AURN News

The Department of Homeland Security announced a powerhouse move creating the AI Safety and Security Board. The 22-member advisory panel is not your ordinary group. It packs leaders from the tech world like Open AI, Microsoft, and Alphabet. But it's not all Silicon Valley. The board is a mix of big names from various sectors, CEOs of Delta Airlines and Northrop Grumman, the mayor of Seattle, and even Maryland's governor, among others. 

The mission? Save our critical infrastructure. Think power grids and airports -- AI-related threats that could disrupt everyone -- from national security to public safety.

As AI technologies like ChatGPT gain popularity, their potential for misuse grows even more. Autonomous drones, bioweapons, enhanced threats from hackers, and more. You name it, AI could turbocharge it all. 

The plan? Develop recommendations, adopt best practices, and take concrete actions to use AI responsibly and safely.

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(AURN News) - The Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) has named Dr. Anthony Fletcher as its 20th president, putting the Arkansas interventional cardiologist at the forefront of the organization's efforts to reduce cardiovascular disease and increase diversity in the cardiology field.

Dr. Fletcher, who practices at the CHI St. Vincent Cardiology and Medicine Clinic in Little Rock, assumes leadership of the national organization as it aims to boost awareness about heart health, advocate for more Black cardiologists and researchers, and establish an endowment to fund its programs.

"He is poised to lead the organization and drive its national agenda to achieve a reduction in cardiovascular disease through awareness and education; advocating for a more diverse workforce inclusive of more African American cardiologists, researchers, and providers; and, to establish an endowment that advances the ABC's agenda and programs," the ABC said in a statement.

A graduate of Xavier University and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Fletcher brings decades of experience in interventional cardiology to his new role helming the 2,000-member organization.

The ABC, founded in 1974, says its mission is "promoting heart health and wellness in minority communities" across the United States. Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death among African Americans.

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In Atlanta, a demonstration at Emory University escalated quickly, resulting in a significant police response and numerous arrests. NAACP Georgia President Gerald A. Griggs is now calling for a meeting with the university president, Gregory L. Fenves, following Thursday's events, where at least 28 people were detained.

The protests, part of a broader national outcry linked to the Israeli-Gaza conflict, saw demonstrators demanding the university sever ties with companies implicated in military efforts in Gaza. Confrontations intensified when protesters reportedly threw bottles, prompting police to deploy pepper spray and pepper balls to confront the crowd.

Emory's VP of public safety, Cheryl Elliott, stated that 20 of the arrests are affiliated with the university, highlighting the deep community impact of the incident. At least two Emory professors were arrested.

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Blues icon Ma Rainey, originally Gertrude Pridgett, was born on April 26, 1886. She earned the title "Mother of the Blues" for her pioneering contributions to the genre. 

In 1904, she wed comedian William "Pa" Rainey, embarking on a joint tour across the Southern states. It was during these travels that she immersed herself in the blues scene, captivating audiences with her soulful performances as early as 1905. 

From 1923 to 1928, Rainey recorded over 100 tracks. Collaborating with luminaries such as Bessie Smith and Louis Armstrong, her influence extended far beyond her own recordings. Rainey's music inspired the likes of Langston Hughes and Sterling Brown, prominent figures of the Harlem Renaissance.

Happy heavenly birthday, Ma Rainey.

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President Joe Biden has signed a new national security bill with one aspect that caught everyone's eye: a potential TikTok ban. But the popular app isn't going anywhere just yet -- there's a provision that delays any potential ban until after the 2024 election. 

The bill gives TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, up to a year to sell off its American operations or face a U.S. ban. This means TikTok will stick around through election season, keeping its 170 million American users connected and engaged, especially the younger crowd who have made it a key platform for political messages.

What's the delay? Well, it seems there's some strategic timing at play to avoid upsetting voters. Plus, there's a possible extension in the mix. The president could tack on an extra 90 days if he sees significant progress toward the sale, stretching the deadline to April 2025.

But the real question is, will the courts get involved? If so, the battle over TikTok could drag on even longer.

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Blues guitarist and pioneer Albert King was born on April 25, 1923, in Mississippi. Renowned as one of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar," alongside B.B. King and Freddie King, he is celebrated for his distinctive string-bending guitar style, which imbued his music with a gritty, soulful quality.

Over a career spanning almost four decades, King's influence was profound, shaping the trajectory of rock and roll. His iconic hit, "Born Under a Bad Sign" from 1967, garnered widespread acclaim and was later covered by legends like Jimi Hendrix and the rock band Cream. 

At the age of 69, King passed away from a heart attack in 1992. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.

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(AURN News) - For millions of Americans, owning a home remains an elusive dream as soaring mortgage rates and prices stretch affordability to the breaking point, new data shows. The average daily mortgage rate surpassed 7.4%, according to real estate brokerage Redfin, piling on fresh misery for would-be homebuyers already grappling with record-high property values.

The latest inflation report and the Federal Reserve's decision to pause interest rate hikes appeared to do little to ease the financial burden on those looking to purchase a home, according to Redfin. Their analysis also found the average sale price for a home across the United States rose 5% to $380,250 – just $3,095 shy of the all-time peak of $383,345 set in June 2022.

The mounting affordability crisis is reflected in dwindling homebuyer demand. Google searches for the term "home for sale" plunged 17%, Redfin reported. The sidelining of buyers risks setting off a troubling cycle. With the Federal Reserve remaining hawkish on inflation, the path for buyers to find relief grows ever narrower.

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Country star Jimmie Allen is opening up about this very dark period he faced after he was sued for sexual assault in May last year. His former manager dropped her lawsuit against him just last month, but she initially had him charged with rape.

But in a new video shared on YouTube, Allen says in the immediate aftermath, he contemplated suicide as a means of providing financially for his family. Well, he said his life fell apart, he was dropped by his label, and had a number of business deals pulled, and he said, "I'm thinking to myself, how will I provide for my family?" Then it hit him, his insurance policy covered suicide. Believe me, most don't.

But it turns out, a friend sent him a text, just as he was loading bullets in his gun, and it saved his life. The text said, "ending it isn't the answer." Well, we are certainly glad his friend was there for him. We're certainly glad Jimmie changed his mind and the lawsuit was dropped. If you know of anyone contemplating suicide, there is a lot of help and there is a suicide hotline.

Caitlin Clark is finally getting some real money for her basketball season. As reported by the Wall Street Journal, Clark is expected to sign an eight-year deal with Nike, worth up to $28 million. And she's going to get her own signature shoe in the deal in the future.

As you might guess, Nike wasn't the only sportswear brand that was interested in signing the basketball phenom. Apparently, Adidas, Puma, and Under Armour all had their hands in the pot, but Nike won it out. We're so happy for her and I cannot wait to see the WNBA with her playing and all the other girls that did so well this year.

Diddy's associate Brendan Paul has just been charged with one felony count of drug possession and it could mean more trouble for the rap mogul. Paul, a former Syracuse men's basketball player who worked as Diddy's main assistant, was arrested in March at the Miami Opa Locka Executive Airport. That was the day the feds raided the plane and found cocaine and marijuana candy. He was arrested and taken into custody at the time. By the way, that was the same day the feds raided Diddy's mansions in Miami and LA.

Brendan is extremely close to Diddy and was privy to his goings and comings and he is now pleaded not guilty. His lawyer says the case will be tried in the courtroom and not the court of public opinion. Okay, good luck with that one.

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In Washington, D.C., today, hundreds gathered for the 10th anniversary FreeHer March and Rally at Freedom Plaza. The event marked a decade of activism aimed at ending the mass incarceration of women and shifting resources into communities.

Speakers highlighted the stark statistics: over 190,600 women and girls are currently incarcerated in the U.S. A significant number -- more than a quarter -- are not yet convicted and merely await trial.

Today's rally emphasized the urgent need for federal and state clemency. With Mother's Day approaching, the spotlight was on 150,000 incarcerated mothers who will spend the day separated from their children unless immediate action is taken.

The rally called on the Biden administration and state governors to grant clemency and to address the inhumane conditions in women's prisons. The event was put on by the National Council of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls.

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Jazz saxophonist Joe Henderson was born on April 25, 1937 in Ohio. Following his stint in the U.S. Army from 1960 to 1962, Henderson made his way to New York City, where he crossed paths with fellow saxophonist Dexter Gordon.

Joining Gordon's band proved pivotal for Henderson's career, exposing him to diverse musical influences including bebop, R&B, and Latin styles. Henderson's breakthrough arrived with a standout solo on Horace Silver's popular track, "Song for My Father." This led to a deal with Blue Note Records, featuring a remarkable 30 albums from 1963 to 1968. 

Throughout his career, Henderson collaborated with jazz luminaries such as Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock, as well as the rock ensemble Blood, Sweat & Tears. 

In 2001, Henderson died at 64 years old.

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