A Virginia school board could vote for two schools to revert to their original Confederate names in a debate that has bitterly divided a town. In 2020, the Shenandoah County School Board changed the names of Stonewall Jackson High and Ashby-Lee Elementary in Quicksburg. But community members have been pushing for a reversal, arguing the name change is unpopular. Thursday’s vote may mark the first such U-turn anywhere in the US. A large crowd, including residents on both sides of the issue, is expected to flock to the school board’s public meeting. Following the May 2020 murder of George Floyd … Continue reading US school board to vote on restoring Confederate names

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa (left) The Portuguese government has said it has no plans to pay reparations for the country’s role in transatlantic slavery and colonialism. The previously dormant debate about the country’s role in the slave trade and other colonial-era abuses roared back into life last week after its President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, suggested it should make amends for such “crimes”. But the right-of-centre government – dominated by a party that Mr de Sousa once led – dismissed the idea, while the far-right Chega party is to seek a vote in parliament condemning the president and his … Continue reading Portugal’s debate over colonial and slavery reparations resurfaces

A man has been arrested on suspicion of assaulting random women in New York City in a string of incidents described by police as hate crimes. Daquan Armstead, 31, is accused of striking women in the face, back and head during attacks in March and April. The seven women all reported they were attacked by an unknown individual. The attacks involve women ranging in age from their early 20s to 40s who all reported similar encounters with the man. There have been more than 90 unprovoked assaults on people in Manhattan, including 50 on women, so far this year, according … Continue reading New York man charged over spate of attacks on women

Björn Höcke (right) A leading far-right German politician has gone on trial, accused of using a Nazi slogan. Björn Höcke, who leads the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Thuringia, is being tried for saying the words “Everything for Germany!” at a 2021 rally. The slogan is associated with the SA stormtroopers, who played a key role in the Nazis’ rise to power. Mr Höcke, a former history teacher- denies knowing the phrase’s roots. He faces up to three years’ imprisonment. At a campaign event in the state of Saxony-Anhalt in May 2021, Mr Höcke ended a speech by saying: … Continue reading Far-right German politician on trial for Nazi slogan

A former US Marine has been jailed for nine years for firebombing a California Planned Parenthood clinic and plotting other attacks to spark a “race war”. Chance Brannon, 24, pleaded guilty to the March 2022 attack on the healthcare clinic, which provides abortions in some of its locations. He also plotted to attack Jewish people and an LGBT pride event taking place at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. At the time of his arrest, he was an active duty member of the US Marines. Prosecutors said Brannon was a neo-Nazi who frequently spoke of “cleansing” the US of “particular ethnic … Continue reading Former Marine jailed for nine years for bombing abortion clinic

The EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency, FRA, says racist policing is widely under-reported in the European Union. In a new report, the Vienna-based agency said most EU countries had “no official data sources on racist incidents and discrimination involving the police”. It said just a few countries recorded incidents of police racism separately. Of these, only Germany, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands publish the data. The report builds on previous research by FRA showing that the police most often stop young men, ethnic minorities, Muslims or people who do not identify as heterosexual. “The number of officially recorded incidents of police … Continue reading Racist policing widely under-reported, in the EU according to FRA

Adidas has banned football fans from buying German football kits customised with the number 44, after media raised their resemblance to the symbol used by World War Two-era Nazi SS units. “We will block personalisation of the jerseys,” an Adidas spokesman said. SS units were the most responsible for the crimes against humanity committed by the Nazis. The newly released kit has also caused controversy with its choice of pink for the away colours. The symbolism issue was first raised by historian Michael König, who said the design of the kits was “very questionable”. The SS rune was designed in … Continue reading Germany fans banned from buying number 44 kits over Nazi symbolism

Skylar Meade (left) and Nicholas Umphenour Idaho police have captured two white supremacist gang members who have been linked to two homicides since a prison break on Wednesday. Fugitive inmate Skylar Meade, 31, and alleged accomplice Nicholas Umphenour were caught in the city of Twin Falls. Three officers were injured when Umphenour, 28, allegedly ambushed guards while they took Meade back to prison from a hospital. Police say both men are members of a prison gang- the Aryan Knights. They say it is unclear whether the escape was a “gang-sanctioned event”. Officials said the pair are suspected to have been … Continue reading US white supremacist convict and accomplice captured after prison break

Last month, Yale University issued a formal apology for the links its early leaders and benefactors had with slavery. Since then, one name that has come under intense scrutiny in India is that of Elihu Yale, the man after whom the Ivy League university is named. Yale served as the all-powerful governor-president of the British East India Company in Madras in southern India (present-day Chennai) in the 17th Century and it was a gift of about $1,486 that earned him the honour of having the university named after him. “It’s equivalent of $210,000 today if you adjust it for inflation,” … Continue reading The cruel and greedy Yale University benefactor who traded in Indian slaves

A Western Australian man has been charged with aggravated assault after allegedly using cable ties to restrain three children. Police said the man had detained the six-year-old girl and two boys aged seven and eight after finding them swimming on a vacant property. Video circulated online appears to show two of the children tied up and crying. Top state officials say they are “appalled” by the footage and police have called for calm in the community. Authorities said the 45-year-old man had called them on Monday to report the incident in Broome, about 2,000km (1,200 miles) north of Perth, telling … Continue reading Shame of a nation: Australian man charged after allegedly using cable ties to detain children

Chelsea striker Sam Kerr is set to face trial after being charged with racially aggravated harassment of a police officer. The 30-year-old Australia international pleaded not guilty to the offence at a court hearing on Monday, the Crown Prosecution Service said. Kerr is scheduled to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on 1 February 2025. It follows an alleged incident in January 2023. “The charge relates to an incident involving a police officer who was responding to a complaint involving a taxi fare on 30 January 2023 in Twickenham,” a Metropolitan Police spokesperson said. She was charged on 21 January “with … Continue reading Chelsea striker Sam Kerr pleads not guilty to racially aggravated offence

An Indigenous Australian rugby league star has accused a rival player of using a racial slur against him during a hotly anticipated game in Las Vegas. Brisbane Broncos’ Ezra Mam says Spencer Leniu called him a “monkey”. When asked about the complaint after the match, the Sydney Roosters prop said “nothing” had happened and “it’s all just fun and games on the field”. Australian sports have been battling a wave of racist abuse from crowds, but incidents between players are uncommon. National Rugby League (NRL) officials are investigating the claim, which has overshadowed the start of the season. The two … Continue reading Australian rugby league star accuses rival of using racist slur