AURN News

President Joe Biden today announced a ceasefire and a potential end to the war in Gaza, marking a significant step toward peace in the region.

“At long last, I can announce a ceasefire and a hostage deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas,” Biden said. “ The more than 15 months of conflict began with Hezbollah's brutal massacre on October the 7th."

Biden acknowledged the difficulty of the negotiations, saying, “The road to this deal has not been easy. I’ve worked in foreign policy for decades. This is one of the toughest negotiations I’ve ever experienced.”

The final deal includes the release of hostages held by both Israelis and Hamas over six weeks, contingent on the agreement holding. Israeli forces will withdraw, and Palestinians will begin returning home. The agreement also includes provisions for humanitarian aid.

The second phase of the agreement is still being negotiated as both sides work to finalize additional details.

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Tonight at 8 p.m., President Joe Biden will deliver his final address to the nation from the Oval Office, marking the end of his presidency after four challenging years and more than 50 years in public service.

In his farewell speech, Biden is expected to reflect on key accomplishments, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, investing in infrastructure, and advancing initiatives for Black and brown communities. He will also highlight efforts to fight for economic equity, expand access to healthcare, and support social justice reforms.

However, Biden’s presidency has also been shaped by ongoing crises, including wars abroad, inflation concerns, and deepening political divisions at home. While inflation numbers have improved, the nation remains polarized.

As he concludes his tenure, Biden hopes to leave a legacy of progress and resilience that future generations can build upon.

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According to CNN, there will be no pre-tour of the vice president’s residence for the incoming Vance family.

Two sources familiar with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance’s plans noted he has not been invited by Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris herself didn’t tour the residence in 2021, due to the aftermath of Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election and the pandemic.

J.D. Vance called Harris “trash” at a November rally and repeatedly attacked her racial identity. Harris and Vance haven’t spoken since the election, though Harris did call President-elect Trump to concede.

Meanwhile, Harris’ husband and J.D. Vance’s wife spoke briefly last week, according to CNN.

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(AURN News) — President-elect Donald Trump announced plans Tuesday to establish a new federal agency called the External Revenue Service, aimed at shifting the nation's revenue collection focus from domestic taxation to foreign trade sources.

“For far too long, we have relied on taxing our Great People using the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Through soft and pathetically weak Trade agreements, the American Economy has delivered growth and prosperity to the World, while taxing ourselves. It is time for that to change,” he declared through a post on Truth Social, his social media platform.

The announcement signals a potential major shift in U.S. revenue collection policy. Trump criticized what he characterized as an over-dependence on domestic tax collection through the Internal Revenue Service, arguing that the U.S. should instead generate more revenue from foreign trade sources.

"We will begin charging those that make money off of us with Trade, and they will start paying, FINALLY, their fair share," Trump wrote.

The new agency would be responsible for collecting tariffs, duties, and other foreign-source revenue. Inauguration day takes place next Monday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

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“You have not earned your place as Secretary of Defense. You, sir, are a no-go at this station,” Senator Tammy Duckworth said during the confirmation hearing of Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary. Duckworth challenged Hegseth on his qualifications in a series of pointed exchanges.

At one point, Duckworth asked Hegseth about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). “And how many nations are in ASEAN, by the way?” she asked.

“I couldn’t tell you the exact amount of nations in that,” Hegseth replied. “But I know we have allies in South Korea, in Japan, and in AUKUS with Australia, and trying to work on submarines with them.”

Duckworth responded sharply, “Mr. Hegseth, none of those countries are in ASEAN.”

She also pressed him on his ability to oversee budget audits, highlighting his lack of experience. “I will take that as a no,” Duckworth said. “What were the findings? So there were no findings, because you’ve never led an audit. What guidance did you give the auditors? None, because you’ve never led an audit.”

During the Senate Armed Forces Committee hearing, lawmakers questioned Hegseth’s opposition to women in combat, his stance against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct.

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With less than a week left in office, President Joe Biden delivered a farewell speech at the State Department, defending his foreign policy record. He highlighted stronger alliances and a more secure America as he prepares to conclude a career spanning more than 50 years in public service.

Biden described his presidency as transformative, claiming the nation is better equipped to face global challenges than four years ago. He pointed to efforts to rally NATO and other global allies, emphasizing that adversaries like Russia and Iran have been weakened while America’s partnerships have been strengthened.

He also addressed ongoing global issues, including the war in Ukraine, tensions in the Middle East, and competition with China, crediting his administration with positioning the U.S. for long-term success.

Biden defended his decision to end the war in Afghanistan, acknowledging the chaotic aftermath, including the deaths of 13 U.S. service members and a swift Taliban takeover, but maintained it was the right course of action.

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(AURN News) — President-elect Donald Trump addressed public interest in his interaction with former President Barack Obama at Jimmy Carter's funeral, characterizing their exchange as friendly despite their political differences.

Speaking from his Mar-a-Lago resort, Trump acknowledged the attention the moment received. "It did look very friendly. I must say, I didn't realize it. I didn't realize how friendly it looked," Trump said.

Trump expanded on the interaction, saying, "And I said, boy, they look like two people that like each other. And we probably do. We have little different philosophies, right? But we probably do. I don't know, we just got along, but I got along with just about everybody."

The President-elect also mentioned a pre-service meeting, stating, "You know, we met backstage, as you know, before we went on and I thought it was a beautiful service, but we all got along very well, which is good."

The funeral service was held last Thursday at Washington National Cathedral. Trump did not provide specific details about his conversation with former President Obama.

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President Joe Biden convened senior officials today for a briefing on the federal response to the catastrophic wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County. Three active fires—the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires—have already claimed at least 24 lives, scorched over 40,000 acres, and destroyed more than 12,000 structures.

The largest blaze, the Palisades fire, is only 14% contained and is now threatening neighborhoods including Brentwood, Encino, and Westwood. Over 105,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, with an additional 87,000 on standby.

The Eaton Fire, which erupted in Altadena earlier this week, has devastated 10,600 acres and destroyed nearly 1,000 structures. Its impact has been particularly severe on Altadena’s historic Black community, a sanctuary for generations of African Americans who overcame systemic barriers to create a thriving cultural hub.

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In this episode of Hollywood Live with Tanya Hart, we highlight acts of kindness and resilience amidst the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires. Rapper The Game has stepped up to assist families forced to evacuate, offering a week of free Airbnb accommodations to those affected. Tanya shares the details on how to access this generous support and acknowledges other programs offering aid to displaced residents.

In Hollywood news, the Critics Choice Awards have been rescheduled to the end of January as the city works to recover. Meanwhile, there’s exciting news for comedian Roy Wood Jr., whose CNN show Have I Got News For You has been renewed for a second season! Tanya celebrates Roy’s success and provides a sneak peek into the witty and satirical comedy panel show, featuring Amber Ruffin and Michael Ian as team captains.

For updates on the wildfires and more entertainment news, follow Tanya on social media and visit @aurnonline across platforms.

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(AURN News) — The Biden administration is touting record-breaking numbers in small business growth and federal contract awards as it prepares for the transition of power.

President Joe Biden reported Friday that his administration has overseen 21 million new business applications, claiming it as the highest number under any administration.

"My Administration has empowered this unprecedented wave of entrepreneurship by significantly expanding access to capital and by making historic investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, and clean energy that are benefiting small businesses in communities across the country,” Mr. Biden said in a White House statement.

The administration also highlighted new achievements in federal contracting.

"Today, the Small Business Administration announced that the federal government built on this support by awarding $183 billion in federal contracts to small businesses and $78 billion to small disadvantaged businesses in Fiscal Year 2024 – both record totals," the President said.

To learn more visit: sba.gov.

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