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First Black US secretary of state, Colin Powell, dies of COVID

Published

4 years ago

October 19, 2021

Colin Powell, the former U.S. secretary of state and the first Black person in the country’s history to fill the position, has died from COVID-19

Washington is mourning the loss Colin Powell, a former U.S. secretary of state, who died on Monday due to complications from COVID.

Powell was a four-star general who last held public office in 2005. He was 84.

The former U.S. official was well known as a moderate and pragmatist, and was instrumental in shaping the foreign policy of Republican presidential administrations for decades.

Remembering Colin Powell

Colin Powell was in top posts during the fall of the Berlin Wall, the 1989 US invasion of Panama, the 1991 Gulf War, the September 11 attacks, and the resulting US invasions of Afghanistan in 2001 and Iraq in 2003.

The four-star general served as national security adviser to former President Ronald Reagan from 1987 to 1989 and was the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under former Republican President George HW Bush and former President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, from 1989 to 1993.

When he was confirmed as former President George W Bush’s secretary of state in 2001, he became the first Black person America’s history to fill that role.

At that time, Powell also became the highest-ranking Black U.S. official in history, later equalled by former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and surpassed by former President Barack Obama.

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Trump’s UK visit sparks debate on US-UK relations, with implications for future transatlantic ties. Subscribe for more updates!

Published

44 minutes ago

September 22, 2025

Ahron Young

Trump’s UK visit sparks debate on US-UK relations, with implications for future transatlantic ties. Subscribe for more updates!

Donald Trump’s visit to the United Kingdom has dominated headlines, sparking debate about the state of US–UK relations. The former president’s high-profile trip is being closely managed by the British government, with many wondering what message he is trying to send to the world stage. Analysts suggest it could reshape the future of transatlantic ties.

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Trump and Republicans honour Charlie Kirk at Arizona memorial

Top Republicans, including Trump, honor Charlie Kirk at a memorial service amid political tensions sparked by his tragic death.

Published

47 minutes ago

September 22, 2025

Ahron Young

Top Republicans, including Trump, honor Charlie Kirk at a memorial service amid political tensions sparked by his tragic death.

Top Republicans, including President Donald Trump, gathered at Arizona’s State Farm Stadium to pay tribute to Charlie Kirk. The conservative activist was remembered in a memorial service following his tragic shooting death, which has sparked political tensions across the country.

Thousands of supporters, many dressed in patriotic colours, attended the service to celebrate Kirk’s contributions to the conservative movement. The event balanced political and religious tributes, with speakers urging attendees to carry on his legacy and continue the work he started.

Security was visibly heightened, with authorities preparing for protests and the charged atmosphere reflecting the polarised debate surrounding Kirk’s death. The memorial served as both a commemoration and a call to action for his supporters.

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