Current Events
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Source: YUKI IWAMURA / Getty
The Department of Justice has reportedly discussed dropping the federal charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams with Manhattan prosecutors.
According to reports, senior officials with the Department of Justice have discussed the future of the federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the possibility that the charges would be dropped outright. DOJ officials are slated to meet with prosecutors in Manhattan from the office of the Southern District of New York this week and with the legal defense team for Adams. The embattled mayor is slated to go on trial April 21 and has been in constant communication with President Donald Trump in recent weeks, including attending his inauguration and visiting him at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Trump has publicly supported Adams, stating that he would “take a look” at a pardon for him in a press briefing last month.
Sources close to the discussions have framed them as preliminary. The Southern District of New York declined to comment – since Damian Williams stepped down last month, the office has been run by Danielle R. Sassoon, a veteran prosecutor appointed by Trump on an interim basis. Speculation has risen that the Justice Department is seeking a fast resolution to the matter before Trump’s picks for the SDNY and the U.S. Attorney General (Jay Clayton and Pamela Bondi, respectively) are confirmed. According to the New York Times, Sassoon is in a precarious position – if she were to drop the charges, it would allow Adams to say that the charges shouldn’t have been brought in the first place. If she refused, she could be forced to resign or be fired.
The news comes amid rumors that Adams, who until early Thursday (Jan. 30) was out of the public eye dealing with illness, would potentially accept a pardon and then resign. Adams’ lawyer, Alex Spiro (who also represents Trump crony and tech billionaire Elon Musk) dismissed that theory to reporters. “No, he’s innocent,” he said. The same sources claim that Shapiro intimated to the DOJ officials that Adams would hinder further immigration crackdowns in New York City if he were still under indictment. “That is a complete lie.” Shapiro said when asked about that conversation.
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Source: Tasos Katopodis / Getty
Tragedy struck Washington, D.C. after an aerial collision between a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter and a passenger plane occurred at 8:47 p.m. ET last night (Jan. 29).
According to Newsweek, the horrific accident happened when both the passenger plane, which was flying in from Wichita, Kansas, and the U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter attempted to land at Reagan International Airport in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, it is suspected that all 64 passengers in the commercial plane and the three soldiers in the helicopter have not survived the crash. A search for survivors are underway.
The collision comes just a week after “President” Donald Trump reportedly fired the head of the TSA and the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, froze hiring of all Air Traffic Controllers, and also laid off 100 top FAA security officers. Now we’re not saying he’s responsible for this tragedy, but if anyone is wondering how such an incident could come to pass, that wouldn’t be a bad place to look.
Still, others feel it was on the helicopter pilot to have avoided the incident as a former pilot explained that the passenger plane had the right of way and the Blackhawk should’ve flown away to make room for the civilian aircraft.
Newsweek reports:
Former helicopter pilot Paul Beaver spoke with Sky News about the accident, saying that because the airline pilot was coming in to land, they would have had right of way. The helicopter pilot should have taken “avoiding action” to move out of the airplane’s flight path.
Air traffic control recordings from right before the crash show the air traffic controller speaking with the helicopter (PAT 2-5) operators.
The air traffic controller said: “PAT 2-5 do you have the CRJ in sight?”
Then: “PAT 2-5 pass behind the CRJ.”
The helicopter pilot responded: “PAT 2-5 has aircraft in sight, request visual separation,” just moments before the crash.
Donald Trump for his part took to social media to weigh in on the incident and after describing just how good of a night it was to fly a plane, he asked, “Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
We still can’t believe y’all truly voted for this kind of malarkey instead of an overqualified Black woman. respectfully.
No word on whether any survivors have been found as of yet, but authorities promise to recover every single body that is currently missing from the accident. And Trump has already blamed Barack Obama, Joe Biden and even DEI.
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Source: Tasos Katopodis / Getty
Tragedy struck Washington, D.C. after an aerial collision between a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter and a passenger plane occurred at 8:47 p.m. ET last night (Jan. 29).
According to Newsweek, the horrific accident happened when both the passenger plane, which was flying in from Wichita, Kansas, and the U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter attempted to land at Reagan International Airport in Washington, D.C. Unfortunately, it is suspected that all 64 passengers in the commercial plane and the three soldiers in the helicopter have not survived the crash. A search for survivors are underway.
The collision comes just a week after “President” Donald Trump reportedly fired the head of the TSA and the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, froze hiring of all Air Traffic Controllers, and also laid off 100 top FAA security officers. Now we’re not saying he’s responsible for this tragedy, but if anyone is wondering how such an incident could come to pass, that wouldn’t be a bad place to look.
Still, others feel it was on the helicopter pilot to have avoided the incident as a former pilot explained that the passenger plane had the right of way and the Blackhawk should’ve flown away to make room for the civilian aircraft.
Newsweek reports:
Former helicopter pilot Paul Beaver spoke with Sky News about the accident, saying that because the airline pilot was coming in to land, they would have had right of way. The helicopter pilot should have taken “avoiding action” to move out of the airplane’s flight path.
Air traffic control recordings from right before the crash show the air traffic controller speaking with the helicopter (PAT 2-5) operators.
The air traffic controller said: “PAT 2-5 do you have the CRJ in sight?”
Then: “PAT 2-5 pass behind the CRJ.”
The helicopter pilot responded: “PAT 2-5 has aircraft in sight, request visual separation,” just moments before the crash.
Donald Trump for his part took to social media to weigh in on the incident and after describing just how good of a night it was to fly a plane, he asked, “Why didn’t the control tower tell the helicopter what to do instead of asking if they saw the plane. This is a bad situation that looks like it should have been prevented. NOT GOOD!!!”
We still can’t believe y’all truly voted for this kind of malarkey instead of an overqualified Black woman. respectfully.
No word on whether any survivors have been found as of yet, but authorities promise to recover every single body that is currently missing from the accident. And Trump has already blamed Barack Obama, Joe Biden and even DEI.
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Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
Legendary Hip-Hop producer Scott Storch‘s baby mama, Florence Mirsky, was seen and heard hurling a racial slur, and going full racist while retrieving her car from valet parking. It seems to have gone down Tuesday (Jan. 28) in Beverly Hills and it’s not hyperbole to say she was acting horribly.
According to TMZ, it was the mother of Storch’s son, who is also an “influencer,” going full racist while retrieving her whip—pun intended—and trashing the valet employees.
Reports TMZ:
Video of Mirsky — an L.A.-based influencer — is circulating online … and, in it, she called a man jawing at her a “wet****” before adding President Donald Trump is doing great things because “you guys rape and kill people.”
Obviously, Mirsky is speaking to people she believes are Latino — and, she’s hurling every disgusting insult she can think at them.
Clearly, she’s also racist. But, of course, she’s copping pleas.
Obviously, Mirsky is speaking to people she believes are Latino — and, she’s hurling every disgusting insult she can think at them.
Mirsky says she had such a strong reaction because of past trauma and manic episodes … but, adds people who know her know this isn’t the real her.
She also posted a clip to Instagram … explaining the same situation and adding she didn’t want to go to jail for hitting the guy because of her child — Leo Storch — who she shares with Scott.
Mirsky even went on to say that she hangs out with Mexicans all the time, and has even dated them, so she can’t be racist. Yeah, okay.
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Source: YouTube / Fox 2 Detroit
A popular Detroit rapper sparked controversy online after she claimed that her Lyft driver refused to allow her into his car earlier this month.
Dank Demoss, whose real name is Dajua Blanding, was recording when the driver of a Mercedes-Benz sedan locked his door and refused to allow her entry.
“I can fit in this car,” Blanding said in a video that was shared to social media on January 19. “Believe me, you can’t,” the driver responded–adding that the tires would not be able to handle her weight. According to The New York Post, the rapper has previously shared her weight as more than 480 pounds.
In her post on Instagram where she shared video of the event, the rapper wrote, “AM I WRONG?,” Demoss wrote in the post. “(Lyft) what y’all got to say about this yall driver discriminated against me…I JUST FEEL LIKE YALL TREAT BIG PPLE LIKE SH*T LIKE WE DONT BELONG HERE.”
The original garnered more than 11,000 likes and thousands of comments.
According to Fox 2 Detroit, the driver apologized for the inconvenience and offered to refund her money and assist her with ordering a larger vehicle.
“I’ve been in cars smaller than that,” she told FOX 2. “I just want them to know that it hurt my feelings.”
In addressing the issue, Lyft issued a statement, saying, “Lyft unequivocally condemns all forms of discrimination—we believe in a community where everyone is treated with equal respect and mutual kindness. Our community guidelines and terms of service explicitly prohibit harassment or discrimination.”
However, Blanding’s attorneys, Jonathan Marko and Zach Runyan have filed a lawsuit against the rideshare company.
Marko explained that as weight is a protected characteristic, the actions of the Lyft driver is the same as discriminating against someone due to their religious beliefs.
However, numerous social media users on X, in particular, are disagreeing with Blanding.
https://x.com/tournesolnao/status/1884219477447041202
It is unclear if the Lyft driver has been named in the lawsuit or has been let go by the company.
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Source: Earl Gibson III / Getty / DJ Akademiks
It’s always a good day when DJ Akademiks is silenced. Word on the streaming streets is that Twitch hit the loudmouth with a ban, and deservingly so.
Spotted on The Grio, DJ Akademiks has reportedly been banned by Twitch after partaking in an inappropriate conversation with a 15-year-old who works with popular creator PlaqueBoyMax and is a regular on his live stream.
During the stream, Akademiks began asking the teen sexually explicit questions and making “jokes” about sending strippers to his house. Nour was visibly uncomfortable as Akademiks continued. Social media let the Drake stan have it on social media for being a creep.
After going on a nonsensical rant from his gaming chair in his streaming room, DJ Akademiks took accountability for his behavior during a recent stream over the weekend.
“I’ve done a lot of bulls**t up in this game. Trust me. I’ve got mine off. This issue aside – which, again. I am wrong. I will be better. This is a teachable moment. For me, obviously, I got to watch my speech. That’s clear,” The 35-year-old said. “Definitely a regrettable moment, and we’re going to use it as a teachable moment. Because I don’t think I’ve came this far, built this platform, to be that irresponsible, right?”
But his words came too late because Twitch banned that a** and disabled his channel due to violating Twitch’s policies.
Let The Celebration Begin
Social media has been celebrating Akademik’s Twitch ban. Even Meek Mill, who called Akademiks a “rapist type couch potato,” is getting in on the fun, writing on X, formerly Twitter, “He gone be drinking tonight screaming at kids from some other portal lol these guys lives be terrible “NEVER FOLLOW THE HEATHENS.”
You messed up big time when you’re getting clowned by Meek Mill.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
3. Not the McDonald’s app
5. Riiighhhhttt
7. This can’t be true, but still funny
9. For those who need a reminder
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President Donald Trump took to the campaign trail and touted his ability to make sweeping economic changes, including lowering the prices of eggs. President Donald Trump’s claims of lowering egg prices have yet to bear fruit and now, his press secretary is shifting the blame to President Joe Biden instead of examining pathways to help consumers.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt hosted the first press conference at the White House for the Trump administration, using stern talking points that echo much of the bravado of the president and his team. Leavitt, choosing to sidestep facts that egg prices continued to rise after Trump took office, instead took a shot at the Biden administration citing their handling of the issue.
“The Biden administration and the Department of Agriculture directed the mass killing of more than 100 million chickens, which has led to a lack of chicken supply in this country. Therefore, lack of egg supply, which is leading to the shortage,” Leavitt said while choosing to not point to more accurate accounts that bird flu impacted prices on eggs and poultry products in 2022.
Among the many campaign promises from Trump, his pledge to lower prices on day one of his administration was unceremoniously unmet. As seen in an Associated Press report, the spread of bird flu has promoted the slaughter of millions of chickens per month to contain the spread and more than doubling prices since 2023. The average price per carton last month was $4.15, which is still lower than the record of $4.82 set two years prior.
Video of the press briefing courtesy of Forbes Breaking News.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: Mondadori Portfolio / Getty / Anthony Mackie
Even though he didn’t have to say it, Anthony Mackie wants the folks who were big mad to know that he is a “proud American.”
Anthony Mackie had patriotic nerds in their feelings yesterday on social media following comments he made during a Captain America: Brave New World promotional event when he was asked, “What does Captain America represent to you today as a superhero?” After receiving backlash, Mackie had time to clarify his statements.
“Let me be clear about this, I’m a proud American and taking on the shield of a hero like CAP is the honor of a lifetime,” Mackie said in an Instagram Stories post. “I have the utmost respect for those who serve and have served our country.”
He added, “CAP has universal characteristics that people all over the world can relate to.”
Mackie’s comments came after he said that “America” was a term that Captain America didn’t represent.
“To me, Captain America represents a lot of different things, and I don’t think the term ‘America’ should be one of those representations,” Mackie said in the initial clip that sparked “controversy” on X, formerly Twitter. “It’s about a man who keeps his word, who has honor, dignity, and integrity. Someone who is trustworthy and dependable.”
Much Ado About Nothing
Anyone who has seen the latest Captain America movies knows that Chris Evans’ Steve Rodgers had beef with the US Government numerous times. Mackie didn’t say anything wrong.
Captain America: Brave New World is the first feature-length film featuring Mackie’s Sam Wilson as Captain America. He took over the mantle at the end of Avengers: Endgame when old man Steve handed him the shield.
He became Cap in the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Mackie recently shared that Evans was the person who told him that he was becoming Captain America.
Captain America: Brave New World arrives in theaters on February 14.
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Popeyes and Don Julio Tequila had many on Black Xitter wondering what exactly the new collaboration between the brands was all about. We can safely share those details, with Popeyes and Don Julio breaking out their new collaborative Championship Lineup menu that pays homage to the chicken chain’s hometown of New Orleans and more.
Via a teaser clip, the collaboration between the brands raised eyebrows among certain folks on the X social media platform but some assumed that it was connected somehow to the upcoming Super Bowl LIX event, which is taking place in New Orleans. Today, the brands shared with their fans what the deal is and it’s got our interest for sure.
Source: Popeyes x Don Julop
Popeyes, which bills itself as the “Official Wing of Watching Football,” and Don Julio, billed as the “Official Tequila of the Big Game” are joining forces for the Championship Lineup menu. What does that consist of?
At the top of the list is the Popeyes x Tequila Don Julio Reposado Flavored Concha Chicken Sandwich, featuring a chicken breast filet marinated in reposado (lightly aged or “rested”) tequila coated in buttermilk breading and topped with a tequila lime slaw, spicy spread, a barrel cured pickle between a buttered concha roll. Concha is a type of Mexican pastry for those uninitiated.
Also in the lineup offerings are the Popeyes x Tequila Don Julio Reposado Flavored Louisiana Garlic 3-Piece Wings, and a Spicy Strawberry Hibiscus Flavored Lemonade Mocktail served up in a cup that should be familiar to those who have had a night or two on Bourbon Street.
On Jan. 31, select Popeyes in five cities will preview the menu. All customers over the age of 21 will have access to try out the aforementioned items ahead of the menu popping up all across New Orleans for Super Bowl weekend.
This is a one-day event while supplies last and we’ll share the locations below. Further, this menu will be available at the chain’s flagship restaurant on Canal Street in New Orleans from Jan. 31 through Feb. 9.
Source: Diego Bendezu / Diego Bendezu
For more information, click here. The list of restaurants offering the menu items can be viewed below.
New York:
Times Square –1530 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
Madison Square Park – 14 East 23rd Street, New York, NY 10010
Miami:
6800 Red Rd, South Miami, FL 33143
New Orleans:
621 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Philadelphia:
1428 Old York Rd Abington, PA 19001
Kansas City:
9460 Quivira Rd Lenexa, Kansas 66215
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Photos: Diego Bendezu
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Source: Erika Goldring / Getty
Veteran journalist Soledad O’Brien lambasted the media for its coverage of President Donald Trump, saying it has given in to “access journalism.”
The American media’s coverage of President Donald Trump has been attacked by critics who’ve felt it is too conciliatory to Trump, and Soledad O’Brien fully agrees. The veteran journalist voiced her perspective in a conversation with Variety columnist Brett Lang during a discussion of The Perfect Neighbor, a documentary film on which she serves as executive producer, at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
“The media has done a really piss poor job, to be honest,” O’Brien said to Lang about its coverage of Trump. “In a couple different ways. Framing every discussion as ‘this vs this’ is a real mistake. There is [a] lot of access journalism that has just been distressing and dismaying to watch. There are journalists I respect, but they want access. There’s a lot of countries where journalists don’t get access to their political leadership, and you can actually do a good job reporting when you’re not necessarily being invited to the dinner or having a front-row seat. In this country we are all about getting access, so we see a lot of journalists say we need to get in.” O’Brien also partially blamed the media landscape for “misinformation and disinformation,” pointing to recent headlines concerning Trump’s commentary on tariffs.
“The conversation around tariffs is hilarious if it wasn’t so pathetic,” the former CNN host said. “People have no idea what a tariff means and what the impact will be. That is a failure of journalism if people don’t understand the basics. I am hopeful we will do a better job in helping people understand the issues better instead of just pushing access to things. I’m not optimistic about it.”
O’Brien also spoke about her involvement in producing The Perfect Neighbor, which examines Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” laws. The documentary, directed by Geeta Gandbhir, focuses on the murder of Ajike Owens, a young Black mother of four who was shot by her white neighbor Susan Lorincz. “When you come in after a tragedy you are dealing with people who have been deeply impacted by such tragedy,” Gandbhir said of the film. “They are not who they were. They are changed. That was so important [to see them before]. We wanted to lead with the humanity of the community.