AURN News

Donald Trump faces a new hurdle. This time, securing an insurance bond to cover a $464 million judgment in a civil fraud case, and it's seemingly impossible.

The former president has tried to get 30 different underwriters, but no one is willing to back this bond required at the end of the month. The judgment includes a significant sum against Trump and additional amounts related to his sons Don Jr. and Eric.

Trump's legal team is now pressuring a New York appeals court for a delay in posting the bond, illustrating how challenging it is to find backing in cash, not property.

Amid the appeals, the real estate mogul's struggle to meet the bond requirements underscores the financial implications of the case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

This unfolds against the backdrop of his recent $91.6 million bond for the E. Jean Carroll defamation case, as his team wonders how he will get relief.

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(AURN News) – In observance of National Kidney Month, Black Health Matters and the National Kidney Foundation have united forces to bring the pressing issue of kidney health within the African American community to the forefront. According to the National Kidney Foundation, Black individuals face a staggering fourfold increased risk of developing kidney failure compared to other racial groups. One in three kidney failure patients in the United States is Black.

Nationwide, 33% of adults are susceptible to kidney disease. Diabetes emerges as the primary culprit behind kidney failure, closely followed by high blood pressure, according to the organization.

The data is sobering: more than 42% of Black adults grapple with high blood pressure, a significant contributing factor to kidney dysfunction. There is a critical need for comprehensive outreach initiatives, early detection programs, and culturally sensitive healthcare interventions tailored to the unique needs of the African American community.

We must remember that behind each statistic lies a personal narrative of struggle, resilience, and the unyielding quest for equitable access to quality healthcare. Far too many African Americans in our country are not treated fairly or taken seriously by medical professionals.

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The 2024 NAACP Image Awards were broadcast on Saturday, March 16, with Queen Latifah as the host.

Usher was honored with the 2024 President's Award, recognizing individuals for their exceptional achievements and distinguished public service.

In film and television, "Abbott Elementary" was honored as the outstanding comedy series, while "Swarm" received accolades for outstanding limited series. "A Black Lady Sketch Show" was celebrated as the outstanding variety show, and "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" claimed the title of outstanding motion picture. Cord Jefferson of "American Fiction" was awarded for outstanding writing in a motion picture, just days after winning an Oscar for adapted screenplay at the Oscars.

In the music categories, Victoria Monét clinched the prize for outstanding new artist, while Megan Thee Stallion won outstanding hip hop/rap song award.

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President Biden has announced a comprehensive initiative, including a new executive order aimed at revolutionizing women's health research and innovation across America.

Rooted in his State of the Union vision, Biden has proposed a transformative $12 billion investment to establish a fund for Women's Health Research at NIH. This initiative, the first White House initiative on women's health research, seeks to fundamentally alter the landscape of women's health research in the U.S. and ensure comprehensive integration and prioritization within the federal research agenda.

It encompasses a broad spectrum of actions, including a $200 million NIH investment for the 2025 fiscal year and the launch of ARPA-H's Sprint for Women's Health with a $100 million commitment.

The initiative's directives include enhancing research across various stages of women's lives, particularly focusing on midlife health challenges and leveraging AI in health research advancements.

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In Atlanta, Fulton County Superior Judge Scott McAfee ruled that District Attorney Fani Willis can only continue overseeing the Georgia election interference case against Donald Trump if special prosecutor Nathan Wade, who was linked romantically to Willis, steps down.

The decision stems from concerns over the appearance of impropriety rather than a direct conflict of interest regarding Willis' involvement in the high-profile case against the former president. While not disqualifying her for a conflict of interest, McAfee expressed concerns over her judgment and the credibility of her and Wade's testimonies about their relationship's timeline.

The prosecution's case, one of four criminal indictments against Trump, now faces additional scrutiny due to the personal dynamics. Despite the controversy, the judge emphasized that Willis' removal was not warranted, suggesting Wade's withdrawal could mitigate concerns about the prosecution's integrity.

The ruling highlights the intricate balance between personal conduct and public duty, casting a shadow over the prosecution's efforts to hold Trump accountable for alleged election interference in Georgia in the 2020 presidential election.

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"Prime Minister Netanyahu has lost his way by allowing his political survival to take the precedence over the best interests of Israel," said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Thursday in a speech on the Senate floor calling for new elections.

"Five months into this conflict, it is clear that Israelis need to take stock of the situation and ask, must we change course? At this critical juncture, I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel."

Republicans quickly responded. House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized Schumer:

"...this is not only highly inappropriate, it's just plain wrong for an American leader to play such a divisive role in Israeli politics, while our closest ally in the region is in an existential battle for its very survival."

Schumer, who is the highest-ranking Jewish official, also said his heart is broken with the loss of so many civilian lives in Gaza.

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The judge overseeing the Georgia election interference case involving former President Donald Trump and his co-defendants has decided against outright disqualifying Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. However, the judge ruled that either she or prosecutor Nathan Wade must recuse themselves from the case.

In a 23-page ruling, Judge Scott McAfee stated that the defendants failed to prove that the district attorney had a genuine conflict of interest. The co-defendant, Michael Roman, along with several others, initially sought Willis' disqualification from the election case, citing allegations that she benefited financially from her romantic relationship with prosecutor Nathan Wade.

Former President Donald Trump has dismissed the district attorney's investigation as being politically motivated.

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(AURN News) – A stark reality grips the country’s younger generations as they grapple with the out-of-control costs of housing. A recent poll conducted by Harris reveals a disheartening truth: 59% of Gen Z and millennials believe that splitting housing expenses is their sole pathway to tackling the escalating financial burdens.

The American dream of homeownership feels increasingly out of reach for young adults, with 67% of millennial renters expressing deep-seated anxieties about ever achieving this milestone.

In a landscape where the median home sales price in January reached a staggering $379,100, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the dream of owning a home is fast fading for many. Compounding this issue is the glaring shortage of affordable housing units nationwide, with the NAR highlighting a deficit of 5.5 million units. In the backdrop of this mounting crisis, unaffordable rents or mortgages loom large, acting as an insurmountable barrier to financial progress for over half of those surveyed in the Harris poll.

In response to the growing crisis, the NAR is urging policymakers to consider tax incentives as a means to help deal with the problem.

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(AURN News) – If you need gas, you may want to fill up sooner rather than later as gas prices continue to increase across the country. According to the American Auto Association (AAA), the national average price of gas now sits at $3.41. A month ago it was $3.25.

California is seeing average prices at $4.87 while Texas is sitting at $3.04. But you can expect even more changes. AAA says that oil is crossing $80 a barrel, and warm temperatures are expected to come into play. The summer blend is also expected to increase prices by 10 to 15 cents, AAA says. 

It remains to be seen how paying more at the pump will continue to impact the Federal Reserve's battle against inflation. Last month, the country saw an increase in the Consumer Price Index as inflation continues to creep up.

Among the states with the biggest increases in prices are Texas, with a 10-cent increase in prices, followed by Alaska, Oregon, and Washington D.C.

As we grapple with rising fuel costs, the impact is felt not only at the gas station but also in daily budgets. Families are being forced to make tough decisions about their spending as prices soar.

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In Fort Pierce, Florida, former President Donald Trump was in a courtroom as his legal team contended that the federal case against him for mishandling classified documents should be dismissed. The argument hinged on the Presidential Records Act, saying that it allows Trump to classify certain documents as "personal."

The hearing, pivotal in nature, also sought to determine the access applicability to Trump's actions in taking materials to Mar-a-Lago. Special counsel Jack Smith presented at the hearing, countering Trump's defense and maintaining that presidential records cannot simply be deemed personal to circumvent legal accountability.

The overseeing judge, Aileen Cannon, is a Trump appointee. Trump has pled not guilty to multiple felony charges, including unauthorized retention of national defense information and obstruction of justice.

His trial is set to start in May but Judge Cannon has indicated a postponement.

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