AURN News

FBI are continuing their investigation into a terrorist attack in New Orleans that left 15 dead and dozens of others wounded in the early hours of New Year's Day as people celebrated on Bourbon Street.

Authorities say 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U. S. citizen from Texas, drove a Ford pickup truck into a crowd and after killing and injuring dozens, fired upon local law enforcement, who in turn shot and killed the suspect.

Authorities found an ISIS flag located in the vehicle along with weapons and a potential IED. They also located other IEDs in the French Quarter. FBI has not determined if he worked alone.

President Joe Biden addressed the nation: "I directed my team to make sure every resource, every resource is made available to federal, state, and local law enforcement."

Authorities are simultaneously working to determine if another incident, this one in Las Vegas, is connected.

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(AURN News) — New Year's Day may be a rough financial start for many. That's because Americans took on more holiday debt in 2024 than last year, with consumers averaging $1,181 in new debt, according to a new Lending Tree survey.

The survey found that 36% of Americans incurred debt for their 2024 holiday spending, with 24% of those borrowers facing interest rates of 20% or higher. This marks an increase from the 2023 holiday season, when shoppers averaged $1,028 in debt.

The financial strain is causing widespread concern, with 60% of borrowers reporting stress about their holiday debt. Parents are feeling particular pressure, with 69% expressing anxiety about their accumulated debt.

The survey revealed that 48% of parents with young children took on holiday debt, while 42% of millennials borrowed for their seasonal spending. Gender differences emerged in the findings, with 38% of men taking on debt compared to 35% of women.

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(AURN News) — On Monday, the White House announced an additional $2.5 billion aid package to Ukraine, weeks before President Joe Biden is set to leave office and former President Donald Trump returns.

The package will provide $1.25 billion in drawdown assistance for the Ukrainian military and $1.22 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).

"I am proud to announce nearly $2.5 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, as the Ukrainian people continue to defend their independence and freedom from Russian aggression," Biden said in a statement.

Biden also emphasized America's ongoing support for Ukraine since Russia's invasion. "Since Russia launched its further assault against Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has rallied the world to stand with the Ukrainian people, and it has been a top priority of mine to provide Ukraine with the support it needs to prevail," he said.

The State Department reports that as of Dec. 12, U.S. assistance to Ukraine has exceeded $61 billion since Russia's February 2022 invasion. This figure excludes aid provided after December 12 of this year and the newly announced $2.5 billion package.

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As 2024 comes to a close, Hollywood Live with Tanya Hart recaps a year of entertainment, scandal, redemption, and history-making moments. Tanya delves into the most scandalous story of the year: Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ legal downfall following a litany of charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking, that shocked the entertainment world.

On the brighter side, Will Smith made a triumphant return with Bad Boys Ride or Die, grossing over $400 million globally, and Jonathan Majors found redemption and love after being exonerated of sexual battery charges. In sports, Simone Biles dominated the Paris Summer Olympics, while the U.S. team brought home 126 medals, solidifying 2024 as a year to remember in athletics.

In music, Beyoncé reshaped country music with her Cowboy Carter LP, alongside breakthrough artist Shaboozie, whose country remake of “Tipsy” became a cultural sensation. Tanya also highlights an overlooked piece of history—Louis Vasnear, the first person to record a country song, way back in 1891.

Finally, Tanya reflects on the political shift brought on by George Clooney’s letter to the New York Times, which led to Kamala Harris stepping into the presidential race. Despite a narrow loss to Donald Trump, her historic campaign leaves a lasting impact. Tanya closes with an excerpt from Amanda Gorman’s moving poem, The Hill We Climb, to inspire hope for the future.

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(AURN News) — Mortgage rates increased for the second consecutive week as the housing market continues to grapple with limited inventory, according to data released last Thursday by Freddie Mac.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.85%, while the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage stood at 6%, Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey showed.

These increases come as the housing market faces persistent supply constraints, Freddie Mac reported. Rates remain below their 2024 peak reached in May, when 30-year mortgages hit 7.22% and 15-year loans touched 6.47%.

The year's lowest rates were recorded in September, with 30-year mortgages at 6.08% and 15-year mortgages at 5.16%.

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President Jimmy Carter has passed away at 100 years old. The 39th president will be best remembered for his dedication to humanitarian causes, foreign policy initiatives, and energy conservation efforts.

One of the enduring legacies of his administration is the establishment of Black Music Month. In 1979, Carter declared June as Black Music Month, marking the first time a U.S. president officially recognized the cultural significance of African American music.

Throughout his presidency, Carter championed the cause of equality and justice for all Americans. He was a strong advocate for the enforcement of civil rights laws.

In 1977, Carter posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Rest in peace, President Jimmy Carter.

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(AURN News) — President-elect Donald Trump suggested Canada could become the 51st U.S. state in a Christmas Day social media post, claiming the move would slash Canadian taxes and boost business.

In a message that he posted on Truth Social, he said: “to Governor Justin Trudeau of Canada, whose Citizens’ Taxes are far too high, but if Canada was to become our 51st State, their Taxes would be cut by more than 60%, their businesses would immediately double in size, and they would be militarily protected like no other Country anywhere in the World.”

In the same post, Mr. Trump also mentioned Greenland, stating: "Likewise, to the people of Greenland, which is needed by the United States for National Security purposes and, who want the U.S. to be there, and we will!” Trump posted.

The social media comments come just weeks before Trump's scheduled inauguration, following his historic reelection victory.

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On Dec. 25, 1907, legendary jazz musician and bandleader Cabell “Cab” Calloway was born in Rochester, New York. Raised in Baltimore, Calloway left law school in the 1920s to sing with the Alabamians, launching a career that led him to Chicago’s thriving jazz scene and eventually to Harlem’s famed Cotton Club.

During the 1930s big band era, Calloway’s charismatic stage presence and distinctive scat singing style electrified audiences. He recorded iconic hits such as “Minnie the Moocher,” “Kickin’ the Gong Around,” “Moon Glow,” and “The Jumpin’ Jive.”

Calloway continued to perform well into the late twentieth century, captivating new audiences and inspiring generations before his passing on November 18, 1994, at the age of 88.

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On Dec. 24, 1954, Libya declared its long-sought independence from colonial Italian rule, marking a pivotal turning point in its history. The United Libyan Kingdom was established under King Idris, who aimed to unify and modernize the country.

Before this independence, Italy had controlled Libya for over four decades following a 1911 invasion. Shortly after independence, the United States initiated diplomatic relations, bolstering Libya’s international presence.

King Idris’s reign continued until 1969, when a military coup led by Moammar Gadhafi toppled the monarchy. Gadhafi ruled for 42 years until a 2011 uprising, supported by NATO’s “Operation Unified Protector,” ended his regime and life, dramatically reshaping Libya’s political landscape.

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On this day, Dec. 23, in 1867, Madam C. J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, entered the world on a plantation in Delta, Louisiana, to formerly enslaved parents. Orphaned at age seven and working as a domestic servant, she endured poverty and hardship before reinventing herself as “Madam” C. J. Walker.

After experimenting with remedies for scalp conditions, Walker founded a thriving business empire selling Black hair care products and cosmetics. Her company employed thousands of African-American women, empowering them through economic opportunities.

Through her entrepreneurial spirit, Walker became America’s first self-made Black female millionaire. A dedicated philanthropist, she supported Black educational institutions and championed civil rights causes. Her estate, Villa Lewaro, stood as a symbol of success and achievement.

Madam C. J. Walker passed away on May 25, 1919, at the age of 51, leaving behind a legacy of empowerment and self-sufficiency that continues to inspire.

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