Protesters lying on railroad tracks blocked a train carrying a UK TV crew on Wednesday, as they attempted to make their way to Sri Lanka's former war zone in the north.

Channel 4's Callum Macrae, along with a team from the UK news programme Channel 4 News, were in Sri Lanka to cover the upcoming Commonwealth meeting.

They were blocked in the north-central city of Anuradhapura, and the train to the northern town of Vavuniya was unable to move for more than three hours.

The team eventually abandoned their train journey to allow other passengers to move on.

Macrae made a documentary showing soldiers executing naked Tamils and other gruesome footage from the 138-day final offensive in the country's 27-year civil war.

Sri Lanka dismissed the video as fake footage and false journalism.

However British Prime Minister David Cameron said at the weekend that Sri Lanka had "serious questions" to answer after watching the documentary.

Speaking in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo on Wednesday, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was "disturbed by the incident " that had taken place involving the British team of journalists.

He stated that, to him, "freedom of access to the media is very, very important."

Sri Lanka will host a Commonwealth summit this weekend with the global focus trained on the country's 27-year civil war and alleged atrocities committed by both rebels and soldiers who, despite a sustained international outcry, have been spared from investigations and prosecutions since the war ended in 2009.

The leaders of Canada and India are boycotting the summit for those reasons.

Others have had to justify their plans to attend by promising to bring Sri Lanka's government to task.

Queen Elizabeth II, who is 87, is not going, but her son, Prince Charles, is presiding over the meeting.

Sri Lanka denies any rights abuses were committed by its forces and it has balked at demands for an independent investigation.

The country's leaders also accuse journalists of fabricating allegations of atrocities, and stand staunchly by a clan-like government that has alarmed many democracies in the West.

AP TELEVISION

++16:9

Anuradhapura

1. Wide of protesters standing on train platform as train pulls in, some holding banners

2. Mid protesters on train platform, some holding banners reading (English) "Don't be the voice of the LTTE (Liberation tigers of Tamil Eelam)"

3. Wide of protesters standing by train carriages with banners

4. Mid UK TV cameraman standing at train door, goes back into train

5. Mid protesters looking through train window

6. Various protesters standing in front of train, holding banners and chanting

++4:3++

Anuradhapura

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Callum Macrae, British journalist:

"There is a need for truth and there is a need for justice, and these crimes have to be investigated and simply saying that we told lies or our evidence is faked, when it is not, it's not the way to do it. They cannot hide behind denouncing us...they cannot..."

8. Mid back view Macrae and Ben de Pear, Editor UK news programme Channel 4 News talking to police

9. Mid Macrae and members of Channel 4 News team getting off train

10. Mid Macrae and members of Channel 4 News team talking to police, surrounded by protesters 11. UPSOUND: (English) Callum Macrae, British journalist:

"Free speech does not seem to be allowed in this country."

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jonathan Miller, British journalist:

"We listened to what the protesters said there. We understand that everybody in this country has got the right to express themselves. They did and they did it effectively. What they've done though they've stopped us listening to other peoples' voices further up the track. That's a real shame. We now have to go back to Colombo because we had to let those passengers, on the train, the other passengers go."

++16:9++

Colombo

13. Wide of British Foreign Secretary William Hague at news conference

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) William Hague, British Foreign Secretary:

"I was disturbed to hear about the incident that took place early today affecting Channel 4. I think the, I think freedom of access for the media is very, very important and the absence of that would reflect very poorly on any country. And again any country that hosts a major International meeting of course will receive a great deal of media attention. And we believe in the Commonwealth, in the freedom of the media and freedom of speech."

15. Cutaway of journalists

16. Hague leaving

CLASHES AT BARCELONA PROTEST IN SUPPORT OF RAPPER

Clashes erupted for a second night in a row in Barcelona on Wednesday at demonstrations against the arrest of rap artist Pablo Hasel.

Some protesters threw objects at officers, set fires, overturned motorbikes to block streets, and smashed shop windows in the demonstrations.

Hasel barricaded himself in a university building earlier this week to avoid his arrest in a case centering on free speech.

After a 24-hour standoff, police detained him early Tuesday.

He was taken to prison to serve a 9-month sentence for insulting the monarchy and glorifying terrorism in a song about former King Juan Carlos I and in 64 tweets several years ago.

Hasel's legal situation has drawn considerable public attention, with performers, celebrities and politicians demanding a change in the law he was convicted of violating.

Initial reports said 30 people were arrested Wednesday, with around 20 people injured in the demonstrations.

18 people were arrested on Tuesday after violence broke out in the first protests against the rapper's arrest, principally in Barcelona and other cities in the northeastern Catalonia region.

Other demonstrations, some violent, took place in other Spanish cities both Tuesday and Wednesday.

In response to protests over the case, Spain's left-wing coalition government said last week that it planned to change the country's criminal code to eliminate prison terms for offenses involving freedom of expression.

Hasel faced previous charges for assault, praising armed extremist groups, breaking into private premises and insulting the monarchy.

Barcelona, 18 February 2021

1. Various of protesters pushing trash cans and throwing objects at police

2. Various of fire lit up by protesters and firefighters working to extinguish them

3. Police walking through scene

4. Zoom in of protesters throwing objects at truck

5. Various of police in front of fire, detaining suspect

6. Wide of protesters marching and chanting (Catalan): "Freedom Pablo Hasel"

7. SOUNDBITE (Catalan) Xavi (No last name given), protesting against the arrest of Pablo Hasel:

"We have to be silent, according to the government we have to be silent, and we cannot stay in silence. We are here to protest (in support) of that rapper (Pablo Hasel) for saying what he thinks, look how we find ourselves now."

8. Protesters chanting

9. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Elena de la Rosa, 37 years, Pablo Hasel supporter:

"There is no logic, for one tweet or for a song about something, that is even true, one shouldn't be sentenced or jailed.

10. Various of local artists rapping in support of Pablo Hasel

Street protests over the imprisonment of a rapper turned violent for a fourth straight night in Spain on Friday, as political responses to the disturbances strained relations inside the country's coalition government.

Police in the northeastern region of Catalonia, which has seen most of this week's rioting, said some protesters pelted officers with bottles, stones, fireworks and paint in Barcelona and at least three other places.  

Other protesters set fire to large street trash containers and used them to block streets.

In downtown Barcelona, some people broke into two bank branches and tried to set a fire inside, while others vandalized and ransacked stores, police said.  

Thousands of people joined the marches, but the violence appeared to come from a smaller group.

Around 80 people, including four on Friday night, had been arrested and more than 100 injured since rapper Pablo Hasél earlier this week was arrested and began to serve a 9-month prison sentence after his conviction for insulting the Spanish monarchy and praising terrorist violence.

Many people, including artists, celebrities and politicians, have expressed support for a change in the country's so-called "Gag Law" covering freedom of expression.

The government unexpectedly announced last week that it would change the law to scrap prison terms for offences involving freedom of expression. It did not specifically mention Hasél or set a timetable for the changes.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has criticized the violence as "inadmissible," in comments that accentuated a rift with his coalition government's junior partner.

Barcelona - 19 February 2021

1. Various of protesters marching downtown

2. Various of rioters blocking avenue with trash containers and setting them on fire

3. Various of containers on fire

4. Various of rioters breaking in and destroying and ransacking bank branches

5. People marching

6. Mid of onlooker

7. Various of firefighters extinguishing fires

8. Establishing shot of Aleix Clos

9. SOUNDBITE: (Spanish) Aleix Clos, high school teacher:

"I am here to in a way express my rejection of this police State and the lack of liberties."

10. Various of Catalan regional police

SHOCK OVER MUSLIM BAN EXPRESSED ON SAG RED CARPET

Actors expressed shock over the travel ban President Trump signed over the weekend that restricts entry from seven Muslim countries.

The actors were walking the red carpet Sunday (29 JAN. 2017) before the Screen Actors Guild awards in Los Angeles.

Lifetime Achievement award winner Lily Tomlin was perplexed by how quickly President Trump has signed executive orders.

"I don't know what we can expect! I mean in 10 days this has been like mind-boggling. We just got to hold fast. We've got so much to stand up to, stand up against. We've got to express ourselves and be forceful and vigilant and we have to be strong, we have to. In this nine or 10 days, however long it's been and the doomsday clock has moved up to 2 1/2 minutes. The last time I did a television special 'Lily for President,' Edith Ann was the secretary of the future and the clock was like about 10 minutes to midnight. But now it's closer than it's been in 65 years," Tomlin said.

Nominated actor Dev Patel feels for the victims of the ban.

"I just flew in from India like two days ago and to receive bad news, I mean it's truly heartbreaking. I mean the first image that went through my head was just these women and children turning up to these shores with hope in their hearts and dreams in their minds and just being turned away. It's just horrible. You know it's really sad that the voice of divisiveness you know can prevail over the one of unity. So I hope, I'm glad that there's people on the streets with courage to be out there expressing love, you know," Patel said.

Six-time Tony-winning actress Audra McDonald seemed a little more optimistic.

"You know, well I mean, it feels odd to be here and to be on the red carpet when you've got such things going on. But there's a part of me that keeps thinking, you know, art keeps us connected to our humanity. So in a way it's necessary to continue to make sure that art is out there because it will hopefully keep us you know more connected in a way that we need to be so we can empathize and sympathize' s and do it we can to help," McDonald said.

Actor Matthew Modine expressed how the controversy has brought Americans together.

"You know what? I don't think he knew that he would inadvertently show how great American democracy is. That those people in all those airports across the United States and all those wonderful women that came out to March are demonstrating their First Amendment rights and showing how great this country is and how wonderful democracy is. We got to tip our hat to Donald Trump for making America great again. He said he bring us together," Modine said.

"Orange is the New Black" star Lea DeLaria spoke of Iranian director Asghar Farhadi. Since he comes from a banned country, he may not be able to attend the Oscars.

"Well, of course he would boycott the Academy (Awards)! He can't get in the country anyways so of course he's going to! Yeah, anyway, of course he's going to boycott the Academy Awards. That's all. I'm just gonna say everyone knows where I stand about this. It's almost redundant for me to talk about it. We have an idiot that is the president of the United States and I do not stand behind this idiot. In fact, in fact, I just want to say Melania, honest, as a feminist I'm worried about you and just give me a sign if you need me to rescue you," DeLaria said.

"Transparent" actor Jeffrey Tambor feels that actors have a duty to speak up.

"It's terrible. I can't think of a better time, any more auspicious time for us to be actors and get the message out. It's a hard time. You keep looking at me. It's a very interesting time. On the other hand, last week we had the march on Washington, the Women's March. It was one of the most beautiful times. So we're gonna live on both sides of the aisle a little bit right now," Tambor said.

Los Angeles, 29 Jan. 2017

1. Medium of Lily Tomlin

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Lily Tomlin, Actress:

"The week ... I don't know what we can expect! I mean in 10 days this has been like mind-boggling. We just got to hold fast. We've got so much to stand up to, stand up against. We've got to express ourselves and be forceful and vigilant and we have to be strong, we have to. In this nine or 10 days, however long it's been and the doomsday clock has moved up to 2 1/2 minutes. The last time I did a television special 'Lily for President,' Edith Ann was the secretary of the future and the clock was like about 10 minutes to midnight. But now it's closer than it's been in 65 years. Thank you. Was that what I was supposed to talk about?"

3. Wide of Dev Patel speaking to reporter

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Dev Patel, Actor:

"I mean, I just flew in from India like two days ago and to receive bad news, I mean it's truly heartbreaking. I mean the first image that went through my head was just these women and children turning up to these shores with hope in their hearts and dreams in their minds and just being turned away. It's just horrible. You know it's really sad that the voice of divisiveness you know can prevail over the one of unity. So I hope, I'm glad that there's people on the streets with courage to be out there expressing love, you know?"

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Audra McDonald, Actress: "You know, well I mean, it feels odd to be here and to be on the red carpet when you've got such things going on. But there's a part of me that keeps thinking, you know, art keeps us connected to our humanity. So in a way it's necessary to continue to make sure that art is out there because it will hopefully keep us you know more connected in a way that we need to be so we can empathize and sympathize' s and do it we can to help."

6. Wide of Matthew Modine

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Modine, Actor: "You know what? I don't think he knew that he would inadvertently show how great American democracy is. That those people in all those airports across the United States and all those wonderful women that came out to March are demonstrating their First Amendment rights and showing how great this country is and how wonderful democracy is. We got to tip our hat to Donald Trump for making America great again. He said he bring us together."

8. Wide of Lea DeLaria and her "Orange is the New Black" co-stars

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Lea DeLaria, Actress - on reports that director Asghar Farhadi may not be able to attend the Oscars: "Well of course he would boycott the Academy (Awards)! He can't get in the country anyways so of course he's going to! Yeah, anyway, of course he's going to boycott the Academy Awards. That's all. I'm just gonna say everyone knows where I stand about this. It's almost redundant for me to talk about it. We have an idiot that is the president of the United States and I do not stand behind this idiot. In fact, in fact, I just want to say Melania, honest, as a feminist I'm worried about you and just give me a sign if you need me to rescue you."

10. Wide of actor Allen Leech

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Allen Leech, Actor: "Well I think it's extreme in the uppermost level. The fact is that these people are being banned. There are people who aren't even allowed to attend the Oscars who are nominated. And that's just the people, the high profile people. Imagine the people who are being turned away. It's disgraceful."

SOUNDBITE (English) Lesley Nicol, Actress: "It's horrific."

12. Zoom out on Jeffrey Tambor

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Tambor, Actor: "Oh terrible. Terrible. No I haven't. It's terrible. I can't think of a better time, any more auspicious time for us to be actors and get the message out. It's a hard time. You keep looking at me. It's a very interesting time. On the other hand, last week we had the march on Washington, the Women's March. It was one of the most beautiful times. So we're gonna live on both sides of the aisle a little bit right now."

14. Wide of Jeffrey Tambor arriving to the SAG Awards 15. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Tambor, actor: "I think everyone is awake right now. That's what's going on and everyone is going 'yeah.' And I love what Obama says: You've got a problem? Get yourself a ballot and get yourself elected and go to the community meeting and get active."

16. Wide of carpet

SHOCK OVER MUSLIM BAN EXPRESSED ON SAG RED CARPET

Actors expressed shock over the travel ban President Trump signed over the weekend that restricts entry from seven Muslim countries.

The actors were walking the red carpet Sunday (29 JAN. 2017) before the Screen Actors Guild awards in Los Angeles.

Lifetime Achievement award winner Lily Tomlin was perplexed by how quickly President Trump has signed executive orders.

"I don't know what we can expect! I mean in 10 days this has been like mind-boggling. We just got to hold fast. We've got so much to stand up to, stand up against. We've got to express ourselves and be forceful and vigilant and we have to be strong, we have to. In this nine or 10 days, however long it's been and the doomsday clock has moved up to 2 1/2 minutes. The last time I did a television special 'Lily for President,' Edith Ann was the secretary of the future and the clock was like about 10 minutes to midnight. But now it's closer than it's been in 65 years," Tomlin said.

Nominated actor Dev Patel feels for the victims of the ban.

"I just flew in from India like two days ago and to receive bad news, I mean it's truly heartbreaking. I mean the first image that went through my head was just these women and children turning up to these shores with hope in their hearts and dreams in their minds and just being turned away. It's just horrible. You know it's really sad that the voice of divisiveness you know can prevail over the one of unity. So I hope, I'm glad that there's people on the streets with courage to be out there expressing love, you know," Patel said.

Six-time Tony-winning actress Audra McDonald seemed a little more optimistic.

"You know, well I mean, it feels odd to be here and to be on the red carpet when you've got such things going on. But there's a part of me that keeps thinking, you know, art keeps us connected to our humanity. So in a way it's necessary to continue to make sure that art is out there because it will hopefully keep us you know more connected in a way that we need to be so we can empathize and sympathize' s and do it we can to help," McDonald said.

Actor Matthew Modine expressed how the controversy has brought Americans together.

"You know what? I don't think he knew that he would inadvertently show how great American democracy is. That those people in all those airports across the United States and all those wonderful women that came out to March are demonstrating their First Amendment rights and showing how great this country is and how wonderful democracy is. We got to tip our hat to Donald Trump for making America great again. He said he bring us together," Modine said.

"Orange is the New Black" star Lea DeLaria spoke of Iranian director Asghar Farhadi. Since he comes from a banned country, he may not be able to attend the Oscars.

"Well, of course he would boycott the Academy (Awards)! He can't get in the country anyways so of course he's going to! Yeah, anyway, of course he's going to boycott the Academy Awards. That's all. I'm just gonna say everyone knows where I stand about this. It's almost redundant for me to talk about it. We have an idiot that is the president of the United States and I do not stand behind this idiot. In fact, in fact, I just want to say Melania, honest, as a feminist I'm worried about you and just give me a sign if you need me to rescue you," DeLaria said.

"Transparent" actor Jeffrey Tambor feels that actors have a duty to speak up.

"It's terrible. I can't think of a better time, any more auspicious time for us to be actors and get the message out. It's a hard time. You keep looking at me. It's a very interesting time. On the other hand, last week we had the march on Washington, the Women's March. It was one of the most beautiful times. So we're gonna live on both sides of the aisle a little bit right now," Tambor said.

AP Entertainment

Los Angeles, 29 Jan. 2017

1. Medium of Lily Tomlin

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Lily Tomlin, Actress:

"The week ... I don't know what we can expect! I mean in 10 days this has been like mind-boggling. We just got to hold fast. We've got so much to stand up to, stand up against. We've got to express ourselves and be forceful and vigilant and we have to be strong, we have to. In this nine or 10 days, however long it's been and the doomsday clock has moved up to 2 1/2 minutes. The last time I did a television special 'Lily for President,' Edith Ann was the secretary of the future and the clock was like about 10 minutes to midnight. But now it's closer than it's been in 65 years. Thank you. Was that what I was supposed to talk about?"

3. Wide of Dev Patel speaking to reporter

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Dev Patel, Actor:

"I mean, I just flew in from India like two days ago and to receive bad news, I mean it's truly heartbreaking. I mean the first image that went through my head was just these women and children turning up to these shores with hope in their hearts and dreams in their minds and just being turned away. It's just horrible. You know it's really sad that the voice of divisiveness you know can prevail over the one of unity. So I hope, I'm glad that there's people on the streets with courage to be out there expressing love, you know?"

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Audra McDonald, Actress: "You know, well I mean, it feels odd to be here and to be on the red carpet when you've got such things going on. But there's a part of me that keeps thinking, you know, art keeps us connected to our humanity. So in a way it's necessary to continue to make sure that art is out there because it will hopefully keep us you know more connected in a way that we need to be so we can empathize and sympathize' s and do it we can to help."

6. Wide of Matthew Modine

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Matthew Modine, Actor: "You know what? I don't think he knew that he would inadvertently show how great American democracy is. That those people in all those airports across the United States and all those wonderful women that came out to March are demonstrating their First Amendment rights and showing how great this country is and how wonderful democracy is. We got to tip our hat to Donald Trump for making America great again. He said he bring us together."

8. Wide of Lea DeLaria and her "Orange is the New Black" co-stars

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Lea DeLaria, Actress - on reports that director Asghar Farhadi may not be able to attend the Oscars: "Well of course he would boycott the Academy (Awards)! He can't get in the country anyways so of course he's going to! Yeah, anyway, of course he's going to boycott the Academy Awards. That's all. I'm just gonna say everyone knows where I stand about this. It's almost redundant for me to talk about it. We have an idiot that is the president of the United States and I do not stand behind this idiot. In fact, in fact, I just want to say Melania, honest, as a feminist I'm worried about you and just give me a sign if you need me to rescue you."

10. Wide of actor Allen Leech

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Allen Leech, Actor: "Well I think it's extreme in the uppermost level. The fact is that these people are being banned. There are people who aren't even allowed to attend the Oscars who are nominated. And that's just the people, the high profile people. Imagine the people who are being turned away. It's disgraceful."

SOUNDBITE (English) Lesley Nicol, Actress: "It's horrific."

12. Zoom out on Jeffrey Tambor

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Tambor, Actor: "Oh terrible. Terrible. No I haven't. It's terrible. I can't think of a better time, any more auspicious time for us to be actors and get the message out. It's a hard time. You keep looking at me. It's a very interesting time. On the other hand, last week we had the march on Washington, the Women's March. It was one of the most beautiful times. So we're gonna live on both sides of the aisle a little bit right now."

14. Wide of Jeffrey Tambor arriving to the SAG Awards

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Jeffrey Tambor, actor: "I think everyone is awake right now. That's what's going on and everyone is going 'yeah.' And I love what Obama says: You've got a problem? Get yourself a ballot and get yourself elected and go to the community meeting and get active."

16. Wide of carpet

Hundreds of supporters of Julian Assange marched through London on Saturday to pressure the U.K. government into refusing to extradite the WikiLeaks founder to the United States to face spying charges.

Famous Britons, including Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood joined the crowd protesting the U.S. espionage charges against the founder of the secret-spilling website.

An extradition hearing for Assange is due to begin in a London court on Monday.

WikiLeaks spokesman Kristinn Hrafnsson told a rally outside Parliament that the prosecution of Assange "represented an attack on journalism in general."

U.S. prosecutors have charged the 48-year-old Australian computer expert with espionage over WikiLeaks' publication of hundreds of thousands of confidential government documents.

If found guilty, he could be sentenced to up to 175 years in prison.

American authorities say Assange conspired with U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to hack into a Pentagon computer and release secret diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Assange argues he acted as a journalist and is therefore entitled to First Amendment protection

He also maintains the documents exposed wrongdoing and protected many people.

Civil liberties groups and journalism organizations, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders, have urged the U.S. to drop the charges, saying they set a chilling precedent for freedom of the press.

London - 22 February 2020

1. Various of celebrities and activists at the front of the march including right to left Pink Floyd musician Roger Waters, Assange's father John Shipton, Kristinn Hrafnsson, editor in chief of Wikileaks, and fashion designer and activist Vivienne Westwood

2. Cutaway of reporters

3. Various of march

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Vivienne Westwood, fashion designer and activist:

"I am the angel of democracy. This case regarding Julian Assange if he goes down or not marks the most important case in the human history because it marks the difference between democracy and totalitarianism. If Julian goes then we have a totalitarian world where innocent people are victims."

5. Various of protesters gathered outside Australia House, the Australian high commission

6. Pan of protesters with signs

7. Protesters holding up 'Free Assange' posters

8. 'Press Freedom' painting depicting British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on toilet

9. Mid of man holding 'Press Freedom' painting

10. Various of man standing outside truck with poster saying "Don't Extradite Assange."

11. SOUNDBITE (English) Yanis Varoufakis, former Greek finance minister:

"What we have is an assault on journalism. The only charge against Julian hiding behind the nonsense of espionage is a charge of journalism. He is being persecuted for allowing Associated Press, New York Times, Der Spiegel, El Pais to publish information that is crucial to our understanding of what has been decided on behalf of the citizens of Europe and the citizens of America effectively authorising crimes against humanity."

12. Various of protesters marching

13. SOUNDBITE (English) John Shipton, Julian Assange's father:

"The oppression and persecution of ones children just makes one stronger and more determined to alleviate circumstances and stop the oppression and stop the persecution. So each day I gather strength from that and fight on."

14. Various of protesters

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Kristinn Hrafnsson, Editor-In-Chief of Wikileaks:

"Well it's a protest to wake people up and get more people on board and to support Julian and support the future of journalism because this extradition request is actually an attack on journalism in general. We have been seeing a lot of positive development and more and more people coming on board and supporting us in the fight."

16. Various of Chrissie Hynde performing on stage

17. Crowd watching Hynde

18. Hynde coming off stage

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Chrissie Hynde, singer:

"I think it's a real plea both to president Trump and to our Prime Minister Boris Johnson, our Prime Minister to really consider the way the people feel about this and consider the way you yourselves feel about it."

20. Zoom-out from crowd to Roger Waters speaking on stage

21. Crowd with banners

SHOTLIST

1. Zoom in from wide of 6th October Bridge to soldier searching man's bag

2. Wide of protesters marching on bridge, zoom out to Cairo skyline

3. Top shot of protesters marching towards Tahrir Square

4. Tank parked underneath bridge with few protesters marching above

5. Protesters gathering

6. Various of protesters searching others before heading towards Tahrir Square

7. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Name not given, Protester:

"We are doing this because there are fugitives from prison who are trying to enter among us and trying to steal, so we are doing the security job ourselves and we are not depending on anyone, we are capable of securing our country and millions of countries around us."

8. Protesters being searched

9. Pan from effigies to protesters in tahrir Square

10. Wide of speakers corner

11. Pan of effigies of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak with images of the Pyramids, Star of David and the US Capitol Building drawn on

12. Mid of a protester speaking, UPSOUND (Arabic) Name not given, a prosecutor: "The ousted President is subjected to a civilian tribunal because of the 30 years of oppressing the people and killing the Egyptian people."

13. Close of man wearing judges' gown writing down a note

14. Close of protester's face with slogan on his face, reading (Arabic) "Step Down"

15. Various of protesters hanging effigies

16. Low angle shot of protester holding a banner, reading (Arabic) "Mubarak wake up today is your last day"

17. Protesters chanting (Arabic) "Allahu Akbar" (God is greater)

18. Wide of protesters hanging effigy

19. Exterior of Hotel Inter Continental in Cairo

20. SOUNDBITE: (English) Omar Sharif, Egyptian actor:

"Well it was unexpected, it came to me as a shock, but my attitude is always, I am with the young people, I am with the people, the people are always right in my opinion. I'm not a political man. I like to watch sports not the news, but I find our young people very courageous and very kind. They have been perfectly organised and not hurting anyone, not annoying anyone, they are wonderful people. I am very proud of my Egyptian young people."

21. Exterior of hotel

22. SOUNDBITE: (English) Omar Sharif, Egyptian actor:

"But I did not expect it, I did not expect ever that somebody was going to come and say to our president to leave or to not be there. So it was a bit of a shock at the beginning and then now I think it's a good thing."

23. Sharif getting into car

STORYLINE

Tens of thousands of people converged in the heart of Cairo on Tuesday, responding to a call for a million Egyptians to unite in the largest protest in a week of unceasing demands for President Hosni Mubarak to leave after nearly 30 years in power.

A stream of protesters arrived in Tahrir, or Liberation, Square at checkpoints guarded by protesters and the army, which promised on Monday night that it would not fire on protesters.

The announcement was a sign that army support for Mubarak may be unravelling as momentum builds for an extraordinary eruption of discontent and demands for democracy in the United States' most important Arab ally.

The loosely organised and disparate movement to drive Mubarak out is fuelled by deep frustration with an autocratic regime blamed for ignoring the needs of the poor and allowing corruption and official abuse to run rampant.

After years of tight state control, protesters emboldened by the overthrow of Tunisia's president last month took to the streets on January 25 and mounted a relentless and once unimaginable series of protests across this nation of 80 (m) million people, the region's most populous country and the centre of Arabic-language film-making, music and literature.

Egypt's most famous actor Omar Sharif said he was astounded by the protests and added that he was "proud" of the young Egyptians.

"I did not expect ever that somebody was going to come and say to our president to leave or to not be there. So it was a bit of a shock at the beginning at then now I think it's a good thing," he said.

Soviet-era and newer US-made Abrams tanks stood at the roads leading into Tahrir Square.

For days, army tanks and troops have surrounded the square, keeping the protests confined but doing nothing to stop people from joining.

The guns of many of the tanks pointed out from the square.

Military spokesman Ismail Etman said the military "has not and will not use force against the public" and underlined that "the freedom of peaceful expression is guaranteed for everyone."

He added the caveats that protesters should not commit "any act that destabilises security of the country" or damage property.

The protests appeared to be better organised on Tuesday.

Volunteers wearing tags reading "Security of the People", searched those who entered the square.

They said they were watching for government infiltrators or fugitive prisoners who might try to instigate violence.

Authorities shut down all roads and public transportation to Cairo, security officials said.

The protesters, and the Obama administration, roundly rejected Mubarak's announcement of a new government on Monday that dropped his highly unpopular interior minister, who heads police forces and has been widely denounced by the protesters.

Stuffed dummies representing Mubarak were hung from traffic lights at Tahrir Square.

On their chests was written: "We want to put the murderous president on trial."

Clashes erupted for a second night in a row in Barcelona on Wednesday at demonstrations against the arrest of rap artist Pablo Hasél.

Some protesters threw objects at officers, set fires, overturned motorbikes to block streets, and smashed shop windows in the demonstrations.

Hasél barricaded himself in a university building earlier this week to avoid his arrest in a case centering on free speech.

After a 24-hour standoff, police detained him early Tuesday.

He was taken to prison to serve a 9-month sentence for insulting the monarchy and glorifying terrorism in a song about former King Juan Carlos I and in 64 tweets several years ago.

Hasél's legal situation has drawn considerable public attention, with performers, celebrities and politicians demanding a change in the law he was convicted of violating.

Initial reports said 30 people were arrested Wednesday, with around 20 people injured in the demonstrations.

Eighteen people were arrested on Tuesday after violence broke out in the first protests against the rapper's arrest, principally in Barcelona and other cities in the northeastern Catalonia region.

Other demonstrations, some violent, took place in other Spanish cities both Tuesday and Wednesday.

In response to protests over the case, Spain's left-wing coalition government said last week that it planned to change the country's criminal code to eliminate prison terms for offenses involving freedom of expression.

Hasél faced previous charges for assault, praising armed extremist groups, breaking into private premises and insulting the monarchy.

Barcelona – 18 February 2021

1. Various of protesters pushing trash cans and throwing objects at police

2. Various of fire lit up by protesters and firefighters working to extinguish them

3. Police walking through scene

4. Zoom in of protesters throwing objects at truck

5. Various of police in front of fire, detaining suspect

6. Wide of protesters marching and chanting (Catalan): "Freedom Pablo Hasél"

7. SOUNDBITE (Catalan) Xavi (No last name given), protesting against the arrest of Pablo Hasél:

"We have to be silent, according to the government we have to be silent, and we cannot stay in silence. We are here to protest (in support) of that rapper (Pablo Hasél) for saying what he thinks, look how we find ourselves now."

8. Protesters chanting

9. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Elena de la Rosa, 37 years, Pablo Hasél supporter:

"There is no logic, for one tweet or for a song about something, that is even true, one shouldn't be sentenced or jailed.

10. Various of local artists rapping in support of Pablo Hasél

Fresh unrest erupted in Barcelona on Friday after protesters marched against the jailing of a rapper for insulting the monarchy and praising terrorism.

Black smoke billowed into the night sky as some protesters set fire to large street rubbish containers and used them to block streets.

Nearly 80 people have been arrested and more than 100 injured since little-known rapper Pablo Hasél was arrested earlier this week.

He is now serving a nine-month prison sentence after being convicted for insulting the monarchy and praising terrorist violence.

Days of protest and violence have ignited a heated debate over the limits of free speech in Spain.

The issue also has become a hot potato for the coalition government

The far-left junior partner is demanding that the rapper be pardoned - while criticising police for alleged brutality against protesters.

Friday's violence erupted hours after Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said the riots were “inadmissible”, in comments that accentuated the rift.

Many people, including artists, celebrities and politicians, have expressed support for a change in Spain's “Gag Law”, covering freedom of expression.

The government unexpectedly announced last week that it would change the law to scrap prison terms for offences involving freedom of expression.

It did not specifically mention Hasél or set a timetable for the changes.

Barcelona - 19 February 2021

++NIGHT SHOTS++

1. Police guarding National Police headquarters, camera pans to smoke from firework rising behind police

2. Protesters chanting against police

3. Protesters marching

4. Lone protester setting content of rubbish container on fire, as other protesters pass

5. Various of protesters building makeshift blockade of rubbish containers and setting them on fire, as other protesters watch and media film and take photos

6. Smoke billowing into the sky from burning containers, pan down to fire

7. Protesters watching burning rubbish containers

8. Man watching burning containers

Street protests over the imprisonment of a rapper turned violent for a fourth straight night in Barcelona on Friday as protesters smashed windows and started fires.

Nearly 80 people have been arrested and more than 100 injured since rapper Pablo Hasél earlier this week was arrested and began to serve a 9-month prison sentence after his conviction for insulting the Spanish monarchy and praising terrorist violence.

Police detained Hasel following a 24-hour standoff at a university building which he had barricaded himself inside.

Many people, including artists, celebrities and politicians, have expressed support for a change in the country’s so-called “Gag Law” covering freedom of expression.

The government unexpectedly announced last week that it would change the law to scrap prison terms for offenses involving freedom of expression.

It did not specifically mention Hasél or set a timetable for the changes.

Barcelona - 19 February 2021

++NIGHT SHOTS++

1. Various of protesters breaking window

2. Protesters climbing through broken window

3. Tilt up from office chair on broken glass to fire

4. Wide of protesters marching

5. Tilt down from people watching protesters from their balconies to protesters marching

6. Protesters marching

Protests over the imprisonment of a rapper convicted of insulting the Spanish monarchy and praising terrorist violence were marred by rioting for the third night in a row on Thursday.

The plight of Pablo Hasél, who began this week to serve a nine-month sentence in a northeastern prison, has triggered a heated debate over the limits of free speech in Spain and a political storm over the use of violence by both the rapper's supporters and the police.

The ruling coalition's junior partner, the far-left United We Can (Unidas Podemos) party, on Thursday filed a petition for a "total pardon" for Hasél and another rapper, Valtònyc, who fled to Belgium in 2018 to avoid trial on charges of "glorifying" terrorism.

But potentially deepening the tension, court authorities in the northeastern Catalonia region announced that Hasél lost a recent appeal and is looking at an additional prison sentence of two and a-half years for obstructing justice and assault in 2017. The sentence can be appealed again before the country's Supreme Court.

Like the two previous nights, the protests began Thursday with large gatherings in several cities that were, at first, mostly peaceful.

In Catalonia's regional capital, Barcelona, hundreds sang songs, rapped and shouted "Pablo Hasél, freedom!" and "Spanish media, manipulators!" at a central square before dozens broke off the main group to set alight a barricade of trash containers and a construction skip that blocked a main city artery, hurling stones, bottles and other objects at riot police.

There were moments of tension as flames threatened to extend to nearby buildings before firefighters arrived.

The rapper and his supporters say Hasél's nine-month sentence for writing a critical song about former King Juan Carlos I, and for dozens of tweets that judges said glorified some of Spain's defunct terrorist groups, violates free speech rights.

Besides that case, the rapper has previously faced other charges or has pending trials for assault, praising armed extremist groups, breaking into private premises and insulting the monarchy.

His legal situation has drawn considerable public attention because it comes after a string of other artists and social media personalities have been put on trial for violating Spain's 2015 Public Security Law, which was enacted by a previous conservative-led government and criticized by human rights organizations.

Barcelona – 18 February 2021

1. Various of protesters throwing objects, making barricades and barricades on fire

3. Protesters clashing at barricades

4. Mid of police as objects are thrown at them

5. Tracking shot of protesters throwing objects at police

6. Police vans passing by

7. Wide of protesters marching

8. Wide of protesters performing before clashes

9. Mid of group of protesters playing Bella Ciao

10. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Marc Cadafalch, Journalism student and musician:

"It's not just because I'm a musician because I think it is a topic that affects all of us. In the end, freedom of speech is a right and we have to fight for it. But I guess that as musicians it may affect us more so we are here and willing to do more. That is why we have come to the demonstrations."

11. Various of Cadafalch and his band playing Bella Ciao

Hong Kong authorities broadened their enforcement of a new national security law on Monday, arresting media tycoon Jimmy Lai, searching the headquarters of his Next Digital group and carting away boxes of what they said was evidence.

Two days after Chinese and Hong Kong officials shrugged off sanctions imposed on them by the US, the moves showed China’s determination to enforce the new law and curb dissent in the semi-autonomous city after months of massive pro-democracy demonstrations last year.

Lai's arrest and the search of his Next Digital group marked the first time the law was used against news media, stoking fears that authorities are suppressing press freedom.

Next Digital operates Apple Daily, a feisty pro-democracy tabloid that often condemns China's Communist Party-led government.

Apple Daily's popularity stems from its celebrity news and flamboyant stories, but it is also known for investigative reporting and breaking news coverage.

It has frequently urged readers to take part in pro-democracy protests,

On July 1 it condemned the new national security law on its front page, calling it “the final nail in the coffin" for the “one country, two systems” framework under which the former British colony has been able to enjoy civil liberties not seen in mainland China after it reverted to Chinese rule in 1997.

Hong Kong police arrested Lai on Monday morning, an aide to the businessman said, in the highest-profile detention under the new law since it took effect on June 30.

Lai, 71, is an outspoken pro-democracy figure who regularly criticizes China’s authoritarian rule and Hong Kong’s government.

Hong Kong police said they arrested at least nine people between the ages of 23 and 72 on suspicion of violating the new security law, with offenses including collusion with a foreign country and conspiracy to defraud.

They did not release the names of those arrested or provide further details of the charges.

Hong Kong - 10 August 2020

1. Hong Kong Police senior superintendent Steve Li (left) and chief superintendent of public relations Kwok Ka-chuen arriving at news conference

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Steve Li, Hong Kong Police senior superintendent:

"We have to focus on the two offenses, allegations (behind arrest of Jimmy Lai). The first one is the offense under the national security law, namely the colluding with the foreign power. And the other one is a conspiracy to defraud, involving some cheating behavior of having a lower rent for the factories (inaudible). That's all about the individual behaviors. Nothing about the company themselves."

3. Journalist asking a question

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Kwok Ka-chuen, Hong Kong Police chief superintendent of public relations:

"First of all, I must stress the Hong Kong Police Force always respects the press freedom and the media's rights of reporting. Without compromising the operational efficiency we will do our best to facilitate reporting work. That's why in the previous operation, as well as today's operation, we (inaudible) the FMLC, the Force Media Liaison Cadre members, to go on to the operational ground to assist reporters."

5. Journalists, Li and Kwok during news conference

6. Li and Kwok leaving news conference

Protesters in Madrid and Barcelona clashed with police for the second night in a row on Wednesday amid rallies in support of rap artist Pablo Hasel.

Hasel was arrested after barricading himself at a university with dozens of supporters to avoid prison and has portrayed his case as a fight for free speech.

A 24-hour standoff between police and Hasel ended early on Tuesday when anti-riot officers arrested him in northeastern Lleida University.

He was taken to prison to serve a 9-month sentence for insulting the monarchy and glorifying terrorism in a song about former King Juan Carlos I and in 64 tweets.

Protests have taken place across the country since Tuesday.

Emergency services said on Wednesday that 33 people were treated for injuries in the disturbances the previous day.

In Barcelona, thousands of protestors set bins on fire and threw rocks at the police.

Hasel's case has drawn much attention, with many artists, celebrities and politicians showing their support and demanding a change in the country’s so-called “gag law”.

Spain’s left-wing coalition government last week said it planned to change the country’s criminal code to eliminate prison terms for offences involving freedom of expression.

Madrid - 17 February 2021

++NIGHT SHOTS++

1. Protesters raise their hands and chant

2. Various of protesters clashing with police

++NIGHT SHOTS++

Barcelona - 17 February 2021

3. Various of protesters clashing with police