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.

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"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

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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

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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...

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What we know about the US-Israeli attack on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation

The United States and Israel launched a major joint assault on Iran on Saturday that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's longtime supreme leader, thrusting the country into uncertainty as US President Donald Trump urged its people to rise up against the government.

In a video on Truth Social, Trump said action was taken to "obliterate" Iran's missile industry after he claimed the country had rejected "every opportunity to renounce their nuclear ambitions" even as a key mediator indicated a deal was close.

The strikes began in daylight on Saturday morning – the first day of the week in Iran – as millions went to work or school. Hundreds of civilians were killed – including students at a girls' school hit by a drone strike, according to state media.

Iran has responded to the attacks, which it describes as unprovoked and illegal, with an unprecedented wave of strikes across the Middle East, targeting several countries that host US military bases – including Bahrain and the UAE – as well as four airports.

With airspace closed over key Mideast hubs, flight cancelations caused travel disruptions that rippled worldwide.

Here's what we know so far.

How did we get here?

Weakened by last summer's war with Israel, which the US briefly joined, the Iranian regime has been battling a severe economic crisis which sparked nationwide protests in January.

After a crackdown left thousands of protesters dead, Trump had promised to come to their aid. He warned the US was "locked and loaded" to attack and began moving huge amounts of materiel to the region, even as the US resumed efforts to reach a new nuclear deal with Iran.

The last round of talks ended in Switzerland on Thursday, with Iran agreeing to "never" stockpile enriched uranium. The Omani foreign minister, who acted as a mediator in the talks, said there had been "significant progress" and a peace deal was within reach.

Why did the US strike Iran?

In his Truth Social video, Trump said the main objective of the strikes was "to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime."

Those threats, he said, included Iran's nuclear program – which the White House claimed to have "totally" obliterated withstrikes in June.

"It has always been the policy of the United States, in particular my administration, that this terrorist regime can never have a nuclear weapon," Trump said, without providing evidence that Iran was any closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon.

The president also repeated his recent claims that Iran is building ballistic missiles which could reach the US mainland. Anunclassified assessmentfrom the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) from 2025 said that Iran could develop a "militarily-viable" intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by 2035 "should Tehran decide to pursue the capability."

According to two sources, the claim that Iran will soon have a missile capable of hitting the US is not backed up by intelligence.

Why is Israel striking Iran?

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long viewed Iran as Israel's most dangerous adversary. After the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, a key Iranian ally, and Israel's crippling of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in Lebanon – Israel last summer launched a war against Iran itself.

Although Israel halted the conflict after the US struck Iran's nuclear sites, analysts had long suspected that Netanyahu would take an opportunity to resume attacks on Iran. With elections due in October, Netanyahu may also see the return to war as a chance to shore up his standing domestically.

In a video statement Saturday, explaining why Israel was resuming its strikes on Iran, Netanyahu also repeated his claim that the Islamic regime must not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.

Are the US and Israel seeking regime change?

In their statements, both Trump and Netanyahu were clear about their hopes for regime change in Iran as they pre-empted confirmation from Iran that Khamenei had died.

Trump told the Iranian people "the hour of your freedom is at hand," while Netanyahu urged them to "cast off the yoke of tyranny."

Cheers and celebrations were heard in parts of Tehran on Saturday night following the reports of Khamenei's death. In one video from Galleh Dar, in Fars province, people were seen tearing down a monument as fires burned around them.

Pro-regime crowds gathered separately in Tehran at daylight on Sunday to mourn the loss of their leader. Earlier, a state TV news presenter cried as he confirmed Khamenei's death.

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What has been hit?

Explosionswere heard Saturday inTehran'sPasteur district, the site of a highly secure compound housing Khamenei's residence and office. Images showed severe damage to buildings and dense black smoke.

Two Israeli sources told CNN that the strikes targeted senior figures, including Khamenei, President Masoud Pezeshkian, and the armed forces' chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi.

Several other Iranian cities were hit, including Minab, where a girls' elementary school suffered one of the largest death tolls. Citing a local prosecutor, Iranian state media reported 148 people had died there, as images showed a row of small body bags laid outside a damaged building.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said as of late Saturday, at least 133 civilians had been killed in the joint strikes on Iran, with 200 injured. Iranian state media put the death toll at over 200, with more than 700 wounded.

Israel ispreparing forseveral days of strikes against Iran and "even more if needed," an Israeli source told CNN.

How has Iran responded?

Iran retaliated with an unprecedented wave of strikes across the Middle East, targeting several nearby countries that host US military bases, as well as Israel.

Across Israel, one person was killed and 121 others were injured, according to the country's national emergency service.

Blasts were reported in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain, as well as in Iran's key regional rival, Saudi Arabia, which vowed to take "all necessary measures" to defend itself.

A CNN team on the ground in Dubai heard three loud blasts at around 8:15 am local time Sunday morning.

Earlier, dramatic footage showed people fleeing a smoke-filled passageway at Dubai International Airport, as officials confirmed four staff had been injured.

The Fairmont Hotel, in the city's upmarket Palm Jumeirah islands development, also sustained damage with photos showing flames with a hole punched into an exterior wall.

Drone strikescauseddamage and minor injuries at Kuwait International Airport, and one person was killed and seven injured at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.

QatarandJordanintercepted missiles targeting their countries. One personwas reportedly killedby falling debris after air defenses intercepted missiles targeting sites in Abu Dhabi.

Bahrain's interior ministry said three buildings in the cities of Manama and Muharraq had sustained damage "as a result of drone attacks and falling debris from an intercepted missile." Video showed flames leaping from a residential building in Manama, though the cause of that blaze was unclear.

The clashes disrupted traffic in the Strait of Hormuz – acrucialshipping route located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

The US hasn't suffered any combat-related casualties in its operation against Iran and damage to US military installations has been minimal, US Central Command said in a statement.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the attack as unprovoked and illegal.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei accused the Trump administration of being "dragged" into a conflict in which "the only beneficiary" would be Israel.

The spokesperson also defended Iran's retaliatory strikes throughout the region as part of their "inherent, legitimate right of self-defense."

Iran "didn't welcome this war — it was imposed on us," Baghaei said.

CNN's Tal Shalev, Jeremy Diamond, Kareem El Damanhoury, Christian Sierra, Max Saltman, Catherine Nicholls, Frederik Pleitgen, Dana Karni, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Adam Pourahmadi and Lauren Kent contributed to this report.

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byCosmopolite

in

February 28, 2026

What we know about the US-Israeli attack on Iran and Tehran’s retaliation

The United States and Israel launched a major joint assault on Iran on Saturday that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran...

Read More