President blames 'slippery' ramp for trouble walking while health experts issue coronavirus warning over his Tulsa rally

It is also Donald Trump’s 74th birthday today - a topic he may have something to say about when he wakes up this morning.  

Killing of George Floyd draws attention to other deaths of black men

Anti-racism protests which were initially ignited by the police killing of George Floyd have begun to move towards calling attention to the deaths of other black men in recent days.

Roughly 150 protesters marched outside the Wendy’s restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia, where Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year-old black man, was shot by a police officer on Friday.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Mr Brooks, who was seen on body camera video sleeping in a car blocking the Wendy's drive thru, failed a sobriety test and was shot in a struggle over a police Taser.

Stacey Abrams, the Georgia Democratic candidate who gained national prominence running for governor in 2018, tweeted that “sleeping in a drive-thru must not end in death.”

In Palmdale, California, hundreds of people marched on Saturday to demand an investigation into the death of 24-year-old Robert Fuller, who was found hanging from a tree early on Wednesday near city hall. 

Protesters marched from where the body was found to a sheriff's station, with many carrying signs that said “Justice for Robert Fuller”.

Authorities said the death appeared to be a suicide, but an autopsy was planned, while the city said there were no outdoor cameras that could have recorded what happened.

Mr Fuller's death has also brought to light the death of another black man who was found hanging from a tree on 31 May in Victorville, a desert city 45 miles east of Palmdale. 

A sheriff's spokesperson, Jodi Miller, told Victor Valley News that foul play was not suspected in the death of 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch but the man's family said they were concerned it will be ruled a suicide to avoid further attention.

'An extraordinarily dangerous move’: Health experts criticise planned Trump rally during pandemic

The upcoming Trump rally in Tulsa has been labelled “an extraordinary dangerous move” during the coronavirus pandemic by a senior health expert.

After months away from the campaign trail, Donald Trump is planning to rally his supporters again next week for the first time since the US lockdown over Covid-19 began.

His choice of location, Oklahoma, is a state with relatively few coronavirus cases but health experts have questioned the decision, citing the clear danger posed by large crowds.

Dr Ashish Jha, director of Harvard's Global Health Institute, called the upcoming Trump rally “an extraordinarily dangerous move for the people participating and the people who may know them and love them and see them afterward.”

He said he feared Trump supporters coming from nearby cities or even states could carry the virus back home with them.

“I'd feel the same way if Joe Biden were holding a rally,” Dr Jha said.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention previously outlined the coronavirus risk posed by large gatherings which cannot allow for social distancing and recommended people wear face coverings in places where people might shout or chant.

“I have concerns about large groups of people gathering indoors for prolonged lengths of time,” Bruce Dart, executive director of the Tulsa Health Department, said in a statement on Friday. 

“It is imperative that anyone who chooses to host or attend a gathering take the steps to stay safe.”

The Trump campaign itself also appears to have acknowledged the risk posed by the rally, as it has issued a waiver for attendees if they end up getting sick after the event.

“By clicking register below, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to Covid-19 exists in any public place where people are present,” the campaign advised those signing up for the rally.

“By attending the Rally, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to Covid-19 and agree not to hold Donald J  Trump for President, Inc liable for illness or injury.”

Seven states see surges in coronavirus cases 

Multiple states are causing concerns for health officials as coronavirus hospitalisation and cases surge following a reopening of certain industries. 

On Saturday, Texas saw its largest number of hospitalisations with more than 2,200 new Covid-19 patients. 

Other states observing an increase in numbers include Oregon, Nevada, Wyoming, Oklahoma, Alabama, and South Carolina. 

Dr Anthony Facui was asked about the increase in coronavirus cases and what that could mean for each state. He said it didn't necessarily mean a second spike. 

"However, when you start to see increases in hospitalisation, that's a surefire situation that you've got to pay close attention to," he added.

What is Flag Day and how is it celebrated? 

In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated each year on 14 June to commemorate the day on which the country adopted its famous stars and stripes.

The celebration was officially recognised by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916, to mark the date in 1777 when the Second Continental Congress selected the American flag.

Although not an official federal holiday, Flag Day is observed widely across the United States in a number of ways.

Tom Barnes with our report on the holiday: 

Putin comments on protests in US, blaming 'partisan' tales of Trump's 'legitimacy' as president

Russian President Vladimir Putin commented on the current unrest in the US in his first major media engagement since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. 

"I try very carefully to comment or better, not comment, on what is happening in the United States or other countries," Putin said, according to an interview published online by Rossiya 1 on Sunday. 

"What happened there is a manifestation of some deep-rooted internal crises. In fact, we have been observing this for a long time now, from the moment the incumbent president came to power, when he obviously won in an absolutely democratic way, and the losing side came up with all sorts of tales in order to question his legitimacy," he added. 

Mr Putin added he thought the pandemic and the recent protests showed how "partisan interests put above those of the people" hurt America.

US surgeon general asks residents to wear masks when out despite 'inconvenience' 

US Surgeon General Jerome M Adams again asked for residents to continue to wear masks when out in public despite the "inconvenience" it might cause. 

But wearing masks has become a partisan issue, with President Donald Trump refusing to wear masks in public. Only some states have adopted a mask policy as they start reopening specific industries. 

Trump uses excuse of 'slippery' and 'steep' ramp during West Point graduation

Our story on Mr Trump's now infamous descent when leaving West Point's graduation ceremony on Saturday:

Projected cost of using National Guard during DC protests amounts to $21.1m

The National Guard confirmed with CNN that is anticipated a projected cost of about $21.1m for using the group to assist in Washington DC protests as of 12 June after a report was released by the Daily Beast. 

This figure included aiding DC and 11 other supporting states in the area. 

Mr Trump threatened to deploy the National Guard and military during the peak of the protests following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.  

Trump's rally campaign site in Tulsa postponed all other events through July

Donald Trump's campaign announced its would be holding its first rally since the start of the coronavirus pandemic at the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

The date set for the rally was initially on 19 June before it was later changed to 20 June due to backlash for holding an event on Juneteenth. 

Besides this rally, the arena has postponed all other events through July "out of an abundance of caution" amid the pandemic, the Associated Press first reported. But it is allowing for the president to hold his rally, which could bring tens of thousands of people all packed together.

Attendees of the rally had to sign a waiver when purchasing tickets that states they will not sue the Trump campaign if they contract Covid-19 after the event.