Black and Hispanic people in New York state prisons are significantly more likely to be denied parole than whites over the past three years — a gap that’s gotten worse since being highlighted in 2016, a new study shows. New York’s Parole Board released 34.79% of people of color while letting out 48.71% of white people from January through June 2024, based on a report by New York University School of Law’s Center for Race, Inequality & the Law posted online Monday. Since Gov. Kathy Hochul took office in 2021, there would be 1,338 fewer Blacks and Hispanics behind bars if they…
Author: THE CONNECTING NEWSPAPER
South African songstress Tyla was one of the highlights of the night, with three wins out of four nominations. South African music star Tyla, born Tyla Laura Seethal, emerged as one of the standout winners at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards.Held in Manchester, England, on November 10, 2024, the event marked the EMAs’ 30th anniversary, making a triumphant return after last year’s cancellation in Paris due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.The 22-year-old artist had a remarkable night, clinching three out of four possible awards: Best Afrobeats Act, where she triumphed over icons like Burna Boy, Asake, Ayra Starr, and Tems;…
Odd Socks Day is celebrated annually in November to mark the start of Anti-Bullying Week and encourage people to celebrate each other’s differences.The day was created in 2017 by BBC children’s TV presenter Andy Day, known for his comedy group Andy and the Odd Socks. As the name suggests, it involves wearing odd socks without fear of judgment from others.Everyone is welcome to participate. In fact, the more people who rock their mismatched socks the better.The event, and Anti-Bullying Week itself, has grown in popularity since it first launched. Millions of children, thousands of parents and hundreds of workplaces participate annually.Here’s…
Joey Logano won his third NASCAR Cup Series championship in the most Joey Logano way possible on Sunday. Despite having his worst statistical season since 2012 and the worst ever average finish for a Cup Series champion, Logano held off Ryan Blaney to win the title. How did he do it? By winning at the right time when he needed to. Logano’s killer instinct in big races is exactly what’s needed to win modern NASCAR championships under the playoff format. You don’t have to like the format, nor do you have to accept that it’s a legitimate way to crown a champion, but…
On the streets of Pakistan’s second biggest city, smog stings eyes and burns throats. Inside homes, few people can afford air purifiers to limit the damage of toxic particles that seep through doors and windows. Lahore, a city of 14 million people stuffed with factories, regularly ranks among the world’s most polluted cities, but it has hit record levels this month. Schools have closed in the main cities of Punjab province, of which Lahore is the capital, until November 17 in a bid to lower children’s exposure to pollution, especially during the morning commute when it is often at its…
Housing vouchers are a central tool in the city’s efforts to solve the housing crisis. But for many New Yorkers, the problem isn’t applying for assistance, but what comes next: finding an apartment and securing the voucher.And it’s a real uphill climb. According to an audit published last week by the state comptroller’s office, it took people an average of 10 months to find an apartment and secure a CityFHEPS voucher, the biggest housing voucher program in the city. That’s a long time — especially when you have to reapply every 120 days to maintain your eligibility to search for housing.Advocates,…
Blaklez Announces Release Date For ‘Price of Peace’ EP. South African hip-hop sensation Blaklez has officially revealed the release date for his much-anticipated project, Price of Peace. Set to drop on November 29, 2024, the project marks a significant milestone in the rapper’s career, following a period of careful preparation and creative work. Blaklez Announces Release Date For ‘Price of Peace’ EP In a recent social media post, Blaklez shared his excitement about the upcoming release, acknowledging the effort that went into crafting the project: “Took a while to put together. Can’t wait for you to hear it.” The rapper’s…
After a thrilling “Thursday Night Football” battle between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals, Week 10’s Sunday slate delivered several more memorable and exciting moments.Amidst the chaos, the Pittsburgh Steelers overcame a 10-point deficit to knock off the Washington Commanders, while the Kansas City Chiefs remained undefeated thanks to some improbable heroics. Meanwhile, New York Jets fans can start firing up the mock drafts after watching their team humiliate themselves in the desert. Here are some knee-jerk reactions from the 10th week of the NFL season:Jets should hope they can cut ties with Aaron Rodgers this offseasonThe Jets hoped their Week…
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Lebanese PM Najib Mikati among those who will be attending the Riyadh meeting.Arab and Muslim leaders are set to hold a summit in Saudi Arabia that will focus on Israel’s devastating wars in Gaza and Lebanon, according to Saudi state media. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs had announced Monday’s summit in late October during the first meeting of an “international alliance” pushing for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a report, the Saudi Press Agency said Israel’s “aggression” in Gaza and Lebanon “has compelled Arab and Islamic leaders to take urgent action”.…
A message from the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland KC, ahead of COP29. In 2016, when I took office, it was abundantly clear that climate change-induced weather disasters were an existential threat to our small island and developing states, with consequences extending beyond environmental decline and amplifying existing social, political and economic inequalities which bring forward the tipping point for instability and conflict. I also was learning, especially from our small states, that in addition to co-operating at every level to do less harm to our planet, we needed to do more good. My focus has not wavered. Instead, it has…