News

Pain of Nigerian bank collapse could reach U.S.

Wednesday, 02 September 2009 15:43 GIN

(GIN) - Five banks that supply 40 percent of Nigeria's bank credit, but were used as a private candy store, doling out loans without sufficient collatoral, collapsed under the weight of unsecured debt and had to be bailed out by government last week. Regulators said bad loans came to a total of 1.14 trillion naira ($7.6 billion).

Message Kennedy leaves for America: ‘Never give up’

Wednesday, 02 September 2009 15:41 Hazel Trice Edney, NNPA Editor-in-Chief

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Despite the fact that he is now gone, honored by America after dying of brain cancer August 25, Sen. Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy leaves a message that will continue to resound. That’s the one that says, ‘Never give up’ the fight on behalf of the oppressed.

Report says youth detentions on the decrease

Tuesday, 01 September 2009 16:39 Brian Stimson, Special to the NNPA from the Portland Skanner

OREGON (NNPA) - From the mid-’80s to the late ’90s, the number of youths in detention nationwide skyrocketed, with average daily populations ballooning from 13,000 to 28,000 in about a decade.

City to build additional LRT Station between Rice, Snelling

Tuesday, 01 September 2009 16:25

Assuming the responsibility to fulfill long-standing commitments to Central Corridor project partners and residents, Mayor Chris Coleman and Councilmembers Melvin Carter III and Russ Stark agreed that the City would assemble, from its own budget, the resources necessary to build the first of three additional stations on the light rail transit line between Rice and Snelling streets.

Clinton’s speech in Nigeria touches a nerve

Monday, 31 August 2009 16:37 GIN

(GIN) - Commentators are still analyzing Hillary Clinton’s straight-talking speech in Nigeria during her swing through Africa one week ago.

At Presidential Medal of Freedom Awards: Lowery continues quest for justice

Friday, 21 August 2009 13:49 Hazel Trice Edney, NNPA Editor-in-Chief

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – Within the same hour that the Rev. Joseph Lowery received America’s highest civilian honor, the civil rights icon – still at the White House – declared war on the “myth” that America is now a “post-racial” nation.

Eldoret Kenya to receive fire truck from Sister City Minneapolis

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 16:19

After many visits to the Twin Cities by the Eldoret City Council and three years of conversations between Sister Cities’ Minneapolis and Eldoret Kenya, the International Leadership Institute announced that Minneapolis had donated a Fire Engine Pumper Truck to Eldoret from their relationship developed during the past 10 years. The Pumper Truck was presented to the Institute and ILI Sister City Committee for the City of Eldoret Kenya August 17, 2009 at Minneapolis Fire Station #17 (4th Avenue and 38th Street) with city official and Kenyan community members present.

Klobuchar introduces legislation to protect and support seniors

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 16:16

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy held a public roundtable with representatives from the caregiving and care service community Monday to discuss how to best help relieve the burden on older Americans and those who care for them. Noting that Minnesota’s senior population is expected to more than double by 2035 with the aging of the Baby Boom generation, Klobuchar spoke about how to best help relieve the burden on older Americans and those who care for them.

New Miss Black USA says she's no 'Pageant Girl'

Monday, 17 August 2009 12:30 Pharoh Martin, NNPA National Correspondent

WASHINGTON (NNPA) - Even after they announced her name and proclaimed Miss Pennsylvania as the new Miss Black USA, Shayna Rudd didn't realize that she had just won. It wasn't until her pageant roommate Miss Black Alabama squeezed her hand really, really tight that it finally sunk in that she was the 2009 title holder.

''It was really surprising because all of the ladies were so fabulous,'' Rudd says about her big win at the University of District of Columbia Theater on Aug. 3. ''I have gotten to the point of the competition where I wasn't worried about winning. I was just worried about doing my very best because it was my last pageant. So, I just wanted to have a good time.''

Dennis F. Hightower confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Commerce

Monday, 17 August 2009 12:09

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Senate last week confirmed Dennis F. Hightower as Deputy Secretary of Commerce by unanimous consent. Hightower, a seasoned business executive with a 40-year career in the public and private sectors, takes over general management of the Department of Commerce, an organization with nearly 38,000 employees and an operating budget of over $17 billion.

North Carolina legislature passes historic Racial Justice Act: Becomes first state in South to allow death row inmates to challenge racial fairness of their sentencing

Monday, 17 August 2009 11:49

WASHINGTON, DC --The NAACP announced last week that the North Carolina State Legislature passed the North Carolina Racial Justice Act. This Act, the first of its kind, will allow inmates sentenced to death, to challenge the racial fairness of their sentencing.