Education
Virginia School Districts Challenge Youngkin’s Ending of Mask Mandates
Several public school districts in Virginia are ignoring newly minted Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order that allows parents to decide whether their children adhere to mask mandates.
Op-Ed
BARACK OBAMA: We Need to Follow John Lewis’ Example and Fight for Our Democracy
When I spoke at John Lewis’ memorial service two years ago, I emphasized a truth John knew better than just about anyone. Our democracy isn’t a given.
National
Biden Admin’s Website for Free COVID Tests Goes Live Early
The federal government website for Americans to sign up for four free at-home coronavirus tests is now up and running.
Lifestyle
Support our publication
Entertainment
Sidney Poitier, Iconic Actor and Trailblazer for Blacks in Hollywood, Dead at 94
Legendary actor Sidney Poitier, who broke barriers and stood for justice and Black lives during the most tumultuous times of the civil rights movement, has died.
Grammy Awards Postponed Indefinitely; Officials Cite Omicron Variant as Reason
The Recording Academy and CBS Television have postponed the 64th annual Grammy Awards Show scheduled for Jan. 31 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Sports
News from Around the World
Trump Points Finger of Blame at Another Black Man for COVID-19
President Trump has found a Black man other than former President Barack Obama to point the finger at for his and his administration’s failings.
African Robotics Students Disappear from D.C.
Six students from Burundi, who came to America to participate this week in an international robotics competition, have been reported missing.
AfricaNow
In celebration of 20 years of the Essence Music Festival and 20 years since the end South Africa’s racially motivated apartheid, Essence magazine bought its star-studded event to South Africa.
Students In Ghana Say ‘No’ To Gandhi
In Accra, Ghana, students and academia demanded that the University of Ghana remove a statue of renowned Indian civil rights leader Mahatma Gandhi, charging the iconic leader with being historically racist toward black people.
21st International AIDS Conference Commences on “Mandela Day”
By Linda Villarosa (BAI Contributing Writer) It was entirely fitting that the 21st International AIDS Conference kicked off yesterday in Durban, South Africa, on “Mandela Day,” a global celebration of the great man’s birthday. Sixteen years ago the 13th International AIDS Conference was also held in Durban—the first time in a developing country. The event…
Why Global Terrorism Will Always Be a Domestic Problem
By Roger Caldwell (NNPA News Wire Guest Columnist) President Obama underestimated the threat of ISIS, by calling the organization a “JV team” during his 2012 election campaign. This was a miscalculation in terms of his thinking and strategy. In 2016, many countries around the globe are trying to destroy this violent extremist organization as each…
Botswanan Officials Tout Economic Success During The Country’s 50th Anniversary
By Barrington M. Salmon (NNPA News Wire Contributor) When the southern African nation of the Republic of Botswana gained independence from Britain in 1966, it was ranked as the third poorest country in the world. Through prudence, fiscal discipline and good governance, Botswana earned the reputation as one of the fastest growing economies in the…
Investigators Find Second Black Box from EgyptAir Flight 804
By Rushawn Walters (NNPA/DTU Journalism Fellow) On Friday, Egypt’s Civil Aviation Accident Investigation Committee said that the flight data recorder from EgyptAir Flight 804 has been recovered. This may be a key step in helping authorities learn what happened in those key final minutes, before air traffic controllers lost contact with the airplane and it…
Kenyan Court Says Anal Exams Legal to Determine Sex Orientation
By Victoria Jones (NNPA/DTU Journalism Fellow) A Kenyan court ruled Thursday that it is legal to use anal examinations to determine one’s sexual orientation, USA Today reports. The ruling happened despite protests against the examinations being “degrading treatment” and a form of torture. The court came to this decision after reviewing the case of two…