By Freddie Allen, Washington Correspondent, NNPA News Service WASHINGTON (NNPA) — In 1992, Beverly Becton, addicted to drugs and suffering from pneumonia, began to scream as she sat in a hospital room alone at the D.C. General Hospital in Southeast, Washington, D.C.“Oh, God, why me? Oh, God why me?” Becton screamed.Becton had just learned that […]
U.S. Officials hint at reservations on final nuclear deal
By Gareth Porter WASHINGTON (IPS) —The “first step” agreement between Iran and the United States that was sealed in Geneva over the weekend is supposed to lead to the negotiation of a “comprehensive settlement” of the nuclear issue over the next six months, though the latter has gotten little attention.But within hours of the agreement, […]
Obama gets more time for Iran nuclear deal
By Jim Lobe WASHINGTON (IPS) — The administration of President Barack Obama appears to have succeeded in preventing Congress from enacting new sanctions against Iran before the next round of nuclear-related talks between the U.S. and other great powers and Tehran scheduled for Geneva Nov. 20.As a result, optimism that at least an interim deal […]
Kennedy died, but the haters did not win
By Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. NNPA Columnist Fifty years ago, on a cold day in Dallas, Nov. 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. To my mind, what is extraordinary about the Kennedy assassination is that the haters did not win. Instead, crucifixion led to resurrection. As a result, for decades, African-American homes across […]
Subtle racism damages health
By Jazelle Hunt, NNPA Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) —“My office says my name, Rachel, on the door. I am the only one who sits in it. People constantly walk in, see me, and say, ‘Oh, I’m sorry…I’m looking for Rachel.’ I’m half black.”“Upon hearing that I had secured an internship for the summer, my roommate […]
Economic Policy Institute (EPI)
By Jim Lobe WASHINGTON (IPS) — U.S. state legislators and corporate lobbies have engaged in an unprecedented attack on minimum wages that has lowered U.S. labor standards, according to new research released recently.The report by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), a think tank here, is the first of its kind, providing a comprehensive overview of […]
Public urged to demand independent review of police-involved deaths
By Michael Bell Team-Plea for a change Cops can be heroes, but since 1890 every Wisconsin officer who took a life was cleared of any wrongdoing. Every single one. When someone dies in a police incident, the death is reviewed either internally by cowork Sign the petition today, AB409.com Cops can be heroes, but […]
Unemployment for black women at 4-year low
By Freddie Allen, NNPA Correspondent WASHINGTON (NNPA) — As job prospects for Whites and Black men have slowed or stalled completely, Black women continue to gain ground in a weak labor market, according to the latest jobs report.“Over the last few months, Black women have seen the greatest decline in their unemployment rate, so there […]
Dumping ‘At Risk’ and other negative labels
WASHINGTON (NNPA) — Although most today’s headlines focus on Black educational failures, there are many positive achievements by Black students that often go overlooked, according to a new study.A recently released report from the National Black Child Development Institute takes a confident and constructive look at our children. “Being Black Is Not a Risk Factor: […]
Drone strike served CIA revenge, blocked Pakistan’s strategy
WASHINGTON (IPS) — After a drone strike had reportedly killed Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud Nov. 1, the spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council declared that, if true, it would be “a serious loss” for the terrorist organization.That reaction accurately reflected the Central Intelligence Agency’s argument for the strike. But the back story of […]