monday.
"This investigation focuses, precisely, on establishing or discarding the criminal relevance of deeds that happened after June 2014, when the King Emeritus was no longer protected by inviolability," the statement said.
The Spanish Royal House did not respond to a request for comment. Juan Carlos' lawyer could not be reached for comment.
Corruption scandals
Juan Carlos was popular for his role in the country's transition to democracy in the late seventies, before various scandals eroded public approval a decade ago and forced him to pass the throne to his son.
The Supreme Court prosecutor's investigation into the king derived from another probe led by the country's anti-corruption prosecutor over the second phase of a high-speed railway linking the cities of Medina and Mecca in Saudi Arabia that was granted to a group of Spanish companies in 2011.
In mid-March, King Felipe said he had renounced any inheritance from his father and ended his palace allowance following allegations of secret offshore accounts.
Felipe's decision came after Switzerland's La Tribune de Geneve newspaper reported that Juan Carlos, while he was king, allegedly received $100 million from Saudi Arabia's late king. The Spanish king's office declined to comment.
The newspaper added that Juan Carlos later gave $65 million to Corinna zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, a businesswoman with whom he had a relationship that led to his abdication. Her representatives declined to comment at the time.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-08--British politicians condemn toppling of Bristol slave-trader statue

The base of the statue of Edward Colston after protesters pulled it down and pushed into the docks , following the death of George Floyd who died in police custody in Minneapolis , Bristol , Britain , June 8 , 2020 .
British politicians on Monday condemned the destruction of a statue dedicated to a leading slave trader during an anti-racism protest , but a leading heritage body said there was no need to reinstate it .
Demonstrators pulled down the 18-foot ( 5.5-metre ) bronze monument to Edward Colston in the southwest English city of Bristol and threw it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest was one of many across Britain in recent days in response to the death of George Floyd , an unarmed black man , at the hands of police in the United States .
Most marches were peaceful but there were flashes of violence , including in London , where the statue of World War II leader Winston Churchill in Parliament Square was defaced .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the clashes as `` a betrayal of the cause they purport to serve '' .
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the toppling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and one of her ministers , Kit Malthouse , said criminal damage charges should be brought .
Keir Starmer , the leader of the main opposition Labour party , said it was `` completely wrong '' to pull down the statue in that way .
But he said that in view of Colston 's role as a top official in the Royal African Company in the late 17th century , it should have been removed `` a long time ago '' and put in a museum .
`` This was a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved from Africa to the Caribbean as slaves , including women and children who were branded on their chests with the name of the company he ran , '' he told LBC radio .
Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton threw his weight behind the protesters , writing on Instagram : `` TEAR THEM ALL DOWN .
Everywhere . ''
`` Edward Colston was a monster who bought , sold and traded Africans , human beings , and forced them into slavery until they died .
`` I 'm proud of the activists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Manchester City and England footballer Raheem Sterling , who has often spoken out against discrimination , said : `` The only disease right now is the racism that we are fighting . ''
Colston , who came from a wealthy merchant family , was also a member of parliament and philanthropist , donating huge funds to support schools , hospitals , almshouses and churches .
Marvin Rees , Bristol 's elected Labour mayor , said he believed the statue would end up in a museum , alongside banners from Sunday 's Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is of Jamaican heritage , said he `` can not condone the damage '' but described the destruction of the statue as an `` iconic moment '' .
`` I can not pretend it was anything other than a personal affront to me to have it in the middle of Bristol , the city in which I grew up , '' he told BBC radio .
Historic England , a government heritage body , said the local community must now decide what to do with the statue but `` we do not believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We recognise that the statue was a symbol of injustice and a source of great pain for many people , '' it added .
Authorities had agreed to rename his statue , which was erected in 1895 , to highlight his role in slavery but the process became deadlocked because of conflicting views .
'Who we are' Institutions and local authorities across Britain have in recent years been re-examining their public monuments in the face of demands to better represent the country 's colonial past .
Oxford University saw an angry but unsuccessful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British imperialist Cecil Rhodes , and debate over its future still rages .
Students at Jesus College , Cambridge , successfully fought for the return of a bronze cockerel looted by British colonial forces in the 19th century to Nigeria .
`` No debate about the way we run our public spaces should ever be finished , '' Mayor Rees said .
`` We should be constantly wrestling with who we are and where we 've come from . ''

British politicians on Monday condemned the destruction of a statue dedicated to a leading slave trader during an anti-racism protest, but a leading heritage body said there was no need to reinstate it.
The base of the statue of Edward Colston after protesters pulled it down and pushed into the docks, following the death of George Floyd who died in police custody in Minneapolis, Bristol, Britain, June 8, 2020.
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Demonstrators pulled down the 18-foot (5.5-metre) bronze monument to Edward Colston in the southwest English city of Bristol and threw it into the harbour on Sunday.
The protest was one of many across Britain in recent days in response to the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, at the hands of police in the United States.
Most marches were peaceful but there were flashes of violence, including in London, where the statue of World War II leader Winston Churchill in Parliament Square was defaced.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the clashes as "a betrayal of the cause they purport to serve".
Home Secretary Priti Patel said the toppling of the Bristol statue was "utterly disgraceful" and one of her ministers, Kit Malthouse, said criminal damage charges should be brought.
These demonstrations have been subverted by thuggery.
Justice will follow. pic.twitter.com/CL3gfOthkg — Priti Patel (@pritipatel) June 8, 2020
Keir Starmer, the leader of the main opposition Labour party, said it was "completely wrong" to pull down the statue in that way.
But he said that in view of Colston's role as a top official in the Royal African Company in the late 17th century, it should have been removed "a long time ago" and put in a museum.
Edward Colston was responsible for 100,000 people being moved from Africa to the Caribbean as slaves. 20,000 died en route.
The statue shouldn't have been taken down in the way it was. But it should have been removed from our streets a long time ago. pic.twitter.com/1vkhE0khan — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 8, 2020
"This was a man who was responsible for 100,000 people being moved from Africa to the Caribbean as slaves, including women and children who were branded on their chests with the name of the company he ran," he told LBC radio.
Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton threw his weight behind the protesters, writing on Instagram: "TEAR THEM ALL DOWN. Everywhere."
"Edward Colston was a monster who bought, sold and traded Africans, human beings, and forced them into slavery until they died.
"I'm proud of the activists and organisers in Bristol," he added.
Manchester City and England footballer Raheem Sterling, who has often spoken out against discrimination, said: "The only disease right now is the racism that we are fighting."
Colston, who came from a wealthy merchant family, was also a member of parliament and philanthropist, donating huge funds to support schools, hospitals, almshouses and churches.
I don't ever condone criminal acts. I have seen too many burnt buildings, burnt cars, people who have lost everything, in riots.
But it is shameful to treat a slave trader like Edward Colston as an icon.
The statue should have come down a long time ago in a democratic way. #GMB pic.twitter.com/8qLVyh4kqZ — David Lammy (@DavidLammy) June 8, 2020
Symbol of pain
Marvin Rees, Bristol's elected Labour mayor, said he believed the statue would end up in a museum, alongside banners from Sunday's Black Lives Matter protest.
Rees, who is of Jamaican heritage, said he "cannot condone the damage" but described the destruction of the statue as an "iconic moment".
"I cannot pretend it was anything other than a personal affront to me to have it in the middle of Bristol, the city in which I grew up," he told BBC radio.
Historic England, a government heritage body, said the local community must now decide what to do with the statue but "we do not believe it must be reinstated."
"We recognise that the statue was a symbol of injustice and a source of great pain for many people," it added.
Authorities had agreed to rename his statue, which was erected in 1895, to highlight his role in slavery but the process became deadlocked because of conflicting views.
'Who we are'
Institutions and local authorities across Britain have in recent years been re-examining their public monuments in the face of demands to better represent the country's colonial past.
Oxford University saw an angry but unsuccessful campaign to remove a statue of 19th-century British imperialist Cecil Rhodes, and debate over its future still rages.
Students at Jesus College, Cambridge, successfully fought for the return of a bronze cockerel looted by British colonial forces in the 19th century to Nigeria.
"No debate about the way we run our public spaces should ever be finished," Mayor Rees said.
"We should be constantly wrestling with who we are and where we've come from."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-08--Covid-19: Europe continues to ease lockdown as countries adapt to new normal

European countries experimented with further lifting coronavirus restrictions Monday as New Zealand declared victory over the pandemic , even as global cases topped seven million and deaths mounted in Latin America .
The number of Covid-19 fatalities has now passed 403,000 worldwide since the disease emerged in China last year before sweeping the globe , subjecting billions to some form of lockdown and paralysing economies .
But even the hardest-hit countries are lurching back to a new kind of normal , with bars and restaurants coming back to life and travel restrictions lifted from London to Brussels to Moscow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ far from business as usual .
Britain on Monday rolled out a 14-day quarantine for all travellers entering the country , prompting uproar from the badly hammered aviation industry which is eager to see travel revived .
Pubs and eateries flung their doors open in Belgium , but with social distancing measures in force , while Ireland opened shops and allowed gatherings and travel , also with limits .
New Zealand meanwhile buoyed hopes for the rest of the world as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared that her country had beaten the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border controls remain .
The country 's measures were lifted after its final coronavirus patient was declared recovered , prompting the leader to dance around her living room in celebration .
`` We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now , '' Ardern said , adding that Kiwis had `` united in unprecedented ways to crush the virus '' .
New Zealand Rugby also announced its top-flight domestic competition would restart this week , with fans allowed to pack into the stadiums for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are cautiously peeling back punishing lockdown measures to resuscitate economies while trying to avoid a resurgence of infections .
Moscow said Monday it would ease border restrictions and lift lockdown measures in the Russian capital from Tuesday , while Ireland said it would permit gatherings of six people and allow citizens to travel up to 20 kilometres ( 12 miles ) from home , an extension from the previous five-kilometre limit .
In Brussels , thirsty patrons lined up in the early morning for a cold beverage at L'Union , eager to drink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of closures - much to the relief of manager Bart Lemmens .
`` I was a bit worried beforehand , '' he said , as some 50 people crowded into the pub .
`` We work to create a convivial atmosphere .
I was afraid we 'd lose that .
But what happened ?
We were invaded . ''
Britain embarked on a more cautious reopening , imposing a two-week quarantine for anyone coming into the country by land , sea or air - British nationals included - sparking legal action by airlines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ryanair said in a joint statement the measure would devastate tourism and destroy even more jobs .
At London 's Heathrow Airport , where only two of the five terminals are operating , the quarantine measures were welcomed by some .
`` It 's a good idea , '' said Sandy Banks , 45 , returning to Britain with her three children from Jamaica via the United States .
`` Other countries are doing it . ''
But across the Atlantic , countries were gearing up for the worst as the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus hotspot , with Brazil , Mexico and Peru particularly hard hit .
Brazil has the world 's third-highest death toll at more than 36,000 , but President Jair Bolsonaro continues to play down the impact of the virus and has urged regional officials to lift lockdown measures .
And in Chile the confirmed death toll reached 2,290 after miscalculations from March and April were corrected , adding 1,541 to the figure , officials said .
Meanwhile in Asia , fears that the virus may not be under control persist , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in India .
Still , after a 10-week lockdown , the government is risking lifting some curbs to ease the devastating impacts on the economy , and malls and temples reopened in several Indian cities on Monday .

European countries experimented with further lifting coronavirus restrictions Monday as New Zealand declared victory over the pandemic, even as global cases topped seven million and deaths mounted in Latin America.
Advertising Read more
The number of Covid-19 fatalities has now passed 403,000 worldwide since the disease emerged in China last year before sweeping the globe, subjecting billions to some form of lockdown and paralysing economies.
But even the hardest-hit countries are lurching back to a new kind of normal, with bars and restaurants coming back to life and travel restrictions lifted from London to Brussels to Moscow.
But in some places, it was far from business as usual.
03:07
Britain on Monday rolled out a 14-day quarantine for all travellers entering the country, prompting uproar from the badly hammered aviation industry which is eager to see travel revived.
Pubs and eateries flung their doors open in Belgium, but with social distancing measures in force, while Ireland opened shops and allowed gatherings and travel, also with limits.
New Zealand meanwhile buoyed hopes for the rest of the world as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared that her country had beaten the virus and lifted all restrictions, though strict border controls remain.
The country's measures were lifted after its final coronavirus patient was declared recovered, prompting the leader to dance around her living room in celebration.
"We are confident we have eliminated transmission of the virus in New Zealand for now," Ardern said, adding that Kiwis had "united in unprecedented ways to crush the virus".
New Zealand Rugby also announced its top-flight domestic competition would restart this week, with fans allowed to pack into the stadiums for the first time in months.
Belgian bar 'invaded'
Governments around the world are cautiously peeling back punishing lockdown measures to resuscitate economies while trying to avoid a resurgence of infections.
Moscow said Monday it would ease border restrictions and lift lockdown measures in the Russian capital from Tuesday, while Ireland said it would permit gatherings of six people and allow citizens to travel up to 20 kilometres (12 miles) from home, an extension from the previous five-kilometre limit.
In Brussels, thirsty patrons lined up in the early morning for a cold beverage at L'Union, eager to drink in a pub again after three months of closures - much to the relief of manager Bart Lemmens.
"I was a bit worried beforehand," he said, as some 50 people crowded into the pub.
"We work to create a convivial atmosphere. I was afraid we'd lose that. But what happened? We were invaded."
Britain embarked on a more cautious reopening, imposing a two-week quarantine for anyone coming into the country by land, sea or air - British nationals included - sparking legal action by airlines.
British Airways and low-cost carriers EasyJet and Ryanair said in a joint statement the measure would devastate tourism and destroy even more jobs.
Good to see @British_Airways @easyJet @Ryanair & others launch a legal challenge against Johnson’s barking #Quarantine. It has no public health benefit, no basis in the science, is unworkable, will cost thousands more jobs & destroy British families’ holiday plans. Best of luck! — Ben Bradshaw (@BenPBradshaw) June 8, 2020
At London's Heathrow Airport, where only two of the five terminals are operating, the quarantine measures were welcomed by some.
"It's a good idea," said Sandy Banks, 45, returning to Britain with her three children from Jamaica via the United States.
"Other countries are doing it."
Chile death count
But across the Atlantic, countries were gearing up for the worst as the outbreak escalated in Latin America, the new virus hotspot, with Brazil, Mexico and Peru particularly hard hit.
Brazil has the world's third-highest death toll at more than 36,000, but President Jair Bolsonaro continues to play down the impact of the virus and has urged regional officials to lift lockdown measures.
And in Chile the confirmed death toll reached 2,290 after miscalculations from March and April were corrected, adding 1,541 to the figure, officials said.
Meanwhile in Asia, fears that the virus may not be under control persist, with the death toll and infection rate climbing sharply in India.
Still, after a 10-week lockdown, the government is risking lifting some curbs to ease the devastating impacts on the economy, and malls and temples reopened in several Indian cities on Monday.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-06-08--Minnesota police did not mistakenly arrest a black FBI agent – but they did make a mistake

A nationwide protest movement for justice , equality and police reform has swept the United States since the murder of George Floyd , a black man who was killed by the police who arrested him in Minneapolis , Minnesota on May 25.It ’ s against this backdrop that many people have been sharing a video showing Minnesota police arresting another black man , who seems to have been racially profiled .
The footage shows the man wearing a red shirt telling a police officer and his colleague that they have the wrong man.
“ You are assuming that I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man keeps repeating.The two officers are eventually joined by three colleagues and they handcuff the protesting man .
It ’ s only after the officers take out his wallet and look at his ID that they release him , seeming to realise that they ’ ve made an error.The viral posts of this video , which have been viewed several million times in recent days , add a tantalising detail to the scene – that the man in red is actually an FBI agent and that police only realised their error when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have even said that his badge “ saved him.
” However , there is no mention of the FBI in the video itself.To get to the bottom of this , our team ran a search to figure out when this video was first posted online .
It turns out it was shared on Facebook on May 30 , 2020 by a man who says that he is a friend of the man in red in the video .
Our team reached out to him , but he hasn ’ t responded yet.The initial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It does say that the incident took place in Rochester , Minnesota .
The friend also says in his post that he “ waited a year ” before posting the video , making it likely that the current context inspired him to share it.Rochester police told Reuters news agency that the incident took place on June 1 , 2019 , and that “ contrary to social media rumors , the individual was not a Federal Bureau of Investigations ( FBI ) agent.
” The department added : “ During the brief detention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the individual the officers knew had a warrant .
The individual was immediately released.
“ On June 4 , the man who appears in the video posted a statement on his Facebook page .
He says he works as an EMT in the city of Rochester.
“ I am Atter Mogndal the individual arrested by the police in the video that gone viral [ ... ] I am not a FBI agent nor do I work for any police agency .
I believe this video is a clear indication of racial profiling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and common sense is what leads to situations like the one that killed George Floyd [ ... ] I would have acted differently if they had done so with a humble and respectful approach , ” he wrote in his post , which included his condolences to the family of George Loyd .
Check out the full statement below .

UNITED STATES
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A video that supposedly shows police in Rochester, Minnesota arresting a black FBI agent by mistake has gone viral amidst the protest movement that has swept the United States since the police murder of George Floyd last month. It turns out this story is partially false. The man wasn’t FBI and the incident happened a while ago, but he was detained in a case of mistaken identity.
A nationwide protest movement for justice, equality and police reform has swept the United States since the murder of George Floyd, a black man who was killed by the police who arrested him in Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 25.
It’s against this backdrop that many people have been sharing a video showing Minnesota police arresting another black man, who seems to have been racially profiled. The footage shows the man wearing a red shirt telling a police officer and his colleague that they have the wrong man.
“You are assuming that I am someone that I am not,” the man keeps repeating.
The two officers are eventually joined by three colleagues and they handcuff the protesting man. It’s only after the officers take out his wallet and look at his ID that they release him, seeming to realise that they’ve made an error.
The viral posts of this video, which have been viewed several million times in recent days, add a tantalising detail to the scene – that the man in red is actually an FBI agent and that police only realised their error when they saw his badge. Some people have even said that his badge “saved him.” However, there is no mention of the FBI in the video itself.
RACIAL PROFILING!
"What do you mean I look like him?"
His FBI Agent status saved him but imagine how many innocent black men are falsely accused serving life sentences for a crime they did not commit.
Folks find this "satisfying". It is HEARTBREAKING.pic.twitter.com/AsxRD0GpHU StanceGrounded (@_SJPeace_) June 1, 2020
To get to the bottom of this, our team ran a search to figure out when this video was first posted online. It turns out it was shared on Facebook on May 30, 2020 by a man who says that he is a friend of the man in red in the video. Our team reached out to him, but he hasn’t responded yet.
The initial post makes no mention of the FBI. It does say that the incident took place in Rochester, Minnesota. The friend also says in his post that he “waited a year” before posting the video, making it likely that the current context inspired him to share it.
"I'm not an FBI agent"
Rochester police told Reuters news agency that the incident took place on June 1, 2019, and that “contrary to social media rumors, the individual was not a Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) agent.” The department added: “During the brief detention, identification was located showing he was not the individual the officers knew had a warrant. The individual was immediately released.“
On June 4, the man who appears in the video posted a statement on his Facebook page. He says he works as an EMT in the city of Rochester.
“I am Atter Mogndal the individual arrested by the police in the video that gone viral [...] I am not a FBI agent nor do I work for any police agency. I believe this video is a clear indication of racial profiling [...] The lack of respect and common sense is what leads to situations like the one that killed George Floyd [...] I would have acted differently if they had done so with a humble and respectful approach,” he wrote in his post, which included his condolences to the family of George Loyd. Check out the full statement below.


france24--2020-06-09--Iran to execute spy convicted of helping US kill Qassem Soleimani

File photo of Qassim Soleimani , head of Iran 's Quds Force , who was killed Jan. 3 , 2020 , in a US drone strike .
An Iranian national convicted of spying for the US and Israel by helping target top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani will be executed , Iran 's judiciary said on Tuesday .
Mahmoud Mousavi Majd was convicted of spying on Iran 's armed forces , which led to the killing of Soleimani , the head of Iran 's elite Quds Force , in a US drone strike in Iraq .
Mahmoud Mousavi Majd was convicted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` especially the Quds Force and on the whereabouts and movements of martyr General Qassem Soleimani '' for large sums of money from both Israel 's Mossad and the CIA , judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told a televised news conference .
Esmaili offered little information about the convicted man .
The decision immediately raised questions about how Majd would have had access to Soleimani 's travel information .
The Iranian judiciary spokesman did not say when Majd would be executed , other than that it would be “ soon '' .
He also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly offered by Majd to Soleimani 's death .
The January 3 strike in Baghdad also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis , deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces , and five others , including the militias ' airport protocol officer , Mohammed Reda .
Iran later retaliated for Soleimani 's killing with a ballistic missile strike targeting US forces in Iraq .
That same night , the Guard accidentally shot down a Ukrainian jetliner in Tehran , killing 176 people .
Iran in February handed down a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man convicted of spying for the US and conspiring to sell information on Iran 's nuclear programme .
Tehran announced in December it had arrested eight people `` linked to the CIA '' and involved in nationwide street protests that erupted the previous month over a surprise petrol price hike .
It also said in July 2019 that it had dismantled a CIA spy ring , arresting 17 suspects between March 2018 and March 2019 and sentencing some of them to death .
US President Donald Trump at the time dismissed the claim @ @ @ @ @ @

An Iranian national convicted of spying for the US and Israel by helping target top Iranian general Qassem Soleimani will be executed, Iran's judiciary said on Tuesday.
File photo of Qassim Soleimani, head of Iran's Quds Force, who was killed Jan. 3, 2020, in a US drone strike.
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Mahmoud Mousavi Majd was convicted of spying on Iran's armed forces, which led to the killing of Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force, in a US drone strike in Iraq.
Mahmoud Mousavi Majd was convicted of spying on Iran's armed forces "especially the Quds Force and on the whereabouts and movements of martyr General Qassem Soleimani" for large sums of money from both Israel's Mossad and the CIA, judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili told a televised news conference.
Esmaili offered little information about the convicted man.
The decision immediately raised questions about how Majd would have had access to Soleimani's travel information. The Iranian judiciary spokesman did not say when Majd would be executed, other than that it would be “soon". He also stopped short of directly linking the information allegedly offered by Majd to Soleimani's death.
The January 3 strike in Baghdad also killed Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, deputy commander of Iran-backed militias in Iraq known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces, and five others, including the militias' airport protocol officer, Mohammed Reda.
Iran later retaliated for Soleimani's killing with a ballistic missile strike targeting US forces in Iraq. That same night, the Guard accidentally shot down a Ukrainian jetliner in Tehran, killing 176 people.
Dismantling CIA spy ring claims
Iran in February handed down a similar sentence for Amir Rahimpour, another man convicted of spying for the US and conspiring to sell information on Iran's nuclear programme.
Tehran announced in December it had arrested eight people "linked to the CIA" and involved in nationwide street protests that erupted the previous month over a surprise petrol price hike.
It also said in July 2019 that it had dismantled a CIA spy ring, arresting 17 suspects between March 2018 and March 2019 and sentencing some of them to death.
US President Donald Trump at the time dismissed the claim as "totally false".
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-08--France vows ‘zero tolerance’ of police racism after wave of protests

A protester stands in front of French gendarmes at a rally against police violence on place de la Concorde in Paris on June 6 , 2020 .
Spurred into action by the global movement of protest against racism and brutality in the police , France ’ s government on Monday cautiously began to acknowledge and address abuses that experts say have long been obvious to anyone who cared to look .
On the eve of his extraordinary election to the French presidency , Emmanuel Macron , France ’ s youngest leader since Napoleon , promised to lead an “ uncompromising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I want to change the culture , the management and the recruitment of French police , ” the future president told news website Mediapart on May 5 , 2017 , ahead of his victorious run-off against the far right ’ s Marine Le Pen .
“ When there is manifestly a problem , the police hierarchy must be challenged , ” he added .
Three years on , the only tangible change is the widened gulf between French police and large swathes of the public .
Throughout 2019 , fierce clashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shed light on the fearsome weaponry and tactics used by law enforcement in France .
More recently , the focus has shifted back to the festering issue of police racism and brutality in the immigrant-rich suburbs of France ’ s largest cities , on the heels of the global protest movement triggered by the George Floyd killing in the US .
On Monday , Jacques Toubon , France 's human rights ombudsman , raised the alarm over a `` crisis of public confidence in the security forces '' .
In a wide-ranging report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged a reversal of what he described as a `` warring mentality '' in law enforcement .
Defying police orders , tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Paris and other French cities last week to protest against police racism and impunity .
Demonstrators voiced their support for the Black Lives Matter protests and demanded justice for Adama Traoré , a young black man who , like Floyd , died while in police custody in the Paris suburbs in 2016 .
Chanting “ No justice , no peace , ” the protesters raged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to deliver on promises of police reform .
“ Macron ’ s election promises raised high hopes and expectations , but his silence on such matters has been a big disappointment , ” said Carole Reynaud-Paligot , a historian and sociologist at the University of Dijon , who recently curated an exhibition on racism at the Musée de l ’ Homme in Paris .
Amid mounting pressure , the Elysée presidential palace on Monday said Macron had spoken to cabinet ministers over the weekend , urging them to come up with proposals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so fast .
Hours later , Interior Minister Christophe Castaner unveiled a first batch of measures , including a ban on a controversial chokehold method of arrest that has been blamed for past fatalities .
The minister said officers could be suspended on suspicion of racism and that the use of body cameras would be beefed up .
`` Racism has no place in our society and even less in our Republican police .
I will not let the hateful actions of some [ officers ] stigmatise the police as a whole , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ I refuse to say that the [ police ] institution is racist , but yes some police officers are racist.
” Though Castaner spoke at length in support of the police , his acknowledgement of racist incidents marked a rare concession from a minister who had so far strenuously denied police malpractice .
It came days after media outlets published the contents of a private Facebook group on which French officers repeatedly used racist and sexist terms and mocked victims of police brutality .
“ These things have been known for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their eyes or pretended not to see , ” said Reynaud-Paligot , referring to the kind of racist language witnessed in the officers ’ social media exchanges .
She added : “ How could such language coming from civil servants ever be tolerated ?
” ‘ There is no such thing as police violence ’ Closing one 's eyes to rampant racial inequality has long been a favourite escape for French politicians , safe in the knowledge that the Republic ’ s egalitarian ideals preclude any form of prejudice .
Reflecting on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of only a handful of high-ranking black ministers to have served under France ’ s five republics , warned on Sunday that the credibility of French institutions was at stake .
“ We can not allow law enforcement to be decredibilised based on the assumption that racism and abuses [ by the police ] are impossible , ” Taubira told French daily Le Journal du Dimanche .
“ The entire institution ends up tarnished when it feels obliged to cover up racist acts.
” Macron himself was accused of seeking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the height of the Yellow Vest crisis , that “ [ o ] ne can not speak of police violence in a free state governed by the rule of law ” .
Christian Jacob , leader of the conservative Les Républicains party , adopted the same reasoning at the weekend , stating that “ [ t ] here is no such thing as police violence in France , it ’ s a lie ” .
Speaking just a day after Floyd ’ s death by suffocation was captured in chilling footage seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ciotti , a member of Jacob ’ s party , went so far as to call for all journalists and bystanders to be barred from filming police officers in action .
Seldom is this wilful myopia as pronounced as in the field of race — a word so taboo in France ’ s supposedly colour-blind Republican tradition that French lawmakers sought to remove it from the Constitution two years ago .
While France famously doesn ’ t compile official statistics based on faith , ethnicity or skin colour , racial discrimination by law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study conducted by France 's National Centre for Scientific Research has shown that blacks are 11.5 times more likely to be checked by police than whites , and those of Arab origin are seven times more likely .
In a landmark 2016 case , France ’ s highest court ruled for the first time that police had illegally stopped three men based on racial profiling , setting more specific rules to ensure ID checks are not discriminatory .
France ’ s intersecting social and racial inequalities were once again exposed during the nationwide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of Covid-19 .
On the first day of confinement , the Seine-Saint-Denis department northeast of Paris – home to France ’ s poorest and most immigrant-rich districts – accounted for 10 percent of all fines handed out for breaching the lockdown , despite comprising just over two percent of the country ’ s population .
Over the subsequent weeks , videos of heavy-handed and racially-charged arrests circulated widely on French social media , prompting outrage .
“ There is a real problem of systemic racism in the police and it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anouar , a member of the left-wing police union VIGI , in an interview with FRANCE 24 .
But “ when you try to denounce it , they [ the institution ] pounce on you at the slightest faux pas ” , he added , noting that he had been threatened with a two-year suspension for reporting racist taunts to the police ’ s internal inspectorate .
Writing on The Conversation , Jacques de Maillard , a professor of political science at the University of Versailles and Saint-Quentin ( UVSQ ) , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States “ offers us a mirror — but one that we refuse to look into ” .
“ To say that French police is not racist simply because it is republican is to dodge the key question : there is a problem of discrimination towards minorities , ” de Maillard wrote .
“ To deny this problem , is to preclude any chance of finding an answer .
”

Spurred into action by the global movement of protest against racism and brutality in the police, France’s government on Monday cautiously began to acknowledge and address abuses that experts say have long been obvious to anyone who cared to look.
A protester stands in front of French gendarmes at a rally against police violence on place de la Concorde in Paris on June 6, 2020.
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On the eve of his extraordinary election to the French presidency, Emmanuel Macron, France’s youngest leader since Napoleon, promised to lead an “uncompromising” fight against police violence and impunity.
“I want to change the culture, the management and the recruitment of French police,” the future president told news website Mediapart on May 5, 2017, ahead of his victorious run-off against the far right’s Marine Le Pen.
“When there is manifestly a problem, the police hierarchy must be challenged,” he added.
Three years on, the only tangible change is the widened gulf between French police and large swathes of the public.
Throughout 2019, fierce clashes between riot police and Yellow Vest protesters shed light on the fearsome weaponry and tactics used by law enforcement in France. More recently, the focus has shifted back to the festering issue of police racism and brutality in the immigrant-rich suburbs of France’s largest cities, on the heels of the global protest movement triggered by the George Floyd killing in the US.
On Monday, Jacques Toubon, France's human rights ombudsman, raised the alarm over a "crisis of public confidence in the security forces". In a wide-ranging report that makes for grim reading, Toubon urged a reversal of what he described as a "warring mentality" in law enforcement.
‘Yes, some officers are racist’
Defying police orders, tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Paris and other French cities last week to protest against police racism and impunity. Demonstrators voiced their support for the Black Lives Matter protests and demanded justice for Adama Traoré, a young black man who, like Floyd, died while in police custody in the Paris suburbs in 2016.
Chanting “No justice, no peace,” the protesters raged against the latest French government to have failed to deliver on promises of police reform.
“Macron’s election promises raised high hopes and expectations, but his silence on such matters has been a big disappointment,” said Carole Reynaud-Paligot, a historian and sociologist at the University of Dijon, who recently curated an exhibition on racism at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris.
Amid mounting pressure, the Elysée presidential palace on Monday said Macron had spoken to cabinet ministers over the weekend, urging them to come up with proposals to improve policing practices — and do so fast.
Hours later, Interior Minister Christophe Castaner unveiled a first batch of measures, including a ban on a controversial chokehold method of arrest that has been blamed for past fatalities. The minister said officers could be suspended on suspicion of racism and that the use of body cameras would be beefed up.
"Racism has no place in our society and even less in our Republican police. I will not let the hateful actions of some [officers] stigmatise the police as a whole,” Castaner told reporters. He added: “I refuse to say that the [police] institution is racist, but yes some police officers are racist.”
Though Castaner spoke at length in support of the police, his acknowledgement of racist incidents marked a rare concession from a minister who had so far strenuously denied police malpractice. It came days after media outlets published the contents of a private Facebook group on which French officers repeatedly used racist and sexist terms and mocked victims of police brutality.
“These things have been known for a long time, but people closed their eyes or pretended not to see,” said Reynaud-Paligot, referring to the kind of racist language witnessed in the officers’ social media exchanges. She added: “How could such language coming from civil servants ever be tolerated?”
‘There is no such thing as police violence’
Closing one's eyes to rampant racial inequality has long been a favourite escape for French politicians, safe in the knowledge that the Republic’s egalitarian ideals preclude any form of prejudice.
Reflecting on this tendency, former justice minister Christiane Taubira, one of only a handful of high-ranking black ministers to have served under France’s five republics, warned on Sunday that the credibility of French institutions was at stake.
“We cannot allow law enforcement to be decredibilised based on the assumption that racism and abuses [by the police] are impossible,” Taubira told French daily Le Journal du Dimanche. “The entire institution ends up tarnished when it feels obliged to cover up racist acts.”
Macron himself was accused of seeking to suppress all debate when he argued, at the height of the Yellow Vest crisis, that “[o]ne cannot speak of police violence in a free state governed by the rule of law”.
Christian Jacob, leader of the conservative Les Républicains party, adopted the same reasoning at the weekend, stating that “[t]here is no such thing as police violence in France, it’s a lie”.
Speaking just a day after Floyd’s death by suffocation was captured in chilling footage seen by millions around the world, Eric Ciotti, a member of Jacob’s party, went so far as to call for all journalists and bystanders to be barred from filming police officers in action.
Dodging the racism question
Seldom is this wilful myopia as pronounced as in the field of race — a word so taboo in France’s supposedly colour-blind Republican tradition that French lawmakers sought to remove it from the Constitution two years ago.
While France famously doesn’t compile official statistics based on faith, ethnicity or skin colour, racial discrimination by law enforcement has been widely documented.
A study conducted by France's National Centre for Scientific Research has shown that blacks are 11.5 times more likely to be checked by police than whites, and those of Arab origin are seven times more likely. In a landmark 2016 case, France’s highest court ruled for the first time that police had illegally stopped three men based on racial profiling, setting more specific rules to ensure ID checks are not discriminatory.
More than 20,000 protesters rallied against police brutality outside the Paris courthouse on June 2, 2020. © Benjamin Dodman, FRANCE 24
France’s intersecting social and racial inequalities were once again exposed during the nationwide lockdown imposed in mid-March to stem the spread of Covid-19.
On the first day of confinement, the Seine-Saint-Denis department northeast of Paris – home to France’s poorest and most immigrant-rich districts – accounted for 10 percent of all fines handed out for breaching the lockdown, despite comprising just over two percent of the country’s population. Over the subsequent weeks, videos of heavy-handed and racially-charged arrests circulated widely on French social media, prompting outrage.
“There is a real problem of systemic racism in the police and it’s strangling the population,” said Noam Anouar, a member of the left-wing police union VIGI, in an interview with FRANCE 24. But “when you try to denounce it, they [the institution] pounce on you at the slightest faux pas”, he added, noting that he had been threatened with a two-year suspension for reporting racist taunts to the police’s internal inspectorate.
Writing on The Conversation, Jacques de Maillard, a professor of political science at the University of Versailles and Saint-Quentin (UVSQ), said the long history of discrimination in the United States “offers us a mirror — but one that we refuse to look into”.
“To say that French police is not racist simply because it is republican is to dodge the key question: there is a problem of discrimination towards minorities,” de Maillard wrote. “To deny this problem, is to preclude any chance of finding an answer.”
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france24--2020-06-09--Hong Kong can't tolerate more ‘chaos’, says Lam on protest movement anniversary

A year after pro-democracy protests erupted in the Chinese-held territory , Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Tuesday said the semiautonomous city can not afford to tolerate any more of the `` chaos '' as mass arrests , Covid-19 bans on gatherings and a looming national security law keep tensions on a low , but simmering scale .
Lam was speaking at her weekly press briefing , which coincided with the first anniversary of a mass rally against a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed people to be extradited from Hong Kong to mainland China for trial in courts controlled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is largely viewed as the start of an anti-government protest movement that has revived in recent weeks amid fears over Beijing 's tightening grip over the city with a planned imposition of a controversial new security law .
The protests , which erupted on June 9 , 2019 , saw millions taking to Hong Kong ’ s streets , forcing Lam to withdraw the extradition bill .
But the legislation triggerd widespread concern that the central government in Beijing was stifling freedoms in the global financial hub , sparking months of anti-government protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the difficulty we have been through in the past year , and due to such serious situations we have more problems to deal with , '' Lam said during her weekly media conference , which coincided with the anniversary .
`` We need to learn from mistakes , I wish all lawmakers can learn from mistakes - that Hong Kong can not bear such chaos . ''
After a relative lull in protests during the coronavirus pandemic , demonstrators have returned to the streets in recent weeks and more rallies are expected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at lunchtime to mark the anniversary of last year 's mass rally .
They have also announced plans to hold a referendum on Sunday about whether to launch a city-wide strike against the national security laws proposed last month .
That legislation , which authorities insist will focus on `` troublemakers '' who pose a threat to national security , has ratcheted tensions higher .
> > Read more on Beijing ’ s new security law for Hong Kong Lam cautioned against the activists ' plans to hold a strike referendum .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the world have been bearing witness to the deteriorating situation in Hong Kong , with Beijing tightening its grip over the city 's liberties , democracy activist Joshua Wong said in a Twitter feed .
Earlier this week , a senior Chinese official suggested that the degree of autonomy that Hong Kong would have when the post-colonial Sino-British Joint Declaration on its status runs out in 2047 could depend on how the city behaves until then .
Blow to 'one country , two systems' Critics and protesters say that the national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one country , two systems ” framework following the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China in 1997 , which promised the city freedoms not found on the mainland .
China blames the protests in part on foreign intervention and is hastening to enact a national security law for Hong Kong aimed at curbing secessionist and subversive activities .
Hong Kong ’ s problems are a result of the opposition and foreign allies “ attempting to turn Hong Kong into an independent or semi-independent political entity and a pawn to contain China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , deputy director of the Chinese Cabinet ’ s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office , said in a speech posted to the office ’ s website Monday .
“ The more the bottom line of national security is consolidated , the greater the space will be for Hong Kong to leverage its advantages under ‘ one country , two systems , ’ ” Zhang said .
China will “ unswervingly ” protect its sovereignty and block any outside interference in Hong Kong ’ s affairs , he said .

A year after pro-democracy protests erupted in the Chinese-held territory, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Tuesday said the semiautonomous city cannot afford to tolerate any more of the "chaos" as mass arrests, Covid-19 bans on gatherings and a looming national security law keep tensions on a low, but simmering scale.
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Lam was speaking at her weekly press briefing, which coincided with the first anniversary of a mass rally against a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed people to be extradited from Hong Kong to mainland China for trial in courts controlled by the Communist Party.
That demonstration is largely viewed as the start of an anti-government protest movement that has revived in recent weeks amid fears over Beijing's tightening grip over the city with a planned imposition of a controversial new security law.
The protests, which erupted on June 9, 2019, saw millions taking to Hong Kong’s streets, forcing Lam to withdraw the extradition bill. But the legislation triggerd widespread concern that the central government in Beijing was stifling freedoms in the global financial hub, sparking months of anti-government protests.
"All of us can see the difficulty we have been through in the past year, and due to such serious situations we have more problems to deal with," Lam said during her weekly media conference, which coincided with the anniversary.
"We need to learn from mistakes, I wish all lawmakers can learn from mistakes - that Hong Kong cannot bear such chaos."
More rallies against security law expected
After a relative lull in protests during the coronavirus pandemic, demonstrators have returned to the streets in recent weeks and more rallies are expected.
Activists have called for people to gather at lunchtime to mark the anniversary of last year's mass rally. They have also announced plans to hold a referendum on Sunday about whether to launch a city-wide strike against the national security laws proposed last month.
That legislation, which authorities insist will focus on "troublemakers" who pose a threat to national security, has ratcheted tensions higher.
>> Read more on Beijing’s new security law for Hong Kong
Lam cautioned against the activists' plans to hold a strike referendum.
"Over the past year, Hong Kongers and the world have been bearing witness to the deteriorating situation in Hong Kong,with Beijing tightening its grip over the city's liberties, democracy activist Joshua Wong said in a Twitter feed.
1/ Tomorrow will be the first anniversary of our anti-extradition bill movement since June. Over the past year, Hongkongers and the world have been bearing witness to the deteriorating situation in Hong Kong, with Beijing tightening its grip over the city’s liberties. pic.twitter.com/q5VDIIjscP — Joshua Wong 黃之鋒 😷 (@joshuawongcf) June 8, 2020
Earlier this week, a senior Chinese official suggested that the degree of autonomy that Hong Kong would have when the post-colonial Sino-British Joint Declaration on its status runs out in 2047 could depend on how the city behaves until then.
Blow to 'one country, two systems'
Critics and protesters say that the national security law is a blow to the “one country, two systems” framework following the handover of Hong Kong from Britain to China in 1997, which promised the city freedoms not found on the mainland.
China blames the protests in part on foreign intervention and is hastening to enact a national security law for Hong Kong aimed at curbing secessionist and subversive activities.
Hong Kong’s problems are a result of the opposition and foreign allies “attempting to turn Hong Kong into an independent or semi-independent political entity and a pawn to contain China’s development,” Zhang Xiaoming, deputy director of the Chinese Cabinet’s Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, said in a speech posted to the office’s website Monday.
“The more the bottom line of national security is consolidated, the greater the space will be for Hong Kong to leverage its advantages under ‘one country, two systems,’” Zhang said.
China will “unswervingly” protect its sovereignty and block any outside interference in Hong Kong’s affairs, he said.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-06-09--Prostitution continues in Germany, despite Covid-19

In Germany , brothels have been shut since March 15 because of the Covid-19 pandemic and there are no plans @ @ @ @ @ .
As prostitution is legal in Germany , sex workers who declare their income can @ @ @ @ @ that is n't the case for the tens of thousands of women who work illegally @ @ @ @ @ .
These women are forced to continue working on the street , at increased risk @ @ @ @ @ Berlin correspondents report .

Prostitution continues in Germany, despite Covid-19
05:13 FOCUS © FRANCE 24
In Germany, brothels have been shut since March 15 because of the Covid-19 pandemic and there are no plans to re-open them for now. As prostitution is legal in Germany, sex workers who declare their income can receive unemployment benefits. But that isn't the case for the tens of thousands of women who work illegally and who depend on pimps. These women are forced to continue working on the street, at increased risk to their health. Our Berlin correspondents report.


france24--2020-06-09--French economy will recover from Covid crisis by mid-2022, central bank says

The French economy will shrink about 10 percent this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and will only recover to pre-crisis levels by mid-2022 , the Bank of France said Tuesday .
It said signs of a `` progressive '' recovery should be seen from the third quarter this year after a slump in output of 15 percent in the three months to June .
The economy should then expand seven percent in 2021 , gaining another four percent in 2022 , it said .
Unemployment is likely to hit highs of above 11.5 percent in mid-2021 , it added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be brighter if the Covid-19 outbreak is quickly brought under control , while a second wave of infections could plunge the economy into a 16 percent downturn this year followed by growth of only six percent in 2021 and four percent in 2022 .
The forecasts did not take into account the potential impact of a recovery plan that the government aims to announce in the coming months .
President Emmanuel Macron put France under one of the most stringent lockdowns in Europe in mid-March , effectively shutting down large swathes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifted on May 11 .
As of the end of May , economic activity was still running 17 percent below normal levels , though up from the 32 percent reduction seen during the first two weeks of lockdown in March , the central bank estimated .
Business surveys suggested activity could get back to less than 12 percent of normal levels this month , it added .
Nonetheless , the time spent under lockdown meant that the economy probably contracted 15 percent in the second quarter from the previous three months , the @ @ @

The French economy will shrink about 10 percent this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and will only recover to pre-crisis levels by mid-2022, the Bank of France said Tuesday.
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It said signs of a "progressive" recovery should be seen from the third quarter this year after a slump in output of 15 percent in the three months to June.
The economy should then expand seven percent in 2021, gaining another four percent in 2022, it said.
Unemployment is likely to hit highs of above 11.5 percent in mid-2021, it added.
The central bank said the outlook could be brighter if the Covid-19 outbreak is quickly brought under control, while a second wave of infections could plunge the economy into a 16 percent downturn this year followed by growth of only six percent in 2021 and four percent in 2022.
The forecasts did not take into account the potential impact of a recovery plan that the government aims to announce in the coming months.
President Emmanuel Macron put France under one of the most stringent lockdowns in Europe in mid-March, effectively shutting down large swathes of the economy until restrictions began to be lifted on May 11.
As of the end of May, economic activity was still running 17 percent below normal levels, though up from the 32 percent reduction seen during the first two weeks of lockdown in March, the central bank estimated. Business surveys suggested activity could get back to less than 12 percent of normal levels this month, it added.
Nonetheless, the time spent under lockdown meant that the economy probably contracted 15 percent in the second quarter from the previous three months, the bank estimated.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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