Throughout 2020, Black Lives Matter protests swept the globe sending millions of people into the streets. Often, these protests prompted people to look inward and revive calls for justice where they live. And, a jury on Tuesday found ex-police officer Derek Chauvin guilty in the murder of George Floyd. The case has raised questions about police brutality and justice in the US. Also, A plan by 12 of Europe's top football teams to form an elite breakaway league has fallen apart just three days after it was announced.

In recent years, thousands of Afghans have been forced out of their country because of direct threats from the Taliban. Now, with the US troop withdrawal looming, many Afghans face an uncertain future. And, US and Russia relations have reached a new low point after news that the US ambassador to Russia, John Sullivan, will be returning to the United States this week. Also, Biden administration officials have been meeting with members of Brazil's Bolsonaro government to work out a multibillion-dollar deal to curb rampant deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.

French lawmakers passed a bill that could punish anyone sharing images or videos of police officers with the intent to cause "psychological or physical" harm. And, Russian dissident Alexei Navalny has been taken to a prison hospital following a three-week hunger strike and deteriorating health. Can the US intervene? Also, the long-awaited travel bubble between Australia and New Zealand is now open, allowing Aussies to travel to New Zealand without a required two-week quarantine.

The Biden administration on Thursday slapped new sanctions on the Kremlin. Now, Moscow has responded with a set of its own sanctions against the US. And, a significant change is set for the future of Cuba: Raúl Castro is expected to step down as Communist Party secretary-general this weekend. Also, the European Commission is expected to unveil its long-awaited proposal on artificial intelligence regulations.

The Biden administration has imposed significant sanctions against Russia. The sanctions tackle what the White House calls "harmful foreign activities by the Russian government." And, following the US announced plan to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan by September, women fear a return to the dark days of oppression and abuse under Taliban rule. Also, boba, the chewy tapioca pearls in bubble tea, are in short supply due to shipping backups at ports in the US. But the concerns about a nationwide boba shortage may be unwarranted.

Afghans have five months before US troops depart and many see that period as the last chance to push the peace process forward. And, the police shooting of Daunte Wright, an unarmed Black man killed by an officer during a traffic stop in a suburb of Minneapolis, is raising questions once again about why policing in the US can be so deadly — and how other nations do things differently. Also, an island in Thailand has a creative way to lure back foreigners — without bringing in COVID-19.

President Joe Biden announced a new deadline to pull American troops out of Afghanistan for Sept. 11, 2021. It's an important development in the push to end a nearly 20-year war. And, the tension between Russia and Ukraine continues to build as tens of thousands of Russian troops have amassed along Ukraine's border. Now Ukraine, the US and Europe are on alert. Also, the government of Japan announced on Tuesday plans to release treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Israel reiterating Washington’s commitment to the country. The visit came coincidently as news of an explosion emerged from Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility. And, voters in Ecuador have elected conservative businessman Guillermo Lasso as their new president. Also, Monday marks 60 years since Russian Yuri Gagarin’s first voyage into space.

COVID-19 cases are rising in India as its vaccination drive attempts to keep up. And, since President Joe Biden's first day in office, US-China relations have been both a priority and a concern. This week, Taiwan has been at the center of attention because China has revved up pressure there, with military exercises by air and sea. Also, new research shows Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica may be even more vulnerable than scientists realized.

Rioters set fire to a hijacked bus and lobbed gasoline bombs at police in Belfast Wednesday. Tensions have been on the rise since Britain's exit from the European Union. And, New Zealand recently made headlines when its Parliament approved a bill that requires employers to offer three days of bereavement leave for people who miscarry. Also, when pubs reopen fully in mid-May, the UK government is considering a COVID-19 certificate scheme that requires customers to prove they have been vaccinated.