AURN News

From his early days as a fresh-faced rapper from West Philadelphia to becoming one of Hollywood's most beloved and versatile actors, Will Smith has enchanted audiences with his charm, talent, and charisma for decades.

With a career spanning over 30 years, Smith is not just a box office sensation; he's also a dedicated family man and philanthropist.

It was "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" that catapulted him to TV stardom. But his transition to the big screen would solidify his status as a Hollywood megastar with films like "Bad Boys," "Independence Day," "Men in Black," "Hitch," "Ali," and "I Am Legend."

In 2022, he secured an Academy Award for his performance as the father of Venus and Serena Williams in "King Richard."

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In a major move, the Biden administration plans to cut medical bills from Americans' credit reports, aiming to end coercive debt collection tactics.

Vice President Kamala Harris and consumer finance watchdog Rohit Chopra announced the proposals earlier on Friday. The plans will provide financial relief to families recovering from medical crises, prevent debt collectors from pressuring individuals to pay bills they may not owe, and ensure accurate data for creditors.

Over 100 million Americans currently have unpaid medical debt. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reported that 20% of Americans carry medical debt. However, it is an unreliable indicator of their likelihood to pay traditional debts.

A study by the Brookings Institute found that 80% of medical debt is held by households with zero or negative net worth, with communities of color disproportionately affected.

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Could it be true? Writers and producers are nearing an agreement to end the Writers Guild of America strike? The two sides are meeting as we speak, and they hope to finalize a deal as soon as possible.

Now, if they don't reach a deal this week, that means the strike could last through the end of the year, which would be even more devastating. The WGA members walked out more than a hundred days ago. Actors, of course, have joined the picket lines. We joined in July, leaving Hollywood production of TV shows and movies at a standstill. And trust me, they are really at a standstill. Even the big ones, including Netflix's "Stranger Things," Disney and Marvel's "Blade," and Paramount's "Evil."

This is the closest the two sides have come to a resolution for higher compensation. The WGA has been pushing for new rules that require studios to staff TV shows with a certain number of writers for a certain period. As of now, writers can often be expected to provide revisions or come up with totally new material without being paid.

So let's hope they come to a deal. And you know what? Up next, AFTRA and SAG, we have got to end this and get Hollywood back on track because it's all for you, the audience. You need to be entertained, and that's what we are here to do.

Tristan Thompson has become the temporary guardian of his younger brother, Amari. The Superior Court of California has granted Thompson temporary guardianship of his 17-year-old brother. That is because their mother passed away suddenly in January. All powers of a parent having legal custody of a child would go to Tristan at this time.

The younger Thompson brother has epilepsy in addition to other medical conditions that require around-the-clock support, which is why Tristan really went after guardianship of his brother. He does have three younger brothers, but Thompson claims their father, Trevor Thompson, has been absent from his younger brother's life since 2014.

And you know what? This has drawn him and Khloe Kardashian closer together because guess who stepped in when he needed it? Yep, Khloe did.

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Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has released a critical warning regarding baby and toddler safety, emphasizing the pressing need for increased awareness, particularly within the Black community. This advisory follows the recent publication of their report that sheds light on deaths and injuries involving children under the age of 5.

The report unveils alarming statistics concerning Black children, revealing that 29% of nursery-related deaths involved Black babies, a stark contrast to the 16% attributed to the overall population. The majority of these tragic deaths occurred due to cluttered sleeping areas, underscoring the necessity for clear guidelines to ensure safe sleeping environments.

To address this issue, the CPSC has outlined a series of essential dos and don'ts to safeguard infants during sleep:

Do:

Don't:

The CPSC emphasizes the critical importance of following these guidelines, regardless of ethnicity or background, to protect the little lives of our infants and toddlers.

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In a groundbreaking move, President Biden has appointed Vice President Kamala Harris to head the new federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The decision comes as a response to rising violence and congressional inaction on the issue.

As a former prosecutor and state attorney general, Harris brings years of experience and dedication to the cause. She will now be responsible for addressing some of the most pressing domestic issues, including voting rights, abortion, and a surge in migration to the U.S. These difficult-to-solve challenges have proven to be obstacles for Democrats in Congress.

Gun safety activists who endorsed Biden for president in 2024 have long demanded that the establishment of this office happen. This move aims to keep the issue at the forefront of public attention as Biden pushes for a ban on assault weapons and mobilizes critical voter groups such as suburban women, voters of color, and younger voters.

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In an effort to curb soaring inflation, the Federal Reserve has chosen to halt its increase in interest rates. The decision was announced after its two-day meeting, during which the Fed expressed a commitment to mitigating the economic strain that has been caused by escalating prices.

Emphasizing their perception of a robust economic expansion over the last few months, the Fed acknowledged the prevailing challenges posed by rising prices. Americans across the nation have been grappling with the strain of inflated costs impacting their daily lives from the grocery store to the gas pump to even the cost of rent.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, addressing the media during a press conference on Wednesday, stressed the pivotal role the Fed plays in ensuring price stability.

"Reducing inflation is likely to require a period of below-trend growth and some softening of labor market conditions. Restoring price stability is essential to set the stage for achieving maximum employment and stable prices over the longer run," he said during the press conference.

Powell also hinted at the possibility of forthcoming rate hikes, underscoring the ongoing efforts to steer inflation towards the targeted 2% mark.

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President Joe Biden announced significant debt relief for borrowers affected by the University of Phoenix. Over $117 billion in debt relief has already been approved by the administration for more than 3.4 million borrowers. Today, an additional $37 million in debt cancelations has been announced for over 1,200 borrowers who were deceived by the University of Phoenix.

The move is a part of President Biden's commitment to hold colleges accountable for misleading and cheating their students. The administration says it will continue to explore alternative paths to provide relief to as many borrowers as possible.

This announcement brings hope to thousands of borrowers and highlights the administration's dedication to making the student loan system fair and more equitable.

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(AURN News) — President Joe Biden faces an uphill battle for re-election, according to a recent poll conducted by the Center for American Politics at Harvard. The poll suggests that not only are Americans dissatisfied with the current direction of the country, but a significant portion are also open to giving former President Donald Trump another chance.

The Harvard CAPS-Harris poll paints a grim picture, with less than 3 in 10 respondents expressing confidence in the trajectory of the nation. Amid concerns about the overall economy and personal finances, a majority remain dissatisfied with the current state of economic affairs. Inflation remains a pressing concern, with 33% of those surveyed highlighting rising prices as the most important issue confronting the nation.

When it comes to potential electoral choices, the poll revealed a notable preference for former President Trump. In a hypothetical match-up between Biden and Trump, 45% of respondents expressed their inclination to vote for Trump, while 40% favored Biden, while 15% remained undecided or unsure. A similar trend emerged in a comparison between Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump, with 46% of participants favoring Trump over the Vice President's potential candidacy, who garnered 40% support.

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The largest Black policy conference in the country has begun. The theme of the 52nd Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference is 'Securing Our Democracy, Protecting Our Freedoms, and Uplifting Our Culture.'

Here's what the foundation's president, Nicole Austin-Hillery, had to say:

"We are on the eve of another election year. We are continuing to see myriad states around the country that are changing election laws that are going to make it harder for Black and brown people to vote, for older people to vote, for people who are economically challenged to vote. Uh, we see state legislatures around the country, changing rules almost daily. We see the killings, the continued killings of Black bodies in the streets at the hands of law enforcement. We see community water rights being challenged -- communities not having fresh water, communities having food deserts. We see health disparity."

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Presidential candidate and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy is facing backlash again for racially charged comments that have sparked a firestorm of criticism.

Ramaswamy compared Representative Ayanna Pressley to modern day grand wizards of the Ku Klux Klan and made derogatory remarks about the U.S. education system and single mothers in inner cities. His rhetoric has drawn comparisons to former President Donald Trump.

Despite his controversial remarks, Ramaswamy has been rising in the polls, posing a real threat to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. However, experts argue that his comments do not resonate with Black voters.

Ramaswamy's campaign claims that he speaks for all Americans and refuses to bow to identity politics. But critics argue that his comments are not only racist but dangerous, raising concerns about the potential for violence against elected officials and the perpetuation of systematic issues faced by Black and brown communities.

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