AURN News

(AURN News) — Delta Airlines clinched the top spot for punctuality among North American carriers for the fourth consecutive year, according to Cirium's 2024 on-time performance report. The Atlanta-based carrier achieved an 83.46% on-time rate across 1,712,529 flights, earning Cirium's platinum award. In global rankings, Aeromexico led with an 86.70% on-time arrival rate, followed by Saudia at 86.35% and Delta at 83.46%. For North American airlines, Delta topped the list, with United, Alaska, American, and Southwest rounding out the top five. The report, now in its 16th year, analyzed 3 million flights monthly to determine rankings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — President-elect Donald Trump criticized outgoing President Joe Biden's border policies following two separate violent incidents on New Year's Day that left multiple casualties in New Orleans and the suspect dead in Las Vegas. Trump posted on Truth Social: “With the Biden “Open Border’s Policy” I said, many times during Rallies, and elsewhere, that Radical Islamic Terrorism, and other forms of violent crime, will become so bad in America that it will become hard to even imagine or believe. That time has come, only worse than ever imagined. Joe Biden is the WORST PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA, A COMPLETE AND TOTAL DISASTER. What he and his group of Election Interfering “thugs” have done to our Country will not soon be forgotten! MAGA” In New Orleans, at least 14 people died after Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a Texas resident, drove through a crowd on Bourbon Street and then fired shots. The FBI reports finding an ISIS flag and potential IED in his rental pickup truck. Jabbar was killed by local law enforcement. Separately, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police are investigating an explosion outside the Trump International Hotel involving a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck. The incident injured seven people and killed the driver. Police discovered gasoline canisters, camp fuel canisters, and fireworks in the truck bed. While investigating possible connections to the New Orleans attack, authorities currently believe it was an isolated incident. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(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%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — A clean spending bill failed to pass the House Thursday night following intervention from President-elect Donald Trump. The original funding bill was 1,500 pages long and, after Trump’s involvement in cutting waste, is down to 116 pages. "This is Washington. This is how the lawmaking is done. It's a long process," Johnson said. "Sometimes it takes a while to reach consensus." Johnson also anticipates a major shift when it comes to government spending when he says Republicans will have greater control. "Republicans will have control of the White House and the Senate and the House, and we'll be able to make the key decisions about funding for the 2025 fiscal year," Johnson said. The bill includes $100 billion for hurricane relief and $10 billion in emergency aid for struggling farmers and ranchers. Johnson attributed agricultural difficulties to "Bidenomics and inflation, the high cost of inputs and fertilizer and seed." A key provision in the new bill extends the debt ceiling to Jan. 30, 2027. Trump, weighing in on Truth Social, pushed for an even longer extension: "Congress must get rid of, or extend out to, perhaps, 2029, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling. Without this, we should never make a deal. Remember, the pressure is on whoever is President." The new proposal marks a departure from the initial spending bill, which had included a controversial congressional pay raise before Trump became involved in negotiations. The new bill also extended the debt limit to Jan. 20, 2027. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amazon drivers are hitting the picket lines in four states just days before Christmas, but the company insists that your holiday deliveries won't be affected. Workers represented by the Teamsters Union are striking at seven facilities, highlighting low wages and a lack of benefits. Although the Teamsters claim to represent around 7,000 workers, that's less than 1% of Amazon's workforce in the U.S. Drivers shared their struggles, stating many can't afford gifts for their own families this year. Amazon disputes the Teamsters' claims, arguing that the drivers aren't their employees despite delivering their packages. The strike kicked off early Thursday in Queens, New York, and has spread to places like Illinois and California. The union is pushing for change, hoping to pressure Amazon by striking during the busy, busy holiday season. But it's unclear how long this action will last. As of now, the situation is still developing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A state of appeals court has removed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis from the election interference case against Donald Trump and several co-defendants. The indictment, however, remains intact. The decision leaves the prosecution's future uncertain as the Prosecuting Attorneys Council of Georgia is tasked with finding a new prosecutor to take over the case. The case, which has been stalled for months, involves Trump and others who are accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. With Trump now serving as president, it's unlikely the prosecution will move forward during his term, but 14 other defendants still face charges. While Trump and his allies sought to dismiss the case, claiming conflicts of interest and improper comments from Willis, a previous ruling found no such conflicts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to The New York Times, Georgia's Court of Appeals on Thursday disqualified Atlanta prosecutor Fani T. Willis from the election interference case against President-elect Donald J. Trump and his allies, a surprising decision that could jeopardize the entire case. The three-judge panel, in a 2-1 ruling, reversed a trial court decision allowing Willis, Fulton County's district attorney, to continue prosecuting despite revelations of a romantic relationship with Nathan J. Wade, a lawyer she hired to manage the case. Judge Scott McAfee had previously ruled that her relationship created "a significant appearance of impropriety," forcing her to dismiss Wade. The appeals court, all Republican appointees, said the trial court's actions failed to resolve concerns of impropriety. If upheld, the ruling could derail the last active criminal prosecution against Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(AURN News) — The Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by a quarter percentage point on Wednesday, while emphasizing continued vigilance over inflation that remains above the central bank's 2% target. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell highlighted the economy's resilience amid the rate decision. "Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace," Powell said, noting that "GDP rose at an annual rate of 2.8 percent in the third quarter, about the same pace as in the second quarter." The Federal Open Market Committee's move comes amid mixed economic signals. While consumer spending remains strong and business investment has improved, Powell pointed out that "activity in the housing sector has been weak." In explaining their approach to future policy decisions, Powell stressed the delicate balance the Fed must maintain. "We know that reducing policy restraint too fast or too much could hinder progress on inflation. At the same time, reducing policy restraint too slowly or too little could unduly weaken economic activity and employment," he said. The Federal Reserve's official statement indicates that future decisions will be based on comprehensive economic data. "The Committee's assessments will take into account a wide range of information, including readings on labor market conditions, inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments," the Fed stated. Markets initially responded negatively to the announcement on Wednesday, but stocks rebounded in Thursday morning trading. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries slammed Republicans and warned of the harm that may be about to hit Americans. The reason? President-elect Donald Trump rejected a bipartisan plan to prevent a looming government shutdown. "House Republicans have been ordered to shut down the government and hurt everyday Americans all across this country. House Republicans will now own any harm that is visited upon the American people that results from a government shutdown or worse," said Jeffries. With federal funding set to run out just days before Christmas, Trump's last-minute demands include tying routine government funding to a contentious debt ceiling hike, forcing Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans back to the drawing board. As the deadline nears, the stalemate underscores the challenges facing Republican leadership and the growing influence of Trump's inner circle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, reports from CNN have emerged that his allies are considering shrinking or even closing the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), sparking widespread concern from financial experts. The FDIC insures deposits up to $250,000 per account, acting as a critical safety net funded by bank premiums rather than taxpayer dollars. Critics of the proposal include Patricia McCoy, a former legal regulator, who warns that eliminating or weakening the FDIC could erode trust in the banking system and spark bank runs. Dennis Kelleher, CEO of Better Markets, called the idea "one of the dumbest ideas" ever proposed, noting the FDIC's pivotal role during the 2008 financial crisis. While the plan aligns with the Conservative Project 2025 agenda, analysts believe Congress is unlikely to back such a move, citing the FDIC's vital role in protecting America's financial stability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rayful Edmond, who once controlled a third of Washington, D.C.’s cocaine market during the 1980s crack epidemic, died at age 60 in federal custody, the Bureau of Prisons confirmed Tuesday. Known as the city’s “king of cocaine,” Edmond’s network fueled soaring homicide rates and destroyed countless lives. Protected by armed enforcers, he oversaw a massive operation moving thousands of pounds of cocaine monthly. Arrested in 1989 at twenty-four, he received life without parole. Although generating millions weekly at his empire’s peak, Edmond’s ultimate legacy was one of violence, addiction, and loss. The Bureau of Prisons provided no details on the circumstances of his death. No exact cause was disclosed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices