Wednesday, May 26

*) George Floyd’s family urges police reform on anniversary of murder The family of George Floyd has appealed for sweeping police reform on the anniversary of the Black man's death who was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris hosted several of Floyd's relatives in the Oval Office after the family spoke to top lawmakers hoping for progress on police reform. The legislation being considered to increase police accountability would be named after Floyd. *) New grand jury seated for next stage of Trump investigation Manhattan's district attorney has convened a grand jury that is expected to decide whether to indict former US president Donald Trump over possible crimes by him or by his company. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance has been investigating Trump’s pre-presidency business dealings for more than two years. Vance’s office has said in court filings it was investigating criminal conduct at the Trump Organization, including tax and insurance fraud and falsification of business records. *) Indian Covid-19 variant found in at least 53 territories – WHO The coronavirus variant first detected in India has now been officially recorded in 53 territories, a World Health Organization report showed. Additionally, the WHO received information from unofficial sources that the B.1.617 variant has been found in seven other countries, taking the total to 60. The report said B.1.617 had shown increased transmissibility, while disease severity and risk of infection were under investigation. *) Blinken announces US aid to Gaza, pledges to reopen Jerusalem consulate Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged on an Israel-Palestine trip that the US will provide aid to help rebuild Gaza, with the clause that its Hamas government be excluded from the process. Blinken said the US will reopen its Jerusalem consulate that served as its diplomatic channel to Palestinians. The US pledged $75 million in development aid, over $5 million in immediate disaster rel