Death of Black Panther Firebrand Ends Era of Unyielding Civil Rights Advocacy

Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, a former leader of the Black Panther Party who once famously declared that violence was "as American as cherry pie," has died at the age of 82. Al-Amin, a prominent figure in the Black nationalist movement, spent decades advocating for civil rights and political empowerment within the African American community. His passing marks the end of an era for those who recall his fiery rhetoric and unyielding stance on systemic injustice.

While Al-Amin's legacy remains a focal point for discussions on American civil rights history, recent news headlines highlight a diverse array of legal and political developments. In Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro was arrested by federal police on November 22, according to a source cited by Reuters. The arrest comes amid ongoing investigations into his administration's conduct, underscoring the volatile political climate in the South American nation.

Meanwhile, in India, the Madhya Pradesh High Court granted an interim stay on action against the ancestral house of Jawad Ahmed Siddiqui, chancellor of Al-Falah University, which is under scrutiny in the Delhi blast probe. The court's decision temporarily halted the Mhow Cantonment Board's attempt to demolish "unauthorised construction" at Siddiqui's property, following a petition by a resident who claimed ownership via an Islamic gift (hiba). The ruling reflects the complexities of property disputes intertwined with ongoing criminal investigations.

In the United States, Duke Energy has filed requests for significant rate hikes for North Carolina customers, seeking a combined $1.7 billion annual revenue increase for its two subsidiaries. The utility company argues that the funds are necessary to modernize infrastructure, harden the grid against storms, and support growth from population and industrial expansion. If approved, the hikes would raise monthly bills for typical residential customers by up to $23.11, starting in January 2027.

Legal troubles also continue for Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, a 24-year-old sentenced to 10 years in prison and ordered to pay $48 million in restitution for his role in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme. The scheme, which defrauded the Federal Child Nutrition Program of over $47 million, involved false claims of serving meals to thousands of children during the pandemic. Nur's case highlights the far-reaching consequences of large-scale fraud and the federal government's efforts to recover losses.

The Department of Justice faces ongoing scrutiny over its appointment of prosecutors, with federal judges challenging the legality of interim appointments. A recent ruling dismissed charges against New York Attorney General Letitia James, citing procedural flaws in the appointment of the lead prosecutor, Maryanne Cooley Halligan. The case has sparked a broader debate about the independence of the justice system and the potential for political interference in high-profile prosecutions.

Adding to the legal landscape, Binance faces a lawsuit from victims of the Hamas-led attacks on Israel in October 2025. The plaintiffs allege the company aided and abetted terrorism by facilitating transactions linked to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Binance denies the claims, arguing it has no definable nexus to the attacks. The case, pending in North Dakota, could set a precedent for holding financial institutions accountable under anti-terrorism laws.