By Seung Min KimThe Associated Press DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AP) — Standing solemnly under gray skies, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden joined grieving families at Dover Air Force Base on Feb. 2 to witness the return of three American service members killed in last weekend’s drone attack in Jordan. It’s […]
Category: INTERNATIONAL
International News / Items from Around the World
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Haitians suffering gang violence are desperate after Kenyan court blocks police force deployment
By Dánica Coto and Evens SanonThe Associated Press PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Radio stations across Haiti got jammed with calls just hours after a court in Kenya blocked the deployment of a U.N.-backed police force to help fight gangs in the troubled Caribbean country. Many callers wondered and demanded: What’s next? Few know. Uncertainty and […]
Posted inCommentary
A glimpse at the new American economy…if we can seize the moment
By Ben Jealous What if the answer to undoing the harm wrought by the demise of America’s manufacturing sector was right in front of us? An economic boom waiting to happen, to rebuild communities and revitalize our beaten-down working class…and, this time, without the rampant industrial pollution that fuels climate change and sickens our people… […]
Posted inBlack History
South African government says it wants to prevent an auction of historic Mandela artifacts
By Mogomotsi MagomeThe Associated Press JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa’s government announced Jan. 19 it will challenge the auctioning of dozens of artifacts belonging to the nation’s anti-apartheid stalwart Nelson Mandela, saying the items are of historical significance and should remain in the country. The 75 artifacts belonging to Mandela, the country’s first democratically elected […]
Posted inCoronavirus
World health officials say nearly 10,000 COVID-related deaths in December signal deepening health crisis
By Stacy M. BrownNNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent@StacyBrownMedia (NNPA NEWSWIRE) — The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a staggering total of nearly 10,000 global deaths in December, raising alarm bells about a worsening worldwide health crisis stemming from the continued threat of COVID-19. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also noted pressing humanitarian crises in Gaza, […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Israel defends itself at the UN’s top court against allegations of genocide in Gaza
By Mike Corder and Raf CasertThe Associated Press THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Accused of committing genocide against Palestinians, Israel insisted at the United Nations’ highest court Jan. 12 that its war in Gaza was a legitimate defense of its people and that it was Hamas militants who were guilty of genocide. Israel described the […]
Posted inCommentary
Civilians are dying in the Israel-Hamas conflict-what should Biden do?
By Farrah Hassen “If I must die, you must live to tell my story,” wrote Dr. Refaat Alareer, a 44-year-old Gazan poet and literature professor. A few weeks later, Alareer was killed while sheltering in his sister’s apartment, along with six family members. In the densely populated Gaza Strip, the loss of life is staggering. […]
Posted inReligion
Oratorio “Messiah” highlights Black singers while bringing restitution to local Black church
By: Amber D. Dodd Special to the AFRO adodd@afro.com The National Philharmonic (NatPhil) has hosted two of the three performances of George Friderick Handel’s Messiah’s epic oratorio, Messiah. The first two performances took place Dec. 16 and 17 featuring the he Scotland African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Zion Church Mass Choir at The Music Center at Strathmore while […]
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Under the shadow of war in Gaza, Jesus’ traditional birthplace is gearing up for a subdued Christmas
By Julia Frankel and Jalal BwaitelThe Associated Press BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem is gearing up for a subdued Christmas, without the festive lights and customary Christmas tree towering over Manger Square, after officials in Jesus’ traditional birthplace decided to forgo celebrations due to the Israel-Hamas war. The cancellation of Christmas festivities, which typically […]
Posted inHealth
Promising new gene therapies for sickle cell are out of reach in countries where they’re needed most
By Laura UngarAP Science Writer Gautam Dongre’s two children in India and Pascazia Mazeze’s son in Tanzania live with an inherited blood disorder that turns blood cells into instruments of pain. New gene therapies promise a cure for sickle cell disease, and Dongre says he’s “praying the treatment should come to us.” But experts say […]
Posted inHBCU
PRESS ROOM: Renowned climate activist and HBCU Green Fund founder, Felicia Davis, unveils empowering global youth initiatives at COP28
ATLANTA, Ga. and WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 14, 2023 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Distinguished climate activist and founder of the HBCU Green Fund, Felicia Davis, took center stage at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, making groundbreaking announcements that underscore the organization’s commitment to global climate action and youth empowerment. In a momentous press […]
Posted inBUSINESS
Largest US credit union scrutinized over significant gaps in approval rates for White and Black borrowers
By Stacy M. BrownNNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent (NNPA NEWSWIRE) – Navy Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in the United States, is under fire for exhibiting the most substantial racial disparities in mortgage approval rates among major lenders. The disparities, reaching new heights in 2022, were borne out by a pronounced contrast in […]