News

Nigerian short story writer is Oprah Book Club pick

Monday, 19 October 2009 16:19 GIN

(GIN) – For the first time, a collection of short stories has been selected by talk show host Oprah Winfrey for her book club. She said the stories, by Nigerian author Uwem Akpan, “left me stunned and profoundly moved.”

New report reveals tribal peoples at greatest risk from H1N1

Friday, 16 October 2009 17:30

A report launched by human rights group Survival International shows that tribal peoples across the world are at greatest risk from swine flu, as many have poor immunity and suffer chronic underlying illnesses.

Many Black and Hispanic retirees unable to meet basic economic needs

Friday, 16 October 2009 17:28 By Pharoh Martin, NNPA National Correspondent

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - Black and Hispanic retirees on fixed incomes are among those hit the hardest by the economic recession due to skyrocketing health care prices and fall outs from economic setbacks. Many fear they won’t be able to meet basic medical and living expenses in the future.

‘Where’s the money?’: NNPA Chairman Bakewell takes Capitol Hill by storm

Friday, 16 October 2009 17:20 Hazel Trice Edney and Pharoh Martin , NNPA Editor-in-Chief and National Correspondent

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - It was a closed-door face to face conversation between U. S. senators and the top leadership of the nation’s premier Black institutions and new NNPA Chairman Danny Bakewell was on the front line for all of them.

American Heart & Stroke Association presents The “Power to End Stroke” Health Fair and Gospel Concert to Raise Stroke Awareness

Friday, 16 October 2009 17:08 Brenda Colston

Hundreds will join the American Heart/Stroke Association as they raise their voices in song to heighten awareness about stroke at a Power To End Stroke Gospel Concert and Health Fair featuring Lexi of The Word Network, national songstress Dottie Peoples and local Gospel talent on Thursday, October 15, 2009, at Mighty Fortress International Church in Brooklyn Park.

Nation’s law enforcement leaders issue new plan to prevent youth violence

Wednesday, 14 October 2009 15:42

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In the wake of the beating murder of a 16-year-old Chicago honor student Derrion Albert and growing national concern about youth violence, America’s law enforcement leaders are calling upon the nation’s elected leaders to get serious about preventing youth violence. Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, an anti-crime organization led by 5,000 police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors and violence survivors, released a new plan detailing the best-proven approaches for reducing youth violence.

Rally thanks Senator Franken, urges him to keep fighting for a Public Health Insurance Option

Wednesday, 14 October 2009 14:02

With the health care reform debate set to begin on the House and Senate floors next week, Minnesotans from across the Twin Cities rallied outside Senator Franken’s office today to thank him for pushing for real health care reform. The Senator’s staff was presented with a pair of boxing gloves to encourage him to keep fighting for real reform that includes a strong public health insurance plan.

American Airlines to launch social networking site focused on sharing Black culture experiences from around the world

Tuesday, 13 October 2009 16:37

FORT WORTH, Texas – American Airlines announced today it is launching a first-of-its-kind social networking site, BlackAtlas.comSM, which combines the best features of a travel site with the power of social networking to create a dynamic online community for travelers to share experiences unique to the black community.

After ruin in Iraq, a new Minnesota life begins

Tuesday, 06 October 2009 15:52 Douglas McGill

ROCHESTER, MN – Raad Ghareeb uses the phrase “below zero” quite a bit, but not in the way that Minnesotans employ it during our frozen winter months.

Rather, Raad deploys his personal tag line with a grin in sentences like: “When I started my new life in Minnesota, I started below zero,” and: “I had everything in Iraq, but when I lost everything after the war, I fell below zero.”

Census states MN poverty steady; yet food bank usage is high

Tuesday, 06 October 2009 15:51 Laura Thornquist

ST. PAUL, Minn. - New census numbers show poverty in Minnesota didn't increase dramatically, but that doesn't mean food shelves are seeing less traffic; in fact, just the opposite. Food pantries are reporting that people who never imagined they would need assistance are now counting on help.

A Statement from ACORN’s outside Advisory Committee

Tuesday, 06 October 2009 15:18

ACORN’s Advisory Committee comprised of leaders from the philanthropic, labor, government, and business sectors, issued the following statement Tuesday morning: “Yesterday, former Massachusetts Attorney General Scott Harshbarger briefed the ACORN Advisory Committee on his plans for an independent review.