Washington, United States | AFP | The United States expressed outrage Monday over a Russian court’s conviction of American Paul Whelan on espionage charges, saying he was deprived of a fair trial. Whelan, a former Marine arrested in December 2018, was sentenced Monday to 16 years of hard labor after being found guilty of receiving …
Read More »Virus impact could kill over 50,000 children in MENA: UN
Amman, Jordan | AFP | UN agencies warned Monday that the coronavirus pandemic could lead to the deaths of an additional 51,000 under-fives in the Middle East and North Africa by the end of the year. The World Health Organisation and United Nations children’s agency UNICEF said the disruption of essential health and nutrition services …
Read More »UN rights council agrees to urgent debate on racism, police violence
Geneva, Switzerland | AFP | The UN’s top rights body Monday agreed to a request from African countries to urgently debate racism and police brutality this week following unrest in the US and beyond over George Floyd’s death. As the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council resumed after breaking …
Read More »Stock markets slip on fears of second virus wave
Hong Kong, China | AFP | Equities tumbled Monday, extending last week’s losses on fears of a second wave of virus infections around the world that could put the brakes on the easing of lockdowns and a budding economic recovery. While European nations press ahead with their reopening after months of …
Read More »Another police killing of a black man stokes US tension, debate
Washington, United States | AFP | The fatal shooting of a black man by a white police officer in Atlanta has poured more fuel on the raging US debate over racism, prompting another round of street protests and the resignation of the southern city’s police chief. The death of 27-year-old Rayshard …
Read More »Nuclear powers modernising, arms control outlook ‘bleak’: report
Stockholm, Sweden | AFP | Nuclear powers continue to modernise their arsenals, researchers said Monday, warning that tensions were rising and the outlook for arms control was “bleak”. “The loss of key channels of communication between Russia and the USA… could potentially lead to a new nuclear arms race,” said Shannon …
Read More »UK’s Johnson announces body to probe inequality amid race protests
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was setting up a commission to look at “all aspects of inequality” following race protests across Britain. Writing in the Telegraph newspaper on Monday, Johnson said there was “much more that we need to do” to tackle racism despite …
Read More »Fresh world protests against racism and police violence
Paris, France | AFP | Thousands marched in cities around the world for a second week of rallies Saturday to support the US Black Lives Matter movement, but also to highlight racism and police brutality in their own countries. There were rallies in cities across Europe, with thousands demonstrating in …
Read More »US police torn between shame and pride for their badge
New York, United States | AFP | US police officers at the center of demonstrations that have roiled the country are caught between their commitment to the job and recognition that reforms are needed to address institutional racism within their ranks. From California to Massachusetts, several officers interviewed by AFP said …
Read More »Fight the Power: the soundtrack of US anti-racism protests
New York, United States | AFP | Anti-racism protesters have rolled out a creative batch of chants to soundtrack the ongoing US demonstrations, but both fresh music and timeless classics are also front and center. Rapper YG’s recently released “FTP” — Fuck The Police — has become a de-facto anthem for …
Read More »