In Wisconsin, a running mate shakes up governor’s race Source: AP

Wisconsin's Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor has been mistaken for a dead car crash victim, been confused with a white guy, been wrongly accused of kneeling during the national anthem and had his name left out of voter guides. Mandela Barnes is also shaking up the governor's race in a way rarely done by a running mate in Wisconsin.

New York festival urges aid, equality amid security panic

AFP / Angela Weiss Fast-rising US rapper Cardi B performed at the Global Citizen festival and urged young voters to turn out for November midterm elections The music and political worlds joined together Saturday to press for development aid, gender equality and voter participation, with a festival in New York's Central Park marred by a security scare. An unofficial closing event following a week of hectic diplomacy at the UN General Assembly, the Global Citizen festival hands out free tickets to fans who pledge to take actions such as petitioning their governments to support efforts to end the most extreme global poverty.

Mandela: A life of soaring symbolism, now harnessed by UN

Nelson Mandela's South African journey from anti-apartheid leader to prisoner to president to global statesman - the "Long Walk to Freedom" of his autobiography title - is one of the 20th century's great stories of struggle, sacrifice and reconciliation. Now the United Nations is seeking to harness its soaring symbolism.

Illinois celebrates first Barack Obama Day

The legislature of Obama's home state of Illinois, passed a law last year to designate Aug. 4 as a holiday. Just a few weeks ago, he spoke before a crowd of around 15,000 people in Johannesburg, South Africa, to honor the life of Nelson Mandela.

South Africa, Obama mark Mandela centennial with charity

South Africans along with former U.S. President Barack Obama were marking the centennial of anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela's birth on Wednesday with acts of charity in a country still struggling with deep economic inequality 24 years after the end of white minority rule.

Obama to make rare high-profile speech on Mandelaa s legacy

In a speech marking the 100th birthday of anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela, former U.S. President Barack Obama will urge youth around the world to work for human rights and fair societies, highlighting the late South African leader's example of persevering in the struggle for democracy and equal rights for all. The speech on Tuesday, one of Obama's most high-profile since leaving office, is meant to draw attention to values that today are under threat and to rally people in Africa and elsewhere to push for tolerance and justice.

Obama to deliver Mandela event speech in latest contrast with Trump

Former President Barack Obama will deliver a high-profile address in July marking the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela's birth as he continues to shape his post-White House platform. Like all of Obama's public appearances since leaving the White House, the lecture in Johannesburg isn't likely to raise his successor, President Donald Trump, by name.

Bernie Sanders Endorses Ben Jealous for MD Governor at Silver Spring, MD Rally

Even as the progressive list of everything wrong in our society that the 99 percent suffers at the hands of the one percent was enumerated at least three times, the mood at the Civic Center was upbeat today in Silver Spring, Maryland. Sen. Bernie Sanders was coming to speak, to introduce and endorse Maryland progressive gubernatorial candidate Ben Jealous, the popular former national president of the NAACP.

The redemption of Martin McGuinness

Of all that was said and done in the immediate wake of Martin McGuinness's death on Tuesday, Queen Elizabeth's decision to sit down and write a private letter of condolence to his widow, Bernie, might take the cake. Some context: In 1979, the Irish Republican Army blew up the queen's cousin, Lord Mountbatten, who was really more like her favorite uncle.