AURN News

Joan Little was initially charged with the 1974 murder of a white jailer but was acquitted on August 15, 1975. Her defense argued that Little, who was incarcerated at the time, acted in self-defense when she fatally stabbed the jailer with an ice pick during a sexual assault.

Little's case made history as she became the first woman in the United States, regardless of race, to be acquitted on the grounds of using deadly force to prevent sexual assault.

Her trial spotlighted crucial issues, including a woman's right to defend herself against rape, the use of capital punishment, and the racial inequalities within the criminal justice system.

The case galvanized activists across civil rights, feminist, and anti-death penalty movements, uniting them in their efforts to support her cause.

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President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, today at Prince George's Community College to announce new actions to lower costs for Americans, focusing on reducing prescription drug prices. This marks their first joint campaign event since Harris became the Democratic nominee for president.

Biden said in a statement that under the Inflation Reduction Act, for the first time in history, Medicare has secured agreements for lower prices on 10 key drugs, saving Medicare $6 billion and cutting out-of-pocket costs for seniors by $1.5 billion in the first year alone.

Harris added in a separate statement: "Every American should be able to access the health care they need no matter their income or wealth."

According to the vice president, the announcement will be life-changing for millions as the administration continues to expand its Medicare drug price negotiation program. She also emphasized that more drugs will be added each year, continuing the fight to make health care more affordable for all.

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(AURN News) — The Biden administration announced a new government-wide initiative this week aimed at reducing time-wasting corporate practices that frustrate consumers and cost them money. The "Time is Money" effort, unveiled by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, targets a range of issues including excessive paperwork, long customer service wait times, and complicated subscription cancellation processes.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre outlined the initiative's goals during a press briefing Monday. “We've all been there and know how aggravating these unnecessary delays can be," Jean-Pierre said. "In the coming months, the Biden-Harris administration will take wide-ranging action to crack down on these unfair practices and save Americans time and money, including making it easier to cancel subscriptions and memberships, ensuring that consumers calling customer service can talk to a real person by pressing a single button, and allowing Americans to submit health claims online. And this is just the beginning,” she continued.

According to the White House, key measures include:

The administration is also soliciting public input through an online portal on the White House website, encouraging Americans to share ideas for federal action that can "give them their time back." Jean-Pierre emphasized the administration's commitment to consumer protection, stating, "Americans are tired of being played for suckers, and President Biden and Vice President Harris will continue to use every tool available to protect Americans from corporate greed and practices that hit people in their pocketbooks."

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WASHINGTON (AURN News) — Last week the White House announced a new $125 million security assistance package for Ukraine, reaffirming the Biden administration’s commitment to supporting the country's defense against Russian forces. John Kirby, the White House National Security Communications Advisor, revealed details of the aid during a press briefing. This marks the 63rd tranche of equipment provided to Ukraine since August 2021 and the 10th since President Biden signed the national security supplemental in April, according to Kirby.

The new package includes Stinger missiles, artillery ammunition, and anti-armor systems. This announcement comes in the wake of a recent Russian attack on a supermarket in eastern Ukraine, which resulted in 12 civilian deaths and over 40 injuries. Kirby condemned the attack, stating that the victims were "doing nothing but buying groceries."

"The Biden-Harris administration will continue to support Ukraine's critical security and defense needs, working with more than 50 allies and partners to help Ukraine prevail," Kirby said.

When questioned about recent reports of Ukrainian troops advancing into Russian territory, Kirby remained cautious. “We're in touch with our Ukrainian counterparts, and we are working to gain a better understanding of what they're doing, what their goals are, what their strategy is. And I'm going to leave a little bit of space for us to have those conversations before I try to characterize what's going on,” he said.

Ukraine’s conflict with Russia continues into its second year.

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In this episode of Hollywood Live, Tanya Hart celebrates the remarkable achievements of American Olympians at the Paris Games and looks ahead to the excitement brewing in Los Angeles as the city prepares to host the next Olympics. With the torch soon to be passed to LA’s first female mayor, Karen Bass, the city is gearing up to deliver an event as thrilling as Paris 2024. Tanya gives a nod to LA’s vibrant culture, star-studded residents like Tom Cruise and Snoop Dogg, and its iconic landmarks, all setting the stage for an unforgettable Olympic experience.

In other entertainment news, the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards have rescheduled to September 11th to avoid conflicting with the U.S. presidential debate. With Taylor Swift leading the nominations with ten nods, including Artist of the Year and Best Pop, the VMAs promise to be a must-watch event. Tune in to hear all the latest updates, and be sure to follow Tanya Hart on social media for more Hollywood news.

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The White House convened a crucial meeting today with faith leaders from across the nation to focus on climate, clean energy, and environmental justice. The event, organized by the White House Council on Environmental Quality, brought together religious leaders to explore how communities can benefit from President Joe Biden's clean energy initiatives.

Central to the discussion was a direct pay provision from the Inflation Reduction Act, which enables tax-exempt entities, like churches, to access federal clean energy tax incentives directly. Faith leaders were acknowledged for their vital role in reaching communities, especially in promoting the Justice40 Initiative, which ensures that 40 percent of federal investments in climate/clean energy benefit disadvantaged communities.

This initiative is part of the administration's broader effort to address the needs of communities historically overburdened by pollution and underinvestment. It includes the Inflation Reduction Act, which is expected to drive $369 billion in climate and energy investments and is a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris administration's plan to build a more equitable future.

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Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a member of the progressive "Squad" and outspoken critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, has won her primary race in Minnesota's 5th District, defeating former Minneapolis City Council member Don Samuels for the second time.

In her victory speech, Omar echoed themes of joy and justice, resonating with the Harris-Walz presidential campaign. Omar's win contrasts with the losses of fellow Squad members Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman, who faced well-funded challengers supported by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Meanwhile, former NBA player Royce White won the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

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President Joe Biden has announced that a record 19 million new business applications have been filed since he and Vice President Kamala Harris took office. This surge reflects growing confidence in the economy, with a significant number of these businesses being launched by Black, Latino, and female entrepreneurs.

The administration's efforts to support small businesses during the pandemic, including doubling the number of loans to underserved communities, have played a crucial role in this achievement. However, Biden also warned that congressional Republicans are threatening these gains by proposing cuts to small business administration and prioritizing big corporations with tax breaks and loopholes.

The administration remains focused, they say, on empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening the middle class.

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The Biden-Harris administration is taking new action to lower housing costs, with a focus on helping Black and Brown communities. They announced $100 million in grants through the PRO Housing Program, aimed at removing barriers to affordable housing. This will directly impact urban areas where many Black and Brown families are, helping to build and preserve affordable homes faster.

Additionally, new measures will make it easier and cheaper to develop housing near public transit and convert commercial properties into residential units. These actions are part of a broader effort to tackle the housing crisis, ensuring that more homes are built quickly and affordably, especially in communities that have historically faced underinvestment.

The administration's moves also include providing more predictable interest rates for housing projects and streamlining the process for federal housing development, which could lead to thousands of new housing units across the country — crucial steps in making affordable housing more accessible to everyone.

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In a significant announcement, the U.S. Department of Justice reported a decline in violent crime across major U.S. cities. Attorney General Merrick Garland highlighted the findings from the Major Cities Chiefs Association Violent Crime Survey, indicating a substantial reduction in the first half of 2024 compared to the previous year.

The survey reveals that nearly 70 major cities have experienced a decrease in violent crime, including a notable 17 percent drop in homicides. This positive trend follows last year's historic drop in homicides nationwide and marks one of the lowest levels of violent crime in five decades.

The Justice Department attributes the success to a comprehensive strategy launched three and a half years ago focusing on partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, as well as community-based initiatives.

Despite these achievements, Garland emphasized that the fight against violent crime is ongoing.

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