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The Mississippi Museum of Art is now displaying two rare pre-emancipation portraits of enslaved individuals, "Portrait of Frederick" and Delia's portrait, together for the first time. These paintings, created around 1840, are the only known such portraits from Mississippi and were purchased from descendants of the subjects' enslavers. Frederick, who later took the surname Baker and became ordained after emancipation, held a managerial position overseeing other slaves on the plantation, while less is known about Delia who appears to be sewing in her portrait. Both paintings are distinctive for portraying these individuals as sole subjects in dignified three-quarters compositions, prompting visitors to reflect on their humanity and the complex history of slavery.

Assembly Bill 7, which would allow California colleges to offer preferential admissions to descendants of enslaved people, has passed the State Senate and awaits Governor Gavin Newsom's signature by October 12. About 150 supporters rallied at the State Capitol urging the governor to sign the legislation, which is a key priority for the California Legislative Black Caucus as part of its "Road to Repair 2025" package. Supporters argue the bill focuses on lineage rather than race to withstand legal challenges, particularly after federal rulings against race-based affirmative action. The California Association of Black Lawyers defends the bill's constitutionality, framing it as a mechanism for restorative justice rather than special treatment.

Art All Night, a citywide celebration of arts and local creatives, was held across all eight wards of Washington, D.C. on September 12-13, presented by Mayor Muriel Bowser. The event, which began in 2011 as Art All Night: Nuit Blanche D.C., has expanded to feature more than 150 artists across 28 neighborhoods, showcasing music, visual arts, literary works, and performing arts. This year's festival introduced a new mobile app to help attendees navigate the extensive programming while supporting small businesses and local artists. The celebration served as a unifying event for the community as the city continues to adjust after the recent surge of federal officers and National Guard presence.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox revealed that the 22-year-old suspect, Tyler Robinson, arrested for the shooting death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, is not cooperating with authorities and has not confessed to the crime. Kirk, a 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot in the neck during an open-air speaking event at Utah Valley University as part of his American Comeback Tour. While investigators are still working to establish a motive, people close to Robinson, including his partner who is reportedly transitioning from male to female, are cooperating with authorities. Governor Cox has used this tragedy to call for national unity amid political tensions and criticized the role of social media, describing it as a "cancer."

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has condemned the beheading of Indian-origin hotel manager Chandra Mouli Nagamallaiah, allegedly by Yordanis Cobos-Martinez, an undocumented Cuban immigrant in Dallas. The attack occurred on September 10th following an argument over a broken washing machine, with Nagamallaiah's wife and child witnessing the machete assault. Trump criticized the Biden administration, claiming Cobos-Martinez was previously arrested for multiple crimes but released after Cuba refused to accept his return due to his criminal history. The accused is now in custody, charged with murder, while a fundraiser for Nagamallaiah's family has collected over $321,000.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has defended the legal proceedings that resulted in his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, receiving a 27-year prison sentence for coup plotting. In a New York Times opinion piece, Lula rejected US President Donald Trump's characterization of the trial as a "witch hunt" and criticized Trump's recent imposition of 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports. Lula argued that the US has benefited significantly from bilateral trade with Brazil over the past 15 years, accumulating a $410 billion surplus, suggesting the tariff decision was politically motivated. He maintained that Brazil's courts acted constitutionally and defended the country's right to regulate internet companies, concluding that while Brazil is open to negotiations with the US, its "democracy and sovereignty are not on the table."

South Korea is investigating potential human rights violations following a US raid at a Georgia EV battery plant where over 300 South Korean workers were detained for a week before returning home. The South Korean government has expressed "strong regret" to the US and requested its citizens' rights be respected during law enforcement actions. This incident has strained relations between the countries despite South Korean firms planning billions in US investments under a trade deal to avoid tariffs. President Lee Jae-myung called the situation "bewildering," noting it's common practice for Korean companies to send workers to help establish overseas factories.

The families of Israeli hostages have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of deliberately sabotaging peace deals, calling him the "one obstacle" preventing the return of the 48 remaining hostages. This accusation follows Israel's controversial strike in Qatar that killed five Hamas members who were there to discuss a US-proposed ceasefire. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has arrived in Israel amid international condemnation of the attack, with President Trump reportedly unhappy about the strike. Meanwhile, Israel has intensified military operations in Gaza City with heavy airstrikes and warnings for residents to evacuate, as the humanitarian crisis worsens with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting 68 new deaths and ongoing concerns about famine.

A memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead during an event in Utah, will be held on September 21 at Arizona's State Farm Stadium. Turning Point USA announced the public service to honor their co-founder's legacy, with President Trump, Vice-President Vance, and Secretary of State Rubio expected to attend. Kirk's widow Erika has vowed to continue her husband's mission following his death, declaring that his work will grow stronger. The suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, is in custody at Utah County Jail awaiting formal charges and his first court appearance.

Sikh truck drivers, representing approximately 150,000 workers in America's trucking industry, are facing increased scrutiny and harassment following a fatal crash in Florida involving a Sikh driver. After the incident, Secretary of State Marco Rubio paused work visas for foreign commercial truck drivers, while the Trump administration has tightened language requirements. In response, Sikh temples across California are offering English classes to help drivers meet proficiency standards and return to work. The situation has created fear among Sikh drivers, who report experiencing racial slurs and harassment at truck stops, potentially leading to driver shortages in an essential industry where Sikhs comprise about 40% of truck drivers on the west coast.

An FBI operation to destroy seized methamphetamine at the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter in Billings, Montana went wrong when smoke from the incinerator filled the building instead of being properly vented. Fourteen staff members required hospitalization for smoke exposure, while approximately 75 cats and dogs were evacuated from the facility. Executive Director Triniti Halverson stated she was unaware that dangerous narcotics were being disposed of at the shelter, confirming that both staff and animals were exposed to methamphetamine. The incident has displaced the shelter operations for an extended period while decontamination efforts are underway.

President Trump has expressed readiness to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, but has set conditions requiring NATO countries to stop purchasing Russian oil and implement similar sanctions first. Despite previous threats, Trump has not yet taken action when Russia ignored his deadlines. He characterized NATO members' continued purchase of Russian oil as "shocking" and proposed imposing substantial tariffs of 50-100% on China to weaken its influence over Russia. While Europe has significantly reduced its dependency on Russian energy since the Ukraine invasion, with EU gas imports from Russia expected to drop from 45% to approximately 13% this year, Trump suggests this reduction is insufficient.

President Donald Trump announced on Fox News that the National Guard would be deployed to Memphis, Tennessee, as part of his crackdown on crime in Democrat-led cities, surprising Mayor Paul Young who learned about it during the broadcast. Young expressed opposition to the deployment, stating he didn't request National Guard assistance and doesn't believe it's an effective crime-reduction strategy. This deployment represents an escalation of Trump's use of federal troops following his takeover of Washington DC's police department in August. Memphis has one of the nation's highest violent crime rates at 2,501 violent crimes per 100,000 people according to FBI data, though Young noted the city is already making progress in reducing crime.

Charlie Kirk, a prominent 31-year-old conservative activist, media personality, and close ally of President Trump, was shot and killed on September 10, 2023, during a college event in Utah for Turning Point USA, the organization he co-founded at age 18. Kirk was known for his efforts to spread conservative ideals on liberal-leaning college campuses, hosting a popular podcast and radio show, and playing a significant role in voter registration for Trump's campaign. His death occurred at the first stop of his planned 15-event "American Comeback Tour" of college campuses, prompting tributes from President Trump who described Kirk as someone who uniquely understood American youth.

Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative figure and co-founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot while speaking at Utah Valley University, shocking students who witnessed the attack. Following the assassination, students across the political spectrum at the conservative-leaning campus have expressed a renewed commitment to political engagement and protecting open debate. The shooting has thrust the university into America's political divide, with some blaming Kirk's pro-gun stance while others claiming conservatives are under attack by the "radical left." Many students, including those who disagreed with Kirk's views, have expressed determination to continue his legacy of campus political discourse, with some joining Turning Point USA chapters in response to his death.

Erika Kirk delivered an emotional address following the fatal shooting of her husband, Charlie Kirk, during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Standing beside her husband's empty chair at Turning Point USA headquarters, she expressed gratitude to first responders and vowed that her husband's mission would continue with even greater force. She revealed that Charlie Kirk's campus tour and podcast would continue, while sharing heartbreaking details about explaining his death to their young children. President Trump has announced he will posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizing the 31-year-old conservative activist who was instrumental in mobilizing young voters for Trump's recent election victory.

ICE agents fatally shot Silverio Villegas-Gonzales, an undocumented migrant, near Chicago after he allegedly drove his vehicle toward officers during an arrest attempt, dragging one agent who suffered severe injuries. The Department of Homeland Security reported that the agent, fearing for his life, drew his weapon and fired at Villegas-Gonzales, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital. The incident occurred in Franklin Park, a Chicago suburb with a significant Hispanic population, during a period of increased immigration enforcement activities ordered by the Trump administration. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has called for a "full, factual accounting" of the situation to ensure transparency and accountability.

A 22-year-old Utah resident named Tyler Robinson has been arrested for the shooting death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk during a university debate event. The suspect surrendered after a 33-hour manhunt when his father and a youth pastor helped convince him to turn himself in to authorities. Investigators discovered that Robinson had arrived at Utah Valley University four hours before the shooting and allegedly left inscriptions on rifle casings including "hey fascist! CATCH!" and references to an Italian anti-fascist resistance song. State prosecutors plan to file formal charges including aggravated murder on Tuesday, while the campus remains closed following the incident that has intensified America's partisan divisions.

A 22-year-old Utah native named Tyler Robinson has been arrested for the fatal shooting of political figure Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. The suspect was taken into custody approximately 33 hours after the incident, following his father's recognition of him from FBI-circulated images and subsequent notification to authorities. According to officials, Robinson had arrived at the campus nearly four hours before the shooting and reportedly viewed Kirk as "full of hate and spreading hate." Investigators recovered the suspected murder weapon—a Mauser .30-06 bolt action rifle with inscribed casings—wrapped in a towel in a wooded area near the campus.

Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old Utah native, has been arrested for the fatal shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk after being identified by his father who recognized him in surveillance images. Robinson, a third-year electrical apprenticeship student at Dixie Technical College who lived with his parents, had reportedly become "more political" in recent years and discussed Kirk's event at Utah Valley University during a family dinner before the attack. Investigators found shell casings with inscriptions referencing online trolling humor and potentially sympathetic to Antifa, though authorities have not disclosed Robinson's political leanings or motive as the investigation continues. Discord has suspended Robinson's account after messages referencing a rifle "drop point" were discovered, while he remains in custody as prosecutors prepare formal charges in what officials call one of the most significant political killings in recent US history.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced his intention to seek reelection, explicitly stating he will not run for president of the United States. Moore highlighted his administration's accomplishments, including historic reductions in Baltimore's violent crime, securing funding to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and passing a balanced budget that makes Maryland's tax structure fairer for working families. In his reelection announcement, Moore emphasized his goals to improve public schools, end childhood poverty, and make Maryland more affordable, while also criticizing former President Trump's policies. Moore identified his potential challengers, including John Myrick, Ed Hale, and possibly former Governor Larry Hogan, who has hinted at running in the 2026 election cycle.

This letter to the editor expresses disappointment that President Trump's administration has failed to deliver on campaign promises to improve conditions for working families. The author argues that workers deserve fair wages, safe conditions, healthcare, retirement security, and union rights. The letter claims that instead of helping working families, the administration has cut funding for essential services like education and healthcare while giving tax breaks to the wealthy. The writer concludes by calling for collective action through protests, unionization, and political engagement to fight for workers' rights.

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), rose from an unknown Chicago activist to become a central figure in Donald Trump's MAGA movement before his recent death. Kirk developed close personal relationships with the Trump family, serving as a bridge to young Republicans and helping shape both Trump's 2016 and 2024 presidential campaigns. His organization grew to include 3,500 high schools and colleges, generating $85 million last year, while Kirk himself gained significant influence in vetting administration appointees for Trump's second term. Following his shooting death, the White House reacted with profound grief, with President Trump ordering flags at half-staff and family members expressing personal loss.

The article reports on the identification of 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, a white man from Salt Lake City, as the suspect in the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. Despite initial speculation that the killer might be from "the radical left" or an immigrant, Robinson reportedly comes from a conservative background and his father, a law enforcement officer, helped convince him to surrender. Investigators recovered a rifle with cryptically engraved bullet casings, and Utah Governor Spencer Cox described the killing as "an attack on the American experiment." The assassination has raised concerns about security at political events and sparked discussions about political violence, with various politicians speaking out against violence regardless of political differences.

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) has released "Forward Together: The Black Policy Playbook for an Equitable America," a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at dismantling systemic barriers to racial equity in the United States. Published in 2025 and authored by Jonathan Cox and his team from the CBCF's Center for Policy Analysis and Research, the playbook outlines strategies to address disparities in wealth, health, education, and criminal justice. The recommendations include investments in affordable housing, voting rights protections, universal healthcare access, and support for Black-owned businesses, arguing that equity is not just morally imperative but necessary for national prosperity. The CBCF plans to highlight the playbook at its Annual Legislative Conference in September 2025, with an emphasis on accountability and transforming these recommendations into measurable outcomes.

The Kresge Foundation has announced plans to relocate its headquarters from Troy to Detroit's Marygrove Conservancy campus while committing $180 million to improve the Livernois-McNichols corridor in Northwest Detroit. The five-year investment will focus on stabilizing housing, promoting homeownership, enhancing public spaces, and revitalizing commercial areas in the Fitzgerald, Bagley, University District, and Martin Park neighborhoods. The foundation will construct a 70,000-square-foot headquarters using $130 million in bonds rather than drawing from its $4 billion endowment, with completion expected by 2028 for its 130 employees. This move represents a return to Detroit for the foundation, which originally operated downtown before relocating to Troy in 1950.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which has been the foundation of U.S.-Africa trade relations since 2000, faces possible expiration on September 30 with diminishing chances for extension. Supporters including African ambassadors and U.S. business organizations continue advocating for the trade pact's renewal through various channels. Dr. Bob Wekesa from the African Centre for the Study of the United States has outlined three potential scenarios for AGOA's future in an AllAfrica guest column. Madagascar's Ambassador to the United States, Solo Andry Lantosoa Rakotomalala, has warned that AGOA's expiration threatens millions in investments and hundreds of thousands of livelihoods across both Africa and the United States.

A controversial billboard in Montgomery, Alabama displaying racist blackface imagery alongside Trump's "Make America Great Again" slogan has sparked significant backlash in the community. The display, funded through the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and created by the artist group For Freedoms, was intended to generate dialogue before an exhibit commemorating the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday but instead caused anger and pain. Mayor Steven L. Reed quickly ordered the billboard's removal, calling it a politicized distortion of sacred history, which exposed tensions between city leadership and the museum board who claimed the billboard was erected without their approval. The incident has prompted opposing responses from the Southern Poverty Law Center, which supported the mayor's decision, and the National Coalition Against Censorship, which condemned the removal as government overreach.

A series of violent incidents, including the shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University and a mass shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado, have reignited discussions about gun violence and political tensions in America. These events prompted heated exchanges in the U.S. House between Democrats calling for gun legislation and Republicans opposing them. The article contextualizes these incidents alongside other political violence, including the assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and the attempted assassination of President Trump in 2024. With 16,000 gun violence deaths in 2024 (excluding suicides) and increasing mass shootings since the federal assault weapons ban expired in 2004, the article highlights the polarized reactions to these tragedies and the difficulty in finding legislative solutions.

Multiple Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) including Spelman, Clark Atlanta, Southern University A&M College, Bethune Cookman, Alabama State, Virginia State, and Hampton University have implemented lockdowns or canceled classes due to credible threats. These security measures were enacted just one day after Charlie Kirk was fatally shot at Utah Valley University, with the suspect still at large. Civil rights leaders including Reverend William Barber, Congresswoman Alma Adams, and Reverend Al Sharpton have expressed concern about the situation, with Barber noting the "dangerous moment in our nation." This incident follows a pattern of threats against HBCUs, similar to the bomb threats that occurred during Black History Month in 2022, which prompted FBI training for these institutions.