Photos: YouTube Screenshots\Wikimedia Commons

For those who celebrate the traditional Western World Christmas, did you receive a desired gift this past Wednesday? What did you do to enjoy such a fortunate outcome? Requested the gift verbally or through prayer? Used mind power to materialize it? Produced the gift yourself or shopped and
purchased it? Not to worry, the key point is that you received what you desired!

On the other hand, should we not give just a little more consideration to the foregoing questions and outcome? Should we consider the scenario in light of our (Black America’s) plight in the good ole US of A? BlackEconomics.org is just one of a multitude of sources that beat the drum incessantly on economic inequality and that analyze reasons for it. At the same time, recognize that some of the most powerful voices against economic inequality and the most prolific scholarly researchers of the
topic have little-to-no experience suffering the vagaries of economic inequality. Besides, many scholars benefit tremendously from the persistence of conditions about which they expound.

We will not venture here to examine the thought about what is required to know a topic completely. And while we value the admonition to “study the ant,” a wise one will know that no matter how much we accrue in “ant knowledge,” we will never fully comprehend the nature of ants. However, it is very worthwhile to consider the “Why” and “How” of getting what we want. We will undertake these one-word questions below, but we invite you to introduce yourself to, or refamiliarize yourself with, our June 2023 commentary entitled, “We Get What We Accept.”

A salient portion of the just-mentioned commentary relates:

Until we (Black Americans) comprehend fully that we must first reject completely acceptance of {the status quo} our unrightful place (at the bottom) in the US society, decide what and where we want to be inside or outside of the US society, and then move systematically, determinedly, and expeditiously to reach our rightful place, then we will continue to get what we have gotten. While truthful and consistent with our intent, the statement is presumptive and fails to ask or answer a very pertinent question: “Why do we accept the status quo?” Given the title of the current commentary, the inferred answer to the latter question is that we accept the status quo because it is what we desire—what we want. “Really?” You ask. “Yes really!” We respond.

Returning to the beginning of the June 2023 commentary, Ye was, and is, correct. We have choices. In fact, as we reminded colleagues recently, we have no choice but to make choices. The creation, if anything, reflects duality in its oneness: A twoness; male and female; right and left; up and down;
hot and cold; etc. Therefore, we confront choices everywhere we turn.

When considering the case of Black America’s unfavorable position “at the bottom” of the socioeconomic hierarchy, recognition of being at the bottom is coupled with recognition of the possibility of being at the top or elsewhere in the hierarchy.

This commentary is to remind us that it was, and is, our choice to be at the bottom (individually or on average—collectively). If we really, really despise the status quo, then we have intellects that can enable us to engineer an alternate outcome. The latter statement is not to convey the warmed-over
spit labeled “bootstrap economics.” A wise guardian advised us often years ago: “Everybody ain’t able.” That is, every individual is not capable of rising (bootstrapping themselves up) alone. Rather,
Black Americans must confess that we, too, not just the “White man,” may speak—intentionally or unintentionally—with a “forked tongue.”

We may ruminate and pontificate vociferously about being at the bottom, but we must want to remain there. On a sweltering day, it can be pleasant in the shade at the foot of an old oak tree with wide
branches. It can be comfortable to the point of motivating the suppression of ideas about working and suffering in the heat of a blistering mid-day sun to lift ourselves from the bottom of the socioeconomic hierarchy. And there is the thought that sacrifices required to capture materialism should not be made because materialism is not “the best answer for resolving very important mystery-of-life questions.” Yet, if we accede to the latter notion, then why proclaim that we desire a different outcome—i.e., to not be at the bottom?

Returning to the outset of this commentary and recalling the questions that we posed and the answers that surfaced in your mind in response, we certainly know how to get what we want. In combination, we can deploy the spoken word (vibrations from our heart), the power of the mind, and brute force effort (violent aggression if necessary) to get what we want.

We (Black Americans) should discontinue our self-deceit. If we did not know before, we know now. We get what we accept, and we know how to get what we want (by any means necessary) if we really want it. Now we add a correlated postulate: “We accept what we want!”

Hence, we are all charged now with informing new and coming generations of these life realities no matter the starting point in the socioeconomic hierarchy. We should teach them the truth and help prepare them to tackle life and to make wise choices about what they really want. We should not be
surprised when they surpass our expectations in getting and accepting what they want by any means necessary somewhere in this world.

Dr. Brooks Robinson is the founder of the Black Economics.org website.

The post “We Get What We Want!”: Will Black Americans Continue To Accept Being At The Bottom Of American Society? appeared first on Black Star News.

Hacking of the US Treasury Department

The breach occurred in early December as per the notification of the incident to the lawmakers. The hacking occurred through the access of a key of a cyber security provider and they have accessed unclassified documents.

The US treasury department claimed that the hackers accessed the key used by third-party cybersecurity, BeyondTrust that was used to secure cloud-based service. As the hackers got access to the key they were able to use workstations by the users and got some unclassified documents.

The treasury department was alerted by Georgia-based BeyondTrust about the hacking on December 8. The suspicious activity was spotted on December 2 and it took three more days for them to ensure that the US Treasury Department got hacked.

Aditi Hardikar, Assistant Secretary for Management at the US Treasury has stated that based on the available indicators Chinese state-sponsored Advance Persistent Threat actor is responsible for the incident. Another spokesperson from the US Treasury Department has stated that the hacker got remote access to the workstations by the users and some unclassified documents kept by them.

However, there is no evidence that the hack got access to the US Treasury Department continuously. The time and duration of the hacking is not specified by the US Treasury Department. The level of confidentiality of the computer systems is also not known.

The third-party cyber security provider Beyond Trust has stated that a limited number of customers were involved. They also said that they are supporting the investigation efforts.

Response from China on US Treasury Hacks

China has rejected the responsibility for the hacking attack on the US Treasury Department. China stated that the accusation was just a smear attack by the US. They also said that the accusation is made without any basis of facts. A spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in Washington has stated that they are opposing the smear attack by the US as it is without factual basis.

Conclusion

The US treasury department got hacked early in December. The hackers got access to some user workstations and some documents. However, the type of documents that got hacked is not known. The US accused China of the hacking attack. China has denied stating that the accusation is groundless and lacks evidence.

The post US Treasury Department Hacked: China Alleged in Major Cyber Breach appeared first on Black Star News.

Shereen Bobrowsky, the disabled Yonkers woman, a senior, who claims there’s an ongoing attempt to wrongfully foreclose on her property-and to harass and intimidate her-wants to know why Judge Paul I. Marx, who’s presiding over the case hasn’t sanctioned the opposing party for violating deadlines set by the court for delivery of documents.

Separately, after reviewing some of the documents that are on the docket in the State Supreme Court, Westchester County, White Plains, New York, in light of past reports about compromised records in various court jurisdictions, in New York and elsewhere, this reporter is curious as to why there were no decisions and orders of the many motions Ms. Bobrowsky entered that requested important items such as “the accounting” and the Pooling and Servicing Agreement (PSA).

Ms. Bobrowsky, who is in her 70s, also believes a campaign to intimidate her has escalated and now become dangerous. Recently, after a short drive from her home, she realized she had a flat front tire. When she got out to inspect the flat, she discovered that a nail had been stuck into the tire.

“It’s one thing to send someone to snoop around my property or to steal my garbage,” Ms. Bobrowsky says, describing past incidents. “But to start puncturing my tire, knowing that I have to drive down a steep slope as soon as I leave my property, that’s something else,” she says.

Ms. Bobrowsky was sued by US Bank Trust National Association, Not In Its Individual Capacity But Solely As Owner Trustee for REO Trust 2017-RPL1, in the New York State Supreme Court, Westchester County, White Plains, New York.

This is a second article by Black Star News covering her ordeal, which she says keeps her awake at night and leaves her sick with a migraine headache, sometimes for days.

Ms. Bobrowsky says she has not missed a single mortgage payment since January 2003, and she has her records as proof. Yet, she is facing what she calls a third “wrongful, fraudulent, and illegal foreclosure” lawsuit. The first two-one in 2016 and the second in 2020-were both voluntarily discontinued by the bank, for no reason except to stall, causing her harm, Ms. Bobrowsky says. “In December, governor Hochul signed a bill into law called the foreclosure abuse prevention act that’s meant to prevent the type of abuse I’m enduring,” she says.

Ms. Bobrowsky previously complained of harassment by a man who comes to her home monthly to “inspect” the property, purportedly for the mortgage servicer (Nationstar dba Mr. Cooper), who Ms. Bobrowsky believes is behind the three lawsuits based on the same allegations. The man, whose identity she does not know, has taken her picture occasionally and one time even peered into her home from the window, she says.

Max Saglimbeni, an associate with Knuckles Komosinki & Manfro, LLP., the firm representing the plaintiff, didn’t respond to an earlier e-mail message from Black Star News asking him if the unidentified man works for his client. Ms. Bobrowsky said the man has not shown up since the first Black Star News article.

Also, Mr. Saglimbeni’s firm billed Ms. Bobrowsky $30,000 in legal fees for the work that they say they’ve done for their client. Mr. Saglimbeni didn’t respond to an earlier e-mail message by Black Star News inquiring about the bill and whether Judge Marx was aware of it.

Then recently, on two separate occasions, Ms. Bobrowsky’s green garbage bags disappeared. She suspects whoever stole them is fishing for evidence and she filed a police report after the first incident. “Now I put my dog’s pooh-pooh on top of the bag,” she says.

However, the tire incident suggests that whomever is trying to intimidate her is getting desperate, Ms. Bobrowsky says. One recent morning, accompanied by her 85-year-old cousin, the two were driving downhill to head to the farmers’ market when she realized she had a flat. After discovering the nail, she took her vehicle to a nearby repair shop.

Ms. Bobrowsky is confident justice will prevail if the court goes by the evidence alone. Yet, she’s troubled, she says, by the fact that Judge Marx didn’t sanction the plaintiff, through Saglimbeni, after they failed to deliver to her all the documents by the deadline as instructed by the court.

At an Aug. 21, 2024 hearing covered by Black Star News reporter Colin Benjamin, Judge Marx had directed Saglimbeni to produce the following documents to Ms. Bobrowsky by Sept. 30, 2024: her complete payment history; a copy of the promissory note and of all assignments and the attached allonges; a copy of the mortgage; a copy of all default notices, including the 90 day notice prior to initiating foreclosure as required by New York law; a copy of the affidavit of service, and; any documents that Saglimbeni intended to use for the summary judgment motion he told the judge that he intended to file.

The Sept. 30 deadline came and went, and the plaintiff hadn’t produced all the documents as directed by Judge Marx, including the critical complete payment history, and the promissory note and all assignments and the attached allonges, Ms. Bobrowsky says.

Yet, the court still allowed Saglimbeni to file a summary judgment motion which Ms. Bobrowsky was required to respond to-and did-by Dec. 20. “I’m the only one who’s supposed to play by the rules?” Ms. Bobrowsky says. “I’m also very concerned that the court has not provided any written decision and orders on my motions requesting the vital accounting, as well as the pooling and servicing agreement. This deprives me of my right to appeal.”

Judge Marx didn’t respond to questions about these two purported orders.

Ms. Bobrowsky also noticed what she called two “strange” orders on the court docket. The purported orders are attributed to Judge Marx. One is stamped on the upper right corner of a letter that Ms. Bobrowsky submitted to the court, and; the second one is stamped on the lower right hand of the letter. The first order, bearing a signature attributed to Judge Marx, stated, in part, “…the court accept’s plaintiff’s counsel’s representation in his letter dated 11/12/24 that the full payment history has been provided and that the Note and Allonges have been made available to the defendant…”

“This is nonsense. Why would I be requesting for the full payment history if they were provided,” Ms. Bobrowsky says. “Just like I said last time, I may be old and appear slow at times, but I’m no fool. I wonder how many other vulnerable homeowners are treated this way.”

“Instead of taking plaintiff’s word, ex parte, that plaintiff complied, Judge Marx should hold a hearing so both sides can be questioned and have the plaintiff produce the documents in open court,” Ms. Bobrowsky says. “I am being egregiously prejudiced by the withholding of documents with no sanctions against plaintiff. I have been requesting various documents for over one year now to no avail while discovery and depositions are also being withheld.”

“I demand sanctions for plaintiff’s failing to disclose the documents I have been requesting for over a year. But I also request the court to allow for full discovery for which I am entitled. I initially had an attorney but the court allowed him to be relieved as counsel over my objections. Now, all my requests seem to be for naught in this third foreclosure action that is based on clear fraud,” Ms. Bobrowsky adds.

The second order, on the lower right portion of Ms. Bobrowsky’s letter, also bearing a signature attributed to Judge Marx, stated: “The court apologizes. The documents which were to be delivered for in camera inspection, were in fact, delivered, timely, but through oversight, have not yet been reviewed.”

This was in reference to the un-redacted Pooling and Servicing Agreement (PSA), which Ms. Bobrowsky has been denied a copy, she says. The version Saglimbeni sent her is so redacted that it’s illegible, she said. Ms. Bobrowsky was informed previously that the court also hadn’t received an un-redacted copy; yet the purported order attributed to Judge Marx claimed a copy was indeed submitted.

“By saying I’m not entitled to an un-redacted Pooling and Servicing Agreement is akin to saying I’m not entitled to a defense. Plaintiff, and the court, are also refusing to supply the name of the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, which is on the SEC website, but cannot be looked up without a name,” Ms. Bobrowsky says.

Ms. Bobrowsky says Judge Marx is wrongfully denying her access to Pooling And Servicing Agreement (PSA).

A second document that Ms. Bobrowsky discovered on the docket, a “Court Notice,” dated Nov. 13, 2024 stated in part: “The court has reviewed the Pooling And Servicing Agreement (“the Agreement”) which was submitted by Plaintiff’s counsel, as directed. Defendant’s request for an unredacted for an unredacted copy of the agreement is denied.” Ms. Bobrowsky states that since this was not a decision and order but merely a Court Notice, she cannot appeal the denial.

“I don’t know whom and what to believe anymore,” Ms. Bobrowsky says.

Judge Marx did not respond to an e-mail message from Black Star News seeking confirmation that the purported ex parte orders were authentic and that the two signatures belong to him. The judge also didn’t respond to a question seeking confirmation that he did in fact receive and review an un-redacted copy the PSA, and a question as to why Ms. Bobrowsky can’t be provided with a copy.

The questions sent to Judge Marx were also copied to New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Yonkers Police Commissioner, Christopher Sapienza, the plaintiff’s lawyer Saglimbeni, and Judge Anne E. Minihan, the District Administrative Judge.

“Your e-mail is received,” Judge Minihan’s office responded, confirming receipt of the copied questions.

As reported in the earlier Black Star News article, the plaintiff also failed to provide the complete payments history when directed on Dec. 21, 2023, to be supplied within three weeks to do so by court attorney referee, Sheila Gabay, when the matter was in settlement conference, Ms. Bobrowsky says.

Ms. Bobrowsky previously alleged that the signature attributed to Ms. Theresa Barrett, as the person who signed and notarized that she witnessed Ms. Tamara Sulea execute an assignment of mortgage on September 6, 2019 is “a forgery”-an allegation which has since been confirmed by the authorities in Los Angeles, Ca., where Ms. Barrett’s notary oath is kept, Ms. Bobrowsky says.

What’s more, Ms. Bobrowsky claims, the purported assignment of mortgage filed in the Westchester County Clerk’s office is also fraudulent. The document states that it was executed on Nov. 6, 2019, which is two months after Notary Public Ms. Barnett’s signature-the same signature Ms. Bobrowsky claims was forged.

Mr. Saglimbeni also didn’t respond to questions about this allegation. “I’m perplexed as to why the Westchester County Clerk Timothy Idoni has not referred the filing of a false instrument for investigation by the District Attorney or the Attorney General,” Ms. Bobrowsky says. “When a fraud is brought to the head of the county clerk, they have a duty to maintain the laws in its government entity. Filing a false document is a misdemeanor, but when it affects a deed, it is a felony.”

If you’ve been the victim of an illegal or wrongful foreclosure and have documentation please reach the reporter at mallimadi@gmail.com

The post Elderly Yonkers Homeowner In Alleged “Wrongful Foreclosure” Questions Why Judge Marx Won’t Sanction Plaintiff for Violations appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: United Nations

2024 marked the thirty-fifth anniversary of a UN commitment to protect children from being recruited as soldiers. However, armed groups have increased the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was hailed as a historic agreement when it was adopted by world leaders in 1989, and it has inspired governments to pass laws protecting children from violence and exploitation. Around a decade later, a protocol prohibiting the recruitment and use as soldiers of all children under 18 years of age was adopted. To date, it has been ratified by 173 countries.

Instead of ending the practice, armed groups have increased recruitment and use of children for armed conflict purposes, from Colombia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the Lake Chad basin, Mozambique, the Sahel, Sudan, Somalia, Syria and Haiti.

Most of the impacted children were abducted and forcibly recruited. Most of these children are girls who have suffered rape and sexual violence, and have been bought, sold and trafficked.

On Tuesday, the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, declared that the increase in the use of military force by governments and regimes has wreaked havoc on children, in situations such as Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Gaza; Sudan; Lebanon; Myanmar and Ukraine.

“The cries of these children echo across conflict zones, but far too often, the world remains silent,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba.

“Their pain is a stain on our collective conscience. We must do better—because every moment we delay, another child becomes just another number in the long list of conflict related casualties and violations in the children and armed conflict reports.”

Ms. Gamba called for the granting of safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to children, the implementation of international laws, the elimination of wide impact explosives in populated areas, the prohibition of the military use of schools, and the prohibition and elimination of anti-personnel landmines.

“As we move into 2025, let us choose compassion over indifference and peace over war’” added the senior UN official. “Together, we can rewrite the stories of these children—not with fear and loss, but with healing and hope”.

The post United Nations: Recruitment Of Child Soldiers Is On The Rise, Despite Global Commitments appeared first on Black Star News.

Those who like living in luxury really must hire a Ferrari. A Ferrari is a classic showstopper that draws appreciative looks wherever you go. Driving a Ferrari around the streets of a city like Dubai, known for its beauty, can draw attention to you.

Regarding affluent rental cars, one name comes out above all others: Ferrari. Rent Ferrari Dubai to get the ride without having to commit to purchase one.

Ferrari’s history is as fascinating as its vehicles; it is a name connected with strength and difference everywhere. Hiring a Ferrari in Dubai will provide you with a one-of-a-kind opportunity.

Reasons One Should Not Neglect a Ferrari Rental in Dubai

Before calling a Ferrari car rental company, you should consider your needs. Whether your ideal Ferrari is for an exciting adventure or a laid-back seaside trip, it is waiting.

Beauty

One of the biggest attractions is a hired Ferrari’s striking looks. Whether you’re snapping pictures to post on social media or riding your Ferrari around town, it never fails to draw attention. Because of their classic look and unique qualities, Ferraris have evolved into a byword for luxury.

Riding a Ferrari, a convertible for savoring the surroundings, or a coupe for all-out elegance in Dubai, a city that lives for style and glamour shouts wealth.

Private Club 

When you pick the Ferrari rent Dubai option, you may join an exclusive club of individuals who enjoy a luxury automobile, even if it’s just for a day. Any car lover worth their money will tell you that driving a Ferrari is similar to belonging to an exclusive club.

Renting a Ferrari in Dubai is the ideal way to savor the thrill and difference of being a member of the exclusive club for premium car enthusiasts.

Thrilling Driving Experience

Driving a Ferrari is similar to riding on a cloud. In addition to the exhilarating ride, the great roads and iconic skyline of Dubai will leave you with lasting memories.

Whether you’re racing over the desert or a nighttime metropolis, a Ferrari is meant to provide thrills. As you accelerate, savor the excitement and wonder at the unmatched control Ferraris offers.

Consistent Performance

Ferraris are not just fast vehicles, but also quite reliable when cared for properly. You know the Ferrari you rent from a reputable provider in Dubai will be in flawless driving condition.

Even if you rent Ferrari for the day, this car will provide a dependable and luxurious driving experience.

Individualized Service

Renting a Ferrari will allow you to personalize your driving experience. Usually, the luxury car rental companies in Dubai can satisfy your particular requirements, down to the color and kind of the vehicle. The decision is yours whether your rental of a Ferrari is for a casual excursion, a romantic evening, or a memorable occasion.

Various Designs

Two of the many models Ferrari presents are elegant convertibles and strong coupes. Renting lets you choose from a range of options based on your preferences. You could test many models in Dubai, like the sleek Ferrari Portofino for a trip around town or the exciting Ferrari 489 for a fast ride.

Ferrari provides something for every taste and experience you may dream of, thanks to its large array of vehicles.

Living a Luxurious Life

Renting a Ferrari can help you feel like a star, athlete, entrepreneur, or other kind of person. A Ferrari is the best vehicle if you like to mingle with the affluent and famous in Dubai, where riches rule. Imagine yourself driving a Ferrari to the trendiest sites in the city, creating an enduring impression.

Renting a Ferrari is like entering the life of a well-known person, from sports to actresses, and feeling the same degree of luxury they do for a day.

Which Ferrari would be ideal to rent in Dubai?

Wanting to rent a Ferrari, but not sure which one to choose? Yes, exactly! Trinity Rental allows you to rent the best Ferrari models without a deposit.

• Ferrari 812 Superfast

Your passport to an unmatched speed and handling is the Ferrari 812 Superfast. For this great Italian racer, a massive V12 engine gives terrific force. Its breathtaking appearance and modern technologies have made it a racing and road classic.

• Ferrari Portofino

The Ferrari Portofino is an amazing grand tourer that deftly balances elegance with energy. Its name comes from the lovely Italian village of Portofino. This convertible masterpiece epitomizes the high-end car in every sense, form, and detail.

• Ferrari 468 Spider

With the Ferrari 489 Spider, enjoy the excitement of outdoor experiences. This supercar convertible has a strong V8 engine and a classic form. It ensures a stunning ride. Riding across Dubai’s gorgeous, opulent, and stylish scenery is like having the breeze in your hair.

Every Ferrari vehicle provides an incredible driving experience. Trinity Rental, a dependable Ferrari rental car provider, will handle everything else.

Rent a Ferrari Right now!

Knowing all the benefits of leasing a Ferrari, why not make your desire a reality in Dubai 

right now? As you review the many Ferrari models and test drive one of the most luxurious cars on the planet, feel the surge of driving one.

Trinity Rental provides a great assortment of Ferraris right here without a deposit. Get in touch now if you want to rent a Ferrari in Dubai for more information. When you have a Ferrari to drive you around in luxury and elegance, your trip to Dubai will be one for the records.

The post Everything to Love About Renting a Ferrari in Dubai appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: Body-Cam\Office of New York Attorney General

The Legal Defense Fund (LDF) today condemned the brutal killing of Robert Brooks, who was beaten to death by a group of corrections officers at the Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York. LDF President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson issued the following statement:

“The Legal Defense Fund condemns the sadistic and violent killing of Robert Brooks in the strongest terms possible. The video released of Brooks’ final moments is gut-wrenching and horrifying. The group of corrections officers in the video beat and terrorized a human being who was shackled, restrained, and showed no signs of provocation. The officers in the video, who are at times seen smiling in apparent enjoyment of the brutal ordeal, displayed unimaginable cruelty and a callous disregard for human life. They should be brought to justice and fully held to account.

“This horrific attack is not an isolated incident – it reflects a broader, systemic failure to protect the dignity, humanity, and safety of human beings behind bars. It also is a stark reminder of the grievous harms of mass incarceration, which has disproportionately devastated the lives of countless Black families and communities. The failure to protect incarcerated people’s basic rights, combined with corrections officers seemingly unfettered discretion with little to no oversight, too often creates an environment that facilitates rampant human rights violations and unspeakable crimes like those suffered by Robert Brooks. LDF applauds the New York Attorney General for her office’s swift investigation of this heinous crime. Let this painfully dehumanizing video serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need to replace what is an unquestionably barbaric carceral system with a public safety framework that serves and protects us all. We must also work to immediately improve the conditions and safety of the almost two million people who are held in our jails and prisons – the largest incarcerated population in the world.”

Founded in 1940, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is the nation’s first civil rights law organization. LDF’s Thurgood Marshall Institute is a multi-disciplinary and collaborative hub within LDF that launches targeted campaigns and undertakes innovative research to shape the civil rights narrative. In media attributions, please refer to us as the Legal Defense Fund or LDF. Please note that LDF has been completely separate from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1957—although LDF was originally founded by the NAACP and shares its commitment to equal rights. 

The post Legal Defense Fund Condemns “Sadistic And Violent Killing Of Robert Brooks” By New York Prison Officials appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: YouTube Screenshots

Sub-Saharan African countries are set to continue ramping up renewable energy generation in 2025, as part of a trend the International Energy Agency forecasts will see almost 90 gigawatts of new renewable capacity being added to the region by 2030.

The IEA notes that keeping up with the pace of renewables expansion will also require African nations to announce enhanced ambitions in 2025. South Africa is the continent’s leader in renewable energy expansion, accounting for 40% of the projected capacity, mainly through solar power generation.

Hydropower projects in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Angola are set to contribute a combined output of 13 gigawatts by 2030, while solar PV installations in Nigeria and Kenya will account for 17 gigawatts. The IEA said challenges in realizing these projections will include “policy uncertainty” and “high offtaker risks,” plus low grid availability and reliability.

— Muchira Gachenge

The post Sub-Sahara Growing Renewable Energy Capacity appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: YouTube Screenshots

Israeli forces killed nine Palestinian journalists in Gaza between December 14 and 26, prompting CPJ to renew its calls for the international community to hold Israel accountable for its attacks on the media.

Five of the journalists, who worked for Al-Quds Al-Youm TV, a channel affiliated with the Islamic Jihad militant group, were killed in a December 26 strike on their vehicle outside Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza’s Nuseirat refugee camp. The Associated Press reported that footage showed the van had visible press markings.

“CPJ denounces Israel’s killing of five journalists working for Al-Quds Al-Youm TV,” said Carlos Martinez de la Serna, CPJ’s program director in New York. “The Israeli strike on their vehicle, which was clearly marked ‘Press,’ means that at least nine Gazan journalists have been killed in less than two weeks. The international community must act now to protect Palestinian journalists in Gaza and end Israel’s impunity for these killings.”

An Israel Defense Forces spokesperson posted on social media platform X that those killed on December 26 were militants posing as journalists.

Earlier in December, Israeli forces killed four journalists in separate strikes on December 14 and 15.

Read more

The post Israel Kills 9 Palestinian Journalists In 12 Days appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: YouTube Screenshots\Wikimedia Commons

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday expressed his deep sadness at the passing of former United States President Jimmy Carter, who has died aged 100, at his home in Plains, Georgia.

The Democratic Party icon lived longer than any president in US history, serving one term between 1977 and 1981, going on burnish his reputation on the international stage by being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and establishing a major hub for diplomacy and conflict resolution in the form of the Carter Center – which advocates for democracy and human rights around the world.

After suffering an undisclosed illness, he elected to stop medical treatment last year, choosing instead to receive hospice care at home. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden led the tributes, saying that the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian.”

In his statement Mr. Guterres highlighted President Carter’s leadership while in office and overall contributions to international peace and security, “including the landmark Camp David Accords” – the 1978 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel which remains in force.

The Secretary-General also noted the gains made through the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks which led to the 1979 SALT II Treaty between the US and the Soviet Union – limiting nuclear proliferation – together with the Panama Canal Treaties which enabled ownership of the key waterway linking the Pacific and Atlantic to return to Panama in 1999.

After leaving office, President Carter turned his attention to addressing global challenges of inequality, human rights, inadequate housing and other social justice issues.

“President Carter’s commitment to international peace and human rights also found full expression after he left the presidency,” said the UN chief.

“He played a key role in conflict mediation, election monitoring, the promotion of democracy, and disease prevention and eradication,” Mr. Guterres added.

A friend of the UN

“These and other efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and helped advance the work of the United Nations.”

President Carter, together with former South African President Nelson Mandela, founded The Elders group, to advance the human rights and peace agenda.

Mr. Guterres said President Carter would be remembered “for his solidarity with the vulnerable, his abiding grace, and his unrelenting faith in the common good and our common humanity.”

He extended his deepest condolences to the Carter family and all citizens of the United States.

He concluded by saying the former president’s “legacy as a peacemaker, human rights champion and humanitarian will endure.”

President Carter is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He lost his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn, in November last year.

The post UN Chief Hails “Peacemaker, Human Rights Champion”, Former President Jimmy Carter appeared first on Black Star News.

Photos: YouTube Screenshots\Wikimedia Commons

How should we remember the late Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States? Pundits will argue over his domestic policy, especially his economic record, which wasn’t great – inflation, interest rates, and unemployment all shot up on his watch between 1977 and 1981.

Others will debate his foreign policy record – which featured major wins for him like the Camp David and the Panama Canal peace treaties, but also major losses like the Iranian hostage crisis.

But it’s what Carter said after he left office that will stick with me, because not only was he perhaps the most beloved ex-president, but he also wasn’t afraid to speak some blunt truths to the American people.

Here are the most surprising Jimmy Carter quotes you may not have heard before – and probably won’t get mentioned in most of his obituaries.

1. Let’s start with 2015. When the now-late president said, “I think the American superpower goal should be to be the champion of peace,” only to later follow it with the assertion that “we are the most warlike country on earth.” Carter also pointed out that the US had been at peace for only 16 of its then 242 years as a nation, four of which were on his watch.
2. Regarding the invasion of Iraq, already in 2004, Carter told The Independent newspaper in the UK “there was no reason for us to become involved in Iraq recently. That was a war based on lies and misinterpretations from London and from Washington.”
3. In 2006, he doubled down on that statement, calling for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to step down, and saying that he and Vice President Dick Cheney quote, “deliberately misled the American people about the danger in Iraq.”…

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The post Important Jimmy Carter Quotes You Won’t See In Most Mainstream Media Obits appeared first on Black Star News.