Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson Dies at Age 84
The Reverend Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in the civil rights movement and a prominent Democratic political force for over five decades, has died at the age of 84. Jackson, who ran a strong campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1988, was once a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr. and remained a fixture in American politics since the 1960s.
In a statement, the Jackson family described him as a "servant leader" who dedicated his life to the oppressed and voiceless. "His unwavering belief in justice, equality and love uplifted millions," they said, urging others to continue fighting for the values he championed.
Reflecting on his trailblazing career in a 2020 interview with the Guardian, Jackson noted the skepticism he faced as a Black presidential candidate. "I had to deal with doubt and cynicism and fears about a Black person running," he stated, highlighting the barriers he overcame.
FBI Refuses to Share Evidence in Minnesota Shooting Case
In a separate development, Minnesota law enforcement authorities have reported that the FBI is withholding all evidence related to the investigation into the death of Alex Pretti. Pretti was shot by Customs and Border Protection officials in Minneapolis on January 24, just weeks after other immigration-related shootings in the area.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension confirmed that the FBI formally notified them that no information or evidence would be shared regarding Pretti's shooting. This has sparked controversy, with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz demanding an "impartial" investigation, criticizing the lack of transparency.
Iran Protest Injuries Reveal Deliberate Targeting
Medical images from a hospital in Iran, shared with the Guardian, expose the severe injuries sustained by protesters during the regime's January crackdown. Over 75 sets of X-rays and CT scans, taken in a single evening, show a pattern of individuals being shot in the face, chest, and genitals.
These images provide further evidence of a shift from traditional crowd control methods to the use of high-calibre assault rifles and shotguns by Iran's Revolutionary Guards. The injuries mirror those seen in the 2022 "Women, life, freedom" protests, illustrating the scale of violence in a midsize city within hours.
Other Key News Updates
- A mass shooting at an ice rink in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, during a high school hockey match has left at least three people dead and three hospitalized.
- Chinese tourists are increasingly avoiding Japan, with the country dropping out of the top 10 destinations for lunar new year travel.
- Elana Meyers Taylor, 41, won gold in the monobob after competing in five Olympics, marking a career highlight.
- Austrian prosecutors have filed terrorism-related charges against a 21-year-old accused of planning to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in 2024.
Ukraine Makes Significant Battlefield Gains
Ukrainian forces recaptured 201 square kilometers from Russia between last Wednesday and Sunday, according to an analysis by Agence France-Presse using data from the Institute for the Study of War. This gain, nearly equivalent to Russian advances in all of December, represents the fastest progress since a counteroffensive in June 2023, aided by a Starlink shutdown for Russian troops.
Cultural and Literary Highlights
In entertainment, the Netflix series "How to Get to Heaven from Belfast" by Derry Girls writer Lisa McGee is receiving acclaim for its wit and plotting. Meanwhile, a legal battle has erupted over allegations that prize-winning Algerian novelist Kamel Daoud stole a woman's life story for his book, raising questions about literary ethics.
Climate and Technology Concerns
A report dismisses claims that AI can help fix climate change as greenwashing, noting that most benefits refer to machine learning, not the energy-intensive generative AI tools. Tech companies are accused of conflating these technologies to promote unsustainable datacentres.
Viral Sensation from a Toddler's Lyrics
Stephen Spencer's songs, based on his three-year-old daughter's stories, have gone viral with millions of listens on social media. What started with 36 followers has grown to over 250,000, with demands for full-length albums of these tear-inducing hits.
