Tensions are mounting in the US city of Portland, where federal troops have been sent to end almost two months of anti-racism protests, some of them violent. The protests began after the death of George Floyd in police custody in May. There have been nightly rallies ever since, with clashes between protesters and police escalating in recent days.

President Donald Trump says he is trying to restore order. The approach has been criticised by local officials. 

Like other US cities, Portland, Oregon saw a wave of peaceful protests over Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, with thousands taking to the streets to demand police reform and racial equality. Recent protests, however, have been marred by violence, arson, damage to property, arrests and allegations of police brutality. Last week, federal officers started cracking down on crowds gathering in the city against the wishes of state and local officials, drawing widespread criticism and legal challenges. ( BBC)…[+]

Belgian authorities are investigating the death of a man after footage shared on social media appeared to show a police officer kneeling on his back. Police said a 29-year-old man of Algerian origin was arrested outside a café in Antwerp on Sunday after he allegedly tried to attack people. The man died in hospital hours later. His death drew parallels with the case of George Floyd, who died in May after a police officer knelt on his neck during his arrest in the US.  A police spokesman told the AFP news agency that officers were called after the “very agitated” man tried to attack people, adding that the man had already been injured and appeared intoxicated. Antwerp police said in a tweet that they would not comment on the case pending a judicial investigation. The man has been named in local media as Akram, and the hashtags #JusticeForAkram and #MurderInAntwerp have been trending in Belgium. Floyd’s death led to an outpouring of anger in cities across the world against police brutality and racism. (BBC)…[+]