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The Washington DC neighborhood of Columbia Heights, with one of the city's largest Latino populations, is experiencing a surge in immigration raids as part of the Trump administration's crime crackdown that began on August 11. Residents report streets becoming unusually empty as fear spreads through the community, with BBC Verify documenting numerous incidents including arrests, window-smashing, and people being forcibly removed from vehicles. Federal agents from ICE, FBI, and Homeland Security have been conducting operations in the area, resulting in nearly half of the 1,000+ citywide arrests being suspected illegal immigrants, according to White House figures. Local residents, including those with legal documentation, describe feeling fearful and living in what some characterize as a "police state" atmosphere, with community activities and street vendors noticeably diminished.

The Gilbert Family Foundation is investing $4 million to strengthen Black-led businesses and community developers in Detroit, with funds split between Black Leaders Detroit ($2.1 million) and the Michigan Black Business Alliance ($2 million). This investment, announced during National Black Business Month, aims to create economic opportunities for historically underserved communities and is part of a larger $500 million commitment over ten years that began in 2021. BLD will expand their Building Fund which provides no-interest loans to Black developers working on residential projects, while MBBA will enhance programs like their Global Growth Accelerator to help second-stage businesses scale operations. These initiatives reflect the foundation's commitment to creating a more inclusive economic environment where Black entrepreneurs can thrive and contribute to Detroit's revitalization.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer marks August as Black Business Month in Michigan, highlighting her administration's ongoing efforts to support Black entrepreneurs and small businesses across the state. Her administration has implemented various initiatives including the Small Business Venture Capital program, which awarded over $40 million to connect tech startups with capital, and the MI Economic Opportunity Fund, a $10 million microloan program targeting women and entrepreneurs of color. The governor emphasizes efforts to reduce regulatory burdens for small businesses, including recent legislation benefiting small distillers and mixed spirit manufacturers. Michigan's business-friendly environment has earned it recognition as a top 10 state for business by CNBC for three consecutive years, though Governor Whitmer acknowledges more work remains to be done.

Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook, the first Black woman in this role, is suing President Trump after he attempted to fire her, claiming mortgage fraud allegations as cause. Trump's unprecedented move against the independent Federal Reserve comes amid his increasing pressure to lower interest rates. Cook, whose research focuses on race, inequality, and economics, has stated she will not resign and will continue her duties on the seven-member board where she has served since 2022. Cook's academic background includes pioneering work on how racial violence affected Black innovation, and she has been an advocate for increasing diversity in the economics profession.

Keith Lambert and millions of Americans are navigating extreme heat waves with temperatures exceeding 90°F, which disproportionately impacts people of color and low-income residents. Environmental justice advocates link this inequality to discriminatory housing policies like redlining, which has resulted in fewer green spaces and higher temperatures in minority neighborhoods. Extreme heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S., killing an average of 350 New Yorkers annually, yet receives less attention than other natural disasters. To combat rising temperatures, organizations are implementing solutions such as expanding tree canopies, creating community green spaces, redesigning bus stops, and developing data tools that highlight climate disparities faced by vulnerable communities.

of "School for Husbands" Initiative in Senegal In Senegal, a United Nations-backed "school for husbands" program trains respected male community members to promote gender equality and women's health within their communities. The initiative, which began in 2011 and now operates over 20 schools with more than 300 trained men, addresses the cultural context where men typically make major household decisions, including those related to women's healthcare. Community leaders like Imam Ibrahima Diane use their influence to encourage men to support their wives with household duties, advocate for hospital births, and improve access to reproductive health services. The program has shown success in changing male attitudes, contributing to declining maternal and infant mortality rates, though Senegal still faces challenges in meeting global health targets.

The Trump White House has launched a public attack against the Smithsonian Institution, publishing an article that condemns the museum's educational content about slavery, racism, and inequality in America. The administration specifically criticized the National Museum of African American History and Culture for explaining how America has privileged whiteness, dismissing such scholarship as "anti-American propaganda." This confrontation represents part of a broader effort to rewrite American history by minimizing the significance of slavery, Jim Crow segregation, redlining, and other forms of systemic racism that have shaped the nation. The White House's criticism extends to multiple Smithsonian exhibits that document the realities of oppression in American history, including art addressing the Middle Passage and programs highlighting discriminatory housing and immigration policies.

President Trump hosted a working lunch with the leaders of five African nations (Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, and Gabon) at the White House to discuss commercial opportunities and deepen diplomatic ties. Notably absent were Africa's major economies like South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, and Ethiopia, which have connections to BRICS, a group including America's adversaries Russia and China. The meeting focused on potential investments and development of natural resources, with African leaders praising Trump and highlighting their mineral wealth, while analysts describe this as part of Trump's strategy to counter Chinese and Russian influence in Africa through a more transactional approach to foreign relations rather than traditional aid.

California Legislative Democrats, with the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) support, have passed legislation that would allow voters to adopt temporary Congressional maps favorable to Democrats through Proposition 50, the "Election Rigging Response Act." This measure, appearing on a special November 4 ballot, aims to counter partisan redistricting efforts in Texas by potentially adding five additional Democratic U.S. House seats. CLBC chair Senator Akilah Weber Pierson described the action as defending fair representation, while other Black lawmakers emphasized this as a response to protect California communities from harmful federal policies. If approved by voters, the redrawn Congressional district maps would be used for elections from 2026 through 2030, before returning mapping authority to the Citizens Redistricting Commission in 2031.

President Trump's policies targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are being met with a counterstrategy emphasizing rest as a form of resistance for Black Americans and other marginalized groups. Activists like Tricia Hersey, founder of the Nap Ministry and author of "Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto," frame adequate rest as essential for liberation from systems that exploit marginalized communities. Representative Bennie Thompson has criticized Trump's actions as an assault on Black voices and history, while economic policies described as a "triple threat" by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities are creating stress that directly impacts sleep quality. Scientific research demonstrates that insufficient sleep significantly increases risks for numerous health conditions including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, making rest not just a political statement but a health imperative.

The article explores the critical importance of African-centered education for Black students in Detroit through the personal journey of Tiffany Brockington, who attended Nataki Talibah Schoolhouse. This school, founded by Carmen N'Namdi in 1978, was designed to counter Eurocentric curricula by intentionally weaving African history, cultural pride, and community responsibility into all subject areas. Data shows fewer than 20% of Michigan public schools offer structured African American history courses before high school, creating an educational environment where Black heritage is treated as optional rather than foundational. Brockington's experience demonstrates how culturally affirming education empowered her with confidence and purpose, ultimately leading her to become an educator and doctoral candidate focused on developing community-based educational programs.

President Donald Trump has demanded the removal of Federal Reserve Board Governor Lisa Cook, citing allegations of mortgage fraud in a letter posted on Truth Social. Cook, appointed by President Biden in 2022 as the first African American in this role, allegedly claimed two properties in different states as primary residences on mortgage documents. Democrats have condemned this action as unprecedented political interference in the Federal Reserve, which functions independently within government. Cook, whose term was set to end in 2038, has denied wrongdoing and stated she will fight the dismissal, arguing Trump lacks just cause to fire her.

Dorsey Nunn's new memoir, "What Kind of Bird Can't Fly," chronicles his journey from being incarcerated at age 19 through his transformation into an advocate for justice reform. The book details his experiences in prison, including the realization that his entire Little League team except one white player had been incarcerated, and explores themes of systemic racism in the criminal justice system. Nunn describes his radicalization during his decade in prison, his struggles with anger and sobriety after release, and his ongoing fight against what he views as modern slavery in the prison system. Through personal anecdotes about reconnecting with family and finding moments of grace, Nunn's memoir ultimately delivers a message about human dignity and the possibility of redemption.

Republicans in Congress are introducing multiple bills to expand federal control over Washington, D.C., following President Trump's August 11th "crime emergency" declaration. The legislation would give the president sweeping powers over D.C.'s laws, police, and courts, including measures to block emergency legislation passed by the D.C. Council and extend presidential control of the Metropolitan Police Department from 30 days to six months. Critics, including D.C. residents and leaders, have condemned these actions as racist attempts to dismantle the majority-Black city's limited self-governance, despite the city experiencing one of its steepest crime declines in decades. The measures have resulted in National Guard troops patrolling D.C. streets, creating what some residents describe as an atmosphere of occupation rather than democracy.

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) has revealed that America's 400 wealthiest households paid an average effective tax rate of just 24% between 2018-2020, significantly lower than the 30% paid by the general population and 45% by top wage earners. This reduction stems from President Donald Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which decreased the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and created new loopholes for the ultra-wealthy. The disparity is particularly evident in Washington D.C., home to numerous billionaires including Jeff Bezos, whose effective tax rate has been reported at approximately 1% despite his $161 billion fortune. The NBER study demonstrates that billionaires exploit structural gaps in the tax code, allowing their taxable income to represent only about one-third of their actual economic income.

President Trump has signed an executive order threatening to withhold federal funding from jurisdictions with cashless bail policies, while also directing Washington D.C. defendants to be charged under federal statutes to circumvent the city's bail reforms. Critics highlight the contradiction between Trump's actions and his own recent legal situation, where he remained free after being convicted on 34 felony counts, benefiting from the same cash bail system that typically allows wealthy defendants to avoid pretrial detention. Data shows that over 60% of pretrial detainees are jailed solely because they cannot afford bail, with this burden falling disproportionately on Black and Latino communities. Despite Trump's claims about cashless bail releasing violent offenders, fact-checkers have disputed these assertions, noting that states with bail reforms typically exclude violent crimes and have seen decreases in crime rates.

Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, founder of the Sinaloa Cartel and one of Mexico's most notorious drug lords, has pleaded guilty to drug smuggling and conspiracy charges in a New York court. After initially pleading not guilty, the 77-year-old kingpin changed his plea, acknowledging his role in creating a vast criminal network that transported enormous quantities of drugs into the United States since the late 1980s. Zambada was arrested in Texas in 2023 following a deception by the sons of his former ally, Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, after which he claimed he was ambushed and forcibly transported to the United States. Due to his guilty plea, Zambada, who successfully evaded capture for five decades while overseeing a global drug trafficking operation, is expected to receive a more lenient sentence and is scheduled for sentencing in January 2026.

Grammy-winning rapper Lil Nas X has pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges, including battery of police officers and resisting arrest, following an incident where he was found wandering naked in Los Angeles. The 26-year-old artist, whose legal name is Montero Lamar Hill, allegedly charged at officers responding to reports about a nude man on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City last Thursday. After the arrest, he was hospitalized for a possible overdose and spent the weekend in jail before appearing at his arraignment on Monday, where his bail was set at $75,000. If convicted of the charges, Lil Nas X could face up to five years in prison.

The first human case of New World screwworm (NWS) myiasis in the US has been confirmed in a patient who returned from El Salvador, with confirmation occurring on August 4. This parasitic infestation of fly larvae primarily affects livestock and typically occurs in South America and the Caribbean, though it has now been confirmed in all Central American countries as well as the US and Mexico. Health authorities, including the CDC, have investigated the case but indicate the risk to US public health is currently "very low." If an outbreak were to occur in US livestock, it could threaten over $100 billion in economic activity related to the cattle and livestock industry.

Federal Judge Paula Xinis temporarily blocked the US government from deporting Kilmar Ábrego García to Uganda or any other country after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took him into custody during a check-in. The judge raised concerns about the government potentially conditioning Mr. Ábrego García's plea deal on deportation choices, noting this would undermine constitutional rights. This latest development follows Mr. Ábrego García's previous mistaken deportation to El Salvador in March, after which he was returned to the US and charged with human trafficking. The Trump administration has portrayed Mr. Ábrego García as a criminal, while his legal team argues he's being punished for exercising his constitutional rights by refusing a plea deal.

Four San Diego High School athletes—Jewel Parker, Shanti Glenn, Seniaah Simms, and Gianna Woodson—delivered standout performances at the Ballislife All-American Camp 2K25, competing against elite talent from California and beyond. Three of the players earned Top 20 honors, with Seniaah Simms additionally receiving the Hustle Award for the 2028 class. All four advanced to the Queen of the Court finals while participating in various camp activities including skill development stations, competitive matchups, and leadership training. The camp provided the athletes with valuable exposure through live-streamed games and highlight coverage, while also offering opportunities to challenge themselves against top competition.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, California-Hawaii State Conference (CA/HI NAACP) is urging the California Legislature to pass two reparations bills authored by Senator Akilah Weber Pierson. The bills, SB 518 and SB 437, are currently in the Assembly Appropriations Committee's "Suspense File" for further financial review. SB 518 proposes establishing an agency to implement state-level reparations for eligible descendants of enslaved individuals, while SB 437 authorizes California State University to use genealogical records to determine eligibility for reparations initiatives. Both bills are part of the California Legislative Black Caucus's "Road to Repair 2025 Priority Bill Package" and follow recommendations from the California Reparations Task Force.

Assemblymember James C. Ramos is criticizing the University of California for failing to repatriate thousands of Native American remains and sacred artifacts despite federal and state legal requirements. UC officials will face lawmakers in a joint hearing on August 26 at the Capitol Annex Building, where legislators will demand clear timelines for compliance and may consider stricter oversight measures. Three audits since 2019, including one from April, have found UC campuses consistently missing deadlines under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and its California counterpart. The audit revealed that UC still holds remains of thousands of individuals and hundreds of thousands of cultural items, with some campuses failing to properly utilize NAGPRA funds intended for tribal repatriation efforts.

Laurent Saint-Cyr, a wealthy businessman from Haiti's private sector, has been appointed as head of Haiti's transitional presidential council amid a severe security crisis where gangs control 90% of Port-au-Prince neighborhoods. During his swearing-in ceremony, Saint-Cyr emphasized the need for action rather than speeches while powerful gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier threatened to overthrow the government. The transitional leadership faces significant challenges including endemic gang violence, widespread sexual assault, and limited resources for the UN-backed security mission, which has only 991 personnel instead of the planned 2,500 and just 14% of needed funding. Violence has displaced more than 1.3 million people in Haiti since President Jovenel Moïse's assassination in July 2021, with at least 1,520 people killed between April and June.

Donald Trump's declaration of "liberation day in D.C." and threats to take over policing in other Black-led cities directly contradict Justice Department data showing significant crime reductions in these areas. Washington D.C. has reached a 30-year low in violent crime with a 35% overall reduction, while cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Baltimore, and Oakland have all reported substantial decreases in homicides and other violent crimes. Black mayors attribute these successes to community-based violence prevention programs, youth employment initiatives, and public health approaches to crime reduction. The African American Mayors Association has noted that Trump's targeting appears focused on Black mayors or those perceived as Democrats, aligning with Project 2025's agenda to consolidate federal power at the expense of local autonomy.

Natasha Rothwell, Emmy nominee for HBO's "The White Lotus," recently shared with CNN how she managed her finances before achieving success in entertainment. She revealed carrying a $40,000 check written to herself for years while struggling financially in New York, visualizing the day she could pay off her student loans. Rothwell eventually did pay off her loans with her first significant entertainment industry paycheck, describing the emotional moment as powerful and validating her belief in the law of attraction. Her performance as resort wellness employee Belinda in "The White Lotus" has earned her an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series, contributing to the show's 23 nominations this year.

The article details the perilous journeys of Ethiopian migrants attempting to reach Saudi Arabia through Yemen, highlighting the recent tragedy of a capsized boat that killed approximately 140 people, including 19-year-old Nigus Yosef. It chronicles the devastating impact on families left behind, including parents grieving lost children and others forced to pay ransoms to kidnappers after their loved ones are captured in Yemen. Despite government warnings against illegal migration, Ethiopian youth continue to flee due to high unemployment and regional instability following the Tigray war, with migration scholar Girmachew Adugna noting that legal migration pathways remain inaccessible to most young people, driving them toward dangerous irregular routes.

President Trump has deployed federal law enforcement and National Guard troops to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., while threatening similar action in predominantly Black Democratic cities, ostensibly to fight crime. Critics view these deployments as political provocation and racial intimidation, sparking debate about their legality and placing Black officers and soldiers in a difficult position. The article examines historical instances where Black police and military personnel have responded to questionable federal deployments to their communities, highlighting that federal officers and soldiers can legally refuse unlawful orders. Though rare, there have been notable cases of Black military dissent during racial tensions, including the "Fort Hood 43" incident in 1968 when Black soldiers refused deployment for riot control in Chicago.

Jerry Adler, who died peacefully in his sleep at age 96, was renowned for his role as Herman 'Hesh' Rabkin in The Sopranos, though he only began acting in his sixties after a distinguished 30-year career behind the scenes on Broadway. As a stage manager, supervisor, and director, Adler worked on more than 50 Broadway productions alongside stars like Julie Andrews, Angela Lansbury, and Richard Burton before transitioning to television acting. Following his breakthrough role in The Sopranos, Adler secured recurring parts in popular series including The Good Wife, The Good Fight, and Rescue Me, while also making appearances in shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and The West Wing. His career came full circle when he returned to Broadway as an actor in the productions Taller than a Dwarf (2000) and Fish in the Dark (2015).

Gabriela, a middle-class Ecuadorian woman, fled to the United States after receiving death threats from gangs and witnessing the kidnapping and murder of her daughter's grandfather. She is now among millions with pending asylum claims in the US, where applicants fleeing cartel violence face significant legal challenges. US asylum law only recognizes five grounds for protection (race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group), making it difficult for cartel violence victims to qualify. Under the Trump administration, immigration policies have become stricter, with expanded deportations and detention, creating an environment of fear for asylum seekers like Gabriela who live restricted lives while awaiting their cases to be heard.