AURN News

(AURN News) — The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged Wednesday, with Chair Jerome Powell citing solid economic growth while acknowledging growing uncertainty about the outlook.

"Recent indications, however, point to a moderation in consumer spending following the rapid growth seen over the second half of 2024. Surveys of households and businesses point to heightened uncertainty about the economic outlook. It remains to be seen how these developments might affect future spending and investment," Powell said during a press conference.

The central bank's decision comes amid mixed economic signals, with the labor market remaining resilient but consumer spending showing signs of cooling after strong growth in late 2024.

"In the labor market conditions remain solid. Payroll job gains averaged 200,000 per month over the past three months, the unemployment rate at 4.1% remains low and has held in a narrow range for the past year," Powell added.

Powell directly addressed the potential economic impact of policy changes under the Trump administration.

"Looking ahead, the new administration is in the process of implementing significant policy changes in four distinct areas, trade, immigration, fiscal policy and regulation. It is the net effect of these policy changes that will matter for the economy and for the path of monetary policy," he said.

"While there have been recent developments in some of these areas, especially trade policy, uncertainty around the changes and their effects on the economic outlook is high. As we parse the incoming information, we're focused on separating the signal from the noise as the outlook evolves," Powell said.

In its official statement, the Federal Reserve noted: "Recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace. The unemployment rate has stabilized at a low level in recent months, and labor market conditions remain solid. Inflation remains somewhat elevated."

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

If you caught the New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat game, you might have noticed a 10-minute delay in the third quarter. Turns out Tracy Morgan became ill courtside and had to be escorted out. The comedian later reassured fans on Instagram that he’s doing fine after a case of food poisoning. In classic Tracy fashion, he joked that he might just throw up again if it means another Knicks win!

Meanwhile, Niecy Nash-Betts celebrated her 55th birthday in Beyoncé-inspired Cowboy Carter style with a rodeo-themed party at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. Dressed in a dazzling red sequined corset, cowboy hat, and thigh-high boots, she truly brought the Western glam.

And speaking of cowboys, don’t miss our feature on the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, starring Glynn Turman and showcasing real Black cowboy culture.

For more exclusive stories and videos, follow me on @TanyaHollywood and @aurnonline! 🤠🎤🏀

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chief Justice John Roberts was quick to respond after President Donald Trump called for the impeachment of a federal judge who ruled against his deportation orders.

Roberts pushed back hard in a statement, saying, “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.”

During an interview on Fox News, President Trump said, “He didn’t mention my name in the statement,” disregarding the fact that Roberts was talking directly about his call for impeachment.

This comes after Judge James Boasberg blocked Trump’s attempt to use a 1798 wartime law to justify mass deportations of Venezuelan migrants, calling it legally questionable.

Judge Boasberg, in his ruling, ordered the administration to provide more information about the deportation flights, and they have until noon today.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In a phone call on Tuesday afternoon, President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the need for a peace agreement in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The leaders agreed that the war must end with a lasting ceasefire, emphasizing the human cost of the conflict.

Trump and Putin also highlighted the potential for improved U.S.-Russia relations, suggesting that a successful resolution could lead to significant economic deals. However, the conversation also touched on broader regional issues like the Middle East and the threat of nuclear proliferation.

While these discussions may seem promising, the long-standing tensions between Washington and Moscow tell a different story. Trump’s past ties with Putin have raised concerns about the sincerity of this peace talk. Putin’s rhetoric is often seen as a strategy to improve Russia’s global standing while continuing aggressive actions against Ukraine.

The question remains: Are these peace talks a genuine effort to resolve conflict or another tactical move by both leaders to shift the geopolitical landscape in their favor?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

DALLAS (AURN News) — When Erika Howard struggled to find athletic clothing that allowed her to maintain her modesty while coaching and working out, she didn't just layer up and sweat through it — she created her own solution.

Howard, a former track, volleyball and basketball coach, launched Two and Nine in 2022, a modest athletic apparel company designed for women who want coverage without sacrificing performance or style.

"We were modest women who loved to work out, who loved to play sports and ride bikes and all of that, but we were finding it very difficult to find apparel that we were comfortable in and could do all things in," Howard said. "The Lord gave me a dream and told me to start this business. And I was obedient."

The brand specializes in athletic skirts with built-in shorts, featuring functional details like pockets and drawstrings that allow for comfortable movement during various activities.

Howard, who coached at Omaha North High School in Nebraska and Barnett Junior High in Texas, said her experiences trying to coach in traditional modest clothing highlighted the market gap.

"I either had to pay people to make my clothing more modest or add layers upon layers and be extremely uncomfortable while sweating," Howard said.

Since launching on Feb. 22, 2022 — a date Howard notes was significant as "2/22/22" or "Two-sday" — the company has expanded beyond her initial expectations.

"I initially thought that it would be for my friends and myself, but little did I know that there were people all over the country that would like my designs," Howard said. "The growth has been exponential. So far, we've shipped to probably 18 different states... and Canada."

Howard aims to challenge misconceptions about modest clothing, which she says is often viewed as restrictive or uncomfortable.

"I think people think that when you say modest, you're completely covered from head to toe, that it is restricting, that it is uncomfortable," Howard said. "Modesty is for me, it's for the wearer. It's for the person who wants to feel comfortable and does not feel comfortable showing all their body."

The entrepreneur emphasizes that modest doesn't mean unstylish. "It doesn't always have to be a black skirt... You can still have a style and be more athletic, or somebody who enjoys athleisure wear," she said.

Her company motto — "You can do anything in a skirt" — reflects her vision that modest clothing should be functional and versatile.

Howard sees her business filling a crucial need as mainstream athletic wear trends increasingly feature crop tops and form-fitting styles.

"Now as I go to the store, everything is a crop top, everything has a stomach out, everything is tight," Howard said. "Maybe I don't want to show every single part of my leg."

Two and Nine has expanded beyond athletic wear into modest scrubs and is developing athleisure options and swimwear.

To aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly Black women, Howard offers straightforward advice: "Just go for it. You may not know exactly what the next step is, but if you have the encouragement to start the business and you have the idea, just go for it."

"Follow your dreams," she added, "because you don't know where God's going to take you once you step out on faith and you do what he's calling you to do."

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

According to The Guardian, Army Maj. Gen. Charles C. Rogers, the highest-ranking Black servicemember to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Vietnam War, was briefly removed from the Department of Defense’s website, sparking backlash.

The deletion occurred amid the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate references to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Following public outcry, the page was later restored.

Rogers’ Medal of Honor citation commended his “heroism” during a 1968 battle. He retired in 1984 and passed away in 1990.

The controversy surrounding his profile’s removal underscores broader concerns about the erasure of Black military history from government records.

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

A federal judge is pressing the Trump administration to explain its actions after the Department of Justice violated a court order halting deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. President Donald Trump invoked the law, which dates back to the 18th century, to deport members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua.

But after the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg temporarily blocked the deportation. Despite the court order, at least three deportation flights took off, including one after the judge's verbal ruling.

The Justice Department argues the planes were already in the air before the official written order. But the judge pushed back, demanding answers on the flight's details. He gave the government until noon Tuesday to provide the information.

As tensions rise, legal experts are warning this could set the stage for a constitutional showdown.

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

Friday is the deadline for South Africa's ambassador to the United States, Ebrahim Rasool, to leave the country after being declared "persona non grata" by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The incident comes after Rasool faced criticism for remarks he made about President Donald Trump, which Rubio labeled as "race-baiting."

Rubio announced the decision in a social media post while returning from a G7 meeting in Canada, stating that Rasool's diplomatic privileges expired Monday. South African embassy officials were officially informed at the State Department, and Rasool is expected to depart soon. While it's uncommon for an ambassador to be expelled, tensions between the Trump administration and South Africa have been escalating.

Recently, Trump signed an executive order halting aid to South Africa, accusing its government of pursuing anti-white policies and supporting groups like Hamas and Iran. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described the situation as a "hiccup" in diplomatic relations and expressed hope for rebuilding ties with the U.S.

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

(AURN News) — A major shift in the country continues to take place as Americans’ opinion of the Democratic Party has fallen to its lowest level since CNN began measuring party favorability, according to a new poll released this week.

The survey shows that 54% of Americans now view the Democratic Party unfavorably, while only 29% hold a favorable opinion. This marks a significant decline from October 2024, when favorability stood at 39%, and from January, when it registered at 33%.

The poll comes as President Donald Trump, who began his second term after defeating Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, continues to receive positive ratings from the public.

In a separate recent survey reported by AURN News, Trump's policies appear to resonate with a majority of Americans. That CNN poll found 66% of respondents believe Trump's policies will move the country in the right direction.

The same survey showed 59% of Americans believe Trump had the right priorities, while 62% expressed confidence that his economic policies would benefit the nation.

These numbers suggest a challenging political landscape for Democrats as Trump 2.0 continues to reshape the country.

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

The Trump administration is being forced to backpedal on its mass purge of federal employees as two separate court rulings ordered the reinstatement of more than 30,000 workers fired during their probationary periods.

These workers won’t be back at their desks just yet. Instead, they’ll be placed on paid administrative leave, effectively putting them back on the payroll while the legal battle unfolds. The first ruling immediately reinstates employees at key agencies like Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, and Defense. The second expands reinstatement to 18 more agencies.

Federal officials have already begun scrambling to comply. The General Services Administration has sent out notices informing employees that their terminations are rescinded with at least some workers guaranteed reinstatement until March 27.

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