In Curitiba, Brazil, Black politician Renato Freitas faces ongoing political battles, including expulsion attempts, due to his activism and defiance of traditional norms in a city that prides itself on its European heritage. These challenges highlight the racial tensions and political resistance he encounters while navigating a system that may not fully embrace his identity and approach.
A former Ohio police officer was sentenced to 15 years to life for fatally shooting an unarmed Black man, Andre Hill, in 2020, with the officer claiming self-defense and planning to appeal. The shooting occurred amid heightened scrutiny of police violence and led to a city settlement with Hill's family and policy changes regarding medical aid.
The U.S. government released over 230,000 pages of documents related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., including details from the FBI investigation and potential leads. This release, ordered by a previous administration, comes after decades of questions surrounding the civil rights leader's death and his legacy of nonviolent activism.
Brett Hankison, a former police officer in Kentucky, received a 33-month prison sentence for his role in the death of Breonna Taylor during a flawed drug raid in 2020. Despite the Justice Department's request for minimal sentencing, the judge emphasized the need for accountability, highlighting the severity of Hankison's actions.
President Biden commemorated Juneteenth in Galveston, Texas, contrasting with former President Trump's criticism of the number of U.S. holidays. Biden's speech highlighted the importance of remembering the history of slavery and criticized efforts to erase it, while also referencing the renaming of military bases.
A video of a protester criticizing the National Guard during the Los Angeles protests went viral, but was mistakenly attributed to actor Wyatt Russell, leading to a correction. The actual protester, Aaron Fisher, a political media professional, has continued to protest and has faced online harassment.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture is returning a Bible and other artifacts, linked to civil rights leader Rev. Amos Brown, after an emailed notice from the museum. The decision has raised concerns among activists and politicians who view it as part of a broader agenda influenced by President Trump's executive order regarding historical exhibits.
In his first major speech since leaving office, Joe Biden reflected on his childhood experiences with segregation and criticized the Trump administration's approach to Social Security, accusing them of wanting to undermine the program for tax cuts.
Rapper Young Scooter, known for his collaborations with Future and Waka Flocka Flame, died on his 39th birthday in Atlanta after sustaining injuries while jumping fences while fleeing police. The Fulton County Medical Examiner's office confirmed the death of Kenneth Edward Bailey, known professionally as Young Scooter.
The Osaka prefectural police are investigating the discovery of a man's mutilated remains found in shrubbery along a walking trail in Fukushima Ward. The victim's age is unknown, and the cause of death is under investigation, with authorities exploring the possibility of both homicide and the illegal disposal of a corpse.
A North Dakota jury has awarded more than $660 million in damages to Energy Transfer, a Texas-based pipeline company, in its lawsuit against Greenpeace over protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Greenpeace plans to appeal the verdict, claiming it played a minor role in the demonstrations and that the lawsuit is an attempt to silence oil-industry critics.
Eight businesses in Minneapolis are suing the city, alleging officials abandoned George Floyd Square, leading to crime and lost revenue. The lawsuit claims criminals took advantage of the lack of police presence, while the city denies the allegations and states police provide 24/7 emergency response.
Pastor Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is leading a 40-day boycott of Target during Lent, protesting the company's decision to dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. This boycott aims to highlight the importance of DEI and encourage consumers to support Black-owned businesses instead.
New Zealand's High Court has overturned the conviction and multi-million-dollar penalties imposed on the owners of Whakaari (White Island), following the 2019 eruption that resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.
A Georgia sheriff's deputy fatally shot Leonard Cure, a Black man who was exonerated after serving 16 years for a crime he didn't commit, during a traffic stop that escalated into a violent struggle. The district attorney found the deputy's use of deadly force justified, but Cure's family is seeking justice through a federal lawsuit.
A Missouri woman has pleaded guilty to mail fraud for attempting to defraud Elvis Presley's family by trying to auction off Graceland. The woman falsely claimed that Lisa Marie Presley had borrowed money from a bogus lender and pledged Graceland as collateral, leading to a lawsuit from Riley Keough and a halt to the attempted sale.
Hadi Matar, a 27-year-old man from New Jersey, has been found guilty of attempted murder and assault for the 2022 stabbing of renowned author Salman Rushdie. The jury reached their verdict after less than two hours of deliberation, rejecting the defense's argument that Matar's actions were not premeditated.
Gordon Cordeiro, who spent 30 years in prison for a murder he long denied committing, was released from custody after a judge ordered his release based on new DNA evidence. Cordeiro's attorneys believe that Michael Freitas, who died in 2020, set Blaisdell up to be robbed and was involved in his killing.
An 86-year-old Missouri man, Andrew Lester, died shortly after pleading guilty to second-degree assault related to the shooting of 16-year-old Ralph Yarl, who mistakenly knocked on his door. The incident, which has fueled national debates on gun policy and racial prejudice, ended with Lester’s unexpected death amidst legal proceedings and lingering grief for Yarl’s family.
Pat King, a key figure in the 2022 Ottawa convoy protest, was sentenced to three months house arrest after being found guilty of five charges related to the demonstration. The judge acknowledged King's leadership role but also considered his efforts to de-escalate the situation and the potential chilling effect a harsher sentence could have on political expression.
