Thousands gather in Australia for Black Lives Matter protests

Thousands of people have gathered for Black Lives Matter protests in Australia this weekend following the killing of George Floyd in the US last month.

The anti-racism movement has spread globally in recent weeks, with protesters in Australia ignoring advice from the government and health authorities by holding demonstrations on Saturday.

The biggest demonstration was in Perth, Western Australia, where the Australian Broadcasting Corporation estimated that 5,000 people gathered to honor Mr Floyd and remember indigenous Australian people who have died while in custody.

However, the threat of rain and the lack of a city council permit meant the Perth rally did not reach the expected 8,000-15,000 people organisers had hoped would attend.

Hannah McGlade, a human rights lawyer and activist, called for an independent investigation into indigenous deaths in custody and rejected calls from politicians for people not to gather for the protests.

“They told us not to come. They told us to be silent. We will not be silent,” Ms McGlade said.

Mark McGowan, Western Australia’s state premier, had urged organisers to postpone the event due to concerns about the spread of Covid-19.

Temporary tear gas bans introduced in Dallas and Seattle

Officials in Dallas and Seattle have ordered temporary bans on the use of tear gas and other chemical agents against peaceful protesters amid anti-racism demonstrations across the country.

US District Judge Sam Lindsay approved a consent decree in Dallas requiring police to agree to not use smoke bombs, flashbangs, pepperballs, Mace and other chemical agents against peaceful demonstrators.

Police also agreed to not fire impact projectiles, such as rubber bullets, bean bags or sponges at protesters.

Meanwhile, a federal judge in Seattle ordered a temporary ban on the use of tear gas, pepper spray and flash bang devices for 14 days.

A Black Lives Matter group sued the Seattle Police Department this week to halt the use of violent tactics by police to break up largely peaceful protests.

Trump compares his administration’s work for black community to Lincoln

Donald Trump has repeated his claim that he has done more for the black community than any other president, suggesting only Abraham Lincoln compares to his administration’s achievements.

In a bizarre Fox News interview with Harris Faulkner, who is black, Mr Trump suggested Lincoln’s achievements might have been greater but added that it was “always questionable”.

“I think I've done more for the black community than any other president. And let's take a pass on Abraham Lincoln 'cause he did good, although it's always questionable. You know, in other words, the end result,” the president said, without providing further explanation.

Ms Faulkner then interrupted: “But we are free, Mr President. He did pretty well.”

“We are free. You understand what I mean. I'm going to take a pass on Abe - Honest Abe as we call him,” Mr Trump replied.

You can find the exchange below:

Senior US and China officials to meet in Hawaii in attempt to ease tensions, reports say

Senior officials from the US and China are planning to meet in Hawaii in an attempt to ease tensions between the world’s two largest economies over various issues, according to media reports.

Politico said Mike Pompeo, the US secretary of state, was planning the trip “quietly” and arrangements had not yet been finalised.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post cited an unidentified source who said Yang Jiechi, a state council and member of the Communist Party Politburo, would represent China at the meeting.

Relations between the countries have deteriorated in recent months over issues on trade and the coronavirus pandemic.

Last month, Mr Pompeo said China could have prevented hundreds of thousands of deaths around the world if it had been more transparent about Covid-19 during the early stages of the outbreak.

The US State Department and the Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

Trump moves rally date for ‘Juneteenth’ holiday

Donald Trump has said he will shift the date of an Oklahoma rally from 19 June, the date of the “Juneteenth” holiday, to 20 June out of respect for a day commemorating the end of US slavery.

The president had faced criticism for scheduling his first campaign rally in months on a day known by African-Americans as Freedom Day.

“Many of my African American friends and supporters have reached out to suggest that we consider changing the date out of respect for this Holiday, and in observance of this important occasion and all that it represents,” Mr Trump wrote on Twitter.

Dr Fauci raises concerns about Covid-19 risk at Trump rallies

Dr Anthony Fauci, the US’ top infectious diseases expert, has warned against holding election rallies during the Covid-19 pandemic due to the risk of people acquiring or spreading the virus at large gatherings.

His warning came ahead of a planned Trump campaign rally in Oklahoma next week and amid concerns that the quick reopening of the US could lead to a second wave of infections.

“I have not specifically spoken to [Trump] about that, but the principles that I have been espousing hold true,” Dr Fauci told CNN.

“The best thing to do is to avoid crowded areas. But if you're not going to do that, please wear a mask.”

The health expert has also said people should avoid Black Lives Matter protests for the same reason, as social distancing is difficult in crowded areas.

Trump says police chokeholds sound ‘so innocent, so perfect’

Donald Trump has claimed police chokeholds sound “so innocent and so perfect” during a Fox News interview but suggested he would generally support calls to end their use.

The president said he did not like the practice of using chokeholds and would “generally speaking” support ending it before adding that there were scenarios where the practice could be necessary.

“I think the concept of chokehold sounds so innocent, so perfect,” Mr Trump told Fox News on Friday night.

“And then you realise, if it’s a one-on-one. Now, if it’s two-on-one, that’s a little bit of a different story.

You can find Mr Trump's comments in full below: