(Photo: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)

In today’s top news, North Korea’s muscle flexing continues to dominate the Obama administration’s foreign policy attention; Detroit’s mayor is presenting a new budget with deep cuts; and Trayvon Martin’s parents have criticized a letter written by George Zimmerman’s mother.

Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to South Korea warning North Korea not to proceed with a missile launch. [NYTimes]

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing will present a budget with deep cuts for the cash-strapped city. [Detroit Free Press]

Trayvon Martin’s parents strongly denounced a letter by George Zimmerman’s mother, who said her son was denied justice. [BET]

Sudan President Omar al-Bashir is making his first official visit to South Sudan since it became independent in 2011. [BBC]

A survivor of the bombing of an Alabama church 50 years ago wants compensation. [BET]

Former Newark Mayor Sharpe James was robbed on a street in the city he once led. [Star Ledger]

A poll by NBC and the Wall Street Journal indicates that a majority of Americans now support gay marriage. [Newsmax]

The life of Jackie Robinson is remembered on the weekend that a biographical film on the iconic baseball player is released.  [NYTimes]

Sam Martin, publisher of the Montgomery Advertiser, stepped down as the last Black head of the nation’s largest newspaper group. [NY Amsterdam News]

A prominent human rights activist has been granted bail in Zambia after calling for decriminalization of same-sex activities. [BBC]

In today’s top news, two men have been arrested for a shooting at Texas’ Lone Star College that left three people wounded; Colin Powell railed against the GOP over voter ID laws; and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defended her handling of the attacks on the U.S. mission in Benghazi.

Two men have been arrested for a shooting at Texas’ Lone Star College that left three people wounded. [CNN]

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defended her handling of the attacks on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, before Congress. [Reuters]

Cornell West says it was wrong for President Obama to be sworn in on MLK’s Bible. [Newsmax]

Sen. Frank Lautenberg suggested that Newark Mayor Cory Booker should be spanked. [USATODAY]

Beyoncé is caught in an inauguration lip-synching controversy. [BET]

A statue of Rosa Parks will be erected on Capitol Hill. [BET]

Georgia authorities are investigating Ku Klux Klan fliers that were placed outside some homes. [AP]

A Georgia man is suing the state after his “GAYGUY” license plate was rejected. [NBCNews]

South African President Jacob Zuma said his government is not threatening local mining companies. [Reuters]

In today’s top news, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed President Obama’s reelection, the Black unemployment rate rose to 14.3 percent in October and President Obama and Mitt Romney are winding up their final campaign events in swing states.

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed President Obama’s reelection. [BET]

The Black unemployment rate rose to 14.3 percent in October. [BET]

President Obama and Mitt Romney are winding up their final campaign events in swing states. [CNN]

The bodies of two NYC boys swept away by Hurricane Sandy were found. [NYPost]

Newark Mayor Cory Booker let a Hurricane Sandy victim “hang out” at his house and use his electricity. [Observer]

New charges were filed against Penn State officials in the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse case. [CNN]

A sequel to The Best Man is scheduled for a Nov. 15, 2013 release. [BET]

Iranians mark the anniversary of the U.S. embassy seizure. [AP]

Three Kenyans have been charged with the murder of Venezuela’s ambassador to Kenya. [BBC]

South African president Jacob Zuma calls for traditional African courts to solve “African problems.” [BBC]

In today’s top news, Beyoncé reportedly brought down the house in her four-night post-baby concert in Atlantic City, Diddy’s son earns a $54,000 football scholarship to UCLA and Jay-Z is slated to oversee the remake of Annie starring Willow Smith.

Beyoncé reportedly brought down the house in her four-night post-baby concert in Atlantic City. [BET]

Diddy’s son awarded a $54,000 football scholarship to UCLA. [Daily Mail]

Jay-Z slated to oversee the remake of Annie starring Willow Smith. [BET]

T.I. plans to release his second novel in September. [BET]

Federal unemployment extensions for many long-term unemployed Americans are set to expire. [NYT]

Syracuse University and Alex Haley’s son are in a tug of war over a letter written by Malcolm X. [Post-Standard]

Miami police shot an unidentified man who tried to chew another mans face off. [MSNBC]

Cory Booker tells Oprah he can’t imagine running for president. [Star-Ledger]

A U.S. envoy to Haiti says that it will take another 30 years before the country starts to see economic growth. [MontrealGazette]

Sudan is set to withdraw its troops from disputed oil town Abyei. [BBC]

In today’s top news, President Obama says Kanye West is still a “Jackass,” Newark mayor Cory Booker saves a neighbor from a burning house and the National Rifle Association meets for its annual meeting amid pressure over gun laws.

President Obama says Kanye West is still a “Jackass.” [BET]

Newark mayor Cory Booker saves neighbor from burning house. [BET]

The National Rifle Association meets for its annual meeting amid pressure over gun laws. [NYT]

Three people were killed in an Ohio Cracker Barrel restaurant after shots rang out during a domestic dispute. [AP]

California’s Supreme Court ruled that employers no longer have to ensure lunch breaks for workers. [AP]

Arizona governor signs law banning most late-term abortions. [Reuters]

Rapper Diggy says he is one of the last “real MCs.” [BET]

The legendary Howard Theater reopens its doors. [BET]

U.N. peacekeepers stand ready to enforce Syria ceasefire. [AJE]

U.N. demands immediate end to Sudan oil conflict. [BBC]

Congratulations to Newark mayor Cory Booker.

The 41-year-old politician, a star in the Democratic Party known for his muscular but practical approach to fighting crime, got re-elected last night with 21, 000 votes, a solid 59 percent of total votes cast yesterday.

But even with a win by a respectable margin, Booker did not lose sight of the public’s current  restlessness and no-nonsense posture when it comes to elected officials.

“It’s a pretty profound statement in an economy and a nation that seems to be throwing out incumbents left and right,” he said of his win.

On Twitter, Booker showed his appreciation to supporters. “Thanks to all who voted, volunteered or supported in anyway. I am so grateful for all the work, sacrifice and faith we all put forth.”

Booker’s “Brick City” critics’ attempts to characterize him as “out-of-touch” with inner city problems because of his middle class background, have been largely unsuccessful.

Both Booker’s parents were among IBM’s first Black executives. The Stanford grad was also a Rhodes Scholar and has a law degree from Yale.

Inspite of the criticisms,  Booker has managed to craft for himself the image of an upstanding, down-with-the-people mayor, deeply committed to the most pressing problems facing ordinary Newarkers.

Earlier this year when a blizzard buried most of the East Coast, the mayor got a call from a former constituent who couldn’t get to her elderly father’s house to help him dig out of the snow. Booker went to the man’s house himself with shovel in hand and did the honors.