AURN News

There's a major development in the race for House Speaker. Out of the nine Republicans vying for the position, seven voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results that declared Joe Biden the winner.

This controversial stance, even after the Capitol riot, reflects the ongoing divide within the GOP. The two remaining candidates, Reps. Tom Emmer and Austin Scott, did not object to the election results. However, they did support a Texas lawsuit seeking to invalidate the results in key states.

Emmer, backed by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, holds a strong position but faces opposition from allies of former President Donald Trump.

The caucus will vote on their preferred candidate today. Stay tuned for our updates on this crucial House Speaker election.

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(AURN News) - As the conflict between Israel and Hamas rages on in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack by Hamas, prominent world leaders have joined forces to express their unwavering support for Israel. President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni issued a collective statement over the weekend, emphasizing their solidarity with the Israeli people.

This display of international support comes after Hamas carried out a deadly terrorist attack on October 7th, escalating an already volatile situation in the region. The release of two hostages by Hamas marked a potential step toward de-escalation.

The joint statement, released by the White House, underlined the leaders' shared commitment to encouraging the release of more hostages. The statement went on to further say that Israel has a “right to defend itself against terrorism," also calling for "adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.”

The White House further expressed the leaders' dedication to continuing diplomatic coordination as they work collectively to find a resolution to the ongoing crisis.

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Voting rights advocates in Florida are rallying behind a court ruling that deems Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's redistricting plan unconstitutional. The crux of this high-stakes battle revolves around North Florida's Congressional District 5.

Florida Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh ruled this redistricting diminished minority voting power, breaching the Florida Constitution. Plaintiffs are now urging the appeals court to uphold this decision, highlighting a 2015 precedent affirming the non-diminishment of minority electoral influence.

The opposition, however, argues this move risks racial gerrymandering, violating the U.S. Constitution's Equal Protection Clause. They insist the new districts prioritize geographical unity, not racial composition.

As we look ahead to a full court hearing on October 31, the urgency intensifies with a call for resolution by November 22. This would enable lawmakers to adjust the districts, if needed, ensuring equitable representation.

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Lupita Nyong'o voiced her heartache in an emotional statement shared to confirm her split from her partner Selema Masekela. The heartbreaking prose detailed her vast pain and said, "I am tempted to run into the shadows and hide" in the wake of the breakup, which came just hours before she was spotted putting on a cozy display with newly single Joshua Jackson.

Well, in her Instagram post, she wrote about a breakup due to deception by an unnamed loved one. Now, she didn't really specify what the deception was but she suggested that it was a split from her boyfriend of one year. On her profile, she pinned, "There are much more important things going on in the world right now, and my thoughts are with those who are deeply suffering."

Well, our thoughts are with you, Lupita, because we all love you so much and I'm sure you're going to be just fine. 

But please, please say it isn't so. Meghan Markle and Prince Harry could be making a potential cameo in the Kardashians, according to Page Six. And of course, momager Kris Jenner is vying to get the exiled royals to appear in her Hulu show as their apparent friendship continues to evolve.

Well, somebody said it's a slam dunk for the two families to team up. Kris doesn't want to push too aggressively, too soon. Even if it's just a cameo, that is a huge win for Kris and the Kardashians. And the business side is actually starting to count their ducats already. They say this would be very lucrative. They've even included Doria Ragland, Meghan's mom, in this plan. 

My advice to the royals? All that shimmers is not gold or even platinum. 

And for all these stories and a whole lot more, make sure you follow me on social media as we continue to take a look back at Fashion Week in Paris. We've got a lot of other great stuff @aurnonline. You don't want to miss any of it. And follow me on social media @tanyahollywood.

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The House enters its third week without a Speaker, and Republicans are back at square one. Two speaker nominees have withdrawn, unable to secure the crucial 217 votes on the House floor. Pessimism blooms, but Republicans are determined, they say, with the Speaker Forum tonight and an internal election tomorrow.

Amid the fight for Speaker, some House Republicans are worried about a key spending promise by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, fearing another trillion-dollar omnibus spending package could emerge.

Despite criticisms, the prospects of such a bill are rising as the GOP searches for its new leader. Nine Republicans are now running for Speaker, but the question remains, can any of them break the Speaker's stalemate that has left the House in limbo? We'll be watching closely as this historic Speaker saga unfolds.

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WASHINGTON (AURN News) — The White House has issued a response to a recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), indicating a decline in gun-related homicides in 2022. In a statement, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged the positive trend while emphasizing the need for continued efforts to address gun violence.

“Too many families have an empty seat at their dinner table and too many communities have been torn apart because of gun violence. Though gun violence impacts all communities, it does not do so equally. This report makes clear that communities of color are especially at risk of facing this senseless violence,” Jean-Pierre stated.

“Black Americans continue to be disproportionately killed by gun homicides, with a rate more than four times higher than that of the general population,” she added.

A previous CDC report from 2022 also shed light on the grim reality of gun-related deaths. Between 2019 and 2020, the report highlighted a significant increase in gun-related deaths, particularly among Black and Hispanic males between the ages of 10 and 44 years.

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Newly appointed California Sen. Laphonza Butler, a labor leader and activist who has never run for political office, announced that she would not compete for a full Senate term in 2024, The Los Angeles Times reports.

Her announcement ends weeks of speculation about whether she would join a crowded candidate field that includes prominent fellow Democrats. 

Butler said in a statement, according to The Times, “Knowing you can win a campaign doesn’t always mean you should run a campaign. I know this will be a surprise to many because traditionally we don’t see those who have power let it go. It may not be the decision people expected but it’s the right one for me." 

Laphonza Butler is only the third Black woman to be a U.S. Senator.

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Representative Jim Jordan's bid to become Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives has faltered for the second time, leaving House Republicans in doubt about their path forward.

With 22 Republicans voting against Jordan on the second ballot, the House is now in recess. But Jordan remains undeterred, vowing to persist.

Amid this turmoil, there's been a push to elect Representative Patrick McHenry as Speaker pro tempore. It's possible that Democrats would support this move to break the congressional deadlock.

The House's leadership vacuum couldn't come at a worse time as escalating violence in the Middle East demands immediate congressional action.

With President Biden urging Congress to provide emergency security assistance to Israel, the question looms: how will Congress respond to the Middle East crisis?

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Wynton Marsalis was born on October 18, 1961, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Throughout his illustrious career, the jazz trumpeter has not only pushed the boundaries of jazz but has also been an ambassador for the art form, captivating audiences around the globe.

A nine-time Grammy Award winner, Marsalis has composed, performed, and recorded an extensive body of work, solidifying his position as one of the most influential figures in contemporary jazz.

As a historian and educator, he has also worked tirelessly to preserve and promote the rich heritage of the musical tradition.

With over 40 studio albums, Wynton Marsalis's impact on jazz music and culture is immeasurable, and his birthday stands as a momentous occasion in Black history and the annals of jazz.

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President Biden is currently in Israel and has met with the Israeli war cabinet and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a tumultuous turn of events, just as the president was boarding a plane last night for Israel, rocket fire hit a hospital in Gaza, killing over 500 people, according to Palestinian authorities.

Biden has shown his unwavering support during these meetings with Israel, emphasizing U.S. solidarity. He's also made significant statements suggesting that the Israeli military may not be behind the explosion, saying there is evidence he's seen from the Pentagon to support the assertion.

Meanwhile, Hamas blames Israel for the deadly attack, and an investigation is underway. Biden's scheduled summit with Arab leaders during his visit was called off after the explosion.

With Israel preparing for a potential ground invasion of Gaza, the question is, can President Biden broker a deal to avert an even more tumultuous situation and a worsening humanitarian crisis?

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