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Over the weekend, Marvel released the trailer for Black Panther, which was met with widespread praise along with vulgar, racist slander.

Adapted from the comics of the same name, the film sees its titular hero return home to the fictional African nation of Wakanda to claim the throne after his father's death.

While much of Twitter celebrated the trailer, some critics called it "too black" and "too militant". Others shared similar sentiments, with far worse language that often included the N-word.

Black Panther is the first Marvel Cinematic Universe title with a black lead star, a mostly black cast and a black director. That has been heralded as progress by many, but some feel otherwise - just as they did about the female-led, female-directed Wonder Woman.

"N**ger movie named after a terrorist organisation immediately following feminist Wonder Woman. No agenda here," tweeted a person whose background image features both Pepe the Frog and Nazi propaganda.

"Now there is a Superhero Villan [sic] that is not only a domestic terrorist but also has racist followers that hate white people," tweeted another.

Website Bossip.com has catalogued some of the responses in an article entitled Saltine Fury: Racist Mayo Packets Are BIG MAD About Black Panther's Blackity Blackness.

Link:
Inevitably, there's a racist backlash to the Black Panther trailer - Newshub

These projects will increase the impact of the European Union and help to achieve our objectives across a number of policy areas, in particular in climate action and clean energy, as well as migration management and trade.

Energy, climate change and sustainable urbanisation

The European Union has recently reiterated its full commitment to implementing the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate action, and therefore to the promotion of secure, affordable, climate-friendly and sustainable energy sources. This is not only something that the European Union is looking to achieve in our Member States, but is also a priority for us beyond our borders. At the core of this year's Partnership Instrument is a focus on sustainable energy, access to clean energy, energy efficiency and the transition towards low carbon economies. Such a transition continues to boost economic growth and to create jobs in Europe, therefore showing how international climate and energy policy and sustainable economic development can be mutually reinforcing. As a global leader in the field of climate action, the European Union will work with key partners to implement the Paris agreement and to address climate change, and under the AAP 2017 will implement projects in China (3.5 million), India (3.85 million) and Argentina (4.5 million).

Biodiversity and green diplomacy

Environmental degradation has the potential to cause and exacerbate conflict. In line with the EU Global Strategy, the European Union is therefore investing to enhance environmental resilience in its partner countries. The AAP 2017 will focus on protecting biodiversity in Asia and Latin America and on strengthening the EU's voice and position in multilateral fora (G7, G20) as an interlocutor that can shape environmental rules in accordance with EU standards.

Responsible business and decent work

The Partnership Instrument will underpin the work of the European Union in fighting inequality, promoting responsible business and championing decent work opportunities, notably for women and young people. With a particular focus on Latin America and working with the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the AAP 2017 supports actions that seek to promote adherence to international standards on the environment and working conditions, as well as actions that promote the economic empowerment of women.

Migration management and mobility

The Partnership Instrument contributes to the European Union's efforts to address migration as a global challenge, in line with the EU's Global Approach to Migration and Mobility (GAMM), which is the overarching framework of the EU's external migration and asylum policy. Following previous years' actions in China and Brazil, in 2017 the Partnership Instrument will support policy dialogue and cooperation on migration and mobility with India with a 3 million project, building on the EU-India Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility.

Transparency and accountability of EU trade agreements

The increased participation of civil society in trade policy-making processes would help to make sure that the implementation of trade agreements takes place with enhanced transparency and accountability. The European Union is fully committed to these objectives and is looking to develop ways of ensuring that international best practice in this respect becomes the norm in Europe. As part of this process, the Partnership Instrument is dedicating 3 million in 2017 to support the genuine engagement of civil society, from both Europe and partner countries, in the implementation of EU Trade Agreements, therefore promoting and defending internationally-agreed standards and values.

Raising the profile of the EU through public and cultural diplomacy

Engagement with a wide variety of State and non-State actors is essential if the European Union is to promote its core values and to explain its purpose and potential. Public and cultural diplomacy actions under the AAP 2017 will build on a number of initiatives in this area over the past years, aiming to foster trust among stakeholders and to reinforce the EU's soft power through people-to-people engagement. Among some of the actions foreseen under the 12.4 million allocation are to facilitate the organisation of European Film Festivals across the world and enhance the engagement with the community of Alumni of several European programmes in third countries. The EU will also co-fund, with the United States, the Schuman-Fulbright Scholarships Programme ( 1.05 million), which deepens research on EU-US relations.

TheEU's Partnership Instrument helps to enhance the EU's strategic political partnerships by fostering relationships and supporting policy priorities, in line with the EU Global Strategy. The Partnership Instrument AAP 2017 is available at the following link.

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EU boosts cooperation with key international partners to support its foreign policy objectives - EU News

As of tomorrow, 15 June 2017, roaming charges in the European Union will no longer apply. President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, Prime Minister of Malta Joseph Muscat, on behalf of the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, issued the following statement:

"The European Union is about bringing people together and making their lives easier. The end of roaming charges is a true European success story.

From now on, citizens who travel within the EU will be able to call, text and connect on their mobile devices at the same price as they pay at home. Eliminating roaming charges is one of the greatest and most tangible successes of the EU.

Over the last 10 years, our institutions have been working hard together to fix this market failure. Each time a European citizen crossed an EU border, be it for holidays, work, studies or just for a day, they had to worry about using their mobile phones and a high phone bill from the roaming charges when they came home. Roaming charges will now be a thing of the past. As of tomorrow, you will be able to remain connected while travelling in the EU, for the same price as at home.

It has been a long time coming, with many actors involved. By working closely together, the European Union has delivered a concrete, positive result for European citizens. We are proud that the EU has put an end to very high roaming prices and thankful to those who showed the determination to overcome the many challenges and pursue this goal.

At the same time, the EU has managed to find the right balance between the end of roaming charges and the need to keep domestic mobile packages competitive and attractive. Operators have had 2 years to prepare for the end of roaming charges, and we are confident that they will seize the opportunities the new rules bring to the benefit of their customers.

The end of roaming charges is at the foundation of the EU's Digital Single Market and is another step towards building a united and sustainable European digital society, accessible for all our citizens."

For More Information

Frequent questions and answers

General factsheet on the end of roaming charges

Detailed factsheet: How does it work?

More here:
End of roaming charges in the EU: Joint statement by 3 EU institutions - EU News

India has announced a number of new diplomatic appointments in its missions abroad, including envoys to the European Union, Italy and Denmark.

Gaitri Issar Kumar, joint secretary in the Presidents Secretariat and a 1986 batch IFS officer, was on Tuesday named as Indias Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union which has its headquarters in the Belgian capital of Brussels.

The appointment assumes significance given Indias ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement with the EU which has been hanging fire after 16 rounds of negotiations.

Reenat Sandhu was on Tuesday named as Indias new Ambassador to Italy. The 1989 batch IFS officer replaces Anil Wadhwa, who retired this year.

Ajit Vinayak Gupte, joint secretary in the external affairs ministry, has been named Indias Ambassador to Denmark. The 1991 batch IFS officer will take over from Rajeev Shahare.

Earlier this month, Ruchira Kamboj, who served as Indias Permanent Representative to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, was named Indias new High Commissioner to South Africa.

Pram Jit Mann, who was Indias envoy to the Slovak Republic, was earlier named the Ambassador to Slovenia.

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Govt announces Indian envoys to European Union, Italy, Denmark - Hindustan Times

The Pentagon on Monday released the names of the three U.S. soldiers killed in an attack by an Afghan army soldier over the weekend.

The U.S. soldiers were identified as:

- Sergeant Eric M. Houck, 25, of Baltimore, Maryland

(Sgt. Eric M. Houck, 25 -- 101st Airborne Division)

- Sergeant William M. Bays, 29, of Barstow, North Carolina

(Sgt. William M. Bays, 29 -- 101st Airborne Division)

- Corporal Dillon C. Baldridge, 22, of Youngsville, North Carolina

(Cpl. Dillon C. Baldridge, 22 -- 101st Airborne Division)

The soldiers were shot Saturdayin Peka Valley, Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan. A fourth U.S. soldier was injured in the attack.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the act. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that a militant loyalist had infiltrated the Afghan army "just to attack foreign forces."

The soldiers were assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Company D, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, KY. The 3rd Brigade Combat Team Rakkasans deployed last fall in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel.

"Today, as we grieve, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Cpl. Baldridge, Sgt. Houck and Sgt. Bays. We take this as a family loss, said Maj. Gen. Andrew Poppas, Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell. In the days ahead, the 101st Soldiers and the Rakkasans will continue the fight against terrorism with unbridled determination. Our Soldiers are battle-hardened and committed to the defense of our nation and the freedoms for which we fight."

The three soldiers posthumously earned the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. Baldridge was posthumously promoted to Sgt., and, along with Bays, earned the Combat Infantry Badge and Army Commendation Medal. Houck was posthumously awarded the Combat Action Badge and Army Commendation Medal.

In his White House press briefing Monday afternoon, Press Secretary Sean Spicer acknowledged the loss of the soldiers in Afghanistan. Spicer said their thoughts and prayers are with the families of the American heroes.

The Pentagon is investigating the incident.

Fox News' Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.

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Afghanistan shooting: 3 US soldiers killed are identified ...