By Patricia McDougall The University District of Columbia (UDC) “Firebirds” held the president’s annual holiday celebration for faculty and staff on Friday, Dec. 19. The event was hosted by UDC President Maurice D. Edington and First Lady Tonya Barge Edington. Faculty and staff enjoyed the food and took to the dance floor to have a […]
Category: NEWS
Posted inNational Sports
Back from brink, Ravens get another chance to make playoffs next weekend
The Baltimore Ravens kept their playoff hopes alive after a dominant win over Green Bay and a timely Cleveland victory over Pittsburgh, setting up a winner-take-all AFC North showdown with the Steelers on Jan. 4. Back from the brink, Baltimore now controls its fate behind a resurgent rushing attack led by Derrick Henry, even as questions remain about Lamar Jackson’s health.
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Central African Republic’s incumbent president, a Russian ally, eyes a third term in key elections
Voters in the Central African Republic went to the polls Dec. 28 in wide-ranging national elections, with incumbent President Faustin Archange Touadéra favored to secure a third term after consolidating power and relying on Russian-backed security forces. Analysts say his likely victory would further entrench Russia’s political, security and economic influence in the conflict-scarred country amid a weakened and divided opposition.
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Guineans vote in first election since 2021 coup with junta leader likely to win
Guineans cast ballots on Dec. 28 in the country’s first presidential election since the 2021 coup, with junta leader Gen. Mamadi Doumbouya widely expected to win amid a weakened and sidelined opposition. The vote follows a controversial transition that expanded presidential terms and allowed military leaders to run, even as poverty, food insecurity and concerns over civil liberties persist.
Posted inINTERNATIONAL
Nigerian villagers are rattled by US airstrikes that made their homes shake and the sky glow red
Residents of the Nigerian village of Jabo described panic, fear and confusion after U.S. airstrikes targeting alleged Islamic State-linked militants lit up the sky and shook homes on Christmas night, despite no reported civilian casualties. Nigerian officials say the strikes were coordinated with the U.S., but analysts warn that a lack of transparency has left villagers feeling vulnerable amid an expanding and complex security conflict.
Posted inCOMMUNITY
Ways to celebrate Kwanzaa
As Kwanzaa begins on Dec. 26, longtime observers are helping guide people interested in celebrating the holiday but unsure how to begin. Rooted in seven principles known as the Nguzo Saba, Kwanzaa offers families a time to reflect, reconnect and honor Black culture.
Posted inOpinion
COP30 and G20: Good tidings of a way forward
Angelique Walker-Smith reflects on the historic hosting of the G20 in Africa and COP30 in Brazil as moments of inclusive global engagement that elevate the voices of Indigenous, African and Afro-descendant communities most impacted by climate change and economic inequity. While acknowledging unfinished negotiations, she offers cautious hope that new frameworks like the Gender Action Plan and the Mutirão Decision signal a more just economic and environmental path forward—if backed by sustained investment and commitment.
Posted inNational News
2025 highlights: Historic elections, social movements and global shifts
The year 2025 was marked by historic firsts, social movements and major political and economic events. From the election of the first Black mayor in Omaha, Neb. to the longest federal shutdown in history, the Target boycott and funding for historically Black colleges and universities, the year left a lasting impact on communities across the United States and around the world.
Posted inWashington D.C. News
Seven principles, one people: How Kwanzaa connects Black Americans to their heritage
Kwanzaa, a week-long, non-religious celebration observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, honors African heritage through the seven principles of the Nguzo Saba, encouraging reflection, creativity and community engagement. Celebrants say the holiday remains vital today as a way for Black Americans to reconnect with culture, strengthen community values and affirm identity amid ongoing challenges to Black history.
Posted inFood
4 smart tips for budget-friendly holiday meals
Traditional Black holiday dishes carry memory, culture and meaning far beyond the dinner table. Rising grocery prices push families to find creative ways to honor tradition while stretching food budgets.
Posted inOPINION
Protect our gains: Why the Black community must fight to save ACA subsidies
By Rev. Stacy Swimp The enhanced health insurance subsidies, set to expire at the end of 2025, represent a direct threat to the financial and health stability of Black Americans. While the crisis affects all races, the consequences for the Black community will be disproportionate and severe, effectively rolling back historic progress in health equity. […]
Posted inHealth
As ACA enhanced subsidy expiration looms, families brace for higher costs and limited care
With the expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced subsidies looming, families who rely on Medicaid coverage are facing uncertainty about how they will afford care. For parents like Hillary Harris in Missouri and Sam Gwesinie in Minnesota, higher costs and reduced access threaten both their own health and the care of their children.