Michael Vick Holds First Practice As Norfolk State University’s Head Football Coach
'It was great to be out here playing some football,' Vick said after practice
Michael Vick, the former football star who was hired in Dec. 2024 to coach the Norfolk State University’s football team, held the squad’s first official practice.
According to HBCU Gameday, the practice, the first of 15, was held for the Spartans’ April 19 spring game at Dick Price Stadium.
— Norfolk State Football 🔰 (@NorfolkStateFB) March 25, 2025
Although Vick has no head coaching experience on any level, his success as a quarterback with the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles convinced Norfolk State to extend an offer..The previous coach, Dawson Odums, was fired in November 2024 after four years and a 15-31 record.
“It was great to be out here playing some football,” Vick said after the first practice, per HBCU Gameday. “The players had a lot of energy; they were enthused. They were just ready to come out here and compete, and they did a real good job of that. We just have to keep getting better every day; that’s the message.”
Spartans offensive lineman Guan Price II, who recently transferred from Hampton University, said Vick, despite his impressive on-field accomplishments, “made us feel like we’re family. He’s very welcoming, and he always takes time to talk to us.”
And if you think this would be a dream opportunity for a quarterback, you’re not mistaken.
“It’s everything a young quarterback wishes for,” said Spartans quarterback Israel Carter, another transfer. “I’m following his path; he led the way for us. All I’m trying to do is build off what he did and implement my game into that.
Fans who want to see the team play its first game with Vick can purchase tickets at the NSU Ticket Office or online.
Riot police push back a crowd of supporters of US President Donald Trump after they stormed the Capitol building on January 6, 2021 in Washington, DC. - Donald Trump's supporters stormed a session of Congress held today, January 6, to certify Joe Biden's election win, triggering unprecedented chaos and violence at the heart of American democracy and accusations the president was attempting a coup. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)
The President discussed what he did to take “care” of the ones identified as attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss, issuing controversial pardons at the beginning of 2025. To keep things going, he alleges conversations are floating around about dishing out compensation to them, telling host Greg Kelly, “A lot of the people in government really like that group of people.”
“Well, there’s talk about that.” Pardons for the Jan 6 rioters weren’t enough, now Trump indicates he’s open to paying some kind of “compensation” to them. pic.twitter.com/dzxSN9t2g5
Pardoning his supporters was one of the first executive orders Trump signed after being sworn in as the 47th President, giving clemency to close to 1,500 rioters, some of whom were convicted of assaulting police, carrying firearms, and destroying property. Trump also floated the idea of looking into taking action against the officer who killed Ashli Babbitt, the rioter who was shot and killed while attempting to climb into a window of the Speaker’s Lobby. “Ashli Babbitt was a really good person who was a big MAGA fan, Trump fan. And she was innocently standing there, they even say trying to sort of hold back the crowd,” Trump said.
“And a man did something to her that was unthinkable when he shot her.”
U.S. Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd — who is Black — was investigated by the Justice Department for the shooting and was cleared of any wrongdoing.
The call for reparations is a switch from his thoughts on reparations for slavery, an ongoing discussion in certain states and by members of Congress. Back in 2019, according to USA Today, Trump labeled the idea of the federal government giving reparations to the descendants of enslaved people as “unusual” and “interesting” but said, “I don’t see it happening.”
A poll from the Washington Post-Ipsos poll released in February 2025 revealed more than 8 out of 10 Americans are not a fan of Trump pardoning “those who were convicted of violent crimes.” As much as 83% of Americans don’t agree, they do feel a way about Trump pardoning violent criminals who attacked police and attacked their country’s Capitol, labeling it as “ not a good move.” People on social media have similar feelings, some calling Trump “despicable” and highlighting the idea of having money to give rioters but presenting ideas of cutting Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare.
Georgia Seeks To Ban Abortions By Granting Full Rights To Embryos
Many gathered at the Georgia Capitol to protest or support the bill that will establish embryos full rights of a person.
On March 26, Georgians gathered at the state Capitol to cheer and protest a bill that, if passed, would grant embryos full legal rights at conception and effectively outlaw most abortions in the state.
House Bill 122, introduced by Republican lawmakers, seeks to amend Georgia law to declare that “life is valued and protected from the moment of conception,” Fox 5 reports.
Dr. Karenne Fru, a pro-life advocate and owner of a fertility clinic, believes the bill could force fertility clinics to close. She emphasized her commitment to helping individuals become parents and feared potential legal repercussions for her work.
Rep. Shea Roberts said getting an abortion was one of the most devastating times in her life. She recounted being informed by doctors that her child would not survive, either in utero or shortly after birth, and would experience suffering.
“Tens of thousands of babies made in the image of God continue to be murdered in our state every year, all within the bounds of the current law,” said Emory Dunahoo, the bill’s sponsor.
Current laws uphold the rights of people; they do not apply to entities without consciousness.
As of March 2025, Georgia law prohibits abortions after approximately six weeks of pregnancy, when a fetal heartbeat is typically detected. The law includes exceptions for rape, incest, and situations where the mother’s life is at risk. The proposed bill would remove protections for rape and incest.
This bill is particularly dangerous for Black women, as the maternal death rate in the state of Georgia is high. Consequently, limiting access to reproductive methods can lead to life-threatening situations for expectant mothers.
According to GeorgiaBirth, “Black maternal mortality in Georgia is 66 per 100,000,” which is triple the national maternal death rate of 20.7 per 100,000.
The latest addition to Nashville Live! will give people access to the lounge in the venue’s basement. There, people can have libations made with Snoop and Dre’s gin brand, Still G.I.N. By Dre and Snoop.
“The first ever location of Still G.I.N. Lounge by Dre and Snoop will bring an unparalleled cocktail and nightlife experience to Nashville Live! and all of downtown Nashville,” said Reed Cordish, principal of The Cordish Companies and CEO of Live! Hospitality & Entertainment in a written statement. “We are thrilled to add this premier venue alongside some of the best sports, dining, entertainment and hospitality concepts in the country, including PBR Cowboy Bar, DraftKings Sports & Social and Play Playground Nashville.”
In February 2024, Snoop and Dre introduced a new alcoholic beverage, “Gin & Juice By Dre and Snoop,” named after the second single released from Snoop’s debut album, Doggystyle. The duo did so to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of the iconic rapper’s debut album, which Dr. Dre produced.
Fans and revelers who visit the lounge can expect to find a “bespoke cocktail” menu featuring drinks made with Still G.I.N. by Dre and Snoop.
The Platinum Negroni, with bright citrus flavors of yuzu, grapefruit, and lemon, finished with baking spice
The Bee’s Knees, with fresh lemon, wildflower honey, apricot liqueur and lavender
The OG-OF, a Bourbon-based and butter pecan-flavored Old Fashioned cocktail
The Nashville Nightcap, a tequila-based espresso martini with coffee and tiramisu notes
Libya’s Black Migrants Face Unprecedented Racist Violence Amid EU-Backed Policies
Libya has always been a dangerous transit point for migrants hoping to reach Europe, but the recent wave of racially driven violence signals a disturbing shift.
From March 12 to 16, a wave of raids, arrests, and attacks swept through Western Libya, targeting Black folks—including African migrants, refugees, and even Black Libyans and Tunisians. The latest outbreak of violence, amplified by inflammatory rhetoric from government officials, highlights a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Human rights groups and activists on the ground describe a pattern of systematic targeting by militias, security forces, and even civilians. In Sabratha, Janzour, and Tripoli, Black people have been forcibly detained, brutalized, and, in some cases, killed. Firsthand accounts paint a grim picture of a campaign of racial persecution carried out with the tacit approval of Libyan authorities and the silent complicity of the European Union.
A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
In Sabratha, militia groups and residents raided homes, arresting hundreds and leaving at least one Sudanese refugee dead. Similar actions occurred in Janzour, Al-Serraj, and Ben-Gashir, where migrants were evicted, their belongings destroyed, and landlords threatened against housing them. Witnesses in Tripoli’s districts, including Tajoura and Ghut Shaal, reported mass arrests and violent attacks by EU-trained security forces and militias.
One of the most harrowing incidents involved a pregnant woman from Niger, who was struck and killed by a car in Tarik Al-Madar on March 14. Activists believe the attack was racially motivated.
“Our comrades have documented numerous cases of sexual violence against women, alongside arbitrary arrests and forced expulsions,” said Salahadine Juma, an activist with the Alliance for Refugees in Libya. “The true scale of these atrocities is likely far worse than reported.”
Libya has always been a dangerous transit point for migrants hoping to reach Europe, but the recent wave of racially driven violence signals a disturbing shift. Historically, migrants have been exploited for forced labor, extorted by militias, and abused by human traffickers. Now, the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) incendiary rhetoric has incited widespread attacks, escalating the violence to genocidal levels.
Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and Interior Minister Emad Al-Trabelsi have been accused of fueling this crisis with dehumanizing public statements. Meanwhile, the EU’s financial and logistical support for Libyan authorities—particularly its training of militias like the Department to Combat Illegal Migration (DCIM)—raises troubling questions about Europe’s role in these human rights abuses.
Gaddafi’s Complicated Legacy
Slain Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi remains a divisive figure in Libya’s political and racial history. To many Libyans, he was a repressive dictator who tolerated no dissent. To the West, he was a dangerous narcissist who posed a constant threat. Yet across much of Africa, Gaddafi was hailed as a hero, often mentioned alongside figures like Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, and Nelson Mandela.
Gaddafi’s Pan-African gestures—funding infrastructure projects, building grand mosques, and showering African leaders with gifts—earned him admiration. But beneath the surface of his largesse lay a deep-seated racism. Public comments and insider accounts reveal his disdain for Black Africans, whom he referred to in derogatory terms.
In 2010, the deceased leader shared his problematic views with Italy’s former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi on upending the immigration problem in Europe, calling Black Africans “barbarians” and “ignorant.”
“Tomorrow Europe might no longer be European, and even Black, as there are millions who want to come in,” Gaddafi was quoted saying. “We don’t know what will happen, what will be the reaction of the white and Christian Europeans faced with this influx of starving and ignorant Africans. We don’t know if Europe will remain an advanced and united continent or if it will be destroyed, as happened with the barbarian invasions.”
The duality tarnished his legacy, showing how he manipulated Pan-African ideals for personal gain.
The EU’s Role in Libya’s Crisis
For years, the European Union has worked closely with Libyan authorities to curb migration into Europe, providing money, equipment, and training to local military personnel and the coast guard. Critics argue that the predatory practice prioritizes Europe’s anti-immigration agenda over the safety of vulnerable migrants.
“The EU’s silence in the face of Libya’s racial violence is deafening,” said Marc Montany of the Alliance with Refugees in Libya. “By continuing to fund and equip these forces, the EU is complicit in crimes against humanity.”
Figures like Nicola Orlando, EU Ambassador to Libya, and Francisco Joaquin Gaztelu Mezquiriz of the European Commission have been called out for enabling atrocities. Activists demand accountability from Libyan and EU officials and urge the International Criminal Court (ICC) to launch an investigation.
The International Response
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and other human rights organizations have been criticized for their slow response to the looming crisis. While Libyan authorities claim adherence to international conventions on racial discrimination, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
“Libya’s repeated denial of racial discrimination is a dangerous lie,” said David Yambio, a migrant advocate. “The international community must act now to protect those at risk and hold perpetrators accountable.”
Calls to Action
Activists and organizations have outlined immediate steps to address the violence:
Libyan Authorities: Stop hate speech and attacks on Black people. Hold perpetrators accountable.
EU Member States: Open humanitarian corridors, cut funding to abusive Libyan forces, and condemn the violence publicly.
ICC: Investigate crimes against humanity in Libya, including the EU’s involvement.
UNHCR: Expand resettlement programs and advocate for migrants’ and refugees’ safety.
A Plea for Solidarity
Despite the relentless attacks, Black migrants and refugees in Libya refuse to be silenced. “We may lack weapons, but we have our voices,” said Juma. “We will not stop speaking out against this genocidal violence.”
The world is watching, but time is running out. Without immediate action, Libya’s Black population faces an increasingly bleak and perilous future.
Black Writers Face Greater Challenges In UK Publishing, Industry Leaders Say
Black writers matter.
According to some industry insiders, UK publishing is now less accessible to Black authors than it was five years ago.
In 2020, the Black Lives Matter movement prompted some publishing houses to confront racial inequality. However, some literary professionals claim that the number of Black writers being published has significantly decreased over the past 18 months.
Sharmaine Lovegrove, cultural strategist at Hachette UK and co-founder of The Black Writers’ Guild, stated that it is now more complicated for new Black authors than before 2020. Lovegrove notes that the industry struggles to build diverse audiences and cater to the specific needs of Black authors, who are sometimes labeled as “difficult” when they advocate for themselves.
“The biggest mistake was seeing it as a trend as opposed to an opportunity to cultivate something meaningful that was missing,” Lovegrove told The Guardian.
Selina Brown, founder of the Black British Book Festival (BBBF), shares these sentiments. In an interview with The Guardian, she pointed out the absence of cultural sensitivity in the publishing industry.
“Marketing teams within publishing follow a process: they target white consumers,” she said. “They put all the books on a conveyor belt, and it’s the same every time. It can’t work. You cannot have a one-size-fits-all approach to every book,” she said in an interview with The Guardian.
Brown also mentioned that she has observed a significant decline in the number of Black authors pitched to her. She pointed out that some publishers view diverse authors as a “risk.”
Despite these challenges, Brown’s brainchild, the BBBF, continues to grow. It operates a community library in London and plans to open another. In collaboration with the Glastonbury Festival, the BBBF launched a children’s book festival in Birmingham.
This year’s festival will be held March 29 at Manchester Central Library. Its lineup includes notable writers such as Kit de Waal, Kehinde Andrews, and Jeffrey Boakye. Admission to the event is free.
Kenyan Police Officer Killed In Haiti After Gang Ambush
Kenya has sent at least 800 police officers to Haiti to assist in combating gangs.
A Kenyan police officer has been killed in Haiti. Bénédict Kabiru was a member of the international force battling the ongoing gang violence that has plagued the nation.
Kabiru was reported missing after suspected gang members ambushed two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles this week in Pont-Sondé, located in the Artibonite region about 60 miles north of Port-au-Prince, according to the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS). The Presidential Transitional Council of Haiti later confirmed that the officer had died.
“This valiant police officer, engaged alongside Haitian forces to fight insecurity, made the ultimate sacrifice for a better future for our country. His bravery and commitment will never be forgotten,” the council stated, CNNreported
Kariru and his colleagues attempted to retrieve an armored police vehicle that was lodged in a ditch, which the MSS suggested may have been deliberately dug by gangs. During the recovery operation, they came under attack from gang members.
The U.S. has been a financial supporter of the MSS. This week, Secretary of State Mark Rubio met with Fritz Jean, a member of Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council, in Jamaica.
“On Haiti, we look forward to continued partnership with the United States as we seek to work with the Haitian leadership and stakeholders to address the ongoing crises in Haiti,” Rubio said in a statement.
An estimated 80% of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, is under gang control. Since the MSS arrived last year, the gangs have spread to rural areas of the island and taken over territory in the Artibonite region, which is the largest rice-producing area in the country.
In October, the United Nations said the Gran Grif gang killed at least 70 people in the same town where Kabiru was slain.
Violence in Port-au-Prince has resulted in unprecedented levels of displacement. In a March 26 press briefing, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric stated that nearly 23,000 people had been displaced in just one week. Dujarric also noted that nearly five million people — almost half of the population — are food insecure.
“OCHA warns that the scale and pace of displacement is rapidly outpacing the capacity of humanitarian actors to respond,” Duijarric said.
Babysitter Discovers Real-Life ‘Monster’ Under Child’s Bed
Twenty-seven-year-old Martin Villalobos Junior was found under the bed after a child tells babysitter that there was a monster there
A woman in Kansas was babysitting children, and after putting them to bed, one of them complained about a monster under the bed. As she went to prove to the child that there wasn’t one, she was surprised to discover that a man was hiding there.
In a Facebook post by the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, authorities stated that the man, identified as Martin Villalobos Jr., was under the bed when the babysitter confronted him on March 24. The babysitter told officers she put the children to bed when one of them said to her that Villalobos, the monster, was under the bed, and after going to check, she came face-to-face with him. As he was discovered, an altercation happened between him and the babysitter, and in the struggle, one of the children was knocked down as Villalobos ran and escaped the residence.
She called to report what occurred at around 10:30 p.m. When police officers arrived, the suspect was no longer in the area.
On March 25, police officers continued the search for Villalobos, who was then seen in the area of the home. After a short foot chase, he was captured and arrested. Officers discovered that he used to live at the home and that an order of protection was issued against him that instructed him to stay away from the property.
The 27-year-old suspect was taken to Barton County Jail, where he was booked on charges of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated battery, child endangerment, felony obstruction of a law enforcement officer, and violation of a protection-from-abuse order. He is currently being held in lieu of a $500,000 bond.
No details were released regarding why he was given the protective order or whether he has any relationship with the home’s occupants.
Trinidad And Tobago Joins Colombia, Jamaica, Guyana, And More On The U.S. Level 3 Travel Advisory List
The U.S. is urging Americans to reconsider travel to Trinidad and Tabgo as the country extends its State of Emergency.
Trinidad and Tobago has been added to the U.S. Level 3 travel advisory list, joining countries like Pakistan, Egypt, Colombia, Jamaica, Guyana, and others.
Bangladesh, Guyana, New Caledonia, and Macau have also been added to the list of countries in which U.S. travelers are urged to reconsider visiting due to growing security concerns, Travel and Tour World reported. The advisory, issued in response to rising violent crime and a nationwide State of Emergency, places Trinidad and Tobago alongside destinations flagged for terrorism, civil unrest, and limited consular support.
The travel advisory was issued after Trinidad and Tobago extended its State of Emergency through April 2025 due to “heightened risks of terrorism and kidnapping.” Under the ongoing SOE, Trinidadian authorities have the power to arrest individuals suspected of illegal activity and conduct searches of both public and private properties.
“On December 30, 2024, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GOTT) declared a nationwide State of Emergency (SOE),” the State Department website reads. “This is due to ongoing criminal activity that could threaten public safety. On January 13, 2025, Parliament extended the SOE until April 2025.”
The State of Emergency was initially declared in December. The State Department advises Americans traveling to Trinidad and Tobago to purchase travel insurance, avoid displaying signs of wealth such as jewelry, and remain cautious of online dating scams, among other safety precautions.
“Foreigners and a U.S. legal permanent resident have been recent victims of kidnapping,” the advisory warned. “Violence and shootings occur regularly in some areas of Port of Spain.”
Due to security risks, U.S. government employees stationed in Trinidad and Tobago are restricted from traveling to specific areas on the island, including:
Laventille
The southern end of Charlotte Street between Oxford Street and Park Street (past the General Hospital)
Piccadilly Street
Besson Street
Beetham, Sea Lots, Cocorite, and the interior of Queens’ Park Savannah
After dark:
Downtown Port of Spain
Fort George overlook and all beaches
The advisory says common violent crime include:
Murder
Robbery
Assault
Sexual assault
Home invasion
Kidnapping
The classification comes at a crucial time, coinciding with the twin-island nation’s peak tourism season. The designation raises concerns about a potential drop in international visitors and undermines traveler confidence in the safety of the popular Caribbean destination. A decline in tourism could also pose significant risks to the country’s overall economy.
