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France has returned three Sakalava skulls to Madagascar, including one believed to be that of King Toera who was executed by French troops in 1897 after colonization. This repatriation marks the first implementation of a 2023 French law allowing human remains to be returned for funeral purposes. The skulls had been kept in France's National Museum of Natural History collections for over 128 years before being formally handed over in a ceremony. Madagascar officials described the return as not just about human remains but about reclaiming a part of their history and memory, with plans to rebury the skulls in Menabe in western Madagascar.

A recent Gallup poll shows 64% of Americans believe racism against Black people is widespread, matching the record high set in 2021 following George Floyd's murder. Despite this acknowledgment, less than half of Americans support creating new civil rights laws to reduce discrimination, representing a 15-point decline from 2020. Significant racial divides exist in the polling data, with 80% of Black adults perceiving widespread racism compared to 61% of white adults, and nearly 75% of Black respondents supporting new civil rights protections versus just 40% of white respondents. While most Americans believe civil rights for Black people have improved in their lifetimes, this optimism is more prevalent among white Americans (73%) than Black Americans (53%), highlighting persistent differences in lived experiences and perceptions of racial equality.

A new McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility report reveals that improving Black maternal and newborn health could save over 3,100 Black mothers and 35,000 Black infants while generating $25 billion in economic benefits and $385 million in healthcare savings. Despite the United States having poor maternal mortality rates compared to other industrialized nations, with Black women 2-4 times more likely to die in childbirth than white women, most pregnancy-related deaths remain preventable. The report recommends several key changes including better measurement systems, culturally competent healthcare training, addressing chronic conditions, eliminating maternal care deserts, and increasing access to specialized care providers like midwives and doulas. Experts emphasize that addressing structural racism in healthcare systems is crucial to closing the Black maternal health gap.

The Trump administration has implemented a broad restriction on visitor visas for Palestinians using Palestinian Authority passports, according to media reports citing a diplomatic cable from August 18. This policy expands previous restrictions that affected Gaza residents and Palestinian officials seeking to attend the UN General Assembly in New York. While the State Department did not explicitly confirm the new policy, it stated it was taking "concrete steps in compliance with US law and our national security." The restriction effectively creates a blanket ban on issuing visas to Palestinian passport holders for purposes including business, study, and medical treatment, though Palestinians with other passports remain unaffected.

A murder investigation has been initiated at the Burning Man festival in Nevada after a man was found deceased in a pool of blood at a campsite on Saturday night. The discovery occurred as the festival's signature structure was beginning to burn, prompting local law enforcement to cordon off part of the site and begin investigating with a forensics team. Sheriff Jerry Allen confirmed that witnesses in the immediate area were interviewed and warned attendees to remain vigilant despite the apparent isolated nature of the crime. The Burning Man Project stated it is cooperating with authorities during the investigation at the temporary desert community that hosts tens of thousands of festival-goers annually.

Tyrone Perry, a 46-year-old Black man imprisoned in South Carolina's Perry Correctional Institution, is suffering from serious medical conditions including pulmonary hypertension and brain disease while allegedly being denied adequate healthcare. Medical staff, including Nurse Alvarez and Nurse Practitioner A. Enloe, reportedly ignored dangerously high blood pressure readings and refused treatment when Perry sought help for chest pain and tingling on July 18, 2025. The article claims Perry has been denied regular monitoring, prescribed medications, and specialist appointments at MUSC, portraying his case as exemplary of widespread medical neglect in South Carolina prisons where inmates are restricted from communicating with media to expose such conditions. The author, Kevin "Rashid" Johnson, identifies himself as both a witness to and victim of similar medical neglect within the facility.

Sergio Gor, a 38-year-old Trump loyalist who has published Trump's books and raised millions for his campaign, has been appointed as US Ambassador to India while also overseeing US relations with other South and Central Asian countries. This appointment comes amid strained US-India relations due to Trump's tariffs on India, with mixed reactions from observers who see both potential benefits from Gor's closeness to Trump and concerns about his regional mandate including Pakistan. Experts warn that India traditionally resists being "hyphenated" with Pakistan in diplomatic relations, and some view Gor's dual role and limited diplomatic experience as potentially problematic for the relationship. Despite these concerns, Gor's close ties to the Trump family and reputation as a reliable executor of Trump's agenda could potentially help navigate policy challenges between the two nations.

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani sustained multiple injuries including a fractured thoracic vertebrae in a car accident in Manchester, New Hampshire. The incident occurred Saturday evening when the Ford Bronco in which Giuliani was a passenger was struck from behind, sending both vehicles into the median with heavy damage. Before the crash, Giuliani had reportedly assisted an alleged domestic violence victim who flagged him down on the road. While police have identified the driver who allegedly struck Giuliani's vehicle, no charges have been filed as the investigation continues.

of "Equity in Construction: Fillmore's Fight for Black Labor and True Inclusion" The Buchanan Street Mall Renovation Project in San Francisco's Fillmore neighborhood became a protest site highlighting the ongoing struggle for equity and Black economic empowerment in the construction industry. The article connects today's conflicts to historical patterns of exclusion, showcasing perspectives from community members like Oscar James who recounted how his father, despite skilled abilities, was limited to janitorial work in the 1940s. The project symbolizes the intersection of erased histories and demands for meaningful inclusion of Black labor in neighborhood development. Community activists and contractors are advocating for economic self-sufficiency and genuine representation in local construction projects rather than token participation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China comes at a critical time as both nations face economic challenges from US tariffs, with India recently hit by 50% tariffs on exports like diamonds and prawns. The leaders of the world's two most populous countries appear to be seeking a reset in their historically mistrustful relationship amid shared economic interests. Despite being economic powerhouses (the world's fifth and second-largest economies respectively), their relationship remains complicated by unresolved territorial disputes and border tensions dating back to the 2020 violence in Ladakh's Galwan Valley. Modi's participation in the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) summit signals India's renewed interest in regional alliances as a counterbalance to Western influence, especially following strained relations with Washington.

Intermittent fasting, which restricts eating to specific time windows, has gained popularity as a diet trend embraced by celebrities and tech executives. While previous short-term research suggested benefits like improved metabolism and cellular repair, a new large-scale study analyzing data from over 19,000 adults raises serious concerns. The research found that people who limited their eating to less than eight hours daily faced a 135% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those who ate over 12-14 hours. Though the link to overall mortality was weaker, this cardiovascular risk remained consistent across demographic groups, with researchers cautioning that individuals with existing health conditions should be especially wary of narrow eating windows.

The South Florida Detention Facility, nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz," is being shut down following a judge's order, just two months after opening in the Florida Everglades as part of President Trump's immigration crackdown. The temporary detention center, built in June to house about 3,000 immigrants, became highly controversial with conflicting reports about conditions inside - Republicans described it as well-maintained while Democrats claimed it was unsanitary. Family members of detainees like Michael Borrego Fernandez and Marco Alvarez Bravo have reported serious medical concerns and difficulty locating their loved ones within the system, with Michael's case now part of a lawsuit alleging detainees were denied proper access to legal counsel.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has signed an executive order directing city agencies on how to resist potential immigration enforcement actions threatened by the Trump administration. The order demands that federal agents "stand down" from deploying U.S. Armed Forces in Chicago, reaffirms existing city policies like body camera requirements, and prohibits local officers from participating in joint patrols with federal agents. This comes amid an escalating feud between the White House and Illinois officials, with Trump characterizing Chicago as "a killing field" while threatening to deploy troops similar to the 2,000 already stationed in Washington DC. The White House has dismissed Mayor Johnson's order as "a publicity stunt," while Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has described Trump's threats as an abuse of power.

In the unregulated body broker industry in the United States, private companies legally acquire corpses, dissect them, and sell body parts for profit to medical research centers and universities, contrasting with European countries where such practices are outlawed. The Reuters investigation identified 25 for-profit "non-transplant tissue banks" in America, with one earning $12.5 million over three years, taking advantage of regulatory gaps that allow charging for "processing" body parts while technically banning their sale. This industry has resulted in numerous controversies, including the disturbing case of Harold Dillard, whose donated body was allegedly dismembered with a chainsaw by Bio Care, and the donation of unclaimed bodies without proper attempts to contact next-of-kin. Despite these concerns, body donation plays a crucial role in medical education and technological advancements such as knee replacements and pacemakers, leading experts to call for stronger regulation rather than abolishing the practice entirely.

The Trump administration has initiated the termination of nearly 500 employees from Voice of America (VOA), a federally funded news organization. Acting CEO of VOA's parent agency, Kari Lake, justified the decision as a means to reduce federal bureaucracy and save taxpayer money, while a union representing employees has declared the action illegal. This latest move follows previous termination attempts that were rescinded due to procedural errors and comes amid ongoing legal challenges from employees, including a recent ruling where a judge determined proper procedures weren't followed in attempting to fire VOA's director. Critics view the administration's efforts to reduce VOA as an attack on press freedom and a diminishment of America's soft power abroad, while the administration has characterized the outlet as "anti-Trump" and "radical."

The article discusses the transatlantic slave trade as a foundational element of American history that shaped global economics from the 16th through 19th centuries. It highlights current political tensions surrounding how slavery is taught and remembered, with President Trump criticizing the Smithsonian Institution for its unvarnished portrayal of slavery's brutality. The piece explains how the slave trade operated as a three-step economic system that transported 17-30 million Africans to the Americas, creating an economic bridge between Europe, Africa, and the Americas that was crucial to global economic development. Various historians note that the slave trade was primarily driven by economic motivations rather than racial ones, though racism emerged as its consequence.

The U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled that most of Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs represent an illegal overreach of presidential emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). In a 7-4 decision, the court determined that the IEEPA does not grant the president authority to impose global tariffs, upholding a previous ruling by the Court of International Trade. The tariffs will remain in place until mid-October, allowing time for an appeal to the Supreme Court, which Trump has signaled he intends to pursue. Trump immediately rejected the ruling, calling it "highly partisan" and claiming it would "literally destroy the United States of America" if allowed to stand.

The White House is defending Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. amid significant turmoil at the CDC, including the firing of CDC Chief Dr. Susan Monarez for not aligning with the president's agenda and her replacement by Kennedy's deputy Jim O'Neill. At least three senior CDC leaders have resigned in protest over Kennedy's leadership and vaccine policies, while the agency has also permanently laid off 600 employees earlier this month, including those working on infectious diseases and environmental hazards. Kennedy, who lacks a medical degree and has a history of promoting debunked vaccine claims, has implemented funding cuts and changes to immunization recommendations that have prompted several Democratic and Republican lawmakers to express concerns, with some calling for his resignation. Despite the controversy, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller praised Kennedy as "a crown jewel of this administration" who is working to restore the CDC's credibility.

Global superstar Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce have announced their engagement after a two-year relationship that began in Kansas City. According to experts, their wedding is expected to be a highly secretive yet elaborate affair, with Swift likely taking significant control over the planning process rather than relying on celebrity planners. The couple managed to keep their engagement private for two weeks before announcing it, demonstrating Swift's characteristic approach to privacy and surprise. Wedding industry professionals speculate that Swift's gown will reflect her refined, romantic red-carpet style, possibly featuring multiple outfit changes, and that the venue may be a private, meaningful location rather than a conventional wedding venue.

The Trump administration has initiated a rare fiscal maneuver called a pocket rescission to cut $5 billion in previously approved foreign aid. This controversial action aims to claw back funds allocated by Congress earlier this year, including $3 billion for USAID, $900 million in State Department funds, $800 million for international peacekeeping, and over $300 million for promoting democracy abroad. The White House justified the cuts as part of efforts to address "woke, weaponised, and wasteful" government spending, though the legality of this approach has been questioned by experts and lawmakers who view it as bypassing Congress's constitutional power over federal spending. This maneuver hasn't been attempted by any president since Jimmy Carter in 1977.

of News Article on Harris' Secret Service Detail Cancellation President Trump has canceled former Vice-President Kamala Harris' Secret Service protection, which had been extended beyond the standard six-month post-office period by former President Biden. The Secret Service typically provides former vice-presidents with six months of protection after leaving office, though this can be extended by the homeland security secretary when warranted by information or conditions. While some allies of Harris have criticized the decision as politically motivated, sources indicate a recent threat assessment found no alarming concerns to justify continued protection. The cancellation comes just before Harris is set to begin a multi-city tour promoting her book "107 Days" about her presidential campaign.

A recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research reveals that America's wealthiest billionaires, representing the top 0.0002 percent of households, pay an effective tax rate of just 24 percent, which is lower than the 30 percent national average and significantly less than the 45 percent paid by top labor income earners. Using comprehensive data from 2010-2020, researchers Balkir, Saez, Yagan, and Zucman found that structural features of the U.S. tax code enable billionaires to minimize taxation through corporate ownership strategies that limit dividend distributions and through passthrough businesses that report negative taxable income despite high profits. The study shows that billionaire tax rates fell from about 30 percent to 24 percent following Donald Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which reduced corporate tax rates from 35 percent to 21 percent and expanded investment expensing provisions.

In an emergency court hearing, President Donald Trump's attempt to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook was challenged but ended without a ruling. Cook's legal team requested a temporary restraining order to prevent her removal, arguing the president's action was unlawful, while Trump claimed constitutional authority to remove her based on alleged false mortgage statements. This case could potentially escalate to the Supreme Court with significant implications for the Federal Reserve's independence. The dispute occurs amid Trump's increasing pressure on the Fed regarding interest rate policies, raising concerns about potential impacts on investor confidence and U.S. government borrowing costs.

Frontier Development & Hospitality Group LLC has opened the Hyatt House Washington DC Downtown Convention Center, a 184-room extended-stay hotel in DC's Shaw neighborhood managed by Donohoe Hospitality Services. The project represents a homecoming for company founder Evens Charles, a DC native who spent nearly a decade pursuing development opportunities in his hometown. The new hotel offers apartment-style accommodations with full kitchens, fitness facilities, and communal spaces, situated just two blocks from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Additionally, Frontier will soon debut REALM, an all-weather rooftop bar and lounge with panoramic views of the DC skyline, furthering their vision of creating culturally vibrant hospitality assets in high-demand urban areas.

The article examines the significant role of the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations in supporting and profiting from the transatlantic slave trade. It highlights how religious institutions justified slavery through biblical misinterpretations, particularly the "curse of Ham," while missionaries used Christianity as a tool alongside colonization. The piece specifically details Georgetown University's 2016 acknowledgment and apology for Jesuit priests selling 272 enslaved people in 1838 to financially save the institution. Additionally, the article contextualizes current political tensions around teaching slavery's history, noting former President Trump's criticism of the Smithsonian for its honest portrayal of slavery's brutality and impact.

The article commemorates the significance of the transatlantic slave trade in American history, emphasizing both its foundational impact on society and ongoing efforts to confront this painful legacy. It discusses how the UN's International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition on August 23rd marks the anniversary of the 1791 Santo Domingo slave rebellion that ultimately helped end slavery. The article highlights 2019 as the 500th anniversary of slavery in America and discusses various efforts to reexamine this history, including the HBCU Green Fund's "Sankofa Remix" initiative examining past, present, and future perspectives. It also notes concerns about attempts to sanitize or downplay the brutality of slavery in historical narratives, including criticism of the Trump administration's approach to historical exhibits.

Tennis legend Serena Williams has joined other public figures in discussing her use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss, revealing she lost 31 pounds since beginning treatment in 2023. These medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, have seen surging demand across the United States, with various surveys indicating between 6-12% of U.S. adults have used them for weight loss. While most users report the medications as effective, high costs remain a significant barrier, with monthly prices ranging from $936 to $1,349 before insurance, and medical guidelines typically recommend these drugs for adults with specific BMI thresholds and continued long-term use to maintain results.

of News Article The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights has concluded that George Mason University violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act through its diversity hiring initiatives implemented under President Gregory Washington. Following a six-week investigation, the department proposed an agreement requiring Washington to issue an apology and for the university to revise policies deemed discriminatory based on race. The investigation was launched after multiple professors complained about preferential treatment for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds, despite the university's efforts to make its predominantly white faculty more representative of its diverse student body. The probe is one of five civil rights investigations opened against GMU this summer, while the university's Board of Visitors has already eliminated several diversity programs.

San Diego's economy, the third largest in California with approximately 390,000 small businesses employing nearly 59% of the region, faces significant disparities in business ownership and wages. Only 1.2% of San Diego small businesses are Black or African American-owned, and small businesses generally pay 38% less than larger companies with over 100 employees. These wage disparities disproportionately affect people of color, with Black and Latino workers dominating lower-paying healthcare support roles (earning under $20/hour) while being underrepresented in higher-paying technology positions (earning over $50/hour). To address these challenges, California's Employment Development Department (EDD) offers six key resources including CalJOBS, America's Job Center of California locations, unemployment benefits assistance, employer resources, e-Services for Business, and phone support for unemployment claims.