Current Events
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Source: Prince Williams / Getty / Angie Stone
Angie Stone has passed away, she was only 63.
Details surrounding her death are still scarce, but celebrity gossip site TMZ received confirmation of her passing as the result of a horrific car crash that also involved nine other individuals from her rep Deborah R. Champagne.
Per TMZ:
The late star’s rep Deborah R. Champagne tells TMZ … Angie left a performance in Montgomery, Alabama early Saturday morning when she was killed in a car crash. No other details are known at this point.
Deborah tells us she just spoke to Angie last night … and the news has rocked and devastated friends and family.
Angie Stone, born Angela Laverne Brown on December 18, 1961, in Columbia, South Carolina, emerged onto the music scene as a member of The Sequence, the first all-female group signed to Sugar Hill Records. They would go on to release three albums from 1979 and 1985. Their song “Funk You Up” would go on to be sampled in numerous tracks, notably Dr Dre’s “Keep Their Heads Ringin” and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk.”
Stone would take her act the solo route in the 90s, dropping her debut gold album Black Diamond. Two years later she would drop “Wish I Didn’t Miss You Anymore.”
Stone was also known for her contributions to D’Angelo’s albums Brown Sugar and Voodoo, they also share a 12-year-old son Michael. Stone also has a daughter named Diamond and two grandchildren.
Social Media Is Stunned
The three-time Grammy Award winner and a two-time Soul Train Lady of Soul Award recipient’s shocking death is sparking tributes all over social media.
“Rest in paradise Angie Stone. We are losing too many legends,” the caption for a post on X, formerly Twitter read featuring a clip of Stone sing in the film The Fighting Temptations.
“Damn. Life is so fragile man,” another user wrote.
Our condolences go out to Angie Stone’s family. You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Source: SAUL LOEB / Getty / Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Donald Trump
Today was an embarrassing moment for the United States after Felon 47 aka Donald Trump and his Vice President tried to come at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a televised meeting in the Oval Office.
Volodmyr Zelenskyy was sent home for checking Donald Trump in his house. Things went completely wrong during the meeting after Vice President JD Vance. Remember him? He had the gall to suggest that Trump’s Ukrainian counterpart did not express enough gratitude for the help he received from the United States in his country’s continued effort to fight back against Russian invaders and is standing in the way of peace.
JD Vance Does His Best Please & Protect Orange Mussolini
Zelenskyy gave Vance a much-needed history lesson on Russia/Ukraine relations which didn’t sit well with Trump’s VP.
“What kind of diplomacy, JD, you are speaking about?” Zelenskyy asked Vance.
“I’m talking about the kind of diplomacy that’s going to end the destruction of your country,” Vance replied, pointing his finger repeatedly at Zelenskyy.
“Mr. President, with respect, I think it’s disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media … You should be thanking the president for trying to bring an end to this conflict,” Vance said.
With some “bass” in his voice, Vance continued, “Do you think it’s respectful to come to the Oval Office of the United States of America and attack the administration that is trying to prevent the destruction of your country?”
https://x.com/kaitlancollins/status/1895529604338892805
After Zelenskyy warned that problems could reach US shores, Trump jumped in with Vance doing his best to please Orange Mussolini.
“Have you said ‘thank you’ once in the entire meeting? In the entire meeting, have you said ‘thank you?’… Offer some words of appreciation for the United States of America — and the president who’s trying to save your country,” Vance continued.
https://x.com/ruthbenghiat/status/1895554992259711398
Donald Trump Had Something To Say
During the shouting match, Trump managed to get some words, telling Zelenskyy, “You’re not really in a good position right now,” while raising his voice.
“You’re gambling the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III,” Trump continued.
https://x.com/Acyn/status/1895528700894195971
Trump Allegedly Gave Zelenskyy The Boot
According to TMZ, Trump asked Zelenskyy to leave the White House, canceling a planned lunch between the two leaders, news conference and not even signing the natural resources agreement.
Trump hopped on his crappy social media platform, Truth Social, to talk about the disgraceful meeting.
“We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE,” Trump said.
He continued, “He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Zelenskyy also had something to say on X, formerly Twitter, writing in a post, “Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people.”
Speaking of X, the consensus on the platform is President Zelenskyy clowned both Trump and Vance, and the rest of the world has also let Ukraine know they are not alone even though the US seems to be on the wrong side of history now.
You can see those reactions in the gallery below.
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Source: Wilson Family / Courtesy of Wilson Family
A Southern University student and member of its “Human Jukebox” marching band is dead, allegedly after a fraternity ritual off-campus.
According to reports, a student at Southern University died after taking part in a fraternity-related ritual off-campus early Thursday morning (Feb. 27). The student was identified as Caleb Wilson of Kenner, Louisiana. The group had been gathered at the North Sherwood Forest Community Park, not far from the HBCU’s Baton Rouge campus, when Wilson collapsed during a ritual where participants were standing in line. He was pronounced dead at 3:15 a.m. after being brought to Baton Rouge General Hospital on Bluebonnet Boulevard, leading hospital authorities to call the police, as the death was “suspicious in nature.” Baton Rouge police are continuing to investigate the death, pending results from the autopsy.
Southern University’s Division of Student Affairs sent out a notice declaring that all new membership activities on campus including fraternities, sororities, and student clubs would be paused indefinitely until further notice. The directive specifically points to prohibiting any rushes or interest meetings, initiation processes, and any induction of new members. It has been alleged, but unconfirmed, that Wilson was pledging to the Omega Psi Phi fraternity. The fraternity, along with all the other D9 organizations, have long banned pledging or hazing as a requirement for entry.
“It is with profound sorrow that we extend our condolences on the passing of Caleb Wilson. His loss is deeply felt, and our hearts go out to his family, friends, and all who were touched by him,” said Ricky L. Lewis, Grand Basileus of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in a statement shared on Friday, February 28. He added, “We have been informed that the local authorities have launched an investigation into this tragic incident, and we fully support their efforts to seek the truth. Currently, our foremost priority is standing in unwavering support of Caleb’s family. We have extended ourselves to them and are ready to assist in any way possible during this difficult time.”
The 20-year-old was a mechanical engineering student and trumpet player, affectionately nicknamed “Cheese” by fellow members of the Human Jukebox, the university’s famed marching band. “He was always smiling,” senior and bandmate Lonnie Robinson said of Wilson, who he first befriended at a summer band camp. “He just had the best sense of humor.”
Wilson’s father, Corey Wilson, is a high-ranking member of law enforcement who works part-time with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, having recently retired last year at the rank of sergeant. He also served as part of the security detail for New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans owner Gayle Benson.
Benson offered her condolences to the family in a statement: “This tragic loss has hit very close to my heart as his father (Sgt.) Corey Wilson has worked with our team for many years,” Benson said, adding: “I have a deep and personal connection to his family. We mourn with him today on this senseless passing, our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this heartbreaking loss.”
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Source: Bill Pugliano / Getty
The Black residents of a town in Ohio have formed an armed watch after neo-Nazis attempted to march nearby and Ku Klux Klan flyers appeared there.
Residents in the historically Black community of Lincoln Heights, Ohio, have formed an armed watch to protect themselves after a group of neo-Nazis attempted to march nearby before being chased off, in addition to flyers from the Ku Klux Klan being found in the area. Members of the town mobilized after the neo-Nazis rallied on the border of Lincoln Heights and another Cincinnati suburb, Evandale on Feb. 7. The confrontations on the I-75 bridge, which saw residents chase the group off, were caught on video.
“An American individual protecting his homeland with a firearm — I thought that was the most American thing that we [could] do,” said Lincoln Heights Safety and Watch (SAW) Program spokesman Daronce Daniels in an interview with the Washington Post. The group has set up checkpoints around Lincoln Heights and is armed per Ohio’s open-carry firearms law. In a press conference held Monday (Feb. 24), the group shared flyers they claimed were distributed throughout Lincoln Heights and neighboring towns touting the 160th anniversary of the Klan. They also shared video footage showing members of the watch catching a man tossing the flyers from his car the previous evening at a traffic stop. The footage was shared with the Local 12 news network.
The SAW group along with the nonprofit Heights Movement also laid out a list of demands for leaders of Evandale to find a new firm to conduct a third-party investigation into the thwarted neo-Nazi rally after Lincoln Heights Mayor Ruby Kinsey Mumphrey stated she was shut out of the process. The demands also call for the firing of Evandale police officers who aided members of the group (including one who drove a member to his car to retrieve his service animal) and those who didn’t activate their body cameras as well as the surrender of all the unedited bodycam footage from that day.
The residents of Lincoln Heights, which dates back to the 1920s, state that their primary concern is for the youth of the town. “The way I found out that the Nazis were in my neighborhood was through children,” said DeRonda Calhoun, a teacher in the area. “They were afraid.” The Heights Movement did state that they secured funds for mental health services available to those children who requested it.
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Source: Sonia Moskowitz / Getty / Jeffrey Epstein
MAGA land is not happy with the overhyped release of federal files pertaining to the late Jeffrey Epstein, those on the left have other reasons to be suspicious.
The federal files about the deceased financier accused of running a sex trafficking ring involving minors were supposed to deliver some bombshell new revelations, instead, the information that arrived on Thursday was full of info we already knew, leaving those on the right scratching their heads and screaming for answers on X, formerly Twitter.
Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican member of the House Oversight Committee, let her disappointment be known writing on X, “”THIS IS NOT WHAT WE OR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ASKED FOR and a complete disappointment.”
She also noted that her committee did not review the release, adding, “GET US THE INFORMATION WE ASKED FOR!”
According to The Independent, the only new information revealed was that Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson, actor Alec Baldwin, and supermodel Naomi Campbell were listed in Epstein’s phone contacts.
MAGA Faithful Believe A Conspiracy Is Happening
Others on the right believe there is a conspiracy afoot, which is why the release was so lackluster. One of those individuals, former One America News Network host Liz Wheeler, who saw the files, accused the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY) of hiding information and “deceiving” Donald Trump’s Attorney General, Pam Bondi.
“We’re talking recordings, evidence, etc. The juicy stuff. Names,” Wheeler said on X. “These swamp creatures at SDNY deceived Bondi, Kash, and YOU. Be outraged that the binder is boring. You should be. Because the evil deep state LIED TO YOUR FACE.”
Right-wing personality Glenn Beck echoed similar sentiments even going as far as to say someone is undermining Felon 47, writing on X, “The Epstein files are a total joke. Who is subverting POTUS? [president of the United States].”
AG Pam Bondi Believes The FBI Is Hiding Files
Bondi also suggested that some files were being concealed by the organizations possessing them.
“Late yesterday, I learned from a source that the FBI Field Office in New York was in possession of thousands of pages of documents related to the investigation and indictment of Epstein,” Bondi wrote in a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel. “Despite my repeated requests, the FBI never disclosed the existence of these files.”
“When you and I spoke yesterday, you were just as surprised as I was to learn this new information,” she continued in the message, instructing Patel and the FBI to deliver “the full and complete Epstein files” to her by 8 am Friday morning and launch an investigation into “why my order to the FBI was not followed.”
“If there are gaps, we will find them,” Patel responded in a statement on Thursday. “If records have been hidden, we will uncover them.”
Is The Trump Administration Hiding Something?
AI & Crypto futurist Ed Krassenstein believes the Trump administration is hiding something, pointing out biases on their part and calling the release a disaster.
There was also that embarrassing moment of right-wing influencers who were invited to the White House to view the files, and had a whole photo-op happily holding up binders with information that we already knew.
Interestingly, those on the left also believe something is going on, and it has to do with Donald Trump’s involvement with Epstein, and his name possibly being scrubbed from any files by the loyalists like Kash Patel, who was confirmed to be FBI Director.
Welp.
Whatever the case, the Epstein reveal was a big flop, and social media is roasting everyone, especially those on the right who thought something significant was coming.
You can see those reactions in the gallery below.
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Source: Greg Doherty / Getty
Kevin Liles will now have to clear his name in a court of law. A former Def Jam Records employee is suing him for sexual assault.
As per Variety, the former music executive and the famed record label are facing some serious claims from a former female employee. Jane Doe has named Universal Music Group, Def Jam Records and Kevin Liles as defendants and claims she was not only harassed at the workplace but also was sexually assaulted. Doe says she was hired as an executive assistant in 1999 and Kevin frequently made “derogatory and degrading comments based on her gender regarding her body and appearance.”
The plaintiff recalls that the treatment got progressively worse over the years. In 2002 she refused sexual advances made by Kevin Liles to which he allegedly forced himself on her and raped her. Her claim also states that executive leadership at Universal Music Group and Def Jam “not only knew or should have known” of Liles’ “propensity to commit the aforementioned crimes of violence.”
Kevin Liles has responded in an exclusive statement to Variety Magazine and refuted the allegations made against him. I absolutely deny the outrageous claims reported in the press this evening,” he said. “I wish I could share a more detailed response to this slander, but this is the first I’ve heard of this claim and the anonymous accuser’s attorney shared the lawsuit with gossip influencers and media outlets before it was even posted by the court, so my attorneys and I have not seen the actual lawsuit” he added. “My attorneys and I will fully clear my name, and when we are successful, this anonymous accuser and her attorney will face a defamation lawsuit and every other available legal consequence.”
Universal Music Group has yet to publicly comment on the matter. Kevin Liles served as the president of Def Jam and executive vice president at Island Def Jam from 1999 to 2004.
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Source: TIMOTHY A. CLARY / Getty
New York City Mayor Eric Adams came under fire for his referring to Black leaders asking him to resign as “negroes” and invoking Jesus in a speech.
There is more trouble surrounding New York City Mayor Eric Adams after his recent comments at a Black History Month event at his mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion. In his speech on Tuesday (Feb. 25), he chastised Black politicians who called for him to step down in the wake of Adams agreeing to work with President Donald Trump while federal corruption charges against him could be dropped. “This is a biblical moment,” Adams began, continuing: “When Jesus was on the cross, he said, ‘God forgive them for they know not what they do. All these negroes who are asking me to step down, God forgive them.”
Adams would end up in a testy exchange when questioned by Curt Menefee, the co-anchor of Fox 5’s Good Day New York program on Wednesday (Feb. 26). “Are you implying that if you’re Black, you have to support you?” Menefee asked. “No, not at all. I’m asking for all New Yorkers to support me,” Adams replied, prompting Menefee to pointedly ask, “Are you saying all New Yorkers are negroes?” Adams seemed flustered, defending himself by saying: “I thought I was very clear in my definition of what I said … you got 8.3 million New Yorkers, 8.3 million people didn’t call for me to step down. I get just the opposite when I’m in the streets.”
“So anybody who’s Black who calls for you to step down, they need help from God. I’m focusing on this because your use of the word negro has come up repeatedly over the last couple of weeks, and I think some people actually have an issue with that term,” replied Menefee, adding, “So explain who you’re talking to when you use that term specifically.” Adams would deflect.
The exchange reflected the growing dissatisfaction with Adams in the Black community in recent weeks. Harlem-based Reverend Johnnie Green expressed his displeasure. “I think all spiritual leaders in this town are appalled by it,” Green said of the remarks. “It just shows you the times in which we live how dangerously wicked people can be… He is no savior, he is no Christ, he is no sacrificial lamb.” Public Advocate Jumanne Williams also blasted Adams. “You can see someone who is in major crisis and has no ability to look within, that is a very dangerous person to have running the city.”
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Source: Marvel Studios / Marvel Animation / X-Men ’97
The wait for season 2 of X-Men ’97 will be a long one!
X-Men ’97 was one of the standouts for Marvel Studios / Marvel Animation last year and left fans wanting more after its explosive season one finale, which ended on a cliffhanger.
Speaking with Collider, Marvel’s head of streaming, television, and animation Brad Winderbaum revealed when we could expect to return to X-Men ’97.
“Season 2 of X-Men ’97 is going to be in ’26. We’re working on it now. It’s exciting. That world of the ’90s is just… I can’t believe they let me make it. I grew up at Marvel, as you know, clocked a lot of time here, and I feel like I used a lot of currency to revive this thing that I loved watching after school. So, the fact that we get to play in that universe with those actors is honestly why I went into this business in the first place.”
Marvel Studios didn’t waste time greenlighting the animated series for a second and third season. When the show returns for season three, it won’t be with writer Beau DeMayo who got canned ahead of season one’s premiere.
“Right now, we are still working on X-Men ’97 season 2. It’s coming together amazingly, and the scripts for season 3 are insane,” Winderbaum told Screen Rant.
“That is certainly scratching the X-Men itch for me on television. And there is an X-Men feature in development right now, so that is the focus of X-Men currently.”
Social Media Is Not Happy About The Wait For X-Men ’97
News of the show not returning until 2026 isn’t sitting well with some fans, and understandably so.
One user on X, formerly Twitter, wrote, “This is so tiring with most if not all shows having 2 years in between seasons. Stop with this.”
“And yet another blow. Way to kill all momentum. X-Men ’97 was, wire to wire, the best piece of entertainment Marvel produced the last years,” wrote Deadpool creator Rob Liefeld who has been taking shots at Marvel Studios as of late because he claimed he wasn’t allowed to go to the Deadpool & Wolverine afterparty.
Others are willing to be patient.
We will be locked in whenever season 2 premieres, until that day arrives, you can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty / Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos continues to find ways to capitulate to Donald Trump, out of fear Orange Mussolini won’t bully him.
Freedom of the press was under attack during the first Trump presidency. Now, for the unfortunate second term, Jeff Bezos, who owns the Washington Post, is helping silence voices that may offer dissenting views against Felon 47.
Spotted on Variety, Bezos announced he is making more changes to the Washington Post, revamping the opinion section. He claims it will now focus on “support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets.”
Whatever that means.
According to a ridiculously long post the billionaire shared on his personal X account, he offered David Shipley, the now former Washington Post editorial opinion page editor, “the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t ‘hell yes,’ then it had to be ‘no.”
Bezos continued, “After careful consideration, David decided to step away.” As such, “We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction.”
The Blue Origin founder who purchased the Washington Post in 2013 added that the opinion section will still “cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.”
Shipley acknowledged his time with the Washington Post had ended in an email sent to his now former colleagues obtained by the New York Times.
“It is with both sadness and gratitude that I write to let you know that I have decided to leave The Post. This is a conclusion I reached after reflection on how I can best move forward in the profession I love,” Shipley said.
Social Media Is Not Feeling The Decision
As expected, Bezos’ decision is not sitting well with folks. Jeff Stein, the Post’s chief economics reporter, slammed Bezos’ move in a post on X: “Massive encroachment by Jeff Bezos into The Washington Post’s opinion section today — makes clear dissenting views will not be published or tolerated there. I still have not felt encroachment on my journalism on the news side of coverage, but if Bezos tries interfering with the news side I will be quitting immediately and letting you know.”
Another post on X read, “Who do you think you are, Jeff? The American people–workers, consumers, and everyday citizens–are the reason you became a billionaire. And now, instead of using your platform to support a fair and balanced discourse, you’re turning The Washington Post into a mouthpiece for policies that make the rich even richer while undermining workers’ rights, economic fairness, and government protections that keep corporate greed in check.”
Welp.
Jeff Bezos deserves all the smoke since he wants to kiss Trump’s ring.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
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Source: NurPhoto / Getty
Shareholders at Apple rejected a proposal to end its diversity, equity, and inclusion program despite pressure from Republicans and President Donald Trump.
On Tuesday (Feb. 25), shareholders at Apple voted to reject a proposal to end the tech giant’s diversity, equity, and inclusion program. The proposal was presented by the conservative think tank known as The National Center for Public Policy Research. The group was hoping to coerce Apple to eliminate its DEI policies, using the agenda of President Donald Trump as an example to follow. The final tally was 8.84 billion votes to reject the proposal, with 210.45 million votes for it.
“We’ve never had quotas or targets for Apple. Our strength has always come from hiring the very best people and then providing a culture of collaboration, one where people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives come together to innovate,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a question and answer session at the meeting. He did acknowledge the pressures from Trump and other GOP supporters, adding that “as the legal landscape around these issues evolves, we may need to make some changes to comply, but our North Star of dignity and respect for everyone and our work to that end will never waver.” Apple disclosed in 2022 that three-fourths of its workforce were white and Asian, and two-thirds of the workforce were men. Its DEI policies are concentrated on initiatives that aid Black entrepreneurs and others of color, created in the wake of the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020.
The National Center for Public Policy Research also presented a similar proposal to Costco Wholesale last month, which the shopping giant also rejected strongly. Despite companies such as Meta and Google rolling back some of their DEI initiatives, it’s estimated that roughly half of the corporate leaders surveyed since Jan. 20 about eliminating those programs are not planning to follow suit.
President Trump wasn’t pleased with Apple’s decision, blasting them in a Truth Social post: “Apple should get rid of DEI rules, not just make adjustments to them. DEI was a hoax that has been very bad for our country. DEI is gone!!!” The National Center for Public Policy Research’s proposal to Apple cautioned that they could be subject to lawsuits by the Trump administration, but Cook signaled that Apple is forming legal protections.