Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was on Tuesday convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after Chauvin, who is white, knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes.
The videotaped killing sparked global protests and brought centuries of racial injustice in the US into the spotlight.
A racially diverse jury of seven women and five men in the Midwestern city of Minneapolis deliberated for only about 10 hours after a three-week trial to find Chauvin guilty in unanimous decisions on all three charges he faced.
Chauvin, 45, could spend up to 40 years behind bars for the May 25, 2020, killing when he is sentenced in about eight weeks, but will likely receive a shorter sentence as per legal guidelines.
He was remanded into custody and led out of the courtroom in handcuffs.
Chauvin was convicted of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Floyd died as Chauvin knelt on his neck during an arrest over an allegedly counterfeit $20 bill.
Hundreds of people cheered outside the Hennepin County Court as the verdicts were announced, while National Guard members surrounded the building and helicopters buzzed overhead.
In the hours after the verdict was announced, thousands of people gathered at the site of Floyd’s killing, which has been transformed into George Floyd Square.
Families with young children mingled and laughed as a man played the sousaphone.
Nia Stork, 18, came with her friends to bear witness to the moment.
“It means a lot,” she said. “This is just the beginning and it’s a beautiful start to finally have justice."
In a call to Floyd's family members, US President Joe Biden said he was relieved by the verdict.
"Nothing is going to make it better but at least, God, now there's some justice," Mr Biden said.
He promised to pass legislation for police reform in the US and to deal with "systemic racism".
Family lawyer Ben Crump posted a recording of Mr Biden's call online.
Minnesota State Attorney Keith Ellison said true justice had not been served.
"I would not call today's verdict justice," Mr Ellison said. "Justice implies true restoration, but it is accountability that is the first step towards justice."
Former president Barack Obama issued a statement saying: "Today, a jury did the right thing."
The mood downtown was mostly relieved and jubilant, with hundreds of people preparing to march through Minneapolis in celebration of the verdict.
The sound of car horns could be heard for hours after the verdict as traffic ground to a halt and people celebrated by waving Black Lives Matter flags out side their car windows.
They chanted: "Say his name, say his name: George Floyd."
Donald Nelson, 52, said Minneapolis would be spared new unrest.
"They saved the city and the country with this guilty verdict," Mr Nelson told The National.
Jamar Nelson, 42, said he felt "so validated. It’s a shot across the bow to police".
“We’re going to party like it’s 1999 tonight and tomorrow we’re going to start the healing process.”
Brandyn Tulloch, one of the main organisers of the recent demonstrations, said he was shocked by the verdict. "This was the last thing I was expecting, this was the last thing I was preparing for today," he told The National.
"It's a lot of emotions, but it shouldn't have to feel like this. It took almost a year for them to [call] a murder that we all saw was murder."
Mr Tulloch believed the city was doubting the outcome as well. "The way they fortified downtown, the way they brought in the National Guard, the way they brought in other agencies, they were preparing for the worst."
Minneapolis had been bracing for demonstrations for days, with fencing, concrete barriers, heightened security and boarded-up windows throughout the city's downtown area.
About 3,000 service members of the Minnesota National Guard are stationed in the city.
Other US cities – including Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington DC – had also been preparing for unrest after the jury’s verdict.
Activists have held gatherings and protests in Minneapolis for about a year, and a recent police shooting that resulted in the death of Daunte Wright, another black man, in the nearby suburb of Brooklyn Centre, also reignited demonstrations.
Chauvin's trial was widely followed and covered by US and global media, with every step of the proceedings streamed live in a first for the state of Minnesota.
Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill said cameras were needed for coronavirus mitigation during the trial.
Photos and video of Floyd’s killing fuelled nationwide protests in the summer and spring of 2020, under the Black Lives Matter movement that some observers said grew to become the largest in US history.
Video was a key part of the court proceedings and was examined extensively by people called to the stand, including experts, former and current members of the Minneapolis police department and others.
The prosecution stressed how Chauvin breached police policy, did not give Floyd medical attention and kept his knee on his neck even after he died.
The defence looked at other factors into how Floyd may have died, such as drug use, health conditions or external causes.
Each count against Chauvin carries a different maximum sentence: 40 years for second-degree unintentional murder; 25 years for third-degree murder; and 10 years for second-degree manslaughter.
On Tuesday evening, Mr Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris spoke about the verdict.
"It was a murder in full light of day," Mr Biden said. "And [it] ripped the blinders off for the whole world to see the systemic racism."
"There can never be any safe harbour for hate in America."
"Today we feel a sigh of relief," Ms Harris said.
However, she added, "a measure of justice is not the same as equal justice. This verdict brings us a step closer. We still have work to do. We still have to reform the system."
"We have to listen: 'I can't breathe. I can't breathe.' Those were George Floyd's last words. We can't let those words die with him," Mr Biden said. "This can be a moment of significant change."
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)
Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
'Cheb%20Khaled'
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EArtist%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKhaled%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELabel%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBelieve%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
TO ALL THE BOYS: ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Directed by: Michael Fimognari
Starring: Lana Condor and Noah Centineo
Two stars
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
CHATGPT%20ENTERPRISE%20FEATURES
%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Enterprise-grade%20security%20and%20privacy%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Unlimited%20higher-speed%20GPT-4%20access%20with%20no%20caps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Longer%20context%20windows%20for%20processing%20longer%20inputs%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Advanced%20data%20analysis%20capabilities%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Customisation%20options%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Shareable%20chat%20templates%20that%20companies%20can%20use%20to%20collaborate%20and%20build%20common%20workflows%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Analytics%20dashboard%20for%20usage%20insights%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Free%20credits%20to%20use%20OpenAI%20APIs%20to%20extend%20OpenAI%20into%20a%20fully-custom%20solution%20for%20enterprises%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ACL Elite (West) - fixtures
Monday, Sept 30
Al Sadd v Esteghlal (8pm)
Persepolis v Pakhtakor (8pm)
Al Wasl v Al Ahli (8pm)
Al Nassr v Al Rayyan (10pm)
Tuesday, Oct 1
Al Hilal v Al Shorta (10pm)
Al Gharafa v Al Ain (10pm)
Brief scores:
Manchester City 3
Bernardo Silva 16', Sterling 57', Gundogan 79'
Bournemouth 1
Wilson 44'
Man of the match: Leroy Sane (Manchester City)
Most wanted allegations
- Benjamin Macann, 32: involvement in cocaine smuggling gang.
- Jack Mayle, 30: sold drugs from a phone line called the Flavour Quest.
- Callum Halpin, 27: over the 2018 murder of a rival drug dealer.
- Asim Naveed, 29: accused of being the leader of a gang that imported cocaine.
- Calvin Parris, 32: accused of buying cocaine from Naveed and selling it on.
- John James Jones, 31: allegedly stabbed two people causing serious injuries.
- Callum Michael Allan, 23: alleged drug dealing and assaulting an emergency worker.
- Dean Garforth, 29: part of a crime gang that sold drugs and guns.
- Joshua Dillon Hendry, 30: accused of trafficking heroin and crack cocain.
- Mark Francis Roberts, 28: grievous bodily harm after a bungled attempt to steal a £60,000 watch.
- James ‘Jamie’ Stevenson, 56: for arson and over the seizure of a tonne of cocaine.
- Nana Oppong, 41: shot a man eight times in a suspected gangland reprisal attack.
Key features of new policy
Pupils to learn coding and other vocational skills from Grade 6
Exams to test critical thinking and application of knowledge
A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance, Assessment, Review and Analysis for Holistic Development) will form the standard for schools
Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability
Red Sparrow
Dir: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Egerton, Charlotte Rampling, Jeremy Irons
Three stars
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Fixture: Liechtenstein v Italy, Tuesday, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match is shown on BeIN Sports
