More strikes aimed at Iran after Khamenei's death, Trump issues new warning

By Alexander Cornwell, Sarah El Safty, Yomna Ehab and Elwely Elwelly

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei killed in Israeli and U.S. strikes

TEL AVIV/DUBAI, March 1 (Reuters) - Israel said on Sunday it launched another wave of attacks on Iran, as Iranians grappled with uncertainty after the killing of their supreme leader in U.S. and Israeli strikes, while President Donald Trump warned of consequences for retaliation.

Hours after both nations said an air strike killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the military ‌campaign to overthrow the government of the Islamic Republic, its state media confirmed the 86-year-old leader's death on Saturday.

In another blow for Iran's leaders, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi was killed in strikes, broadcaster ‌Iran TV said.

The United States will hit Iran "with a force that has never been seen before," Trump warned on Sunday, if the Middle East nation hit back after the strikes.

"Iran just stated that they are going to hit very hard today, harder than they have ever been hit before," Trump ​said in a post on Truth Social.

He added, "THEY BETTER NOT DO THAT, HOWEVER, BECAUSE IF THEY DO, WE WILL HIT THEM WITH A FORCE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!"

Iran's top security official, Ali Larijani, said a temporary leadership council would be set up.

He accused the United States and Israel of trying to plunder and disintegrate Iran and warned "secessionist groups" of a harsh response if they attempt action, state television said.

In remarks directed at Trump and his close ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, said they had crossed a red line and would "pay for it".

A source briefed on the Israeli campaign told Reuters there had been no change in military strategy after the killing of Khamenei and that strikes would continue to target ‌Iranian officials and missile infrastructure.

SECOND DAY OF LOUD BLASTS HEARD

Several loud blasts were heard ⁠for a second day on Sunday in regional business hub Dubai and over Qatar's capital of Doha, witnesses said, after Iran launched retaliatory strikes on the neighbouring Gulf states.

Puffs of white smoke from missile interceptions were glimpsed in the skies over Dubai, while billows of dark smoke rose over its port of Jebel Ali, one of the busiest in the Middle East.

Iran, which has ⁠said it would target U.S. bases if attacked, hit a range of other targets, keeping the major oil-producing Gulf on edge.

Air raid sirens sounded repeatedly across Israel early on Sunday, with a series of explosions heard in Tel Aviv as Israel's sophisticated air defense system sought to intercept the latest Iranian offensive.

There was no immediate report of damage or injuries.

Trump said the air strikes aimed to end a decades-long threat from Iran and ensure it could not develop a nuclear weapon.

He sought to justify a risky gambit that seemed to ​contradict ​his professed opposition to American involvement in complex overseas conflicts.

Advertisement

"This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great ​Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated ‌by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump and Netanyahu told Iranians to pursue a rare chance to topple their clerical leaders.

LEADERS ALREADY FACED PRESSURE ON SEVERAL FRONTS

The leadership had already been under pressure from an economy hammered by sanctions, protesters who proved ready again to take to the streets despite fierce crackdowns and regional proxies severely weakened by Israeli attacks.

Israel and the United States timed the attacks to coincide with a meeting of Khamenei and his top aides, said two U.S. sources and a U.S. official familiar with the matter.

Khamenei was working in his office at the time of Saturday's attack, state media said. It also killed his daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law and son-in-law.

Experts said that while the deaths of Khamenei and other Iranian leaders would deal the country a major blow, it would not necessarily spell the end of Iran's entrenched clerical rule or the sway of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps over the population.

Trump evoked the 1979 ‌storming of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, when Iranian student activists in coordination with radical clerics took 52 American hostage for 444 days, demanding ​the extradition of the deposed Shah from the United States.

Israel's military said it targeted Iran's ballistic missile and air defense systems with strikes on ​Sunday morning.

Iran's armed forces would soon retaliate again with their biggest offensive against U.S. bases and Israel, the ​Revolutionary Guards vowed in a statement on Sunday.

Iran responded to Saturday's initial attacks by launching hundreds of missiles and drones targeting U.S. troops and cities in Israel and Arab countries allied with ‌Washington, prompting widespread cancellations of Middle East flights.

The Pentagon said there were no U.S. deaths ​or injuries.

ONE OF GLOBAL AVIATION'S WORST DISRUPTIONS

Major Middle Eastern airports, including ​Dubai, the world's busiest international travel hub, were shut on Saturday after Iran's missile retaliation unleashed one of global aviation's most severe disruptions in years.

Dubai's landmark Burj Al Arab hotel and the airport, which handles more than 1,000 flights a day, were damaged in an overnight attack on sites across the Arab Gulf states that also hit airports in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait.

On Saturday, Tehran warned that it had closed the Strait of Hormuz, ​the narrow conduit for about a fifth of global oil consumption, raising expectations of a ‌sharp jump in oil prices.

The OPEC+ grouping of major oil producers is set to meet on Sunday and may consider a larger-than-planned output increase as several tanker owners, oil majors and trading houses suspended ​energy shipments through the Strait.

After Israel pounded Iran in a 12-day air war in June, joined by the United States, both warned they would strike again if Tehran persisted with nuclear and ballistic missile ​programs.

(Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Writing by Simon Lewis, Clarence Fernandez and Michael Georgy; Editing by Sergio Non and Raju Gopalakrishnan)

byGreen Magazine

in

March 01, 2026

More strikes aimed at Iran after Khamenei's death, Trump issues new warning

By Alexander Cornwell, Sarah El Safty, Yomna Ehab and Elwely Elwelly Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah ...

Read More

Middle East airports closed and thousands of travelers stranded after attack on Iran

LONDON (AP) — Theattack on Iranby the United States and Israel disrupted flights across the Middle East and beyond Saturday as countries around the region closed their airspace and key airports that connect Europe, Africa and the West to Asia were directly hit by strikes.

Lebanon Israel Iran US

Airports across the Middle East remained closed Sunday as the conflict moved into its second day. Emirates Airlines suspended all flights to and from Dubai until at least Sunday afternoon. The Qatar airport was closed until at least Monday morning, according to Qatar Airways. Israeli airspace also remained closed Sunday.

The closures have stranded tens of thousands of travelers around the world.

Hundreds of thousands of travelers were either stranded or diverted to other airports Saturday after Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait and Bahrain closed their airspace. There also was no flight activity over the United Arab Emirates, flight tracking website FlightRadar24 said, after the government there announced a "temporary and partial closure" of its airspace.

That led to the closure of key hub airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, and the cancellation of more than 1,800 flights by major Middle Eastern airlines. The three major airlines that operate at those airports — Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad — typically have about 90,000 passengers per day crossing through those hubs and even more travelers headed to destinations in the Middle East, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.

Two airports in the United Arab Emirates reported incidents as the government there condemned what it called a "blatant attack involving Iranian ballistic missiles" on Saturday.

Officials at Dubai International Airport — the largest in the United Arab Emirates and one of thebusiest in the world— said four people were injured, while Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi said that one person was killed and seven others were injured in a drone strike. Strikes were also reported at Kuwait International Airport.

Though Iran did not publicly claim responsibility, the scope of retaliatory strikes that Gulf nations attributed to Iran extended beyond the American bases that it previously said it would target.

"For travelers, there's no way to sugarcoat this," said Henry Harteveldt, an airline industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group. "You should prepare for delays or cancellations for the next few days as these attacks evolve and hopefully end."

Airlines that are crossing the Middle East will have to reroute flights around the conflict with many flights headed south over Saudi Arabia. That will add hours to those flights and consume additional fuel, adding to the costs airlines will have to absorb. So ticket prices could quickly start to increase if the conflict lingers.

The added flights will also put pressure on air traffic controllers in Saudi Arabia who might have to slow traffic to make sure they can handle it safely. And the countries that closed their airspace will miss out on the overflight fees airlines pay for crossing overhead.

But Mike McCormick, who used to oversee air traffic control for the Federal Aviation Administration before he retired and is now a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, said over the next few days these countries might be able to reopen parts of their airspace once American and Israeli officials share with the airlines where military flights are operating and how capable Iran remains at firing missiles.

"Those countries then will be able to go through and say, okay, we can reopen this portion of our space but we'll keep this portion of our airspace closed," McCormick said. "So I think what we'll see in the next 24 to 36 hours how the use of airspace evolves as the kinetic activity gets more well defined and as the capability of Iran to actually shoot missiles and create additional risk is diminished due to the attacks."

But it is unclear how long the disruption to flight operations could last. For comparison, the Israeli and U.S. attack on Iran in June 2025lasted 12 days.

'No one knows'

The situation was changing quickly and airlines urged passengers to check their flight status online before heading to the airport.

Advertisement

Some airlines issued waivers to affected travelers that will allow them to rebook their flight plans without paying extra fees or higher fares.

Jonathan Escott and his fiance had arrived at the airport in Newcastle, England, on Saturday only to find out that his direct flight to Dubai on Emirates airline was canceled, leaving everyone on the flight stuck there.

Escott left to go back to where he was staying with family, about an hour from the airport, but has no idea when he may be able to travel.

"No one knows," Escott said. "No one really knows what's going on with the conflict, really. Not Emirates, Emirates don't have a clue. No one has a clue."

At least 145 planes that were en route to cities like Tel Aviv and Dubai early Saturday were diverted to airports in cities like Athens, Istanbul or Rome, according to FlightAware. Others turned around and returned to where they took off from. One plane spent nearly 15 hours in the air after leaving Philadelphia and getting all the way to Spain before turning around and returning to where it started.

Numerous airlines canceled international flights to Dubai through the weekend, as India's civil aviation agency designated much of the Middle East — including skies above Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon — as a high-security risk zone at all altitudes.

Air India canceled all flights to Mideast destinations. Turkish Airlines said flights to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Jordan were suspended until Monday and flights to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Oman were suspended.

The airline said additional cancellations may be announced, and many other airlines were suspending flights into the region through the weekend.

Travelers advised to be 'very creative'

U.S.-based Delta Air Lines and United Airlines suspended flights to Tel Aviv at least through the weekend. Dutch airline KLM had already announced earlier in the week that it was suspending flights to and from Tel Aviv.

Airlines including Lufthansa, Air France, Transavia and Pegasus canceled all flights to Lebanon, while American Airlines suspended flights from Philadelphia to Doha.

Virgin Atlantic said it would avoid flying over Iraq, meaning flights to and from India, the Maldives and Riyadh could take slightly longer. The airline already was not flying over Iran and said all flights would carry appropriate fuel in case they need to reroute on short notice.

British Airways said flights to Tel Aviv and Bahrain will be suspended until next week, and flights to Amman, Jordan, were canceled Saturday.

"Travelers should anticipate that there will be a lot of disruptions," Harteveldt said. "To be honest, if you haven't left home, chances are you won't be leaving home if you're supposed to travel to or through these destinations for at least several days, if not longer. And if you are returning home, you will have to be very creative about how you get home."

Levy reported from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska. Associated Press writers Adam Schreck in Bangkok, Sam Metz in Ramallah, West Bank, and Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem contributed.

byGreen Magazine

in

March 01, 2026

Middle East airports closed and thousands of travelers stranded after attack on Iran

LONDON (AP) — Theattack on Iranby the United States and Israel disrupted flights across the Middle East and beyond Saturd...

Read More

Protests break out in Pakistan, Iraq over Khamenei's death

KARACHI, Pakistan, March 1 (Reuters) - Pakistani police fired tear gas on Sunday to scatter protesters who breached the outer wall ‌of the U.S. consulate in the southern city of Karachi ‌following news of U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali ​Khamenei.

Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite armed groups gather after the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Baghdad

Pro-Iranian protesters also gathered outside the Green Zone in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, where the U.S. Embassy is located.

In Karachi, protesters had been pushed back from the consulate, a spokesman for the local government said. A ‌Reuters reporter heard sounds ⁠of gunfire and video footage from the scenes showed burning vehicles outside the consulate's main gate.

No casualties were reported ⁠in the clashes. U.S. diplomats in the consulate were not immediately available for comment.

Large protests also broke out in other parts of Pakistan.

Advertisement

Protesters set ​fire to ​a United Nations office building in ​Pakistan's northern city of Skardu, ‌in the normally peaceful Shia-majority Gilgit Baltistan region known for its Himalayan peaks popular with tourists.

"A large number of protesters have gathered outside the UN office in GB and burned down the building," local government spokesperson Shabbir Mir told Reuters, adding no casualties had been reported.

Crowds ‌had gathered earlier in the day to ​protest Khamenei's death.

In the central city of ​Lahore, hundreds of protesters gathered ​outside the U.S. consulate but there were no reports ‌of violence.

"Some of the protestors tried ​to damage the ​security gate, hundreds of yards away for the Consulate, however, police stopped them without use of force," Aqeel Raza, an eyewitness, ​told Reuters.

(Reporting by Akhtar ‌Soomro and Ariba Shahid in Karachi, Mushtaq Ali in Peshawar ​and Mubasher Bukhari in Lahore; Writing by Saad Sayeed; Editing ​by Clarence Fernandez and Raju Gopalakrishnan)

byGreen Magazine

in

March 01, 2026

Protests break out in Pakistan, Iraq over Khamenei's death

KARACHI, Pakistan, March 1 (Reuters) - Pakistani police fired tear gas on Sunday to scatter protesters who breached the o...

Read More

'SNL' takes on Iran attacks and Khamenei killing in cold open

The latest "SNL" cold open couldn't be more timely.

"Saturday Night Live"kicked off its Feb. 28 episode with a sketchaddressing news that the United States and Israel launched military strikes and combat operations against Iranearlier in the day, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In the cold open, James Austin Johnson played PresidentDonald Trumpdelivering remarks and declaring, "Happy World War III to all who celebrate!"

Johnson's Trump went on to say he launched the attack on Iran because he and his "Board of Peace decided that we were bored of peace" and because he needed help "distracting from the Epstein files."

"I know on the campaign trail I promised no new foreign wars," he said. "But listen: Wars, plural, right? I'm allowed to do one."

Surprise!'Heated Rivalry' star Hudson Williams joins Connor Storrie on 'SNL'

In a meta moment, Johnson's Trump also implied the breaking news required "SNL" to throw out a cold open focused on the president's State of the Union address earlier in the week.

"People are asking, 'Why attack Iran now?' Well, we had to strike in the early hours of Saturday, which has two advantages militarily: One, it's after the stock market closes for the weekend, and two, it's to cause immeasurable fear, rage and chaos in the 'SNL' writer's room," he said. "Those guys were going crazy. They probably had a big State of the Union address thing they were going to do. Not anymore!"

Advertisement

Colin Jostsoon entered as Defense SecretaryPete Hegsethto declare that although he seems confident, "I am scared and I don't know what I'm doing. When he said we were going to blow up the leader of Iran, I thought he was kidding."

Harry Styles is returning to 'SNL':Get the details

The "SNL" sketch kicked off the show's first new episode after a nearly month-long hiatus. It was also a return to the sketch show's typical format of beginning with a Trump spoof;the cold open of the previous episode on Jan. 31, hosted by Alexander Skarsgård, was rare in that it didn't feature Johnson's portrayal of the president. Instead, former cast member Pete Davidson returned to play White House border czarTom Homan.

Connor Storriehosted the Feb. 28 episode of "SNL," coming off the massive success of "Heated Rivalry." The hockey romance series, streaming on HBO Max, has catapulted Storrie from obscurity to stardom, and the actor made his debut on late-night television in January with a "Late Night With Seth Meyers" interview.

'SNL' cold open:Trump distracts from 'freaks and psychos' in ICE

Mumford & Sons served as musical guest for Storrie's "SNL" episode.

Who's hosting 'SNL' next?

Saturday's episode is the first ofthree consecutive weeks of new "SNL" shows.

Next week's episode will feature thereturn of Ryan Gosling, who is serving as host for the fourth time alongside musical guest Gorillaz. The week after,Harry Styles is doing double dutyas host and musical guest on March 14.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'SNL' cold open addresses Trump's Iran attacks, Khamenei killing

byGreen Magazine

in

February 28, 2026

'SNL' takes on Iran attacks and Khamenei killing in cold open

The latest "SNL" cold open couldn't be more timely. "Saturday Night Live"kicked off it...

Read More

Delroy Lindo addresses racial slur aimed at him and Michael B. Jordan

PASADENA, California −Delroy Lindoaddressed a recent controversial moment when he and his "Sinners" costarMichael B. Jordantook the stage at the 57thNAACP Image Awards, their first public appearance since a racial slur was hurled at them during theBAFTAs.

At the British awards show on Feb. 22, Tourette's syndrome advocateJohn Davidsonhurled a racial slur while Lindo and Jordan, who are Black, were presenting an award for visual effects. Davidson has cited hisTourette's syndromeas the reason why he yelled the slur and condemned the racial slur he used.

The two "Sinner" actors returned to the spotlight at the NAACP awards on Feb 28 in Los Angeles County, where the talent behind the Oscar-nominated film was celebrated. While presenting best supporting actress in a movie alongside "Sinners" directorRyan Coogler, Lindo expressed gratitude.

"I'd just like to officially say, I appreciate, we appreciate all the support and love we have been shown in the aftermath of what happened last weekend. It means a lot to us," he said at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.

Lindo added that he felt honored to receive "incredible support" after the distressing incident at the U.K. ceremony, calling it "a classic case of something that could be very negative becoming very positive."

Jordan did not address the moment during the broadcast, though he and Lindo had an untelevised conversation shortly after Lindo's speech. During the exchange, Lindo, 73, playfully shoved Jordan, 39, who was seated in front of him.

The "Creed III" actor accepted the award for best actor in a movie, dedicated the win to his late"Black Panther" co-star Chadwick Boseman, and said, "I love being Black." Jordan later took the night's top prize, entertainer of the year, where he urged anyone hoping to find success to keep working hard, be a good person and "lead with love and kindness."

"The world needs more unity, more grace, more empathy," he said.

Regina Hall, Deon Cole address BAFTAs incident at NAACP Image Awards

Host Deon Cole quipped about the controversy at the start of the broadcast, reminding everyone to remember Saturday was the last day of Black History Month.

"Lord, if there are any white men out there with Tourette's, I advise you to tell them to read the room tonight." Cole said.

Advertisement

"One Battle After Another" actressRegina Hallcommemorated Jordan and Lindo while presenting the first award of the night. "I'd like to take a moment to thank the two kings who are in this audience and just send you so much love for your class."

The biggest names in Hollywood stepped out to honor Black excellence at the 57th NAACP Image Awards on Feb. 28, 2026. See the night's head-turning looks, starting with Halle Bailey.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Halle Bailey

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Kerry Washington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Viola Davis

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Julius Tennon (from left), Viola Davis and Genesis Tennon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Issa Rae

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Chloe Bailey

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Colman Domingo

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Chase Infiniti

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sterling K. Brown

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Quinta Brunson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Janelle James

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Don Lemon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Uzo Aduba

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Regé-Jean Page

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> JaNa Craig

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Michael Jai White and Gillian White

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Lovie Simone

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> DomiNque Perry

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Malinda Williams

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Cheryl James (aka Salt)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Sandra Denton (aka Pepa)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> DJ Spinderella

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Edwina Findley

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Tyler James Williams

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jayme Lawson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Trevor Jackson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Eva Marcille

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Maurice Johnson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Ryan Michelle Bathe

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> KJ Smith

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Malcolm Barrett

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Skyh Black

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Karla Mosley

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Ambyr Michelle

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Bree Webber

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Celeste Seda

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Miranda Rae Mayo

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Tyriq Withers

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jennifer Sears

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Danielle LaRoach

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Aiyana-Lee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Porscha Coleman

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jhone Lucas

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Crystal Renee Hayslett

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jordan Coleman

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Claudia Jordan

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Branden Wellington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Tyla

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Ledisi

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Ms. Pat

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See Halle Bailey, Kerry Washington arrive on NAACP Image Awards carpet

The biggest names in Hollywood stepped out to honor Black excellence at the57th NAACP Image Awardson Feb. 28, 2026. See the night's head-turning looks, starting with Halle Bailey.

Later, "Abbott Elementary" star and creatorQuinta Brunsongave a shout-out to the "Sinners" cast and crew during her acceptance speech, saying, "We see you" and "We're behind you."

John Davidson, BAFTAs and BBC apologize

Following the moment at the BAFTAs, Davidson said his use of the slur was a symptom of Tourette's with Coprolalia, which involves involuntary outbursts of obscene words or socially inappropriate and derogatory remarks, according to theTourette Association of America.

"I want to be really clear that the intent behind them is zero. What you're hearing is a symptom − not my character, not my thought, not my belief," he said in an email interviewVarietypublished on Feb. 24. "The most offensive word that I ticked at the ceremony is a word I would never use and would completely condemn if I did not have Tourette's."

Davidson, 54, was at the U.K. ceremony as executive producer and subject of a BAFTA-nominated film titled "I Swear," which chronicles his own experiences with the condition for nearly four decades.

BBC also faced backlash as the moment was not edited out of the broadcast, which aired with a two-hour delay and remained on the BBC's streaming service the morning after.

In an internal memo shared with USA TODAY on Feb. 25, BBC chief content officer Kate Phillips wrote, "I'm so sorry that a racial slur was not edited out of our broadcast. We understand how distressing this was." She added that a different racial slur was removed from the broadcast. "This one was aired in error and we would never have knowingly allowed this to be broadcast."

The BAFTAs also issued an apology for "putting our guests in a very difficult situation" in a lengthy statement published byThe Hollywood Reporter.

Contributing: Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Delroy Lindo, Michael B. Jordan attend NAACP Image Awards after BAFTAs

byGreen Magazine

in

February 28, 2026

Delroy Lindo addresses racial slur aimed at him and Michael B. Jordan

PASADENA, California −Delroy Lindoaddressed a recent controversial moment when he and his "Sinners" costarMicha...

Read More