AURN News

The Pentagon revealed this week that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recently underwent treatment for prostate cancer, sparking increased attention to the disease and its disproportionate impact on Black men. The disclosure sheds light on the broader issue of racial disparities in healthcare, particularly concerning prostate cancer.

Secretary Austin's medical care is being overseen by Dr. John Maddox and Dr. Gregory Chesnut at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. In a recent statement released by the Pentagon, physicians emphasized the importance of early screening for the detection and treatment of prostate cancer.

“Despite the frequency of prostate cancer, discussions about screening, treatment, and support are often deeply personal and private ones. Early screening is important for detection and treatment of prostate cancer and people should talk to their doctors to see what screening is appropriate for them,” the statement read.

Prostate cancer is a prevalent concern for men, especially its impact on the Black community. According to the non-profit organization Zero Prostate Cancer, Black men face a significantly higher risk of diagnosis compared to other racial groups. Statistics reveal that one in six Black men will develop prostate cancer, in contrast to one in eight for men of other races. Moreover, Black men have a 1.7 times higher likelihood of being diagnosed with the disease and are 2.1 times more likely to die from it than their white counterparts.

Genetics is only one part of the equation; the racial disparities in healthcare contribute significantly to the increased risk and mortality rates among Black men. Systemic issues such as unequal access to healthcare services, socioeconomic factors, and implicit bias within the medical community all play a role in hindering timely detection and effective treatment.

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According to the Associated Press, Harry Dunn, a former police officer who defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 insurrection, has announced his candidacy for Congress in Maryland.

Former Sgt. Harry Dunn made the announcement on January 5, a day before the third anniversary of the insurrection, which was led by numerous Donald Trump supporters contesting the validity of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential win.

Dunn aims to fill the seat left vacant by Democrat Rep. John Sarbanes in Maryland's 3rd Congressional District, spanning between Baltimore and Washington D.C.

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Today in Washington, D.C., a pivotal court hearing takes center stage as former President Donald Trump returns to the federal courthouse.

The crux of this high-stakes legal battle? Whether Trump can be prosecuted for his alleged role in scheming to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

Trump's defense team argues for immunity, asserting that a president's actions while in office, including alleged attempts to manipulate electoral outcomes, should be beyond the reach of criminal prosecution. The strategy aims to delay the trial, potentially pushing it past the November election.

Prosecution is countering this, challenging the notion of absolute presidential immunity. They argue that Trump's actions, specifically his alleged plot to enlist fake electors and pressure former Vice President Pence to reject valid electoral votes on January 6, 2021, exceed the limits of presidential duties and should not be shielded from legal accountability.

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Fisk University, initially known as Fisk Free Colored School, was founded on January 9, 1866. In Nashville, Tennessee, the institution emerged during the post-Civil War era, dedicated to providing education for newly freed African Americans.

The school's mission extended far beyond conventional education; it became a sanctuary for intellectual growth, fostering an environment where students flourished amidst adversity.

Notably, in 1871, the renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers embarked on a groundbreaking tour, showcasing the power of spirituals and raising funds critical to sustaining the university.

Fisk's legacy continues to thrive, representing resilience, academic achievement, and cultural significance in the landscape of American higher education.

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(AURN News) – U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin remains under medical care at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He was admitted to the hospital after complications following a recent elective medical procedure, according to the Pentagon.

In a recent statement, Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder provided an update on Secretary Austin's health, revealing that Austin continues to recover and is reported to be in "good spirits."

“Since resuming his duties on Friday evening, the Secretary has received operational updates and has provided necessary guidance to his team. He has full access to required secure communications capabilities and continues to monitor DoD's day-to-day operations worldwide,” Maj. Gen. Ryder said.

It was further disclosed by the Pentagon that Secretary Austin spoke with President Biden over the weekend. But amidst the updates on Secretary Austin's health, a new development has emerged on the political front. In a joint statement, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) and Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA), want more information about Austin’s condition and whether or not he has been able to continue his duties.

“While we wish Sec. Austin a speedy recovery, we are concerned with how the disclosure of the Secretary’s condition was handled. Several questions remain unanswered including what the medical procedure and resulting complications were, what the Secretary’s current health status is, how and when the delegation of the Secretary’s responsibilities were made, and the reason for the delay in notification to the President and Congress,” they said. 

“Transparency is vitally important. Sec. Austin must provide these additional details on his health and the decision-making process that occurred in the past week as soon as possible,” the statement continued.

As of now, no official release date for Secretary Austin has been announced. 

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Shirley Bassey was born on January 8, 1937, in Tiger Bay, U.K. Her legendary career spans decades, making her an icon in the world of music.

She's renowned for her powerhouse performances and timeless hits like "Goldfinger" and "Diamonds Are Forever," solidifying her status as a James Bond theme song legend.

Bassey's remarkable talent earned her numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards and an honorary damehood, recognizing her significant contributions to music and her enduring impact on the industry.

Happy birthday to the legendary Shirley Bassey!

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Claudine Gay, Harvard University's first Black president, has tendered her resignation after just a few months in office. Gay took on the role in July, marking a historic moment for the prestigious institution.

In her resignation letter to the Harvard community, Gay expressed her hope of how her tenure would be remembered.

"When my brief presidency is remembered, I hope it will be seen as a moment of reawakening to the importance of striving to find our common humanity—and of not allowing rancor and vituperation to undermine the vital process of education," she wrote.

However, Gay's tenure was marred by controversy, particularly surrounding her response to concerns about antisemitism on campus. During a recent hearing on Capitol Hill, where the House Committee on Education and the Workforce focused on antisemitism, accusations were levied against Gay for not adequately addressing the rising antisemitism among students and faculty. The hearing was prompted by the surge in antisemitic incidents at top universities following the October terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas.

Critics pointed to what they deemed as President Gay's equivocation during the December 5 hearing. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, the Committee chair, released a statement Tuesday in response to Gay’s resignation, expressing her dismay for the former Harvard President’s comments during the hearing.

“What the world saw from President Gay on December 5 was repeated equivocation – and no one has forgotten it since. It is particularly appalling that on the day following the hearing, President Gay released a statement blaming members of the public for holding her to account – and rightfully calling out her evasiveness. Then there are allegations after allegations of plagiarism – this academically dishonest behavior is appalling. While President Gay’s resignation is welcome news, the problems at Harvard are much larger than one leader and the Committee’s oversight will continue,” Foxx said.

President Gay also faced additional scrutiny over allegations of plagiarism, with The Harvard Crimson reporting corrections would be made to her 1997 Ph.D. dissertation. Parts of the dissertation were reportedly not properly cited.

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On this day in 1970, Clifton R. Wharton Jr. made history by becoming the president of Michigan State University, marking the first time an African-American led a predominantly white higher education institution in the 20th century. Additionally, the Harvard graduate made history as the first African-American to helm a Fortune 500 company.

His achievements extended into the political arena, serving as the deputy secretary of state during President Bill Clinton's tenure. He became the first African-American to hold the second-highest position within the agency.

In 2015, he released his autobiography Privilege and Prejudice: The Life of a Black Pioneer. Clifton R. Wharton Jr. is now 97 years old.

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Over 60 national movement and organizational leaders were arrested protesting at the U.S. Capitol against a proposed military funding package, sending billions of dollars to Israel.

They say it's fueling genocide in Gaza and occupation of the Palestinian people. They also said they are fighting against increased border militarization and immigration enforcement in the US at the southern border.

The protest was led by the Action Center on Race and the Economy, the Adalah Justice Project, the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, and the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights. It was also supported by dozens of other organizations.

Protesters carried children's shoes to pay tribute to the more than 8,000 children killed by the Israeli military in Gaza, and those that they say are being victimized by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They also held banners that said 'ceasefire now.'​

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President Joe Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts delivered eulogies at the funeral of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, a legal pioneer and the first woman to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. The ceremony took place at Washington National Cathedral.

O'Connor, known as a dealmaker and fearless champion for women's rights, was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981. She passed away on December 1 at the age of 93.

O'Connor is renowned for her role as a decisive swing vote on the court. She crafted key decisions and upheld significant rights during her tenure, before retiring in 2006.

The ceremony also included speeches from O'Connor's son, Jay, and her biographer, Evan W. Thomas III.

As the nation pays tribute, reflections on her influential career and the current shifts in the Supreme Court's dynamics come to the forefront. O'Connor's legacy, especially her impact on issues like abortion, remains the topic of considerable discussion as the court's current conservative majority revisits and often reverses previous rulings.​

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