North America

US cities fear protests may fuel new wave of virus outbreaks

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The massive protests sweeping across U.S. cities following the police killing of a black man in Minnesota have sent shudders through the health community and elevated fears that the huge crowds will lead to a new surge in cases of the coronavirus.

Some leaders appealing for calm in places where crowds smashed storefronts and destroyed police cars in recent nights have been handing out masks and warning demonstrators they were putting themselves at risk.

`Death By Racism’: Part of America’s DNA from the start?

(AP) --- Imagine, for a moment, that you are a black man or woman living in America in 2020. How could you not believe that racism kills?

If you are black, you need not imagine anything. You know it very well.

You don’t need to see the video of George Floyd, a police officer’s knee on his neck as he struggled for his dying breaths, to know that black people are three times more likely to be killed by police than are white people.

Protests over police killings rage in dozens of US cities

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tense protests over the death of George Floyd and other police killings of black people grew Saturday from New York to Tulsa to Los Angeles, with police cars set ablaze and reports of injuries mounting on all sides as the country convulsed through another night of unrest after months of coronavirus lockdowns.

Most of UN Security Council members rejected US, UK idea to discuss Hong Kong — diplomat

UNITED NATIONS, May 29. /TASS/: The majority of states members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) did not support an attempt by the United States and the United Kingdom to discuss the Hong Kong national security bill, First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Dmitry Polyansky said.

US, Britain press China on Hong Kong at testy UN informal talks

UNITED NATIONS, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The United States and Britain on Friday urged China at the UN Security Council to reverse course over its new security law in Hong Kong, defying Beijing’s outrage over having the controversy discussed at the world body.

The UN meeting came as President Donald Trump prepared to take further action in an escalating row with China, which on Thursday proceeded with a controversial measure that many Hong Kongers see as ending much of their freedom.

Africa Union chief condemns Minneapolis ‘murder’ of African-American

ADDIS ABABA, May 30 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Moussa Faki Mahamat, the chairman of the African Union (AU) Commission, has condemned the killing of a unarmed black man in the US city of Minneapolis, calling it “murder”.

George Floyd, 46, died in police custody on Monday. A white police officer was filmed kneeling on his neck, despite him saying that he could not breathe.

His death has led to a series of demonstrations across the country, including in Minneapolis where there is a large Somali community.

Chinese UN Envoy asks US, UK To Stop Interfering In Hong Kong Affairs

UNITED NATIONS, May 30 (NNN-XINHUA) – Zhang Jun, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, urged the United States and the United Kingdom (UK), to immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, immediately stop practices of hegemony and power politics, and mind their own business, rather than provoking tensions and making troubles everywhere.

Zhang refuted the fallacy on Hong Kong made by the United States, Britain, and some other countries, saying, China opposes and completely rejects the baseless remarks made by the U.S. and Britain.

White House on lockdown as protests over Floyd's death reach U.S. capital amid nationwide rage

WASHINGTON, May 29 (Xinhua) -- The White House has been under lockdown as protests reached the U.S. capital on Friday, the fourth day of nationwide demonstrations over the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, in Minneapolis police custody.

Online video showed hundreds of protesters gathered in Lafayette Park just outside the White House, chanting "No justice, no peace." One protester sprayed the Freedman's Bank Building while some other protesters clashed with Secret Service personnel, witnesses said.

USA: Officials cite mistakes as CDC removes coronavirus guidance

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials removed some coronavirus reopening tips for religious organizations only hours after posting them late last week, deleting guidance that discouraged choir gatherings and the use of shared communion cups.

A federal health official on Friday said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted a version of the guidance on May 22 that had not been cleared by White House officials. It was replaced the next day, said the official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

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