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The African National Congress (ANC) was banned on this day in 1960. In 1912, the ANC emerged as South Africa's governing party with a founding aim to secure equal rights for non-whites.

In response to the onset of segregation in 1913, the ANC adopted strategies to confront discriminatory policies. Notably, Nelson Mandela, among other members, spearheaded the creation of the Youth League, advocating for more assertive measures against apartheid.

By 1960, tensions mounted, leading to the tragic Sharpeville Massacre, where 69 protesters lost their lives at the hands of South African police. Consequently, both the ANC and the Pan-African Congress were banned by the government on April 8, 1960. Mandela faced arrest and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Over time, the organization garnered international support, resulting in its legalization in South Africa in February 1990. The apartheid regime finally crumbled in 1993, and Mandela, upon his release, became president in 1994.

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President Biden is furthering his student debt loan relief program aimed at reducing the burden on over 30 million borrowers, adding to previous efforts that have already provided relief to 4 million people. The new measures will deliver significant financial reprieve, targeted at those disproportionately affected by student debt.

So who will benefit? Borrowers whose debt has ballooned due to interest. Those eligible for loan forgiveness if they have not yet applied, borrowers who have been repaying for decades, attendees of low-value education programs, and those facing hardships.

The initiative focuses on erasing interest for millions, specifically aiding Black and Latino borrowers facing substantial debt growth. It promises debt cancelation for long-term borrowers - 20 years for undergraduate loans and 25 years for graduate debt. Black and Latino families, historically relying on student loans due to wealth disparities, will see considerable debt reduction. Community college attendees, including a significant number of Latino students, will benefit greatly, with 85% expected to be debt-free within a decade.

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"Earthquakes don't happen every day in New York, so this can be extremely traumatic."

That was New York Mayor Eric Adams, who told New Yorkers to carry on with the day, signaling a quick return to normalcy after the rare 4.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the northeast, sending vibrations from DC to Maine.

It was the strongest quake to hit New Jersey in over two centuries, shaking millions, but fortunately sparing anyone from any major harm. Many were initially puzzled, attributing the tremors to heavy vehicles or household disturbances, but realized they were experiencing an earthquake.

Despite fears, the damage was negligible, with cities swiftly confirming no injuries or structural damage. Originating near Lebanon, New Jersey, the earthquake became a moment of community interaction everywhere.

The tremor did cause temporary disruptions, halting flights and prompting Amtrak inspections, yet the services resumed to normal swiftly.

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(AURN News) - Brace yourself for sticker shock at the supermarket - and not just from inflation. A blistering new report from the Federal Trade Commission accuses some grocery retailers of price gouging during the pandemic recovery. While supply chain disruptions and rising costs initially drove up food prices, the FTC alleges certain chains have kept prices elevated to boost profits well into 2023.

"The commission’s report finds that some in the grocery retail industry seem to have used rising costs as an opportunity to further raise prices to increase their profits, which remain elevated today," the agency stated bluntly.

The numbers don't lie. Food and beverage retailer revenues skyrocketed to over 6% above total costs in 2021 - outpacing even their 2015 peak of 5.6%. In 2023, profits soared even higher, with revenue reaching a whopping 7% over costs."Casting doubt on the assertions of some companies that rising prices at the grocery store are the result of retailers’ own rising costs," the FTC declared.

As we continue battling stubborn inflation at the checkout line, the report suggests some of those painfully high grocery bills may be more a matter of corporate greed than economic necessity.

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(AURN News) - Despite progress, stubborn inflation still weighs on American consumers as the Federal Reserve maintains its campaign to bring prices under control. Households are still grappling with high costs at the grocery store and gas pump.

Speaking at the Stanford Business, Government, and Society Forum, Fed Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged that while inflation has fallen from last year, it remains above the Fed's 2% target.

"Growth in economic activity and employment was strong in 2023, as real gross domestic product expanded more than 3 percent and 3 million jobs were created, even as inflation fell substantially," Powell stated.

He also emphasized that the Fed would not consider lowering interest rates until officials have greater confidence inflation is moving. “On inflation, it is too soon to say whether the recent readings represent more than just a bump. We do not expect that it will be appropriate to lower our policy rate until we have greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably down toward 2 percent. Given the strength of the economy and progress on inflation so far, we have time to let the incoming data guide our decisions on policy.”

Powell cited positives like healing global supply chains, rising labor force participation, and strong GDP growth of over 3% in 2023 as the economy added 3 million jobs. “In addition, labor supply increased significantly, thanks to rising participation among 25-to-54-year-olds, as well as a strong pace of immigration,” he said.

However, he cautioned that the Fed walks a tightrope when it comes to curbing inflation. The path forward remains uncertain, Powell warned. "On inflation, it is too soon to say whether the recent readings represent more than just a bump. We do not expect that it will be appropriate to lower our policy rate until we have greater confidence that inflation is moving sustainably down toward 2 percent. Given the strength of the economy and progress on inflation so far, we have time to let the incoming data guide our decisions on policy."

Cutting rates too quickly risks re-igniting price pressures, but over-tightening could constrain the economy. But for Americans still bearing the brunt of high inflation, fresh relief may not arrive any time soon as the battle to restore price stability drags on.

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President Joe Biden will visit the site of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, today. He has also put forth a slew of actions aimed at recovery and support for the impacted community, and will also meet with the families of six workers who were killed during the collapse.

Unified Command has been established to coordinate clearing the wreckage and expediting the port's reopening. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says they expect a limited access opening of the port by the end of April. The federal government has approved $60 million in emergency relief funds to address Maryland's immediate costs following the disaster.

Efforts are being made to support local businesses and workers affected by the calamity, including provisions of low-interest disaster loans and dislocated worker grant funding. The president is strongly urging Congress to authorize full coverage of the rebuilding costs. While it's too early for the administration to know concretely what the estimated cost is, the number could reach into the billions.

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Hundreds of musicians have joined with the Artist Rights Alliance. It's a non-profit, and they are condemning the overreach of artificial intelligence in an open letter that was published this week on Medium, penned by dozens of well-known musicians, including folks like the Jonas Brothers, Smokey Robinson, Ja Rule, Jadakiss, Billy Eilish.

Many other people have signed on to this letter, and the group is urging AI developers, technology companies, platforms, and digital music services to cease the use of artificial intelligence, which is infringing upon and devaluing the rights of humans. Now, of course, they're talking about AI using their voice and their music, putting someone else with it, and you won't know the difference.

Oh, this is a sticky one. Even the estates of Frank Sinatra and Bob Marley have gotten in on this. It's going to be interesting to see if they get some traction from these AI companies.

Speaking of music, say what? Lizzo is done? Well, that's what she's saying, in a heartfelt way. On Instagram, the 35-year-old, whose birth name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, expressed feelings of exhaustion over the negativity she continues to face.

She's won so many Grammys, she has just put on a big show for everybody, but she says that she's constantly being criticized and ridiculed online and in her personal life, mainly because of how she looks. Okay, she's a big girl, she put big girls back out there again, and none of us are mad at her. She did go on to say that, you know, she has one simple desire, "All I want to do is make music and make people happy and help the world be a little better than how I found it."

Lizzo, that's exactly what you've done. Please don't quit now, girl, cause we need your voice!

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(AURN News) - The White House is maintaining its efforts to pass federal legislation guaranteeing paid family and medical leave for American workers.

Tom Perez, Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and Jennifer Klein, Director of the Gender Policy Council, convened a meeting with leaders from several states to discuss strategies for enacting a national paid leave program.

The discussion focused on the successes already achieved at the state level and explored ways to build momentum for a federal policy.

In a statement, the White House says it remains committed to helping families "take the time they need to bond with a new child; care for a seriously ill loved one; heal from their own serious illness; address circumstances arising from a loved one’s military deployment; find safety from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking; or grieve the death of a loved one."

To reinforce this commitment, President Biden has incorporated funding for a national paid family and medical leave program in his proposed fiscal year 2025 budget. States participating in the White House meeting included New Jersey, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, and New Mexico.

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President Biden, alongside Senator Bernie Sanders and health advocates, took a strong stand at the White House, pushing for reduced asthma inhaler prices. In this stride toward affordable healthcare, major pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, and GlaxoSmithKline recently pledged to cap inhaler costs at $35 a month.

The move ensures competition, thereby lowering healthcare costs for millions. The spotlight on patents blocking cheaper, generic alternatives brought to light the administration's crackdown on such practices. The FTC's challenge against over 100 patents underscores Biden's push against pharmaceutical giants profiting at the expense of patients.

The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America praised the initiative, underscoring the need for broader actions to ensure affordable access to asthma treatments. But challenges remain for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, highlighting the ongoing battle for equitable healthcare pricing.

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Eddie Murphy was born on April 3, 1961. From his humble beginnings in Brooklyn, New York, Murphy rose to prominence with his talent and infectious charm.

He first gained widespread recognition as a cast member on "Saturday Night Live." Murphy's transition to the big screen was seamless, as he starred in a string of blockbuster hits, including "Beverly Hills Cop," "Coming to America," and "The Nutty Professor."

Beyond his acting prowess, Murphy's influence extends to the realm of stand-up comedy, where he revolutionized the genre with his groundbreaking performances and sharp wit. His stand-up specials, including "Delirious" and "Raw," remain timeless classics.

Happy birthday to the legendary Eddie Murphy!

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