Australia probes US police assault on its journalists

Australia is investigating a US police attack on two Australian television journalists outside the White House, the foreign minister said Tuesday, expressing "strong concerns" about the assault caught live on camera.

"We have asked the Australian embassy in Washington, DC to investigate this incident," Marise Payne said after the journalists were slammed with a riot shield, punched and hit with a baton while broadcasting from the protest.

"I want to get further advice on how we would go about registering Australia's strong concerns with the responsible local authorities in Washington," she said, indicating a formal complaint would follow.

Footage showed 7NEWS reporter Amelia Brace being clubbed with a truncheon and cameraman Tim Myers being hit with a riot shield and punched in the face by police clearing Washington's Lafayette Square of protesters on Monday.

The journalists said they were later shot with rubber bullets and tear-gassed, which Brace said left the pair "a bit sore".

The incident was widely broadcast in Australia, causing consternation in a country that has been a close US ally.

The US ambassador to Australia, Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr., said on Twitter: "We take mistreatment of journalists seriously, as do all who take democracy seriously."

Pan African Film and Art Festival Call for Entry

PAFF Newsletter Art, Film & Cultural News & Events

The staff of the Pan African Film Festival wants you and your family to stay safe during this Covid-19 Pandemic. As the coronavirus continues to rip through our nation leaving behind thousands of victims in its path, our communities of Blacks and Brown have been infected and their residents killed at a disproportionate rate residents across the country. After this virus is done infecting… our world will not be the same.”  Although COVID-19 has been slow to arrive in Africa, or at least has been slow to be detected there, the wave is coming. They are preparing for disaster. Right now the numbers may appear manageable. The African countries with the most confirmed COVID-19 cases are South Africa (1,934), Algeria (1,666), Egypt (1,560), and Morocco (1,374). No sub-Saharan country other than South Africa has more than 1,000 cases. The countries hardest hit are those most connected with international travel, especially to France. (Kenya, at 184 cases; Ethiopia, at 56; and Nigeria, at 276, have numbers that remain suspiciously low.) Burkina Faso—not an especially connected country, or one with a huge population—has 414 cases. Every country in Africa has testing kits, many of them due to the largesse of China’s Jack Ma. In some countries, such as Rwanda (110), quarantines and the careful tracing of contacts have kept the numbers down.  PAFF family, please continue to adhere to the following guidelines to HELP SLOW THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 in our communities:  Stay home if you can and avoid any non-essential travel. Avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people. Practice social distancing by keeping at least 6 feet — about two arm lengths — away from others if you must go out in public. Stay connected with loved ones through video and phone calls, texts and social media. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Clean and disinfect household surfaces daily and high-touch surfaces frequently throughout the day. High-touch surfaces include phones, remote controls, counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, tablets and bedside tables. Follow CDC guidance. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth, and throw used tissues in a lined trash can. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into your elbow — not your hands. Wash your hands immediately. We hope to see you next year at the 29th Pan African Film Festival. Until then, we’ll continue to keep you and your family in our prayers.   The 29th Annual Pan African Film Festival (PAFF)  Opens Its “Call for Entries”   The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is gearing up to once again take moviegoers on a cinematic world journey with international film screenings with the announcement of its “Call for Entries”.   The 29th Annual PAFF, America’s largest and most prestigious Black film festival, will be held in February, 2021 either with a physical festival in Los Angeles, a world-wide virtual festival or a combination of both. Over the years, PAFF has showcased films from all parts of the world, representing such countries as the United States, Angola, Nigeria, Jamaica, New Zealand, Rwanda, Canada, Mozambique, Venezuela, Egypt, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Brazil, Kenya, Fiji, Mexico, the U.K., South Africa, England, Japan, Trinidad & Tobago, France and Canada. With the pulse on the international film market, PAFF has opened the minds of its audiences, and transported them to far-away places and back home again. “Over the years, filmmakers the world over have become more sophisticated in telling their stories,” says Asantewa Olatunji, the director of programming for PAFF. “In our ever-shrinking world, it is so important to understand the experiences and points of views of the world’s diverse peoples and cultures.”   Last year, more than 40,000 people attended the film festival, which has long been a highly anticipated event in Los Angeles attended by local, national and international guests. PAFF currently accepts only online applications and submissions. As of June 1, 2020 filmmakers wanting to submit to PAFF2021 can submit through FilmFreeway at filmfreeway.com and typing in the Pan African Film Festival or can go to the PAFF website www.paff.org and clicking onto the FilmFreeway button or the “Submit a Film” button on the menu.    ELIGIBILITY: PAFF accepts applications for films, videos and webisodes made by and/or about people of African descent. (Please note: the filmmaker need not be of African descent.) Preferably, submissions should depict positive and/or realistic images and can be of any genre — drama, comedy, horror, action/adventure, animation, romance, science fiction, experimental, historical/epic, etc. PAFF accepts narrative and documentary features, shorts and webisodes.   COMPETITION:  The PAFF competition categories are: Best Narrative Feature, Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary (Short or Feature), Best Director — First Feature, Best Web-Series, plus a variety of Audience Favorite Awards. Films in competition must be copyrighted no earlier than 2019. With the exception of Audience Favorite Awards, films are judged by industry professionals. In addition to competition awards, other programming and festival special prizes will be awarded.   SUBMISSION PERIODS: Early Submissions (Reduced Entry Fee): Currently being accepted through July 15, 2020.  Regular Submissions: July 16-September 20, 2020.  Late Submissions: September 21- October 30, 2020.  Extended Late Submissions: October 31-December 10, depending on available space.  After December 10, the submitter must contact submissions@paff.org to obtain permission to submit. For submission instructions, information, fees and registration kindly go to www.paff.org and click onto “Submit a Film”. For questions regarding submissions, email submissions@paff.org.  ABOUT THE PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL In its 29th year, the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF), is America’s largest and most prestigious Black film festival. Each year, it screens more than 185 films made by and/or about people of African descent from the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, the South Pacific, Latin America, Europe and Canada. In conjunction with its simultaneous Art Showcase, PAFF holds the distinction of being the largest Black History Month event in the US.   PAFF was founded in 1992 by award-winning actor Danny Glover (“The Color Purple,” “Lethal Weapon”), the late Emmy Award-winning actress Ja’Net DuBois (best known for her role as Willona in the TV series, “Good Times”) and executive director, Ayuko Babu, an international legal, cultural and political consultant who specializes in African Affairs. PAFF is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the promotion of ethnic and racial respect and tolerance through the exhibit of films, art and other creative expressions.   The goal of PAFF is to present and showcase the broad range of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images, help to destroy negative stereotypes and depict an expanded vision of the Black experience. PAFF believes film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, and lifestyles, while at the same time, serves as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our time.   For more information, please visit www.paff.org or email info@paff.org. Launching June 19th! The Ultimate Podcast, Blaine Teamer & Indira Wilson's best work yet! SUBSCRIBE TO TIM TV TODAY! Things To Watch While Safe At Home THESE PAFF TITLES FROM THIS YEAR AND PREVIOUS YEARS HAVE BEEN SPOTTED ON VARIOUS STREAMING PLATFORMS! The Delivery Boy- Netflix The Love Between Us- Amazon Okafor's Law- Netflix The Cookout- Sprinter- Netflix Repentance- Amazon Frankie & Alice- Amazon Bilal- Amazon Cook Off- Netflix Canal Street- Amazon No Shade- Amazon Skinned- Amazon Brown Paper Bag- Amazon DETAILS ABOUT THE NEXT PAFF INSTITUTE WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

Officers kneel in solidarity with protesters in several cities

Protesters have been taking to the streets of several U.S. cities for nearly a week in response to the death of George Floyd. There have been a number of violent clashes between law enforcement and demonstrators across the country — but in some cities, officers have knelt in solidarity with demonstrators. 

In Coral Gables, a city near Miami, a peaceful protest attended by hundreds on Saturday included a moment of prayer with police officers, CBS News reports Powerful images from the demonstration show officers kneeling, heads bowed, in solidarity with protesters. Some protesters chanted "Black lives matter!" and "No justice, no peace, no racist police."

WATCH: Police officers across the country kneel and march in solidarity with protesters. pic.twitter.com/QnuWcH6fPL

— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 1, 2020

Chiefs from two Miami-Dade police departments addressed the crowd and answered questions. "These gentlemen behind me stand for bringing justice, just like you're asking for," said Key Biscayne Police Chief Charles Press, according to CBS Miami.

Coral Gables Police Chief Ed Hudak said he and the organizers of the protest will keep the dialogue going this week though Zoom. The two chiefs of police also acknowledged the need for better training and reviewing protocols.

A similar scene played out in parts of New York City. Although there have been clashes in parts of the city, one official in Queens took a knee as demonstrators chanted "thank you" and "keep the peace," CBS New York reported Another officer was seen taking a knee in solidarity in Time Square on Sunday, prompting a hug from a demonstrator.

In Washington, D.C., a group of officers lined up and took a knee in front of the Trump International Hotel. "There was an immediate outburst of joy and fist bumping," tweeted CBS News' Julia Boccagno, who captured video of the scene.

Wife of( Killer Policeman) Derek Chauvin says, in divorce filing, she wants to change her name

The estranged wife of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin intends to change her name and doesn't want any spousal support, her divorce petition revealed on Monday.

Kellie May Chauvin on Saturday, a day after her 44-year-old husband of nearly 10 years, was arrested and charged with third degree murder in the death of George Floyd who died in the hands of US policemen.

Danish-Nigerian arraigned for ‘dealing in hard drugs’

A dual citizen of Nigeria and Denmark, Oladapo Ifedayo Oluseyi, was on Monday brought before a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly unlawfully dealing in hard drugs.

Oluseyi, also known as Dayo, was arraigned by the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on a four-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful cultivation of, dealing in hard drugs and unlawful possession of the said banned substance.

According to NDLEA prosecutors Augustine Nwogu and Jonathan Igwubor, the defendant was arrested on May 18, 2020, at 7, Imam Augusto Close, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The NDLEA told Justice Nicholas Oweibo that the defendant was found in possession of 1.127 kilogrammes of cannabis cream; 83 grammes of hashish oil: 123mg THC-70mg CBD and 21kg of cannabis infused ethanol.

The defendant was also alleged to have unlawfully engaged in the hypotonic growing of 80 grammes of fresh cannabis sativa plants and 25 grammes of dried cannabis sativa plants, a drug similar to cocaine, heroin and LSD etc.

White supremacists attending George Floyd protests, Minnesota officials believe

Officials in Minnesota believe that white supremacist “agitators” were inciting chaos at protests against brutality and the killing of George Floyd.

The Minnesota state corrections department said on Sunday that white supremacists were thought to be attending demonstrations in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, and making chaos.

“They’re agitators,” said Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell on those who have caused destruction during demonstrations.

Mr Schnell added that authorities were moving to break up demonstrations so that outside “agitators” could not create chaos.

Minnesota governor TimWalz announced on Sunday that the state’s curfew would be extended into Monday morning to allow law enforcement to continue targeting “those who meant to do harm”.

Mr Walz added on Twitter that authorities had made several arrests whilst seizing weapons, narcotics, long guns, handguns, magazines and knives.

“We have reason to believe that bad actors continue to infiltrate the rightful protests of George Floyd’s murder, which is why we are extending the curfew by one day,” announced the governor overnight.

Minnesota corrections department commissioner John Harrington also announced later on Sunday that authorities had located several caches of flammable materials.

Mr Harringon added: “The fact that we’ve seen so many of them in so many places now makes us believe that this is part of that pattern that shows that this in fact an organised activity and not some random act of rage”.

It comes amid accusations that outside groups are behind the destruction witnessed in cities across the US, and in Minneapolis where Mr Floyd was killed in police custody last week.

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who represents the district where he was killed, pleaded with Minneapolis protesters on Saturday night to stay indoors so that “agitators” could be caught.

Source: The Independent

#JusticeForUwa trends in Nigeria after student murdered in church

There is outrage in Nigeria following the murder of a 22-year-old student, Uwavera Omozuwa in a church.

The hashtag #JusticeForUwa is trending in Nigeria, with her family appealing for help to track down her killers.

Uwavera had been studying in a "quiet" church near her home in Benin City when she was killed, her sister, Judith, told BBC Pidgin.

The student, who had wanted to become a nurse, died in hospital on Saturday, three days after the attack.