Politics. On Point.

The president spoke by telephone with the wife of Mandela, Mrs. Graça Machel, who remained by her husband's side in the hospital in Pretoria. Out of deference to Nelson Mandela’s peace and comfort and the family’s wishes, they did not visit the hospital where the 94 year old icon is still in critical condition. Instead, the Obamas met with the Mandela family at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa where he expressed his heartfelt support for the entire family. "It is my hope that Madiba draws peace and comfort from the time that he is spending with loved ones", said Obama. The president also reaffirmed the profound impact that  Nelson Mandela's legacy has had in building a free South Africa, and in inspiring people around the world. "Including me", the president said. "That's a legacy that we must all honor in our own lives, including this July on Mandela Day." Members of the Mandela family meeting with...

Report proposes Chicago lead way in addressing global challenge of feeding urban populations The Chicago Council on Global Affairs released a report on urban food security from its Emerging Leaders Class of 2013 . The group of 20 Chicago leaders has spent the last year developing an action plan for analyzing and addressing urban food security and the dual challenges of under-nutrition and obesity that have beset many urban centers. Representatives of the Emerging Leaders Class of 2013 presented their report, Feeding an Urban World: A Call to Action , at a Chicago Council public event last evening. In it they proposed Chicago utilize its extensive corporate, academic, philanthropic and public policy resources to assume a leadership role and become a model for other cities in addressing the challenges of feeding urban populations. Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s policy director, Mike Simmons, and global food security expert, Ambassador William J. Garvelink, also delivered remarks and comm...

While loyalty towards President Obama between Black community and Black churches have been tested in the last weeks since the president announced his support of gay marriage, Ethiopians have also found a reason to question President Obama's foreign policy decisions. Ethiopians upset over PM Zenawi's participation in G-8 summit and Food Security symposium held last week. Photo/CD Brown. As the president hosted the G-8 Summit and announced new global food regulations this week, inviting several world leaders, members of the Ethiopian community are outraged over the invitation of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi , and are asking President Obama to stop supporting the man they say should be convicted of war crimes. "President Obama said during his election campaign that he wouldn't sand beside dictators, said Neamin Zeleke", one of the organizers of  DC protest last Thursday outside the Ronald Reagan Int'l Building where there president was speaking...