Protests continue after policeman charged
Protesters have rallied in the city of North Charleston where a policeman shot and killed an unarmed man after a routine traffic stop over the weekend. A bystander took video of the incident which showed 33-year-old Walter Scott being shot multiple times in the back by officer Michael Slager when he tried to flee. “This is not just about black lives. This is about all lives… and it’s a bigger issue than just police,” one protester told the crowd. Slager was charged with murder a day before the protest and faces the possibility of life in prison or the death penalty. The FBI and US Justice Department are investigating the shooting.
$300 million Hatton Garden heist
Thieves stole large amounts of cash and gems from a London safety deposit company in the Hatton Garden diamond dealing precinct over the Easter weekend. A former police officer said the value of the stolen property may be as much as $300 million. “The thieves used heavy cutting equipment to break into the vault, before raiding 60 to 70 boxes,” police said. The scene is still being examined and police are still trying to establish whose property was stolen.
Gay conversion therapies in Obama’s firing line
President Barack Obama has called for the banning of conversion therapies that claim to change the sexual identity of gay, lesbian and transgender youth. Obama’s decision was a response to an online petition started when a transgender teen committed suicide after receiving the therapy. The President’s senior adviser, Valerie Jarret, announced: “As part of our dedication to protecting America’s youth, this Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors.” Mr Obama will not call for federal law to ban conversion therapists, but will meet both sides for discussion and will support efforts to ban the therapy at state level.
Four people injured in house explosion
Police are investigating the cause of an explosion that injured four people in a house in central Jakarta. One of the injured was struck in the chest by nails. “An object we found had nails and grey powder but did not have a detonator or cables,” a police spokesman said. “It seems to have exploded because of pressure.” Investigations are still under way. – Compiled from web sources by Keisha Miller
Screenshot from the BBC.
About the author
