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, doubts remain after police release re-enactment of Chavis Carter’s alleged suicide, FAMU is attempting to settle out of court with the family of  Robert Champion, and Russell Simmons backs Vice President Joe Biden’s “chains” remark.

The police re-enactment of Chavis Carter’s alleged suicide has done little to quell doubts about his death. [NYT]

FAMU is attempting to settle out of court with the family of slain drum major Robert Champion. [BET]

Russell Simmons backs Vice President Joe Biden’s “chains” remark. [BET]

R&B crooners Trey Songz and R. Kelly end their three-year beef. [BET]

Ziggy Marley says his father, Bob Marley, wished more Black Americans were fans of his music. [ABC]

Texas officials are trying to stop the spread of West Nile virus in the state. [NBC]

Scientists say they are one step closer to creating a birth control pill for men. [BBC]

Over 30 people were killed when South African police opened fire on protesting miners. [CNN]

Ugandan gay rights activists hacked the website of the country’s prime minister and posted pro gay-rights messages. [BBC]

The Russian capital of Moscow has banned gay pride parades for the next 100 years. [BBC]

In today’s top news, U.S. women’s gymnastics team “Fab Five” wins gold, Cuba Gooding Jr. is wanted by police and the newly crowned Miss Teen USA is Black.

New Miss Teen USA is Black. [MSNBC]

New Orleans police have issued an arrest warrant for Cuba Gooding Jr. [BET]

U.S. women’s gymnastics team “Fab Five” wins gold. [ESPN]

Renowned author Gore Vidal dies at 86. [USA Today]

Ugandans urged to “limit physical contact” as Ebola deaths spread. [ALJ]

New polls show that Obama leads Romney in three key swing states. [CBS]

Black teens drink less than white peers, but have more alcohol-related problems. [BET]

Back-up legal guardian Diana Ross pledges her allegiance to the Jackson children. [BET]

Olympian badminton players accused of throwing their matches are disqualified. [CNN]

Hillary Clinton is set to visit South Sudan during her Africa tour. [AFP]

In today’s top news, both Tulsa shooters enter “not guilty” pleas, Tulsa shooter Jake England says shootings were not race-motivated because he has Black friend and the Senate rejects the proposed “Buffett” tax rule.

Tulsa shooters enter “not guilty” pleas. [Reuters]

Tulsa shooter Jake England says shootings were not race-motivated because he has Black friends. [AP]

Senate rejects proposed “Buffett” tax rule. [MSNBC]

Attorney for Trayvon Martin shooter George Zimmerman wants the presiding judge removed from the case. [CNN]

Mississippi governor signs bill tightening rules for abortion providers. [CNN]

Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur, is pleased with her late son’s “comeback” at Coachella. [BET]

Nicki Minaj’s dad says the rapper is exaggerating claims of abuse. [BET]

Bob Marley’s daughter, Cedella Marley, proclaims that no artist can compare to her father. [BET]

Police handcuff Georgia kindergarten student for throwing a tantrum. [AP]

Fanatical Norway killer Anders Breivik tells court, “I would have done it again.” [AP]

The African Union has suspended membership of Guinea-Bissau over coup. [BBC]

In today’s top news, Whitney Houston’s autopsy report confirms “white powder” found in hotel room, five former New Orleans police officers sentenced for Hurricane Katrina shootings and a new study shows that many whites and republicans are tired of Trayvon Martin coverage.

Whitney Houston’s autopsy report confirms “white powder” found in hotel room. [BET]

Five former New Orleans police officers sentenced for Hurricane Katrina shootings. [BET]

Study: Whites, republicans tired of Trayvon Martin coverage. [CNN]

Tyler Perry claims he was racially profiled by police. [BET]

Jesse Jackson’s daughter to work for FOX News. [Examiner]

Congressional Black Caucus members introduce Trayvon Martin legislation. [BET]

KKK accidentally sends membership letter to Black person. [CBS]

Connecticut senate repeals the state’s death penalty. [MSNBC]

Syria violence continues as U.N. peace team arrives. [BBC]

Mali’s rebels declare ceasefire. [BBC]

In today’s top news, Chris Brown and Rihanna have confirmed their renewed friendship through new music, Bobby Brown explains why he left his ex-wife’s funeral and Magic Johnson is preparing to launch a new television network via Comcast.

Chris Brown and Rihanna have confirmed their friendship through new music. [BET]

Bobby Brown explains why he left Whitney Houston’s funeral. [BET]

Magic Johnson will launch a TV network via Comcast. [LATimes]

NAACP blasts Iowa for lackluster minority protection. [ABC5]

Federal government is the worst offender of veteran discrimination. [MSNBC]

Chicago teacher sues for the right to use the N-word in class. [SunTimes]

French police are questioning former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn over prostitution links. [MSNBC]

Haiti may soon receive its first cruise ship in 25 years. [USATODAY]

Basketball star Allen Iverson gets lucrative offer from soccer league. [YahooNews]

Eighty-eight year-old Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe dispels rumors about his health. [AFP]

In today’s top news, CNN suspends Roland Martin over “offensive” Super Bowl tweets, Atlanta 10-year-old Gyasi Francis is missing and FEMA plans to waive debts of Katrina victims.

CNN suspends Roland Martin over “offensive” Super Bowl tweets. [BET]

Atlanta 10-year-old Gyasi Francis is missing. [AJC]

FEMA plans to waive debts of Katrina victims. [AP]

BET is developing two new shows. [BET]

University of Florida suspends Alpha Phi Alpha for hazing incident. [CNN]

Black officers file discrimination lawsuit against Capitol police. [BET]

Dennis Rodman’s topless women’s basketball dream team is almost complete. [BET]

An Illinois NAACP chapter is concerned about churches hooking up with banks. [CBS]

Timbaland and Missy Elliott are planning to release comeback albums this summer. [BET]

White college students donned blackface in a disturbing Black history video. [BET]

(Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

In today’s top news, Mitt Romney came out on top in Iowa, Dennis Rodman is making a topless comeback to basketball and Michael Jackson’s doctor gets stripped of his medical license.

Mitt Romney takes victory in the Iowa caucuses. [BET]

Chicago’s chief of police is suspended for excessive use of force in a low-income area. [CNN]

Dennis Rodman to lead topless female basketball team. [BET]

Sickle cell keeps Steelers player Ryan Clark out of upcoming playoff game. [CNN]

Judge rules that a Black church is the rightful owner of a KKK shop. [BET]

BP and Halliburton still pointing fingers over the 2010 oil spill. [CNN]

Lawsuit alleges inequality among Maryland’s higher education funding. [FOX]

Dr. Conrad Murray is stripped of his medical license. [BET]

Children of late rapper Eazy-E to star in N.W.A. biopic. [BET]

Man crosses U.S. border with nothing but a copy of his passport on his iPad. [BBC]

(Photo: AP Photo/Tampa Tribune, Joseph Brown III)

In today’s top news, investigators are still poring over details of the FAMU student hazing death, Diddy may be pitching in on your New Year’s cab fare and some California gun owners have decided to swap their steel for plastic.

Atlanta high school is tied to FAMU hazing death. [LA Times]

Southwest U.S. braces for impact of unusual winter weather. [CNN]

FAMU president John Ammons to keep job amid hazing probe. [AP]

New York man burns 73-year-old woman alive over an unsettled debt. [CNN]

Diddy will help you get home safely this New Year’s Eve by handing out free debit and metro cards. [BET]

California Black church community group trades gift cards for guns. [10 News]

FBI says nationwide, violent crimes are declining. [WSJ]

Doctor, 100, still taking appointments and making house calls. [MSNBC]

Study: more young people being arrested. [ABC]

Michael Jackson’s house auction raises $1 million. [BBC]

(Photo source: Courtesy of ABClocalgo news)

Footage of a teen burglary suspect being stomped by Houston police as he lay on the ground in surrender is making the rounds in the media this week. The video was captured by a security camera in March 2010. The teen, Chad Holley, now 16, was eventually charged with burglary. His family has since filed a federal suit over the incident. 

See more infamous cases of police brutality on BET.com.