The former police officer accused of killing George Floyd, whose death sparked months of worldwide protests against racial injustice, is on trial for his murder. Derek Chauvin, 45, is charged with three offences over the death of George Floyd, who died after he was arrested in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the US last May. The then-police
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New York lawmakers have reached an agreement to legalise recreational cannabis use in the state. The proposed law would allow sales to people over 21 and establish a licensing process for deliveries to customers. New Yorkers could grow as many as three mature and three immature plants for personal use. Penalties for having less than
On the hilly streets around his home in the Anza Vista neighbourhood of San Francisco, everyone knew Vicha Ratanapakdee as “grandpa”. The 84-year-old, who was originally from Thailand, was a friendly and familiar sight on his hour-long morning strolls. But on his walk on 28 January, as he turned the corner from Anza Vista Avenue
A police video in the US has sparked outrage after two officers were seen berating a five-year-old boy at his school, with one officer screaming in his face and another putting him in handcuffs. The two officers, who work for the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) in Maryland, are facing calls to be fired over
Once again, the eyes of the world are on Minneapolis – the city is braced for the trial of the former police officer accused of murdering George Floyd. For many this will be a defining moment for America. The trial is being hailed as one of the most important in US history. The intersection where
Boris Johnson has told Joe Biden that global vaccine access will be vital for beating COVID-19, as the leaders agreed combatting climate change will be a key part of “building back better from the pandemic”. The prime minister and US president spoke on the phone on Friday afternoon, where they discussed the rollout of jabs,
An American university has agreed to an $852m (£620m) settlement with more than 700 women who have accused its former gynaecologist of sexual abuse. This is believed to be a record-breaking amount for such a lawsuit – and when combined with an earlier settlement of a separate class action lawsuit, the University of Southern California
President Joe Biden has challenged the US to administer 200 million COVID vaccination doses by the end of his first 100 days in office. That is double the target of 100 million jabs he set in December and achieved earlier this month before his 60th day in office – an average of 2.5 million doses
A senior state official has become the first openly transgender person to be confirmed by the US Senate. Rachel Levine, the former Pennsylvania Health Secretary, has been approved as the Biden administration’s assistant secretary of health. The vote on Wednesday went 52-48 in her favour, as two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan
AstraZeneca has defended its use of coronavirus vaccine data after US authorities suggested some results from a large American-led trial may have been based on “outdated information”. The Anglo-Swedish company said the study showed the jab was 79% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 illness and 100% effective against severe disease and hospitalisation. The trial of
The jury has been selected in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former US police officer accused of murdering George Floyd. Opening statements are due to begin in Minneapolis next week in a case described as one of the most important in the nation’s history. Fourteen jury members will hear the trial proceedings – 12
President Joe Biden has called for an assault weapon ban and the closure of background check loopholes, after the seventh mass killing this year in the US left 10 dead. In an address to the nation following the bloodshed at a supermarket in Colorado, the president said simply: “We must act.” And he called on
Jamie Foxx will play Mike Tyson in a TV series based on the former heavyweight boxing champion’s life and career, producers have said. The Oscar-winning actor joins movie legend Martin Scorsese and another Hollywood director, Antoine Fuqua, as executive producer. Fuqua, a filmmaker best-known for 2001 crime thriller Training Day, will also direct the limited
US police carrying out a drug raid have discovered a semi-automatic pistol disguised as a toy Nerf gun. The Glock pistol had a 50-round magazine, was painted blue and orange and had a Nerf logo similar to the toys made by Hasbro that fire foam darts or balls. Image: The discovery was made during a
Donald Trump plans to launch his own social media platform in two-three months’ time, it is claimed. Jason Miller, a spokesman for Trump’s 2020 campaign, said the former president would be launching a social platform that stands to “completely redefine the game”. “I do think that we’re going to see President Trump returning to social
A serial stowaway is back in jail after being arrested at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Marilyn Hartman was subject to a court order forbidding her from going anywhere near the airport. The 69-year-old’s electronic monitor was allegedly activated when she left the facility where she was staying, prompting officers to start tracking her movements. She
An emergency curfew has been imposed for Miami Beach as thousands gathered to celebrate spring break – with reports of fights breaking out. Revellers had been warned by US authorities to “vacation responsibly or be arrested”, as large crowds were seen in the streets with little social distancing and many not wearing masks. A text
Hundreds of people have gathered in Atlanta to support the Asian American community after six Asian women were killed in three spas in the city. In total, eight people were shot dead in Cherokee and Fulcon County on Tuesday. A man accused of the crimes, 21-year-old Robert Aaron Long, told police he had a sex
Racism is persistent and pervasive in America’s history and present, but what about its future? US correspondent Cordelia Lynch reflects on whether the US has reached a true turning point, with promises of institutional reform starting to come into effect, and the upcoming trial of Derek Chauvin throwing George Floyd‘s tragic killing into the spotlight
Joe Biden is “just fine” after he fell up a flight of stairs as he boarded his presidential plane on Friday. The US president, 78, stumbled three times as he climbed the steps on to Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland this morning. He and Vice President Kamala Harris were on their