May 20, 2024

Caught on Camera

The Story

The fallout continues days after a video of Sean “Diddy” Combs emerged showing him beating his ex-girlfriend. The details are disturbing and can be triggering for some readers.

Catch me up.

Combs dragged, kicked, and threw a vase toward R&B singer Cassandra Ventura, known as Cassie, in a 2016 surveillance video released by CNN. The recording appears to match some of the claims of physical abuse Ventura made in a lawsuit she filed against the music mogul last year. They settled the suit the next day. It didn’t end there as several more lawsuits were filed in the following months, along with a federal criminal sex-trafficking investigation. Combs denied Ventura's allegations of abuse until yesterday.

What happened? 

In a video apology, Combs said he was “truly sorry” and called his actions “inexcusable.” He added that he went to “therapy and rehab” after the incident. Ventura’s attorney said Combs only apologized “once his repeated denials were proven false.” Still, Combs cannot be criminally prosecuted for the assault due to the statute of limitations expiring years ago. Ventura received supportive messages on social media after the video surfaced, with many noting her courage in speaking up. 

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It took a video for Combs to own up to his alleged misconduct after months of denying his assault on Ventura. Though he won’t face legal repercussions for this 2016 incident, his actions could spur federal investigators to put him under closer scrutiny.

What people are talking about…

Iran. A search is currently underway after Iranian state media reported that a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and other officials crashed in a mountainous region of the country. It’s being reported that bad weather is to blame. The crash comes as Iran faces issues on the domestic and international front. At home, Iran has struggled with national protests, a terrorist attack, and its currency has plunged to new lows. On the international stage, Iran’s role in the Israel-Hamas war has led to high tensions in the region. In the event that Iran’s president dies, the first vice president would take control and an election would be held within 50 days. But it’s worth noting that in Iran, it’s the Ayatollah that gets the final say.

Who was behind the podium…

President Biden. Yesterday, the president gave a commencement speech at Morehouse College. It’s a historically Black men’s college in the key swing state of Georgia. The speech gave the president an opportunity to pitch himself to young Black voters as he looks to keep the White House in November. Biden reiterated his calls for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, and told the graduates he heard their voices of protest over the Israel-Hamas war. Some students turned their backs while he spoke or held Palestinian flags, but there weren't any noticeable interruptions. Biden also made democracy a key part of his speech saying, “in a democracy, we debate and dissent about America's role in the world.”

What’s under a microscope…

The Las Vegas Aces. The WNBA said it’s investigating the two-time defending champions’ sponsorship deal with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA). Every player on the team’s roster agreed to a two-year deal with LVCVA and will get $100,000 annually. The deals don't violate the WNBA's salary cap since they were brokered directly with the players' agents and not through the team. The league did not specify why it is investigating, but the deal could reportedly be seen as a financial advantage that other teams couldn't offer. It comes amid a larger conversation around pay disparity in the WNBA. The Ace’s rookies reportedly make about $67,000 a year with one player calling the money “a life-changing investment.”

Who we hope packed waterproof mascara…

Selena Gomez.

Why French mail smells so delicious…

New stamps.

Who’s taking a break…

Valerie Bertinelli.

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