AURN News

On January 28, 1960, Zora Neale Hurston, one of the most celebrated writers of the Harlem Renaissance, passed away at the age of 69. Known for her vivid storytelling and groundbreaking exploration of Black life and culture, Hurston’s most popular works include “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” “Mules and Men,” and “Dust Tracks on a Road.”

Her writing captured the complexities of race, gender, and identity in ways that continue to resonate today. Despite facing obscurity and financial struggles later in life, Hurston’s legacy has endured, with her work now regarded as essential in American literature.

Her words and vision remain a beacon, celebrating the richness and resilience of Black life.

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After public outcry and backlash, the Air Force announced it will reinstate its revised basic training class on airmindedness starting Monday. The course highlights the contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen and Women's Airforce Service Pilots, the first Black and female pilots in military history.

The training will no longer include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) components, following President Donald Trump's executive order banning DEI programs.

The suspension of the training sparked criticism, including from Tuskegee Airmen Inc., which strongly opposed and called the removal of content of these historic figures disappointing. They called on Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to act.

In response, the Air Force clarified the pause was temporary to revise DEI-related materials and promised the legacy would remain part of the curriculum.

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(AURN News) — Colombia has reversed its decision to block U.S. military planes carrying deported immigrants after President Donald Trump threatened severe economic sanctions against the South American nation.

“The Government of Colombia has agreed to all of President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of all illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States, including on U.S. military aircraft, without limitation or delay,” the White House Press Office said.

The diplomatic clash began when Colombia's President Gustavo Petro refused to allow two U.S. repatriation flights carrying deportees to land. In response, Trump announced on Truth Social a series of planned retaliatory measures, including escalating tariffs starting at 25% and rising to 50% within a week, visa sanctions on Colombian government officials and their supporters, enhanced customs inspections, and financial sanctions.

“I was just informed that two repatriation flights from the United States, with a large number of Illegal Criminals, were not allowed to land in Colombia. This order was given by Colombia’s Socialist President Gustavo Petro, who is already very unpopular amongst his people. Petro’s denial of these flights has jeopardized the National Security and Public Safety of the United States,” Mr. Trump posted.

Before backing down after Trump’s post, Petro had ordered his foreign trade minister to raise tariffs on U.S. imports by 25% and directed the ministry to help redirect Colombian exports to other countries. In a post on X, Petro called for Colombian communities abroad to help market Colombian products and said American products that would become more expensive in Colombia should be replaced with domestic production, with government support.

“President Trump will continue to fiercely protect our nation's sovereignty, and he expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States,” the White House said.

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According to the Associated Press, the Air Force has removed training courses featuring videos of the Tuskegee Airmen to comply with the Trump administration’s crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The Tuskegee Airmen, the nation’s first Black military pilots, ferried warplanes during World War II and played a critical role in U.S. military history.

The Air Force confirmed the removal of these videos, which had been part of DEI training in basic military courses. Officials stated they are executing directives in the Executive Orders with professionalism and alignment with national security goals.

However, the broad interpretation of these orders has caused agencies to remove content proactively to ensure compliance.

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What happens when history that honors our heroes gets erased? That's exactly what went down in the U.S. Air Force after President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The fallout: training materials featuring the Tuskegee Airmen, our trailblazing Black military pilots who shattered barriers during World War II, were abruptly pulled from classrooms.

These weren't just any lessons, these stories are about the bravery and sacrifice of the men who paved the way for the desegregation of the military. The Tuskegee Airmen flew over 1,500 missions.

Despite facing segregation and racism, the Airmen maintained an impressive record, losing fewer than 30 bombers under their protection—significantly fewer than any other escort group.

The Air Force claims it's reviewing the content to comply with the order, promising it will be reinstated soon. However, for many in the Black community, the move raises concerns about whether Black history is being deprioritized.

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(AURN News) — President Donald Trump has ordered federal intelligence officials to release classified records related to the assassination of civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., along with documents concerning President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

The executive order requires the Director of National Intelligence to present a declassification plan within 15 days, with the complete release of the King assassination records mandated within 45 days. The White House said Trump believes releasing the King records is "in the public interest."

In response, the King family issued a statement expressing their personal connection to the upcoming release: "For us, the assassination of our father is a deeply personal family loss that we have endured over the last 56 years. We hope to be provided the opportunity to review the files as a family prior to its public release."

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A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship. U.S. District Judge John Kaufner ruled Thursday that the order, set to take effect February 19, directly violates the 14th amendment, guaranteeing citizenship to anyone born in the U.S. regardless of their parents' immigration status.

The decision came in a lawsuit brought by four states - Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon - who argued the executive order undermines over a century of legal precedent. If implemented, the order could strip citizenship from hundreds of thousands of children born in the U.S. each year.

The fight is part of a larger legal battle with 22 states and civil rights groups challenging Trump's order. The debate draws on longstanding precedent, including a 1989 Supreme Court case affirming that children born on U.S. soil, regardless of their parents' status, are citizens.

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In this episode of Hollywood Live with Tanya Hart, Tanya dives into the long-awaited Oscar nominations for the 97th Academy Awards, which were twice delayed due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles. While there are exciting nods for stars like Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), Cynthia Erivo (Wicked), and Zoe Saldana (Amelia Perez), the biggest shocker is the snub of Hollywood legend Denzel Washington for his role in Gladiator 2. Tanya also unpacks the controversy surrounding nominations for The Apprentice, featuring portrayals of Donald Trump and Roy Cohn.

The Oscars, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will celebrate the resilience of Los Angeles and honor the heroic first responders. Tune in on March 2nd, 7 PM Eastern, on ABC for the big night!

Stay up-to-date with all things Hollywood by following Tanya on social media at @TanyaHollywood and @AURNOnline.

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(AURN News) — Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) announced this week it will make collegiate sports history this fall by becoming the first historically Black college or university (HBCU) to establish a varsity co-ed rowing program.

The groundbreaking move elevates the school's existing rowing club to varsity status after three successful seasons. The club program was initially established through an innovative partnership with the New Orleans Rowing Club in September 2023.

The transition to varsity status represents a significant milestone in collegiate athletics, particularly for HBCUs, which have traditionally not participated in rowing at the varsity level.

XULA also announced that the program has received sponsorships and donations from US Rowing and major influences in the sport including Vespoli USA, a racing shell manufacturer, among others.

University officials confirmed they have begun the process of building the program's infrastructure, including initiating a search for the team's first head coach. Recruitment efforts are already underway to attract student-athletes for the inaugural varsity season.

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House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is taking aim at the newly unveiled Republican budget plan, calling it an “extreme Contract Against America” and warning of its potential impact on working families and vulnerable communities.

“House Republicans can no longer hide their intentions from the American people,” Jeffries said. “It will hurt working families, hurt the middle class, hurt our children, hurt our seniors, and hurt our veterans. [It] will end Medicaid as we know it, destroy the Affordable Care Act, and eliminate the mortgage interest deduction—raising costs on tens of millions of working-class and middle-class Americans.”

Jeffries signaled that Democrats will push back against the GOP’s budget proposals, particularly in must-pass legislation such as the debt ceiling and government funding bills. He emphasized that Republicans will face strong resistance in their efforts to advance partisan priorities.

The Republican plan includes trillions of dollars in spending cuts, targeting federal programs that Democrats argue serve as lifelines for vulnerable communities.

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