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Highlights from the 2025 BET Awards

Que Onda Editorial
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Highlights from the 2025 BET Awards

The 25th BET Awards took place in Downtown Los Angeles, hosted by comedian Kevin Hart. Kendrick Lamar led with 10 nominations and won Album of the Year for GNX, though he was absent due to a concert in Detroit. He earned top honors including Album of the Year for GNX, Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, Video of the Year for “Not Like Us,” and Best Collaboration with SZA for their track “Luther.” Lamar also shared the Video Director of the Year award with his longtime collaborator, Dave Free.

SZA and Chris Brown were named Best Female and Male R&B/Pop Artists, respectively. Doechii took home the award for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist. In her acceptance speech, she criticized former President Donald Trump, condemning what she described as “ruthless attacks creating fear and chaos in our communities under the guise of law and order,” referring to recent protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles.

A 106 & Park 25th anniversary tribute also featured performances by Amerie, Ashanti, B2K, Bow Wow, Jim Jones, Keyshia Cole, Mya and T.I., among others. Read on to see the other winners of the 25th BET Awards

Major Award Winners

  • Album of the Year: GNX – Kendrick Lamar
  • Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: SZA
  • Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Kendrick Lamar
  • Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: Doechii – who accepted the award and used the moment to highlight ongoing ICE protests and military deployment in Los Angeles.
  • Best New Artist: Leon Thomas
  • Viewer’s Choice: “Residuals” by Chris Brown beat out competition including Doechii and Kendrick Lamar.
Kendrick Lamar at the 25th BET Awards. Courtesy: BET Awards

Additional Highlights & Awards

  • Doechii won six nominations, including Best Collaboration, and dedicated her speech to activism.
  • The Ultimate Icon Awards were presented to legendary artists Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Kirk Franklin, and Snoop Dogg—with Carey noting it was her first BET win.
  • GloRilla picked up the Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award for “Rain Down on Me” featuring Kirk Franklin and Maverick City Music.
  • In Best International Act, artists like Ayra Starr (Nigeria) and Tyla (South Africa) were among the nominees (vulture.com).
  • Special awards celebrated achievements in film, sports, and the Young Stars Award, with winners spanning actors like Viola Davis and athletes such as Simone Biles.

Overall, the 2025 BET Awards was a vibrant celebration of Black culture, spotlighting musical excellence, activism, and global artistry—anchored by standout performances, heartfelt tributes, and socially conscious moments.

Jamie Foxx’s Tearful Return at the BET Awards

Indira Zaldivar
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Jamie Foxx’s Tearful Return at the BET Awards

A Long Road to Recovery

Two years after his stroke and coma, Jamie Foxx returned to the stage at the 2025 BET Awards, tearfully accepting the Ultimate Icon Award. He credited his daughters, Corinne Foxx, 31, and Anelise Bishop, 16, for helping him through a harrowing time during his 10-minute acceptance speech.

Facing Mortality

“When I saw that in memoriam, I was like, ‘Man, that could’ve been me.’ But I don’t know why I went through what I went through, but I know that my second chance, I’m not going to turn it down,” Foxx, 57, told the audience at the 25th BET Awards.

Family at the Center

He praised his sister, Deidre Dixon, for caring for him during his illness. Then he turned to Corinne: “My beautiful daughter, Corinne, I cannot say enough about you. You’ve always taken a backseat to everything. But when you needed to drive it, you drove. And you made sure I was here.”

Anelise’s Guitar and a Miraculous Moment

Foxx recounted how Anelise’s music helped him in the hospital: “They said, ‘We’re going to lose him because his vitals are bad.’ … Anelise overheard the conversation and she snuck into my hospital room with her guitar and said, ‘I know what my Daddy needs.’”

He added: “As she played the guitar, my vitals (improved). And I realized God was in her guitar. The nurses ran in and said, ‘What did they give him?’ My daughter said, ‘Shh, I’ve got him.’”

Stevie Wonder’s Lighthearted Reminder

As Foxx’s speech stretched, Stevie Wonder playfully approached him on stage, encouraging him to wrap it up.

For more star-studded news, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

New U.S. Travel Restrictions Take Effect, Drawing Criticism Over Broader Immigration Crackdown

Edward Saenz
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New U.S. Travel Restrictions Take Effect, Drawing Criticism Over Broader Immigration Crackdown

President Trump’s new restrictions on travel to the U.S. from 12 nations, mostly in Africa and the Middle East, took effect. This occurred amidst increased tensions over the administration’s immigration enforcement actions.

The new directive, signed by Trump, affects citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additional restrictions are imposed on individuals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela who are abroad and lack valid visas.

Existing visas for individuals from these countries remain valid, according to U.S. diplomatic guidance. However, new applications will be rejected unless they meet specific exemption criteria. Travelers with current visas should still be permitted entry.

Earlier, Trump’s first attempt at a travel ban led to airport chaos, legal challenges, and significant policy revisions. This time, there were no immediate disruptions reported at Los Angeles International Airport.

A Haitian-American woman expressed concern for her family in Haiti, describing the ban as upsetting. She noted that many Haitians seek refuge in the U.S. to escape violence.

Immigration experts believe the new ban is designed to withstand legal scrutiny, focusing on the visa application process. Trump justified the ban by citing inadequate screening processes and countries’ unwillingness to take back their citizens. He also referenced a Homeland Security report on visa overstays.

The ban has been criticized by refugee aid organizations, who argue it promotes division. The inclusion of Afghanistan has particularly angered some due to the history of U.S. involvement there. Exceptions were made for Afghans with Special Immigrant Visas.

Afghanistan had been a significant source of resettled refugees before Trump previously halted refugee resettlement. Trump linked the ban to a terrorist incident in Boulder, Colorado, noting the perpetrator had overstayed a visa, although he was from Egypt, not a banned country.

‘It’s an odd situation’: Coin flip could determine Pasadena City Council seat

ABC13 Houston
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‘It’s an odd situation’: Coin flip could determine Pasadena City Council seat

PASADENA, Texas (KTRK) — Two hundred and seventy-two votes to 272 votes: those are the totals in the race for a city council seat in Pasadena after this weekend’s runoff election.

The results are not official yet, but after the initial count, there is no winner in the race for Pasadena City Council District B — a race that fits the seat’s current officeholder, Bianca Valerio, against her predecessor, Bruce Leamon.

“It’s an odd situation. It’s certainly suspenseful. But it’s a great example of how one vote really, really, really matters,” Valerio told ABC13. “Local elections really impact us directly, and they influence what happens right outside of our front doors. I’m grateful for everybody who participated. I’m grateful for everybody who voted.”

Valerio is a two-term incumbent and the first Hispanic woman elected to the city council. Leamon held the same seat until 2021, when he did not seek reelection.

He texted ABC13 a written statement:

“We ran a good campaign focusing on the concerns of District B. I am disappointed the vote ended in a tie. Now we wait for the county to do recount and hope for a positive outcome.”

SEE PREVIOUS REPORT: Local May elections: What voters across all ages want after several races in Sugar Land, Pasadena

The next step, according to the county, is for the city to canvas the results. The county will make the results official within a week. Assuming it’s still a tie, there will be a recount.

Bob Stein, an elections expert at Rice University, says circumstances come together to create an environment where ties are possible.

“It’s rare,” he said. “They occur in two places: low turnout elections, which is what this was. And they turn up in what we call down-ballot or off-year elections, which drives low turnout.”

So what happens now? If there are late or provisional ballots and they don’t break the tie, it does head to a recount, according to state law, in a runoff election.

If the recount does not resolve the tie, the tied candidates shall cast lots to determine the winner. That means they pick a card, draw straws, or potentially flip a coin.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Prosecutors Seek Pre-Trial Detention Hearing for Abrego Garcia

Que Onda Editorial
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Prosecutors Seek Pre-Trial Detention Hearing for Abrego Garcia

Federal prosecutors in Tennessee on Monday asked a magistrate judge for a pre-trial detention hearing in the human smuggling case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was returned to the U.S. from El Salvador on Friday to face charges.

The government argues the charged conspiracy involves transporting undocumented, unaccompanied minors, which entitles them to a detention hearing. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes had previously said the charges did not automatically qualify for pre-trial detention and requested additional briefing.

Background on Charges

Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvador in March 2025 despite a 2019 court order barring his removal due to fears of persecution. His wife and attorneys deny government claims that he was an MS-13 member.

A newly unsealed indictment accuses him of a yearslong conspiracy to smuggle migrants, including minors, from Mexico and Central America into the U.S. The government says minors were sometimes seated on the floorboard of vehicles to fit more paying passengers.

Government’s Arguments

Prosecutors say Abrego Garcia poses a serious risk of flight and might obstruct justice or intimidate witnesses if released. They also argue his alleged MS-13 ties could be used to intimidate co-conspirators.

A Homeland Security agent is expected to testify that Abrego Garcia sometimes traveled with young children as “cover” for smuggling operations.

Legal Fight Over His Return

Abrego Garcia’s lawyers plan to file a response by Wednesday, with arguments set for Friday at his arraignment.

Separately, his attorneys filed a brief in federal court in Maryland arguing that the government must be held accountable for its “blatant, willful, and persistent violations of court orders.”

Judge Paula Xinis had ordered his return to the U.S. in April, a decision affirmed by the Supreme Court. But his lawyers call the government’s claims of compliance “pure farce,” accusing the Trump administration of contempt and defiance.

Ongoing Dispute

Abrego Garcia’s attorneys allege the government brought him back to face charges in Tennessee, rather than to Maryland as ordered, to avoid court sanctions. They also say the administration always had the power to bring him back but claimed otherwise to avoid complying with the court’s injunction.

Justice Department officials point to an indictment filed in May as the reason for his return. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Friday that the return was based on an arrest warrant and that the Maryland case is now moot.

Abrego Garcia’s lawyers insist the case is still live, with the court retaining authority to ensure he is treated fairly. They also seek discovery to examine whether the government acted in good faith. Judge Xinis had ordered expedited discovery in April to resolve the wrongful deportation dispute.

For more on Abrego Garcia’s wrongful deportation, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Baldoni’s Lawsuit Against Lively Dismissed by Federal Judge

Indira Zaldivar
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Baldoni’s Lawsuit Against Lively Dismissed by Federal Judge

Justin Baldoni’s $400 million lawsuit against co-star Blake Lively was dismissed by a federal judge in New York on Monday.

The actors, who co-starred in “It Ends With Us,” have been embroiled in a heated legal feud since December 2024.

Judge Lewis J. Liman threw out Baldoni’s countersuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, publicist Leslie Sloane, and The New York Times. He ruled that the Times “reviewed the available evidence and reported, perhaps in a dramatized manner, what it believed to have happened” and had no obvious motive to favor Lively’s version of events.

Lawyers Declare Victory

Lively’s attorneys called the dismissal a “total victory and complete vindication.” They described Baldoni’s lawsuit as a “sham” and vowed to pursue attorneys’ fees, treble damages, and punitive damages against Baldoni and his associates.

Background of the Legal Battle

The feud began in December 2024 when Lively filed a complaint against Baldoni with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing him of sexual harassment on the film set. Days later, Baldoni sued The New York Times, accusing the paper of publishing misleading articles.

Baldoni’s suit claimed the Times relied on “cherry-picked” and altered messages between his publicists and the newspaper. The Times defended its reporting as fair and responsible.

Additional Claims and Accusations

Baldoni also sued Reynolds and Sloane, accusing them of defamation and extortion. He claimed Lively spread a false narrative of harassment, and that Reynolds called him a sexual predator—leading Baldoni’s agent to drop him.

Sloane was also accused of spreading “malicious stories.” However, Lively’s team called Baldoni’s claims “another chapter in the abuser playbook.”

Legal Developments and Vindications

The court’s dismissal comes after DailyMail reporter James Vituscka admitted to a mistake in describing text messages as “sexually assaulted.” Vituscka clarified that Sloane never told him Baldoni assaulted anyone. Sloane’s lawyer declared her “fully vindicated” by Vituscka’s statement.

Meanwhile, Judge Liman also allowed Lively to avoid presenting emotional distress claims initially included in her case.

For more on the Lively-Baldoni legal feud, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Sheinbaum Condemns ICE Raids in Los Angeles

Indira Zaldivar
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Sheinbaum Condemns ICE Raids in Los Angeles

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned recent ICE raids that sparked days-long protests in Los Angeles, declaring that the city “wouldn’t be what it is” without migrants.

“They migrate out of need and send resources to their families from there,” Sheinbaum said. “Mexicans will always have our backing and demand that their human rights be respected. They must know that, should they wish to return to Mexico, we will welcome them with open arms.”

Protest Fallout and Mass Arrests

Protesters hold anti-ICE signs and a Mexican flag during clashes between police and demonstrators on June 8, 2025 in Downtown Los Angeles, California. Jim Vondruska/Getty Images© Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

At least 56 people were arrested over the weekend after the Trump administration deployed the National Guard, igniting political clashes. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the raids “chaotic federal sweeps” aimed at meeting an “arbitrary arrest quota.” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass blamed the administration for provoking chaos.

On the streets, protesters clashed with officers using tear gas, pepper spray, and flash-bang grenades. Crowds blocked traffic on the 101 freeway until authorities dispersed them. Looting was reported, and at least five driverless Waymo cars were set on fire.

Federal vs. State Tensions

The White House bypassed the usual requirement that a state governor request National Guard deployment, citing “violent protests” threatening federal property. Newsom demanded Trump withdraw the troops, calling the deployment a “serious breach of state sovereignty.”

Border czar Tom Homan defended the move and threatened to arrest Newsom and Bass if they interfered. Newsom responded, “Tom, arrest me. Let’s go.”

Troop Deployment Escalates

The Trump administration deployed 2,000 troops, with 500 Marines on standby. The Associated Press reported protesters shouting “shame” and “go home” at the arriving guards.

For more on immigration, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

Keep the umbrella handy as more rain chances are on the way

ABC13 Houston
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Keep the umbrella handy as more rain chances are on the way

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — We trade the steamy weekend for a stormier weather pattern this week that will bring a daily rain chance to southeast Texas through the weekend.

We saw widespread rain move through this morning which caused some issues for our morning commute. The rest of the day will be warm and partly cloudy with highs reaching into the low to mid 90s. If we can destabilize, we could see a few scattered showers and storms popping in the afternoon to early evening.

More rain will be on the way for the week with our best chances of rain being on Wednesday and Thursday.

What’s the outlook for the rain this week?

By Monday, a cold front will begin to move into the northern part of the state and will eventually continue to slide closer to us in southeast Texas. This front will stall midweek, allowing for showers and storms to develop. Because of this, we have a daily rain chance in the forecast beginning Tuesday and continuing through Friday of next week. Currently, the best chance for rain and potentially heavy thunderstorms will be on Wednesday and Thursday. Area flooding could be a possibility as the week goes on, depending on where the heavy rain falls and how much.

Any chance for severe weather this week?

We do have a chance for a strong to severe storm almost every day this week, but we are not anticipating widespread severe weather at this time.

What’s happening in the tropics?

At this time, the Atlantic basin is filled with a Saharan dust cloud, limiting tropical development. There is plenty of activity in the eastern Pacific, though, with two named storms off the western coast of Mexico. For a thorough update and in-depth video on what’s happening in the tropics, head to our tropical update page.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

Keep up with all things Houston with us on Que Onda Magazine.

‘Lilo & Stitch’ Tops Box Office Again

Indira Zaldivar
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‘Lilo & Stitch’ Tops Box Office Again

“Lilo & Stitch” continues its reign at the box office, claiming the top spot for the third consecutive weekend with $32.5 million from 4,185 theaters.

The live-action reboot has grossed $335.8 million domestically and $772 million worldwide, on track to become the first billion-dollar release of the year.

‘Ballerina’ Opens to $25 Million

The John Wick spinoff “Ballerina,” starring Ana de Armas, fell short of expectations, debuting in second place with $25 million from 3,409 North American theaters. Lionsgate had projected a $30 million opening for the film, which cost $90 million to produce.

Spinoff Faces Uphill Battle

Despite positive audience feedback (an “A-” on CinemaScore) and decent reviews (75% on Rotten Tomatoes), “Ballerina” failed to energize the John Wick fanbase. “This is a weak opening for an action thriller spin-off,” says analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research.

Franchise Expansion Planned

The studio hopes “Ballerina” will pave the way for more spinoffs, but without Keanu Reeves as the main draw, it may be a challenge. Lionsgate has plans for “John Wick 5,” a spinoff around Donnie Yen’s character Caine, and an animated prequel.

Other Box Office Performances

“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” fell to third with $15 million, bringing its domestic total to $149 million. With a $400 million budget, the film might struggle to break even.

“Karate Kid: Legends” earned $8.7 million in its second weekend, dropping 58% from its debut. “Final Destination: Bloodlines” collected $6.4 million, the sixth film in the horror franchise, now its highest-grossing with $123 million domestically.

Wes Anderson’s ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ Expands

Wes Anderson’s “The Phoenician Scheme” expanded to 1,678 venues, grossing $6.2 million. Despite a star-studded cast, the film received a “B-” CinemaScore.

Keep up with blockbuster films with us on Que Onda Magazine!

National Guard Deployed in L.A. Amid Immigration Crackdown

Que Onda Editorial
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National Guard Deployed in L.A. Amid Immigration Crackdown

U.S. National Guard troops began deploying in downtown Los Angeles after an immigration crackdown that saw police use teargas on protesters—sending shockwaves through American politics.

Troops were stationed outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, one of several protest sites in recent days.

They stood in tactical gear and carried long guns, while streets remained mostly quiet with a handful of demonstrators.

Trump Orders Deployment

The order came from President Donald Trump late Saturday, marking the first federalization of the Guard since the 1992 LA riots.

“Under President Trump, violence & destruction against federal agents & federal facilities will NOT be tolerated. It’s COMMON SENSE,” said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on social media.

“If violence continues, active duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized—they are on high alert,” Hegseth added.

Tensions With California Officials

California Governor Gavin Newsom called the potential deployment of US Marines “deranged.” “The Secretary of Defense is now threatening to deploy active-duty Marines on American soil against its own citizens. This is deranged behavior,” Newsom wrote on X.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized Newsom’s stance on ABC’s Face the Nation: “If he was doing his job people wouldn’t have gotten hurt the last couple of days … Governor Newsom has proven that he makes bad decisions.”

Senator Bernie Sanders called the situation a threat to democracy: “We have a president who is moving this country rapidly into authoritarianism,” Sanders told CNN. “He does not believe in the rule of law.”

Raids and Protests

Tensions began Friday when law enforcement clashed with protesters during immigration raids downtown. On Saturday, enforcement extended into Paramount, sparking more protests outside an industrial park. Teargas and confrontations continued as at least one car burned.

Trump then announced the National Guard deployment. “The federal government is taking over the California National Guard and deploying 2,000 soldiers in Los Angeles—not because there is a shortage of law enforcement, but because they want a spectacle,” Newsom later said. “Don’t give them one.”

Federal Prosecution Threats

US Attorney Bill Essayli told KCBS/KCAL that the National Guard would arrive within 24 hours. “We will identify you, we will come find you, and we will get you,” he warned, adding that peaceful protesters were subject to federal prosecution.

On Truth Social, Trump praised the National Guard: “Great job by the National Guard in Los Angeles after two days of violence, clashes and unrest,” he posted, also insulting Bass and Newsom.

“These Radical Left protests, by instigators and often paid troublemakers, will NOT BE TOLERATED. Also, from now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why???”

Noem defended law enforcement mask-wearing, saying: “It’s for the safety of those individuals.”

Ongoing Enforcement

Congresswoman Nanette Barragán warned of a “30 days of ICE enforcement” in her district. “We haven’t asked for the help. We don’t need the help. This is [President Trump] escalating it, causing tensions to rise. It’s only going to make things worse,” she told CNN.

Tom Homan, Trump’s “border czar,” warned on NBC News: “I’m telling you what, we’re going to keep enforcing law every day in LA. I don’t care if they like it or not.”

He added: “It’s a felony to knowingly harbor and conceal an illegal alien. It’s a felony to impede law enforcement doing their job.”

Union Leader Arrested

During a protest on Friday, David Huerta, president of the California Service Employees International Union, was arrested. He later told the Los Angeles Times from the hospital: “Hard-working people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals. We all collectively have to object to this madness because this is not justice.”

For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.

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