News

Blavity reported that Anthony, now 18, was released on a $250,000 bond initially set at $1 million for allegedly fatally stabbing fellow track athlete Austin Metcalf, 17, during an argument at a track meet on April 2. What is Karmelo […]

Chris Brown is free after being held in a British jail for a week on an assault charge.

The Grammy-winning singer, who faced allegations for assaulting a music producer with a bottle in a London nightclub in 2023, was released on Wednesday with a 5 million-pound ($6.7 million) bail.

What’s next for Chris Brown after posting bail?

Brown can now continue with his Breezy Bowl XX Tour, which is expected to kick off on June 8 in the Netherlands. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the tour initially appeared to be in jeopardy because Brown was scheduled to appear in court on June 13. However, Judge Tony Baumgartner has now ensured that Brown, who was initially denied bail, can now continue with the tour.

Brown, however, is still scheduled to appear at Southwark Crown Court in London on June 20, Reuters reported.

The court has also told Brown to surrender his passport, but he is permitted to use it when he is traveling for his tour.

Why was Chris Brown arrested in England?

Brown was arrested at a Manchester hotel after traveling to England last week. According to Reuters, prosecutors said the singer committed an “unprovoked attack” on a music producer at London’s Tape nightclub in 2023. 

District Judge Joanne Hirst initially ordered for the case to be moved to Southwark Crown Court, saying the charges are too serious to be heard at a magistrates’ court. Meanwhile, Brown’s fans gathered outside Manchester Magistrates’ Court to show their support for the singer.

A grassroots group known as The People’s Union has launched a nationwide boycott against Walmart as the company continues to increase prices while being hit with tariffs.

John Schwarz, founder of The People’s Union, announced the boycott on Tuesday, saying the protest will go from May 20-26.

What’s behind the boycott against Walmart?

The People’s Union is encouraging customers to boycott all of Walmart’s locations and online stores, as well as any Walmart-branded companies. The boycott also includes private label brands Great Value and Equate, USA Today reported.

In a social media post on May 20, Schwarz explained why people need to boycott Walmart.

“Because after all the record profits, all the tax loopholes, all the corporate greed, Walmart now once again wants to raise prices,” Schwarz said. “But this time, because of the tariffs, as if they’re not already raking in billions, as if they can’t absorb the cost. As if you and I should carry this burden.”

Throughout the year, The People’s Union has been leading boycott movements against several brands, including Amazon and Nestle. Schwarz told USA Today earlier this year that he was surprised when he got so much attention after announcing a one-day consumer blackout on Feb. 28.

Although Walmart has also been facing pushback from social justice advocates for rolling back DEI programs, Schwarz told The Arizona Republic that his organization’s latest move is not directly related to the company’s DEI policy.

What is Walmart’s response to the boycott?

Amid a looming boycott, Walmart continues to hail itself as a company that uplifts customers of all backgrounds.

“As one of the largest corporate taxpayers in the country, not only do we pay our fair share, we are an economic force multiplier strengthening communities nationwide through job creation, supplier growth, and over $1.7 billion in cash and in-kind donations last year,” the company said in a statement, per USA Today. “We remain dedicated to earning the business of all Americans and giving our time and resources to causes that uplift and unite communities who rely on us every day.”

The Florida native, born Rodarius Marcell Green, was taken into custody on Tuesday on 14 charges, according to Fulton County, Georgia’s online arrest records obtained by USA Today. He was booked in the Fulton County Jail and released on $50,000 […]

The longstanding retail chain confirmed that seven stores will close on Sunday. Blavity reported that the move was first announced in February when the company stated it would shut down a “handful” of locations. “While we do not have plans […]

A new study found that synthetic hair brands used for braiding contain harmful chemicals. Consumer Reports said it found carcinogens in all the products they tested.

The company analyzed 10 synthetic hair products from the following brands: Sensationnel, Magic Fingers, Sassy Collection, Shake-N-Go, Hbegant, Debut and Darling.

What are the health risks of synthetic braiding hair?

The study found carcinogens like methylene chloride and benzene, the latter of which is known to cause acute myeloid leukemia. It also found lead, which has been linked to immune system suppression, reproductive issues, kidney damage and hypertension. 

The study also found volatile organic compounds (also known as VOCs), including acetone. VOCs are released into the hair, notably when hair is heated. This includes the use of hot tools such as a hot iron or a lighter, as well as hot water often used to seal a hairstyle.

VOCs may cause eye, nose and throat irritation, as well as cause nausea, damage the central nervous system and cancer, according to the American Lung Association and as reported by Consumer Reports.

It noted that children are particularly at risk because of the presence of harmful chemicals. For instance, lead can impair brain development and cause developmental problems. Experts also point to these substances as potential endocrine disruptors.

“We know that they look like endocrine disruptors—they look like things that can mess with our body’s normal hormonal system,” Tamarra James-Todd, an associate professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a lab director of the school’s Environmental Reproductive Justice Lab, told Consumer Reports.

She adds that Black women in particular have been found to have higher concentrations of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

“What is unique about braid extensions is the length of exposure users have to them,” Chrystal Thomas, a student at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the City University of New York who prompted the study, said. “Synthetic braids are typically worn for about four to six weeks. Black women and other individuals who use synthetic hair are, therefore, exposed to those ingredients consistently during that time.”

Signs that you may be allergic to synthetic braiding hair

Some symptoms can be observed immediately.

“Symptoms include redness, swelling, and rashes on the scalp, neck, or face,” James E. Rogers, a director and head of product safety testing, said, according to Consumer Reports. It “occurs when the immune system reacts to allergens present in synthetic hair. It can be associated with any dyes or coloring used in the product,” he added.

Dr. Chesahna Kindred, a dermatologist, said some of her patients experienced symptoms right after installation.

“It would look like contact dermatitis, which is when the scalp is inflamed, it’s red, the patient complained about an itching or burning sensation, and we would have to treat it with a cortisone,” she said.

The skin on the neck can also be affected and lead to breakouts. If you are experiencing such symptoms, it is recommended to take out the braids as soon as possible. Although symptoms may occur shortly after an appointment, health risks may take years to present themselves.

How did braiding hair companies respond to the study’s findings?

Consumer Reports said it contacted each synthetic hair it analyzed samples from. Sensationnel and Magic Fingers responded to the findings while disputing the study’s claims. 

“Magic Fingers is proud of the trusted and top-quality hair products we provide to our customers,” the company wrote in a statement, according to WSB-TV. “Our customers know they can count on us for braids and extensions that meet their highest expectations for fashion and performance. The unusual testing methods employed by Consumer Reports do not fairly match the real-world way that our customers use our Braiding Hair.”

Sensationnel also provided a statement: “We pride ourselves on producing the finest quality hair products on the market, and we are constantly evaluating our materials and processes with customer safety in mind.”

“The claims and conclusions presented by the Consumer Reports study are unfounded and misleading. Its study used a harsh and unusual testing methodology on hair braiding products that are clearly not intended for ingestion. We strongly disagree with the claims Consumer Reports makes about the potential risk to consumers that could arise from the safe and common use of our products,” it added. “We unequivocally stand by the safety of Sensationnel products, and our company urges consumers to continue to confidently use Sensationnel products.”

The approval process for COVID-19 vaccines is going to look very different in the U.S. In a nutshell, Trump officials no longer want to approve annual COVID-19 boosters for healthy adults and children. This means that millions of Americans may lose access to updated COVID-19 boosters.

Going forward, the Trump administration only wants to offer the vaccines to those 65 and older or high-risk individuals.

“Is the pharmacist going to determine if you’re in a high-risk group?” asked Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, PBS reported. “The only thing that can come of this will make vaccines less insurable and less available.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration wants to hold new clinical trials proving that COVID-19 shots are still safe and effective for healthy adults and children.

“We simply don’t know whether a healthy 52-year-old woman with a normal BMI who has had COVID-19 three times and has received six previous doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will benefit from the seventh dose,” the FDA officials wrote.

Why is the FDA planning to restrict access to COVID-19 vaccines?

The FDA’s announcement comes as vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who now leads the Department of Health and Human Services, raises more concerns over the COVID-19 vaccines.

FDA officials want to conduct clinical trials — which, in reality, could prove to be too costly for pharmaceutical companies — in order to prove that the COVID-19 vaccine is still safe and effective for healthy individuals. If the plan follows through, only 33 percent of Americans will be eligible to get the COVID-19 shot on an annual basis.

“We simply don’t know whether a healthy 52-year-old woman with a normal B.M.I. who has had COVID-19 three times and has received six previous doses of a COVID-19 vaccine will benefit from the seventh dose,” FDA officials wrote, per The New York Times.

What are experts saying about the possibility of COVID-19 vaccines being restricted?

“This is overly restrictive and will deny many people who want to be vaccinated a vaccine,” Dr. Anna Durbin, director of the Center for Immunization Research at Johns Hopkins University, said via email, according to The New York Times.

The changes do “not make sense from a public health perspective,” Durbin added.

Another expert argued that limiting access to the COVID-19 vaccine would only cause more distrust among Americans.

“Since the public trust in vaccines has declined, I would hope that we would be thoughtful about preserving vaccine choice for people who want to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Denise Jamieson, VP for medical affairs at the University of Iowa. Jamieson also serves as a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adviser on immunizations.

From her perspective, the announcement “doesn’t preserve people’s choice to get vaccinated.”

While walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday, Denzel Washington got into it with a photographer who appeared to get physical with the actor to get his attention in clips of the incident, which quickly went viral on social media.

Washington was attending the world premiere of Highest 2 Lowest when the incident occurred. The actor was talking to the movie’s director, Spike Lee, on the red carpet when a photographer grabbed Washington’s arm to get his attention.

Washington reprimanded the photographer and pointed his finger at him. The photographer appeared to nod in agreement with a smile on their face. Once the actor turned around, the paparazzo grabbed him again.

A peeved Washington pulled away and appeared to say, “Stop,” repeatedly.

Washington stars in Highest 2 Lowest, his fifth collaboration with Lee, alongside A$AP Rocky, Ilfenesh Hadera and Jeffrey Wright.

Washington’s representative said ‘It was a great evening’ for the actor

Though the incident appeared tense, Washington’s representative told People, “It was a great evening” for the actor. Afterward, Washington was surprised with the Honorary Palme d’Or, Cannes’ highest honor, before Highest 2 Lowest premiered. Lee presented the actor with the award as they introduced the movie to screening attendees.

“This is a total surprise for me, so I’m a little emotional, but from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. It was a great opportunity to collaborate with my brother once again — brother from another mother, Spike,” Washington said while accepting the award.

He continued, “To be here once again in Cannes, you know, we’re a very privileged group in this room that we get to make movies and wear tuxedos and nice clothes and dress up and get paid for it as well,” Washington added, to laughter. “You know, we’re just blessed beyond measure, I’m blessed beyond measure, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all. Thank you.”

Social media appears to be on Washington’s side, with many users on X, formerly Twitter, rushing to his defense.

I don’t need to know what happened..I’m on Denzel’s side— jrfromdallas (@DallasNYorker) May 19, 2025

It’s obvious he didn’t want to be touched, yet he was touched again, and then the guy grabbed his arm to hold him in place. What was that?!— Loren (@stocksandgo) May 20, 2025

Many have noted that this is a recurring issue for Black attendees at Cannes.“they keep on doing this to black people at Cannes, the difference is denzel washington is short a fuse or two,” one user wrote, with a video of him jokingly threatening Pedro Pascal for “making time with [his] wife,” Pauletta Washington.

“They’re always trying ‘us’ over there….,” another echoed with a picture of a similar incident involving Kelly Rowland at the festival last year.

A confrontation concerning burnt food between two Popeyes employees in Charlotte, North Carolina, resulted in one of them getting shot a couple of times. According to WCNC, the fight stemmed from a disagreement over how biscuits were being prepared on Sunday evening. Those who witnessed the altercation shared that it began inside before moving to the parking lot of the South Boulevard location after threats of violence from one of the participants involved in the incident.

Why did a Popeyes manager allegedly shoot his coworker?

The dispute escalated when things got physical, leading one of the employees, Rodney Wood, to allegedly pull out a gun, aim it at his coworker and shoot it “twice at point-blank range,” per legal filings, People reported via WBTV. After the 22-year-old fired the shots, he fled from the crime scene. Police found Wood nearby in the same retail plaza as Popeyes.

The victim, who is unknown and was also a male, was hit directly in his chest and groin. He was immediately taken into emergency surgery at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center.

The Popeyes manager who allegedly shot his coworker faces attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon charges

While in police custody, Wood shared that he had no intention of killing his co-worker. He fired the gun as “two warning shots” after claiming that he was struck three times in the face.

As detailed in the affidavit, officials stated that the defendant “failed to articulate a credible, imminent threat of deadly force necessary to support a self-defense claim under state law,” according to People.

Wood faces charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon; his bail is set at $50,000.