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Cellphone Video Sparks Outrage After Florida Deputies Seen Punching, Dragging Black Driver From Car

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BN24) — A viral cellphone video showing Florida deputies punching and forcibly removing a 22-year-old Black man from his car during a traffic stop has ignited national outrage and renewed scrutiny over law enforcement’s use of force and transparency.

The incident, which occurred on Feb. 19 in Jacksonville, shows William McNeil Jr. seated in the driver’s seat asking to speak to a supervisor when deputies suddenly shattered his window, punched him in the face, dragged him from the car, and appeared to strike him again before forcing him to the ground.

The cellphone video, shared widely on social media, has prompted civil rights attorneys to accuse deputies of excessive force and of omitting crucial details in their arrest reports. “William was calm and compliant,” attorneys Ben Crump and Harry Daniels said in a joint statement. “Yet instead of answers, he got his window smashed and was punched in the face — all over a questionable claim about headlights in broad daylight.”

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters defended his deputies, cautioning against drawing conclusions based solely on video captured from inside the vehicle. He said the footage lacks important context and doesn’t reflect everything officers experienced during the stop. “Cameras can only capture what can be seen and heard,” Waters said, “but so much context is absent because a camera simply cannot record what the people involved know.”

Body camera footage released by authorities shows deputies repeatedly ordering McNeil to exit the vehicle. At one point, McNeil had opened his car door but later closed and locked it, remaining inside for several minutes. The bodycam’s limited angle makes it difficult to clearly see the blows that were allegedly delivered.

Authorities say McNeil was reaching toward the driver’s side floorboard where a large knife was later found, an assertion sharply disputed by his lawyers. “The only time he moves at all is when the officer knocks him over by punching him in his face,” said Crump and Daniels. “Then this young man calmly sits back straight and holds his empty hands up.”

Officer D. Bowers, in his arrest report, claimed McNeil reached down toward the floor, where the knife was later discovered. He stated McNeil refused to exit the vehicle and attempted to pull away. However, Bowers did not acknowledge any punches being thrown, describing the interaction only as involving “physical force.”

A second officer provided more detail in a supplemental report, writing that after helping pull McNeil from the vehicle, he delivered six closed-fist punches to the back of McNeil’s right thigh in an effort to subdue him. “After delivering the six closed fist strikes, the subject stopped resisting,” the report said.

McNeil’s legal team flatly denies any attempt by their client to resist. “He’s never combative, never raises his voice, and he certainly never reaches for a knife,” they said, accusing Bowers of fabricating details to justify the aggressive response. “He simply asks for a supervisor — then they break his window and beat him. Yet somehow, the report failed to mention that.”

McNeil was arrested and later pleaded guilty to resisting an officer without violence and driving with a suspended license. He was also cited for possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. Sheriff Waters said an internal administrative review is underway, though the State Attorney’s Office has already concluded that no criminal charges against the deputies are warranted.

The controversy has added to ongoing national conversations about policing and racial bias, especially surrounding traffic stops involving Black drivers. Civil rights advocates say the footage underscores the risks Black Americans face even during routine encounters with law enforcement.

U.S. Government Employee Barred From Leaving China Amid Growing Tensions Over Exit Bans-AP

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — A U.S. government employee has been barred from departing China after traveling there in a personal capacity, the State Department confirmed Tuesday, marking the latest case in which Beijing has prevented an American citizen from leaving the country.

The individual, an employee of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office under the Commerce Department, has not been publicly identified. The State Department said it is “tracking this case very closely” and has been in contact with Chinese authorities in hopes of securing a resolution.

“The Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens,” a spokesperson said.

China’s increasingly frequent use of exit bans — restrictions that prevent foreign nationals from leaving the country — has drawn scrutiny from Washington and human rights groups. While Chinese officials often cite legal investigations or civil disputes as justification, critics say the measure is sometimes wielded arbitrarily or for political leverage.

The latest development comes amid renewed concerns about the safety of Americans traveling to China. Although the U.S. government eased its travel advisory to China last November — following the release of three long-detained U.S. citizens — the practice of barring departures continues to strain bilateral relations.

Last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that Chenyue Mao, a U.S.-based Wells Fargo banker, had also been blocked from leaving China. In response, the bank suspended all staff travel to the country. Mao’s case has not been officially confirmed by U.S. authorities, who declined to comment citing “privacy and other considerations.”

Wells Fargo issued a brief statement on Tuesday: “We are closely tracking this situation and working through the appropriate channels so our employee can return to the United States as soon as possible.”

China’s Foreign Ministry addressed the case, with spokesman Guo Jiakun confirming that Mao is “involved in a criminal case” and is “subject to exit restrictions in accordance with the law.” Guo characterized the matter as a “judicial case” and insisted that China remains open to international visitors.

“China will as always welcome people from all countries to travel and do business in China and ensure their rights and interests in accordance with the law,” Guo said.

Pressed on the case of the U.S. government employee, Guo offered no new details, stating only that “China upholds the rule of law and handles entry and exit affairs in accordance with the law.”

Exit bans have affected other American citizens in recent years. In 2021, two American siblings were allowed to leave China after being stranded there for more than three years due to an investigation involving their father, a former Chinese official accused of corruption. The pair had been visiting relatives when they were barred from leaving.

The latest case underscores ongoing diplomatic friction between Washington and Beijing, particularly regarding legal transparency, citizen protections, and consular access. U.S. officials have repeatedly urged Americans to exercise increased caution when traveling to China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including exit bans.

China Arrests 6 After Over 230 Kindergarten Children Poisoned by Industrial Lead in Food

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BEIJING, China (BN24) — Chinese authorities have arrested six people and launched sweeping investigations into nearly 30 others after more than 230 kindergarten children in Gansu province were poisoned by food tainted with industrial-grade lead pigment, according to an official report released Sunday.

The scandal, one of the most severe school food safety incidents in China in recent years, unfolded at the privately run Brownstone Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui city. The school’s principal allegedly ordered the addition of industrial pigments to enhance the appearance of food served to children in a bid to boost enrollment, despite warnings on the product labels that the substances were not safe for consumption.

Initial tests showed that 235 children were hospitalized earlier this month with symptoms ranging from stomach pain and vomiting to discoloration of the teeth. Subsequent testing confirmed elevated blood lead levels in 247 people, including students and several staff members, with some pigments found to contain lead concentrations 400,000 times above the legal limit.

The Gansu provincial party committee’s investigation detailed systemic failures at every stage of the crisis, from food safety oversight to medical response and regulatory enforcement. Officials said the principal and kitchen staff knowingly used toxic substances purchased online, preferring their brighter hues over cheaper, food-safe alternatives.

Six employees of the kindergarten, including the principal, are now under arrest for knowingly serving toxic food. Meanwhile, disciplinary investigations have been launched into 27 others, including hospital personnel, education officials, and local government employees accused of misconduct, bribery, and deliberate cover-ups.

The report sharply criticized the Gansu Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention for mishandling the early stages of the investigation. It cited illegal sampling procedures that distorted test results and delayed the identification of the full scale of the poisoning.

Further scrutiny was directed at the Tianshui Second People’s Hospital, where at least two children’s test results were found to have been deliberately falsified to show lower lead levels. Investigators described hospital management as “chaotic” and highlighted the lack of basic laboratory oversight and staff training.

Compounding the scandal, the report revealed that the local education bureau had failed to monitor the kindergarten for years. The facility had reportedly operated without a proper license, charging high fees while escaping all food safety inspections typically mandated for private schools. Investigators also uncovered evidence of bribes accepted by officials from the kindergarten’s major investor and other affiliates.

The Chinese government has vowed to hold all responsible parties accountable. The country’s top anti-corruption agency has now launched formal investigations into multiple levels of local government, including senior education and health officials, as well as hospital administrators.

“All but one of the affected children have been discharged after a first round of detoxification treatment, which has lowered average lead levels by approximately 40%,” the report noted. Authorities expressed regret and offered a public apology to the affected families.

“The provincial party committee and government are deeply saddened by the blood lead incident in Tianshui and extend their sincerest apologies to the children and their parents,” the statement read.

The release of the report sparked outrage on Sunday night. Footage shared on social media appeared to show angry parents confronting police outside the kindergarten, demanding justice. Clashes reportedly erupted as plainclothes officers attempted to leave the scene under police escort, prompting parents to block the road and chant, “Hand over those who beat people up.”

The case has ignited a national debate on food safety, regulatory accountability, and corruption in China’s education and healthcare systems. It comes amid growing public scrutiny of private institutions operating with minimal oversight.

Death Toll Rises to 27 in Bangladesh Air Force Jet Crash, Most Victims Are Children

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DHAKA, Bangladesh (BN24) — The death toll from Monday’s Bangladesh Air Force jet crash has risen to at least 27, including 25 children, officials confirmed Tuesday, in one of the country’s deadliest aviation disasters in recent memory.

The F-7 BGI fighter aircraft, on a routine training mission, plunged into a densely populated school and college campus shortly after taking off from the Kurmitola Air Base in Dhaka at 1:06 p.m. local time. Military officials said the Chinese-made jet suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure before spiraling into the buildings.

Scenes from the crash site showed a grim tableau — scorched walls, twisted metal, and classrooms reduced to rubble — as rescue teams combed through the charred structures. Family members and teachers stood in shock outside, many still searching for loved ones or receiving updates at nearby hospitals.

Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser on health, said 88 people, many of them children, were admitted with burn injuries. The confirmed fatalities include the aircraft’s pilot, a schoolteacher, and 25 students who were in class when the jet came down.

Monday’s earlier reports had placed the death toll at 19, but the number rose significantly after emergency crews completed search operations in the rubble overnight. Several victims succumbed to their injuries in hospital, according to health authorities.

The Bangladeshi government declared a national day of mourning on Tuesday. Flags flew at half-mast across the country, while mosques, temples, and churches held special prayers in memory of the dead.

The F-7 BGI is the most advanced model in China’s Chengdu J-7 fighter jet series, originally based on the Soviet MiG-21. Bangladesh acquired 16 of the aircraft between 2011 and 2013 as part of a broader modernization of its air force.

The military has opened an inquiry into the crash, focusing on potential flaws in the aircraft’s engine systems. Witnesses said the plane was trailing smoke moments before the impact. There was no distress signal recorded, raising questions about the severity of the failure and the pilot’s ability to respond in time.

The crash comes just weeks after India experienced its worst aviation tragedy in over a decade, when an Air India flight slammed into a student hostel in Ahmedabad, killing 241 passengers and 19 people on the ground. That incident had already shaken regional aviation authorities, and Monday’s crash in Bangladesh is likely to heighten concerns over flight safety and aircraft maintenance standards across South Asia.

Grief and anger are mounting as families of the victims demand accountability from the military and aviation authorities. The Ministry of Defense has promised a transparent investigation and support for the injured and bereaved.

Ex-Louisville Detective Sentenced to 33 Months for Role in Breonna Taylor Raid

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BN24) — A former Louisville police detective was sentenced to nearly three years in federal prison Monday for civil rights violations stemming from the botched 2020 police raid that resulted in the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor, whose death sparked nationwide protests.

Brett Hankison, who fired 10 rounds blindly into Taylor’s apartment through a covered window and sliding glass door during the no-knock raid, received a 33-month prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release, according to Taylor family attorney Lonita Baker.

Though Hankison’s bullets did not strike Taylor, prosecutors said his actions endangered the lives of her and others in the apartment complex. Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency room technician, was ultimately killed by other officers who opened fire after her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired a shot believing intruders were breaking in.

The jury convicted Hankison in November of two counts of violating Taylor’s civil rights under color of law. Despite the conviction, the U.S. Department of Justice had recently recommended that he serve only a single day in prison, arguing Hankison posed no continuing threat to public safety — a suggestion Taylor’s family denounced as an insult.

Speaking outside the courthouse Monday, Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, acknowledged the court did what it could but criticized the prosecution for falling short.

“There was no prosecution in there for us,” Palmer said. “There was no prosecution in there for Breonna. We got something. I don’t think it was a fair sentencing, but it was a start.”

Federal sentencing guidelines had recommended a prison term of between 135 and 168 months. But the DOJ’s unusually lenient sentencing memo raised eyebrows and drew strong condemnation from the family’s legal team, who said it sent a “dangerous precedent” that civil rights violations against Black Americans would not be taken seriously.

“It is unfathomable that, after finally securing a conviction, the Department of Justice would seek a sentence so drastically below the federal guidelines,” Taylor’s lawyers said in a statement. “It sends the unmistakable message that white officers can violate the civil rights of Black Americans with near-total impunity.”

U.S. District Judge Rebecca Jennings ultimately handed down a harsher sentence than the DOJ requested, though still well below the guideline range.

Outside the courthouse, demonstrators gathered in support of Taylor’s family. At one point, several protesters were arrested after police said they created an “unsafe environment.” Among those taken into custody was Taylor’s aunt, Bianca Austin, who faced charges of disorderly conduct and obstructing a highway after allegedly blocking traffic and confronting officers.

The Louisville Metro Police Department later issued a statement acknowledging the sensitivity of the case but defending its response to the protest, saying: “We particularly respect and value the First Amendment. However, what we saw today in front of the courthouse was not safe, acceptable, or legal.”

During the trial, federal prosecutors emphasized Hankison’s recklessness. They said he fired blindly through curtained glass into a darkened apartment, with rounds passing through Taylor’s home and into a neighboring unit where a family was sleeping. None of his bullets hit anyone, but prosecutors argued the conduct constituted a blatant disregard for human life.

Taylor was shot and killed by other officers who returned fire during the chaotic forced entry. Her death and the subsequent lack of initial criminal charges against the officers involved drew national outrage, further fueling the Black Lives Matter movement.

Judge Jennings said Hankison’s conduct merited prison time, but added she would request a psychiatric evaluation before setting a minimum term to be served. She reminded the courtroom that while justice was being sought, it was critical to examine the circumstances fully.

“I want to know if there is anything in this case going on that we do not know about,” she said.

NBCNEWS

Colombian Man Found Guilty of Double Murder After Dumping Couple’s Bodies in Suitcases on Bristol Bridge

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LONDON (BN24) — A Colombian man has been found guilty of the brutal murders of two men whose dismembered remains he attempted to dump in suitcases on Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge, in one of the most shocking double murder cases to rock the United Kingdom in recent years.

Yostin Andres Mosquera, 35, was convicted Monday of killing civil partners Albert Alfonso, 62, and Paul Longworth, 71, at their West London flat on July 8, 2024. The pair had previously hosted Mosquera — a man they met online and flew in from Colombia — at their Shepherd’s Bush home multiple times, forming what prosecutors described as a complex personal and sexual relationship.

Jurors at Woolwich Crown Court were shown harrowing footage of the killings, captured on surveillance cameras that Alfonso himself had installed inside the apartment. The footage played a central role in disproving Mosquera’s claim that the killings were spontaneous or driven by trauma.

According to prosecutors, the murders were coldly premeditated. Mosquera, who worked in the adult film industry and had shared sexually explicit content online for over a decade, was seen online searching “Where on the head is a knock fatal?” just hours before the murders. He also scouted the value of the couple’s London home and purchased a freezer delivered a day after the killings.

On the day of the attack, Mosquera bludgeoned Longworth to death with a hammer and concealed his body inside a divan bed. Later that evening, during sex with Alfonso, he stabbed him 22 times. Chillingly, Mosquera appeared calm and even celebratory immediately afterward — dancing and singing, then accessing Alfonso’s computer to log into bank accounts.

After killing both men, Mosquera decapitated them, storing the heads in the newly delivered freezer and packing the remaining body parts into suitcases. On July 10, he hired a van to transport the luggage to Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge, allegedly intending to throw the remains into the Avon Gorge.

But his plan was thwarted when pubgoers nearby saw him struggling with the heavy cases. Believing he needed help, they offered assistance and even used Google Translate to order a taxi for him. However, some began to suspect foul play when they noticed fluid — later identified as blood — leaking from the bags. Mosquera fled the scene but was arrested at Bristol Temple Meads railway station on July 13.

Throughout the trial, Mosquera denied premeditated murder. He claimed through an interpreter that Alfonso had raped him and killed Longworth, and that he killed Alfonso in a fit of rage. But the court rejected these assertions as unsupported by evidence. The jury concluded that Mosquera not only planned both murders but also intended to profit from the victims’ deaths.

“This was one of the most disturbing murder investigations I’ve ever led,” said Detective Chief Inspector Ollie Stride of the Metropolitan Police. “The video of Mr Alfonso’s murder was horrific. What was perhaps most chilling was the coldness with which Mosquera responded — singing, dancing, and immediately attempting to steal from a man he had just killed.”

The trial had initially begun at the Old Bailey but was moved to Woolwich Crown Court after technical issues involving digital evidence arose.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Miranda Jollie said the video evidence, though gruesome, was essential in countering Mosquera’s false narrative. “It was horrific, but necessary. The footage made clear this was a calculated and cruel attack,” she said.

Justice Bennathan KC, who presided over the case, said he would sentence Mosquera on October 24. “The only sentence I can pass is life imprisonment,” the judge said. However, he ordered a psychiatric assessment to determine the minimum term Mosquera will serve.

“I want to know if there is anything more going on in this case that we don’t yet understand,” the judge told the jury.

The case has shocked communities across Britain for its sheer brutality, its disturbing digital footprint, and the cold, calculated nature of the crimes committed.

Kenyan Activist Boniface Mwangi Freed on Bail After Ammunition Charges Amid Crackdown on Government Critics

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NAIROBI, Kenya (BN24) — Kenyan human rights activist Boniface Mwangi, known for his vocal opposition to government abuses, was released on bail Monday after being charged with illegal possession of teargas canisters and a single blank rifle round found in his home, fueling fears of a broader crackdown on dissent.

Mwangi, 42, was arrested Saturday in a raid that police said uncovered three unused teargas canisters, a 7.62mm blank round, two mobile phones, a laptop and notebooks. Authorities accused him of possessing “noxious substances” without lawful authority, according to a charge sheet seen by Reuters. He was also charged with unlawful possession of blank ammunition.

The courtroom in Nairobi was filled with hundreds of supporters and activists, many draped in the Kenyan flag, as Mwangi appeared before the court. Speaking outside, he denounced the charges as politically motivated.

“They have no evidence,” Mwangi said. “This is a big shame.”

His lawyer welcomed the court’s decision to grant bail but condemned the arrest as part of an escalating pattern of repression targeting critics of President William Ruto’s administration.

Mwangi, a longtime anti-corruption advocate who once ran for parliament, has become one of Kenya’s most prominent voices in the fight against police brutality and government impunity. He has faced harassment in the past, including expulsion from neighboring Tanzania in May while attending a hearing in a high-profile treason case against an opposition leader.

His latest arrest comes amid growing tensions following the death in police custody of political blogger Albert Ojwang in June. Police initially claimed Ojwang died by suicide, but an autopsy revealed signs of severe assault. The incident triggered weeks of nationwide protests, during which nearly 50 demonstrators were killed in clashes with security forces.

Ojwang’s death re-energized demonstrations that had already been erupting since last year over economic hardship, widespread corruption, and alleged state violence. Rights groups have raised alarms over a pattern of intimidation targeting civil society leaders and media figures critical of the government.

Kenyan activists say the state’s prosecution of Mwangi is yet another effort to silence opposition through legal harassment. International watchdogs have called on Nairobi to respect civil liberties and uphold due process as the country navigates a fraught political climate.

Mwangi’s next court appearance is expected in the coming weeks as legal proceedings continue.

U.S. to Deport Green Card Holders Over Alleged Ties to Haitian Gang Leaders

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WASHINGTON (BN24) — The United States is preparing to deport certain Haitian lawful permanent residents accused of supporting violent gang leaders tied to a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday, as President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies its hardline immigration policies.

Rubio said in a statement that some green card holders had provided support to gang figures linked to Viv Ansanm, a powerful armed coalition that has seized control over most of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. In May, the Trump administration designated Viv Ansanm a Foreign Terrorist Organization under U.S. law, opening the door for legal action against individuals aiding the group.

“The United States will not allow individuals to enjoy the benefits of legal status in our country while they are facilitating the actions of violent organizations or supporting criminal terrorist organizations,” Rubio said.

The announcement allows the Department of Homeland Security to begin revoking the legal status of those involved, though no specific individuals were named, and the total number of green card holders targeted remains unclear. The measure marks a significant escalation in the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts.

The move comes amid a broader crackdown under Trump, whose policies have increasingly aimed at revoking visas and permanent residency for immigrants linked to groups deemed hostile or dangerous, including recent efforts to strip pro-Palestinian student protesters of their legal status. Experts say such steps were almost unheard of prior to this administration.

“This type of action was very rare before,” said Stephen Yale-Loehr, a retired immigration law professor at Cornell University. “Identifying individuals and proving in court that they supported terrorist groups is extremely difficult. I suspect very few Haitians will ultimately be deported based on this policy.”

The Haitian government has not commented on the U.S. announcement.

The deportation order comes amid a wave of deadly violence in Haiti, where nearly 5,000 people have been killed since October 2024, according to a report by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights. As gangs continue to tighten their grip on the country, international responses have remained limited.

Despite repeated appeals from the United Nations to halt deportations to Haiti over humanitarian concerns, the U.S. has continued returning migrants to the crisis-hit Caribbean nation. The situation has fueled fears of regional instability and triggered widespread criticism from rights groups.

Trump, who is pursuing a second term in the White House, has escalated rhetoric and policies targeting Haitian immigrants. Earlier this month, a federal judge blocked his administration’s effort to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for more than 500,000 Haitians living in the U.S. During a 2024 campaign debate, Trump sparked controversy by falsely claiming that Haitian immigrants in Ohio had been “eating people’s pets.”

Washington’s decision to brand Viv Ansanm and another gang, Gran Grif, as terrorist organizations aligns with recent U.S. actions against Latin American drug cartels. The designation is designed to cut off gang leaders from U.S.-based financial support and partnerships.

As Haiti’s humanitarian crisis deepens, the administration’s immigration crackdown signals a firm stance that may further complicate the already fraught U.S.-Haiti relationship.

Malcolm-Jamal Warner, ‘Cosby Show’ Star, Dies by Drowning at 54 in Costa Rica

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SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica (BN24) — Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the Emmy-nominated actor who rose to national fame playing Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has died at the age of 54 after drowning while vacationing with family in Costa Rica, according to local authorities and a law enforcement source who spoke to Reuters.

Warner was reportedly pulled out to sea by a rip current and could not be revived despite rescue efforts. Costa Rica’s judicial investigation agency (OIJ) confirmed that a U.S. citizen with the last name Warner drowned on Monday and was declared dead at the scene by Red Cross lifeguards.

While Warner’s representatives have not issued a public statement, tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry. The NAACP honored the late actor in an Instagram post, writing: “#RestInPower to NAACP Image Award-winning actor, Malcolm-Jamal Warner. Your talent and spirit touched many lives, and your legacy will continue to inspire.”

Fox Entertainment also released a statement mourning Warner’s death. “Everyone at FOX is heartbroken by the tragic loss of our friend and colleague, the extraordinary Malcolm-Jamal Warner,” the network said. “While his iconic roles – from comedic to dramatic – are unforgettable and timeless, his generosity and warmth will be missed most of all.”

Warner portrayed Dr. AJ Austin on Fox’s The Resident and was celebrated for his range and longevity in Hollywood. His career began as a child actor and soared when he landed the role of Theo Huxtable, the only son of Bill Cosby’s character, on the groundbreaking NBC sitcom The Cosby Show, which aired from 1984 to 1992. The series was heralded for its portrayal of a stable, successful Black American family and reshaped television in the 1980s.

Born August 18, 1970, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Warner was named after civil rights icon Malcolm X and jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal. Raised by his mother Pamela, who later managed his career, Warner attended The Professional Children’s School in New York to pursue acting full time.

He received an Emmy nomination in 1986 for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series and later won a Grammy Award in 2015 for best traditional R&B performance for the song “Jesus Children.”

Beyond The Cosby Show, Warner appeared in numerous television series including A Different World, Jeremiah, Sons of Anarchy, Suits, and hosted Saturday Night Live in 1986. In 2012, he earned an NAACP Image Award for outstanding actor in a comedy series for his work on Reed Between the Lines.

Warner is survived by a wife and daughter, whose identities he kept private throughout his life. His death marks the loss of a versatile actor, respected artist, and a cultural icon whose work shaped decades of American television.

Rescued Passengers from Burning Indonesian Ferry Rises to 575, Two Still Missing

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JAKARTA, Indonesia (BN24) — The number of passengers rescued from a ferry that caught fire off Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province has risen dramatically to 575, far surpassing initial reports, officials said Monday, as search teams continued looking for two people still missing.

The KM Barcelona V-A ferry was engulfed in flames Sunday during its routine route between the ports of Melonguane and Manado. Initial reports based on the ferry’s manifest said only 280 passengers and 15 crew were on board, and at least five people were believed dead. However, authorities later revised the death toll to three, including a pregnant woman, and said many more passengers were on the vessel than originally listed.

A spokesperson for the Manado Search and Rescue Agency confirmed Monday that 575 individuals were rescued, highlighting the persistent issue of inaccurate manifests on Indonesian ferries. Discrepancies in passenger records are a recurring problem that complicates emergency operations and often point to systemic overcrowding.

“Based on our data, 575 survivors have been accounted for, and we continue searching for two passengers who remain missing,” said First Adm. Franky Pasuna Sihombing of the Indonesian navy.

The KM Barcelona V-A caught fire around midday Sunday, prompting a large-scale rescue operation involving a coast guard ship, six other rescue vessels, and several inflatable boats. Local fishermen also helped pull survivors from the water, many of them found wearing life jackets and drifting in rough seas.

Among the survivors was a two-month-old baby rescued with seawater in its lungs. The infant was stabilized at a nearby hospital, rescue officials said.

Indonesia, a sprawling archipelago of over 17,000 islands, relies heavily on ferries for inter-island transport. But ferry accidents are frequent due to overloading, poor vessel maintenance, and weak enforcement of safety regulations. The KM Barcelona V-A had a maximum capacity of 600 passengers.

The fire follows a series of deadly maritime incidents in Indonesia in recent weeks. Just three days earlier, a speedboat carrying 18 people capsized in a storm, with all passengers rescued by the next day. Earlier in July, a ferry sank near the resort island of Bali, killing at least 19 and leaving 16 others missing. That disaster prompted a two-week search effort involving over 600 rescuers, navy ships, helicopters, and divers.

In Sunday’s incident, rescue efforts remain underway as authorities search for the remaining missing individuals and begin investigating the cause of the fire.

AP

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