Trump, protections, South Sudan, Migrants

by Mitti Hicks

December 9, 2025

An Archaeologist Is On A Mission To Preserve Sudan’s Art And Heritage Amid War

The war in Sudan started in 2023. Two regional museums in El Geneina and Nyala were almost destroyed. The National Museum in Khartoum, which held over 100,000 objects before the war, was ransacked by militias.

Sudanese archaeologist Shadia Abdrabo is on a mission to preserve Sudan’s art and heritage during war.

Abdrabo, curator from Sudan’s National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NCAM), is working on a yearlong research grant in France to build an online database of Sudan’s archaeological sites, museum collections, and historical archives, the Associated Press reported.

The war in Sudan started in 2023, and museums were looted or destroyed. It’s unclear precisely what’s missing, and now Abdrabo is in a race against time to find out.

“We have to work fast to secure our collections. We’ve already lost two museums, and we don’t want to lose more,” she told the publication.

Two regional museums, in El Geneina and Nyala, were almost destroyed. The National Museum in Khartoum, which held over 100,000 objects before the war, was ransacked by militias. The museum housed some of Sudan’s most precious artifacts, including pieces dating back to prehistoric times. Some of these civilizations include the Kerma Kingdom and the Napatan era, when Kushite kings ruled the region, and the Merotic civilization, which built Sudan’s pyramids.

Some of the most valuable items were mummies dating back to 2,500 B.C., which are reportedly among the oldest and most significant archaeologically in the world, along with Kushite treasures.

The Start of Sudan’s Civil War

The current war in Sudan stems from a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) generals. In 2019, the army mounted a coup to get rid of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir, who came to power in a coup in 1989.

A joint military-civilian government was established, but that was overthrown in another coup in October 2021, led by two men: Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country’s president and head of the armed forces, and his deputy, RSF leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo.

Both men reportedly disagreed on the direction of the country, and shooting between the two sides began on April 15, 2023.

More than 12 million people have fled their homes, and tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict, but these numbers are uncertain.

“From severe droughts to deadly floods, the compounded effects of conflict and environmental instability are pushing communities to the brink, leaving them struggling to survive,” according to the United Nations. “Famine has already been declared in some parts of the country, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and putting millions of lives at immediate risk.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 9, 2025

Nick Fuentes Goes On Racist Tirade On Piers Morgan Show After Saying ‘Blacks Should Be In Prison’

Morgan even attempted to give Fuentes the benefit of the doubt asking if he simply meant Black murderers but he was wrong.

White nationalist Nick Fuentes got into a heated debate during an episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored. At the same time, Morgan grilled Fuentes on his racist, antisemitic, and misogynistic views, including his thoughts on “Black should be in prison.”

The viral clip included offensive takes on his views surrounding Black people and blatantly used the n-word while describing a conversation he had with rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. The conversation started as Morgan played a clip of Fuentes going on a rant about the Jewish and Black communities and women.

“Jews are running society, women need to shut the f*** up, Blacks need to be in prison for the most part, and we would live in paradise,” he yelled in the clip.

“It’s that simple.”

When Morgan asked him to clarify what he meant by the comment surrounding Black people, the podcast host didn’t shy away from his thoughts. “That’s all true. Everything I said in that clip is true.”

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Morgan even attempted to give Fuentes the benefit of the doubt, asking if he simply meant Black murderers, but he was wrong. “Right, no, you’re right, that’s a good addition to that. That’s a great point,” Fuentes said mockingly.

The 27-year-old, who is often quoted for calling Hitler’s antisemitic stance “cool,” discussed an encounter with Ye after admitting to the Grammy Award-winning producer that he uses the n-word. “You know what Ye told me? I’ll tell you verbatim what he said. He asked if I used the n-word, and I said ‘Yeah,’’ Fuentes stated.

“He goes ‘well when n*ggas are being n*ggas….I said so true, that’s so true.’”

After trying to praise Ye for his pleasant demeanor, Morgan interrupted to keep the conversation going, but Fuentes rebutted, saying, “Well, you’re very rude, are you Black?”

As the clip went viral on social media, several people chimed in with their thoughts on the narrative, including some who felt like his rhetoric doesn’t even matter. “As a Black Man, I’m gon go ahead and speak for ALL OF US when I tell you We do NOT care what this lil boy is sayin….we BEEN unbothered,” @codymix0n said on IG.

Others, like Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, are wondering why white supremacists are suddenly getting a spotlighted platform. “I don’t understand why white supremacists are suddenly being platforms,” she wrote in the comment section.

@sinistar22x2 mirrored the comment, writing, “Deny him the spotlight, silence is not compliance.”

While all the comments heard during the interview seemingly shocked viewers and Morgan himself, one of the other surprises was Fuentes, who openly believes women should have no rights whatsoever, admitting to never having sex with a member of the very demographic he despises, according to The Daily Beast. “I know I’m the boomer here, but actually, you’re a 27-year-old dinosaur, aren’t you, Nick Fuentes? All women are annoying. All women grow old. They all get fat,’ says the guy—have you ever had sex?” Morgan asked.

“No, absolutely not,” responded Fuentes, who self-identifies as an incel.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 9, 2025

Royal Caribbean Sued After Allegedly Serving Man 33 Drinks Who Later Died On Ship

The family called out Royal Caribbean's policies and drink packages.

A Black family has sued Royal Caribbean Cruise Line after Michael Virgil was allegedly served 33 alcoholic drinks and later died on the ship.

Virgil’s family filed a wrongful death complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The family claims that the cruise line is liable for his death as staff refused to prioritize his safety and well-being, using harsh restraining measures that resulted in his death.

Virgil, 35, was aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas for a holiday cruise from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico, in December 2024.

Upon boarding, his family, which included Virgil’s fiancée and his 7-year-old autistic son, learned their cabin was not ready. Virgil decided to hit the bar, where the suit claims he was over-served and became intoxicated, prompting his heightened state of aggravation.

As he tried to find his cabin, Virgil ended up in an altercation with security. According to the lawsuit obtained by Fox News, security and fellow crew tackled him to the ground. The captain allegedly authorized the crew to give the sedative Haloperidol, while also using multiple cans of pepper spray.

According to the suit, the restraint, alongside the sedatives and pepper spray, caused hypoxia and respiratory failure, leading to a cardiac arrest. The medical examiner later ruled the death of a homicide.

“Michael’s family has suffered unimaginable heartache and torment caused by Royal Caribbean, a mega cruise line that prioritizes profit over passenger safety,” said Kevin Haynes, the family’s attorney. “Crew members, including security and medical personnel, are required to undergo rigorous competency training; it is very clear that Royal Caribbean is completely negligent in the hiring, training, and supervision of its vast fleet of maritime employees.

The attorney also noted how Virgil had a deluxe drink package. According to the filing, the cruise staff did not monitor his consumption, which played a role in his behavior.

“We were saddened by the passing of one of our guests, worked with authorities on their investigation, and will refrain from commenting any further on pending litigation,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said of Virgil’s death.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 9, 2025

One Woman Entrepreneur Says ‘Banking While Black’ Led To Downfall Of Her Car Sales Business

A bank fraud investigation left one Black woman in distress with her business ruined.

A Black woman entrepreneur is warning fellow diverse business owners about the woes of “banking while Black.”

Tianna Williams says she was a victim of a fraudulent bank investigation that left her business in shambles. According to Lehigh Valley Live, the incident made her money-strapped, as her business was the pillar of support for her life and family.

Growing up in a struggling household, Williams finally got a leg up as she learned how to “flip cars.”

The skill included buying cars at low prices at auctions, making any needed repairs, and selling them for a profit. The Pennsylvania native soon discovered her knack for the trade, working at a dealership before deciding to open her own car lot.

She worked from the ground up to obtain a dealer’s license while developing relationships with lenders to finance the sales. Her main clientele included low-income people who needed cars to secure work. She quickly gained traction and sales, earning over $1 million in gross earnings within two years.

However, things took a wrong turn when she asked M&T Bank in Philadelphia for higher lending power. As soon as she submitted a $35,000 deposit alongside her application for the new line of credit, her account was frozen.

The bank then told her that she was under investigation for fraud. However, Williams maintains that there was no wrongdoing to prompt the case. Despite this, the bank continued to freeze her assets, which were needed to keep her business afloat. The investigator for M&T then reported their alleged suspicions to Williams’ lenders.

It took Williams hiring an attorney for the bank to reverse the freeze. However, it was already too late to bounce back. With her relationships with the lenders ruined, Williams’ business tanked.

Now, she hopes for justice after filing a discrimination suit against the bank. Williams’ defense also noted the bank investigator’s “spite, racism, and self-righteousness” also fueled the extended fraud case.

Initially, the bank claimed that a misspelled name on the check caused the freeze. However, the case waged on despite the easily resolvable issue. Williams’ filing states that the investigator continued to target her, once reportedly saying, “‘you people’ have a way of trying to make things look legitimate when they are actually fraudulent.”

The bank’s legal team also refused to provide the courts with documentation related to Williams’ case. Given the alleged racial elements surrounding her case, Williams and her legal team want to shed light on this alleged discrimination. Furthermore, they want to raise awareness of how banks can take advantage of anyone, regardless of background. However, this case of “banking while Black” shows another way that racism impacts entrepreneurs of color.

“I believe racism was a component, but it could happen to anybody. It’s just a question of a bank being accountable for the actions of its employees,” shared Williams’s attorney, Dean Malik.

As it stands, the bank has appealed a judge’s order to hand over the documents. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will now decide the matter, as both parties await its ruling.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 9, 2025

Browns’ Coach Names Rookie Shedeur Sanders Permanent Starter For Remainder Of Season

"He has constantly and consistently gotten better in each one of these games and how he's approached this game," Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said.

After wallowing in the quarterback room for much of the season with no guarantees to see the field, Sheduer Sanders is the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback for the remainder of the NFL season.

According to NFL.com, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski unexpectedly named the rookie and fifth-round draft pick the starter on Monday.

Shedeur to start the remainder of the season and other notes ahead of Week 15
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 8, 2025

“He has constantly and consistently gotten better in each one of these games and how he’s approached this game,” Stefanski said. “He’s been working very hard, so I feel good about where his development is heading. He knows there are always going to be plays that he can be better at and those types of things. But he’s very intentional about getting better each and every game he’s out there.”

On Sunday, the Browns lost to the Tennessee Titans, 31-29. But Sanders had a good game, completing 23 out of 42 pass attempts for 364 yards. He also threw three touchdowns and an interception and rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown. He became the second rookie since 1970 to have more than 350 passing yards, three or more passing touchdowns, and at least one rushing TD in a single game.

The Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow accomplished the feat in 2020.

Sanders set career highs in completion percentage, passing yards, and passing touchdowns in a game. His alma mater, the University of Colorado, also pointed out that Sanders threw the most yards by a CU player in an NFL game.

Shedeur’s 364 yards are the most ever by a former CU player in an NFL game.@ShedeurSanders x #ProBuffs pic.twitter.com/zdzYJjKmjM
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) December 8, 2025

Sanders’ future, though, remains in doubt. Veteran Deshaun Watson, who was the team’s starting quarterback when he got injured and missed the season, is primed to return in 2026, barring any personnel moves.

The Browns are 3-10. Their final opponents are the Chicago Bears, the Buffalo Bills, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Bengals.

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 9, 2025

Changes In Social Security Will Impact Boomer Retirement In 2026— Here’s How

Under the reconstruction of the 1983 congressional reform, the FRA is scheduled to reach 67, leaving boomers born in 1960 not being able to qualify for their full benefits until 2027 over 2026.

Baby boomers looking to retire in 2026 should pay attention to some of the new rules being handed down by Social Security, as the full retirement age (FRA) is scheduled to make a final increase, CBS News reported.

Under the reconstruction of the 1983 congressional reform, the FRA is scheduled to reach 67, meaning boomers born in 1960 will not qualify for their full benefits until 2027, instead of 2026. The change will affect those born between 1960 and 1964, in addition to Generation X, identified as Americans born between 1965 and 1980.

The change comes at a time when several affected workers don’t feel financially prepared for retirement. Numbers from Vanguard research show only four in 10 Americans say they’re on track to maintain their current lifestyle when they retire. Max Richtman, CEO of the advocacy group National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, called the cuts effective and feels it gives potential retirees time to prepare better. “Raising the retirement age is an effective cut in lifetime benefits for younger baby boomers, members of Gen X, and all the generations after,” he said.

“Having time to plan, however, does not mean they have been able to put aside more for retirement, considering the stagnation of real wages and the rising cost of college tuition, home prices, and other key living expenses.”

According to Business Insider, the national retirement age is 66 or 67 for a majority of baby boomers, which is also the same age which beneficiaries can fully collect their Social Security amount. People waiting until 70 to file will receive the highest monthly payment.

So, where will some of the changes come in? The costs associated with Medicare will increase. Beneficiaries can expect higher out-of-pocket costs, including premiums for Medicare Part B, jumping by roughly 10%, as a result of the price tag of healthcare skyrocketing.

Beneficiaries can also expect to continue to have their Social Security income to be taxed. As a result of President Donald Trump signing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025, taxpayers 65 and older have the luxury of claiming up to $6,000 in addition to their standard deduction. With the new measure scheduled to last through 2028, it builds on an existing tax exemption for seniors. Because of this, Americans falling in the affected age bracket filing for 2025 tax returns can write off as much as $23,750.

Joint filers over 65 will be able to claim as much as $46,700.

Despite the new bill, there is an expectation that the Social Security fund will be obsolete by the mid-2030s. While checks won’t stop being mailed out, retirees could see smaller benefit amounts unless Congress secures more money. With the new changes and data regarding minimal funds, Richtman thinks those looking to retire need to do their due diligence to plan accordingly. “These younger cohorts will have to try their best to plan for retirement, knowing that they cannot collect full benefits until 67,” he said.

Gayle King, CBS News, new deal, morning show

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 9, 2025

Gayle King To Leave ‘CBS Mornings’ And Take On ‘Special Projects’ At The Network

Rumors suggest Gayle King will leave "CBS Mornings" next year to focus solely on “special projects” at the network, following a model similar to Hoda Kotb.

Speculation about Gayle King’s future at CBS grows as new reports surface about her departure from CBS Mornings and the “special projects” she is expected to pursue.

Insiders report that King will leave CBS Mornings when her contract ends in May 2026, but she won’t be leaving CBS entirely, News Nation reports. She is expected to remain with the network to conduct special one-off interviews and specials, following the model of Diane Sawyer and Hoda Kotb.

”She will technically stay with the network,” the source said. “Gayle will do special projects and bigger interviews — like what Diane Sawyer and Hoda Kotb do (for ABC and NBC, respectively).”

News of King’s departure from CBS Mornings came the same day Maurice DuBois announced on Instagram that he will leave CBS Evening News, following John Dickerson’s prior announcement. These exits coincide with Paramount’s ongoing cuts, which have affected dozens of CBS News staffers and hundreds more across the company, after Bari Weiss—a digital entrepreneur who founded the conservative opinion site The Free Press—was named CBS News Editor in Chief in October.

Reports claim that Weiss allegedly wants King to leverage more of her industry connections for the network. Insiders claim Weiss believes King is “wasting her connections” by not sharing inside information about her A-list friends. However, King has long been known for fiercely protecting the relationships she’s built over decades in entertainment.

“Bari is obsessed with pop culture,” a senior staffer told Hollywood insider Rob Shuter. “She thinks Gayle is wasting her connections. Beyoncé, Kris Jenner, Jeff Bezos, Meghan Markle — Gayle is the only journalist invited into these rooms, and she brings none of it back to the audience.”

King is the latest high-profile CBS figure to leave amid the network’s shift in ownership from the Redstones, former controlling shareholders, to the Ellisons, who aim to steer CBS News away from content perceived as overly liberal. Weiss reportedly prioritized King’s role as a key issue in her review of the division.

King faced criticism over her 2024 interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates, who, while promoting his book The Message, clashed with CBS Mornings anchor Tony Dokoupil over Israel. Coates later suggested that Dokoupil should have done what King did—share her planned questions beforehand—a practice not typically followed in newsrooms.

Earlier this year, King also faced scrutiny for participating in a Blue Origin space flight with Lauren Sanchez Bezos, Katy Perry, and others, an event widely seen as a lavish, million-dollar “space walk.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 9, 2025

Zohran Mamdani Schools New Yorkers On Their Rights As ICE Takes Over NYC Streets

The training video comes just days after New Yorkers were seen stopping ICE agents from detaining people on Canal Street close to the city’s Chinatown neighborhood.

New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is giving keen advice to immigrants living in The Big Apple on their rights to refuse to speak to or comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents following a failed raid in Manhattan.

In a video posted on X, Mamdani, a proud immigrant from Uganda, said, “We can all stand up to ICE if you know your rights,” giving step-by-step instructions on what immigrants have the right to do if approached by agents. “If you encounter ICE, these are the things that every New Yorker should know. First, ICE can not enter private spaces like your home, school, or private area of your workplace without a judicial warrant signed by a judge,” he started, accompanied by an example.

“If ICE does not have a judicial warrant signed by a judge, you have the right to say, ‘I do not consent to entry’ and the right to keep your door closed.”

Know your rights. Protect your neighbors.

New York is — and always will be — a city for all immigrants. pic.twitter.com/nuntRzgEwq
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) December 7, 2025

He continued to explain that migrants have the choice not to speak to federal immigration agents and advised on how to respond if put in handcuffs. “ICE is legally allowed to lie to you, but you have the right to remain silent. If you’re being detained, you may always ask, ‘Am I free to go?’ repeatedly until they answer you,” Mamdani said.

The training video comes just days after New Yorkers were seen stopping ICE agents from detaining people on Canal Street close to the city’s Chinatown neighborhood. Concerned citizens were seen blocking trucks from leaving garages following the flopped raid, chanting, “ICE out of New York.”

New Yorkers BLOCK ICE from leaving their parking garage ahead of a flopped mass raid attempt on Canal Street pic.twitter.com/f9LGfKjJ9s
— Talia Jane ❤️‍🔥 (@taliaotg) November 29, 2025

As some on social media described Mamdani’s video as being helpful and praised him for the “calm, clear breakdown,” it didn’t take long for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to chime in. According to Fox News, “ICE Barbie” claims the mayor’s helpful tips could be a violation of the Constitution. “If he were mayor, [he] could be violating the Constitution by giving advice on how to evade law enforcement and how to get away with breaking the law,” Noem said during an interview on “Hannity.”

However, Mamdani is simply the mayor-elect until his swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Jan. 1.

In the meantime, the city’s first Muslim and youngest mayor has remained committed to protecting the rights of all New Yorkers regardless of class or race. “New York will always welcome immigrants, and I will fight each and every day to protect, support, and celebrate our immigrant brothers and sisters,” he said.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 9, 2025

Gunna Brings Last Of ‘Wunna Run 5K’ As World Tour Winds Down

Next stop, Houston and Los Angeles.

Rapper Gunna has been hitting various cities with a “Wunna Run 5K,” joining various run clubs as part of his Wun World Tour, recently hitting up New York City (11/22), Toronto (11/24), Washington D.C. (12/2), Miami (12/4), and his hometown of Atlanta (12/7). He is gearing up for Houston (12/10) and Los Angeles (12/16).

According to 11 Alive, the Atlanta native collaborates with local running clubs to bring people together for fitness, philanthropy, and community. The Atlanta Run Club was the official host of the Wunna Run 5K festivities, which have been taking place in the Georgia town.

Before the official race this past Sunday, Dec. 7, local groups held themed training sessions throughout the week. Last Wednesday, Dec. 3, Built 2 Last Run Club joined several other Atlanta running clubs for a shake-out session titled “Wunna Wednesday.” Dick’s House of Sport was a partner. Organizers hope the events will encourage people to be active in the park and in the community.

Registration fees for the 5K event supported local families through Gunna’s Great Giveaway, adding a charitable component to the weekend fitness event.

TMZ reported that the 5K event held before the Atlanta event took place during Art Basel in Miami. Gunna took to the road during a pre-race warm-up at Fontainebleau Miami Beach, in conjunction with the Target Wellness Tour. Participants ran a 5K course featuring immersive art installations that showcased the brand’s bioengineering focus.

VIP packages for the upcoming Houston show have already sold out, but Los Angeles attendees can still purchase theirs before that package sells out.

Billboard reported that Gunna will leave the country soon to complete his global tour in support of his latest album (his sixth studio offering), “The Last Wun,” which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard charts. He will perform several shows in South Africa and Australia before returning home to conclude the tour.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 9, 2025

Melee In The Motherland: Tyson Vs. Mayweather Showdown Set For March In Historic Africa Bout

'It’s going to be one of the biggest events in the history of the sport.'

The youngest heavyweight boxing champion in history, Mike Tyson, has recently revealed that the bout against undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather will take place in Africa next year, in March 2026.

During an on-stage appearance with “An Experience With,” he stated that the two fighters will “break all records” when the fight takes place. He did not provide any additional details, except for the continent and month. The boxing exhibition was initially announced in September, with the 59-year-old Tyson, who lost his last fight by decision to Jake Paul, to take on the 48-year-old undefeated Mayweather, who beat John Gotti III in his previous bout.

“It’s going to be in March, and it’s going to be in Africa,” Tyson said on stage. He promises that the match will be one of the “biggest” events in boxing history.

“This is going to be incredible. We’re going to break all the records. It’s going to be one of the biggest events in the history of the sport.”

‼️ Mike Tyson says his fight against Floyd Mayweather will take place in Africa in March 2026 🥊🌍

[Via – O’CombatSports on TT] pic.twitter.com/Ay5mEsp0Hp
— IFN (@IfnBoxing) December 7, 2025

Tyson initially said he was in disbelief that the fight would take place, but he predicts fans will be in for a great exhibition.

“When CSI came to me about stepping in the ring with Floyd Mayweather,” said Tyson in a written statement. “I thought, ‘No way this happens,’ but Floyd said yes. This fight is something neither the world nor I ever thought would or could happen. However, boxing has entered a new era of the unpredictable—and this fight is as unpredictable as it gets. I still can’t believe Floyd wants to really do this. It’s going to be detrimental to his health, but he wants to do it, so it’s signed, and it’s happening!”

What is unclear is whether there are weight restrictions, since both fighters have fought in different weight classes throughout their careers. Tyson has always fought at heavyweight, while Mayweather has fought at junior lightweight to junior middleweight. (five different weight classes in between)

Tyson’s professional record is 50-7, with 44 knockouts (KOs), while Mayweather is unbeaten at 50-0, with 27 KOs.