Black women make history, a heroic bystander and other stories from Black, Asian and Arab communities you shouldn't have missed this week - curated by Melissa Sigodo
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Thank you for subscribing to The Source.
I just wanted to say thank you for supporting The Source this year. 2025 is almost at an end and through many ups and downs, you have stayed informed along with me for the last 12 months. For that, I am eternally grateful.
As we come to the end of the year, The Source will be taking a short break over Christmas before I return with your weekly recaps and more independent journalism. I did not take a break last year, but I feel that this year, it is needed.
So, keep your eyes peeled for The Source’s return to your inbox, keeping you abreast on all the important news that went under the radar. I aim to catch up with you before we officially close out the year.
Until then, here’s what you shouldn’t have missed this week and to all who celebrate, Merry Christmas.
The 20
British Nigerian artist Nnena Kalu has been named the winner of this year’s Turner Prize. The artist who has autism and limited verbal communication has also become the first person with a learning disability to win the award previously given to Damien Hirst and Steve McQueen. Read the full story by Oscar Holland at CNN.
British actress Cynthia Erivo has made history by becoming the first Black woman nominated twice in the lead actress for comedy or musical category at the Golden Globes. The category has “long seen limited representation for Black women.” Read the full story by Clayton Davis at Variety.
A heroic bystander at the scene of a terror attack at a Jewish event at Bondi Beach has been named as Ahmed al Ahmed. The 43-year-old is a father who runs a fruit shop. Read the full story by Sky News.
Male Violence Against Women
An American student Joshua Michals, 26, has been found guilty of murdering 31-year-old Zhe Wang at her flat in London. Zhe was described as a “quiet and gentle woman enjoying her studies in London.” Read the full story by Mathilde Grandjean at The Independent.
Police are searching for four men after a woman was sexually assaulted with a knife held to her neck in Leeds on Monday morning. The victim had been subjected to five racially aggravated incidents in the weeks prior which are believed to have involved the same group of men. Read the full story by ITV News.
Alleged Male Violence Against Women
Former BBC DJ Tim Westwood, 68, has pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault. Read the full story by Alexandra Topping at The Guardian.
Crime
Two 18-year-olds, Rhys Edwards and Talan Gethin Vincent have appeared in court accused of targeting a mosque and a Jewish cemetery in Cardiff. The court heard that Mr Edwards made claims about the “superiority of his own race”. Read the full story by Owain Evans at BBC.
A new report for British and Irish governments says that paramilitaries involvement in anti-immigrant racist violence is “a deeply worrying development.” Read the full story by Julian O’Neill at BBC.
Health
An NHS England review on tackling racism in the Midlands, said that ‘despite years of trying to address “issues of racism” strategies are often “defeated by deep-rooted cultural norms.”
I spoke to the South West Londoner about why I believe the NHS is institutionally racist. Read my interview with Kisakye Busuulwa at the South West Londoner.
The daughter of a woman with dementia who died of Covid two days after Christmas had to wait nearly two weeks to see her after she was admitted to hospital in December 2020. The health service ombudsman found that St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust did not provide the woman with adequate hydration or nutrition and did not follow its policy when it denied her visitors. Read the full story by Charlotte Lillywhite at MyLondon News.
Politics
A prosecutor at the international criminal court ICC has claimed that the British government threatened to “defund the organisation” if it proceeded with plans to issue an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu. Read the full story by Patrick Wintour at The Guardian.
Five activists linked to Palestine Action who are being held in prison have been taken to hospital after going on hunger strike. Over 30 MPs have called on Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, to “urgently intervene.” Read the full story by Anam Alam at The News Arab.
A new report has revealed that the UK is stripping Britons of their citizenship with more than 200 people having had their citizensip revoked since 2010 on the grounds of “public good.” Britons with dual nationality or those who have been naturalised can lose their citizenship through the “secretive” system. Read the full story by Bel Trew at The Independent.
Tributes
A new garden has been designed to honour Damilola Taylor, a ten-year-old boy who was killed on his way home from a library in 2000. Read the full story by Greg McKenzie at BBC.
Tributes have been paid to a Charlton Athletic supporter Norman Barker, 68, who collapsed while watching a match against Portsmouth. The loyal football fan had been attending games since 1968. Read the full story by Harry Low at BBC.
World News
At least 19 people have died and 16 have been injured after two buildings collapsed in Morocco. Some authorities suggest that structures may have “weakened” following earthquakes in the country. Read the full story by Aljazeera.
About 100 children who were among more than 250 students and 12 staff kidnapped from St Mary’s Catholic school in Papiri, Nigeria have been returned. The remaining 153 students and 12 staff members are still being held captive. Read the full story by Madina Maishanu and Basillioh Rukanga at BBC.
Director of the Sudan News Agency Taj Al-Sir Ahmed Suleiman has been killed along with his brother by the Rapid Support Forces the Sudanese Information Minister has said. Several media workers were also detained by the paramilitary group. Read the full story by TRT World.
M23 rebels have captured the city of Uvira and at least 400 civilians, including children, have been killed during the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has labelled the takeover a “clear violation” of the United States-brokered peace agreement between Congolese and Rwandan leaders. Read the full story at Aljazeera.
Palestinians have been left in flooded tents as heavy rains and cold weather spread across Gaza. The UN says 800,000 people have been affected. Read the full story by ITV News.
It's interesting how you consistantly find these truly inspiring stories, Melissa. Nnena Kalu's win for the Turner Prize is incredible, and Cynthia Erivo making history again! It makes you wonder how many other amazing achievements go unreported. So grateful for your insightful work.