In today’s top news, a judge halts Pennsylvania’s controversial new voter ID requirement, Usher orders his ex-wife out of his mansion and Oprah’s OWN is slated to partner with Tyler Perry.

A judge halts Pennsylvania’s controversial new voter ID requirement. [BET]

Usher orders his ex-wife out of his mansion. [BET]

Oprah’s OWN to partner with Tyler Perry. [LATimes]

A Philly police officer was caught on tape punching a woman at a Puerto Rican Day Parade. [AP]

Jay-Z reflects on the anniversary of his Hard Knock Life album. [BET]

Study shows Black children are exposed to more background television. [CSM]

Winter storms will now receive names, courtesy of the Weather Channel. [Weather]

Twenty-five students were killed in northern Nigeria by an unknown gunman. [BBC]

A Dutch “abortion boat” is sailing to the coast of Morocco to provide offshore abortions. [BBC]

In today’s top news, Evelyn Lozada has filed for divorce from Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Vice President Joe Biden said Mitt Romney’s policies would “put y’all back in chains” and George Zimmerman won’t rely on a “Stand Your Ground” defense at trial.

Evelyn Lozada has filed for divorce from Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson. [BET]

Vice President Joe Biden said Mitt Romney’s policies would “put y’all back in chains.” [CNN]

George Zimmerman’s attorney says he won’t rely on a “Stand Your Ground” defense in his upcoming murder trial. [FOX]

Condoleezza Rice is hitting the campaign trail on behalf of rising GOP star Mia Love. [BET]

The oldest Black church in the U.S. celebrates 225 years. [BET]

Four million Bumbo Baby infant seats have been recalled amid reports of infant skull fractures. [AP]

The U.S. government is considering the use of battlefield blimps along the Mexican border. [MSNBC]

Starting today, undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children may now apply for work without danger of deportation. [CNN]

Olympic athletes from Ivory Coast and Guinea have been added to the roster of those gone AWOL in London. [ThisDay]

IBM plans to open a research lab in Kenya to help combat staggering traffic jams. [BBC]

In today’s top news, Kimora Lee Simmons and Djimon Hounsou are reportedly calling it quits, there is now an app to help New York residents record and report stop and frisks and a report shows that a stand your ground defense is more likely to succeed if the victim is Black.

Kimora Lee Simmons and Djimon Hounsou are reportedly calling it quits. [BET]

Rep. Maxine Waters’ ethics investigation to move forward. [BET]

There is now an app to help New York residents record and report stop and frisks. [BlackWeb2.0]

Report shows that a stand your ground defense is more likely to succeed if the victim is Black. [TampaBayTimes]

George Zimmerman’s next bond hearing is set for June 29. [NBC News]

A Dallas elementary school is criticized for giving students awards based on race. [GMA]

A drug-resistant strain of gonorrhea is spreading worldwide. [TIME]

Nas gives his two cents on the Nicki Minaj, Summer Jam boycott controversy. [BET]

Another Syrian massacre shocks the world. [BBC]

The U.S. is offering millions for information leading to the capture of Al-Shabab leaders. [BBC]

In today’s top news, lawyers for George Zimmerman, the shooter of Trayvon Martin, have withdrawn from the case, eight Black New York college students reported being “stopped and frisked” by the NYPD a total of 92 times and a white man is attacked and robbed by a group of Black men in Baltimore.

Lawyers for the shooter of Trayvon Martin have withdrawn from the case. [BET]

Eight Black New York college students reported being “stopped and frisked” by the NYPD a total of 92 times. [NYT]

White man attacked and robbed by group of Black men in Baltimore. [CNN]

Final jurors chosen for the trial of William Balfour, alleged killer of Jennifer Hudson’s family. [ChicagoTribune]

Five-year-old boy brings heroin to school for show-and-tell. [MSNBC]

Rick Ross forced to cancel two shows after suffering a seizure. [BET]

Nicki Minaj’s new album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded, debuts at No. 1. [BET]

Hospitals hosting McDonald’s chains under pressure to cut ties. [USATODAY]

Syria gives Kofi Annan another promise that it will comply with ceasefire despite continued violence. [BBC]

Sudan vows to retake lucrative oil fields from South Sudan. [BBC]

In today’s top news, the special prosecutor in the Trayvon Martin case has decided not to use a grand jury, a Michigan road sign is hacked to display “Trayvon a N—-r” and police say both  Tulsa shooting suspects confessed to their crimes.

The special prosecutor in the Trayvon Martin case has decided not to use a grand jury. [BET]

A Michigan road sign is hacked to display “Trayvon a N—-r.” [MSNBC]

Police say Tulsa shooting suspects confessed to crimes. [Reuters]

Think Like a Man producer is confident that the film will be No. 1 at the box office on April 20. [BET]

A Washington seventh grader took control of his school bus after the driver collapsed. [MSNBC]

Study: Blacks and Latinos less likely to be prescribed antidepressants. [UofM]

Rapper Eve says she is close to releasing her first new album in 10 years. [BET]

Early dental x-rays for children may be linked to brain tumors. [ABC]

Mali coup leader rejects assistance from foreign troops. [BBC]

Syria has begun withdrawing troops from cities in accordance with the U.N.-backed peace plan. [AJE]

In today’s top news, Google’s privacy policy is set to change tomorrow, March 1, Mitt Romney wins primary elections in Michigan and Arizona, and Ohio will prosecute school shooting suspect T.J. Lane as an adult.

Google’s privacy policy is set to change March 1. [BET]

Mitt Romney wins primaries in Michigan and Arizona. [MSNBC]

Ohio to prosecute school shooting suspect as an adult. [ABC]

Slaves who built the U.S. Capitol were honored by lawmakers. [LATimes]

Stroke deaths down in African-American children with sickle cell. [BET]

Autism not diagnosed as early in minority children. [AP]

Wendy Williams tells Chris Brown and Rihanna to back off romantic revival. [BET]

Pentagon admits it dumped 9/11 remains in a landfill. [MSNBC]

Syrian army continues assaults on civilians as the U.N. prepares a humanitarian resolution. [Reuters]

Uganda attracts $3 billion in oil investment. [EastAfrican]

Iran now accepting gold for oil in light of E.U. sanctions. [BBC]

In today’s top news, singer Chris Brown is under investigation for allegedly stealing a fan’s phone, a new study links chemical hair relaxers to fibroid tumors and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton predicts Syrian rebels will get arms and overthrow President Assad.

Chris Brown is under investigation for stealing a fan’s phone. [BET]

New study links relaxers to fibroid tumors. [BET]

Sec. of State Hillary Clinton predicts Syrian rebels will get arms and overthrow President Assad. [MSNBC]

Tyler Perry is penning a comeback role for the legendary Diana Ross. [BET]

Nigerian animator creates African version of Dora the Explorer. [CNN]

A lawsuit in Alaska says Obama can’t run in the state because of his “mulatto” race. [ENEWSPF]

Controversial John Edwards sex tape to be destroyed. [ABC]

The Beverly Hills Hilton fired staffers who leaked info about Whitney Houston’s death. [BET]

Are Black male teachers becoming extinct? [CNN]

An airstrike of unknown origin kills four in Somalia. [BBC]

In today’s top news, Soul Train pioneer Don Cornelius dies at 75, Beyoncé fans want to erect a monument to the singer in Houston and BET celebrates Black History Month.

Soul Train pioneer Don Cornelius dies at 75. [BET]

Beyoncé fans in Houston are clamoring for a monument to the singer. [BET]

BET celebrates Black History Month. [BET]

Flavor Flav speaks out on his recent family feud. [BET]

A Congolese inventor has created the first African tablet. [News.com.au]

More and more Americans are shirking census race labels. [FOX]

Connecticut student bullied for not being ‘Black enough.’ [NewsTimes]

South African lesbian killers get 18 years in prison. [BBC]

Pfizer recalls one million packets of birth control. [MSNBC]

Photography exhibit examines Black male fashion. [BET]

In today’s top news, Republican Rep. Allen West tells Obama and his Democratic counterparts to “get the hell out of the U.S.;” cleared of a death sentence, Mumia Abu Jamal begins his life prison term and one bullying victim receives $100k in damages.

Rep. Allen West tells Obama and Democrats to “get the hell out of the U.S.” [BET]

Now off death row, Mumia Abu Jamal begins his life sentence. [BET]

Bullying victim receives $100k in damages. [BET]

Herman Cain says he would work for a Gingrich administration. [TODAY]

Mandela loses his last surviving sibling. [CNN]

Dr. Conrad Murray wants to be released from prison. [BET]

Morehouse president Robert M. Franklin will step down. [PRN]

African Union opens $200 million headquarters in Ethiopia. [BET]

Study: Segregation lowest in a century. [USATODAY]

Occupy DC camps remain defiant of deadline. [CNN]

In today’s top news, family, friends and fans pay their last respects to Etta James, GOP members are going crazy over “Captain Obama” and 400 are arrested at Occupy Oakland.

Etta James is laid to rest. [BET]

One GOP candidate depicts Obama as captain of a slave ship. [BET]

…And another RNC chairman compares him to the captain of the wrecked cruise ship Costa Concordia. [CNN]

400 arrested at Occupy Oakland. [LATimes]

President Obama tells colleges to lower costs. [BET]

U.N. chief tells African leaders to respect gay rights. [AFP]

The Help wins big at SAG. [AP]

Street art is Egypt’s latest revolution. [MSNBC]

Native Americans in South Dakota sue state for being edged out of early voting. [100R]

Report: Blacks and Latinos eat more sugary cereal. [BET]