US footballer snubs national anthem to protest racial injustice

These are some of the headlines we are tracking for you in this episode of On the News Line:

Snubbing US national anthem

The issue of racism in the US is once again in the spotlight as football player Colin Kaepernick refuses to stand for the national anthem before an NFL game in protest at oppression against the people of color. Kaepernick pledged to continue with his silent protest into the regular season. Kaepernick was backed by his team and some basketball players of the NBA. However, the professional football player faced a barrage of criticism, including from Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump who told him to “find a country that works better for him.”

Turkey’s incursion of Syria

There are no signs Turkey will end its intervention in Syria any time soon. Ankara has sent more tanks into Syrian territory to open a new front in the region, where it has already deployed a substantial force.

US-India military pact

India and the US this past week signed a strategic deal that allows their respective militaries to use each other’s land, air and naval bases for re-supply and repair operations. The US has similar logistics agreements with other countries. But for Washington and New Delhi this deal is specifically important. The 2 countries do not share a mutual defense treaty. But they have grown closer in recent years through joint military training and arms deals. And their so-called Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement deepens and formalizes those ties.

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