Month: February 2024

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News Daypop

Nigerian bank CEO and family among 6 killed in helicopter crash in California

Monacair Airbus Helicopters H155 / EC-155 B1 (3A-MTG) on approach to land at Monaco Heliport^ Monaco.

A helicopter carrying six people, including the CEO of a Nigerian bank, crashed in California’s Mojave Desert, killing all people on board.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organization and former finance minister of Nigeria, said in a post on X that Lagos-based Access Bank CEO Herbert Wigwe, his wife and his son were on board. She did not include the names of Wigwe’s wife and son. A fourth passenger, Bimbo Ogunbanjo, also known as Abimbola Ogunbanjo, was among the dead, Okonjo-Iweala said. He is the former chair of NGX Group, the Nigerian stock exchange.  Access Bank also confirmed Wigwe’s death, posting on X: “Today, we bid farewell to a visionary leader, @HerbertOWigwe, whose passion and unwavering commitment to excellence transformed Access into a global powerhouse. His legacy of excellence and compassion will continue to inspire us all. Rest in peace, Herbert Wigwe. Your impact will forever be felt.”

The two crew members and four passengers departed from Palm Springs, California, at 8:45 p.m. Friday and were en route to Boulder City, Nevada, about 26 miles outside of Las Vegas, officials said. National Transportation Safety Board member Michael Graham said at a news conference Saturday night that the helicopter “impacted the ground” near Halloran Springs, California, at 10:08 p.m. All six people on board — the pilot-in-command, a safety pilot and four passengers — were killed, Graham said.  The Eurocopter EC-130 helicopter didn’t have a cockpit voice recorder or flight data recorder, nor was it required to, according to Graham.

The California Highway Patrol reported shortly after the crash that a “large band of snow” was moving through Halloran Springs, according to a log of traffic incidents. It said the snow was moderate and mixed with rain. The cause of the crash has not been determined; the NTSB said an investigation was underway.

Editorial credit: IanC66 / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Kacey Musgraves shares video for title track to fifth album ‘Deeper Well’

Kacey Musgraves attends Billboard's 13th Annual Women in Music event on December 6^ 2018 at Pier 36 in New York City.

Kacey Musgraves announced her fifth LP, Deeper Well, and shared a video for the title track.  Musgraves posted on her social media accounts: “My new album, Deeper Well, is arriving March 15th. It’s a collection of songs I hold very dear to my heart. I hope it makes a home in all of your hearts, too. 🌱 Listen to the title track, watch the video, and pre-order now. Link in bio. • Both album covers shot by my little sis @kellychristinephoto • Produced with @thesilverseas + @tronian”

Deeper Well is the follow-up to Musgraves 2021 album Star-Crossed; she co-produced Deeper Well along with Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk from Electric Lady Studios in New York City.  Said Musgraves in a press release: “I was seeking some different environmental energy, and Electric Lady has the best mojo. Great ghosts.”  Musgraves co-wrote most songs on the album with Fitchuk and Tashian, and was joined by Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne for the track “The Architect.”  The album cover art sees a bare-faced Musgraves looking into the camera in front of a field of greenery as she holds up a flower, looking at the camera.

The first song to be released from the LP is the title track, accompanied by the official music video directed by Hannah Lux Davis. Kacey said in a release: “Sometimes you reach a crossroads. Winds change direction. What you once felt drawn to doesn’t hold the same allure. You get blown off course but eventually find your footing and forage for new inspiration, new insight and deeper love somewhere else.”  Check out the video for ‘Deeper Well’ – here.

Deeper Well will drop on March 15; to pre-order head here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Beyoncé announces new country-themed album ‘Act II: Renaissance’ during Super Bowl

Beyonce arrives to the 2013 Grammy Awards on February 10^ 2013 in Hollywood^ CA

Beyoncé surprised fans when she announced new country-themed music during Super Bowl LVIII.  The 42-year-old superstar posted a video via Instagram on Sunday, February 11, and announced that her next release, titled ‘Act II: Renaissance’ will drop on March 29. ‘Act I: Renaissance’ was released in July 2022.

In the country-style video announcement on Instagram begins with a car driving to Texas’ rural countryside, as a group of men gather and seemingly look at the sky. The car drives off as Beyoncé sings, “This ain’t Texas. Ain’t no hold ‘em. So lay our cards down, down, down, down.”

Shortly thereafter, the singer posted another clip to Instagram announcing that two new tracks, “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM and 16 CARRIAGES out now.’  Both tracks are available to stream on TIDAL and YouTube.

The surprise album announcement came after Beyoncé starred in a commercial for Verizon, in which she (with the help of Tony Hale) tried to break the internet through a series of promotional stunts. The ad ended with Beyoncé exclaiming, “Drop the new music!” with no further information revealed at the time.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Beyoncé announces new country-themed album ‘Act II: Renaissance’ during Super Bowl

Beyonce arrives to the 2013 Grammy Awards on February 10^ 2013 in Hollywood^ CA

Beyoncé surprised fans when she announced new country-themed music during Super Bowl LVIII.  The 42-year-old superstar posted a video via Instagram on Sunday, February 11, and announced that her next release, titled ‘Act II: Renaissance’ will drop on March 29. ‘Act I: Renaissance’ was released in July 2022.

In the country-style video announcement on Instagram begins with a car driving to Texas’ rural countryside, as a group of men gather and seemingly look at the sky. The car drives off as Beyoncé sings, “This ain’t Texas. Ain’t no hold ‘em. So lay our cards down, down, down, down.”

Shortly thereafter, the singer posted another clip to Instagram announcing that two new tracks, “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM and 16 CARRIAGES out now.’  Both tracks are available to stream on TIDAL and YouTube.

The surprise album announcement came after Beyoncé starred in a commercial for Verizon, in which she (with the help of Tony Hale) tried to break the internet through a series of promotional stunts. The ad ended with Beyoncé exclaiming, “Drop the new music!” with no further information revealed at the time.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Senate advances $95B in aid to Ukraine and Israel after rejecting border deal

The United States Capitol^ often called the Capitol Building^ is the home of the United States Congress and the seat of the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government

The Senate voted on Thursday to advance a $95 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine and Israel. The 67-32 vote came after hours of deliberation among Senate Republicans, who voted against passing the foreign aid along with a bipartisan border security deal on Wednesday.

Senate Republicans said they would only support the standalone foreign aid with assurances that they would have the chance to add new border provisions and others raised concerns with the distribution of aid. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the floor after the vote: “This is a good first step. This bill is essential for our national security. Failure to pass this bill would only embolden autocrats like Putin and Xi, who want nothing more than America’s decline. Now that we are on the bill, we hope to reach an amendment with our Republican colleagues on amendments.”nSchumer said the Senate would keep at it “until the job is done.”

The Thursday vote advances a bill that could send $60 billion to Ukraine, as well as appropriate $14 billion to Israel, $9 billion for humanitarian aid in Gaza and elsewhere, and nearly $5 billion for Taiwan. The package must face a final majority vote in the Senate chamber, and it is unclear how the package would fare in the House, where Republicans failed to pass standalone aid for Israel.

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Categories
News Daypop

Supreme Court hears arguments over Trump’s eligibility for 2024 ballot

US Supreme court building on the capitol hill in Washington DC^ United States of America

On Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard argument on the historic case challenging Donald Trump’s ability to hold office again over his role in the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, 2021. The legal battle centers on an obscure provision of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment — Section 3 — ratified shortly after the Civil War.

The High Court signaled skepticism that Colorado had the power to remove former President Donald Trump from the Republican primary ballot because of his actions trying to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump, who has long denied any wrongdoing, asked the justices to overturn an unprecedented Colorado Supreme Court decision deeming him ineligible to appear on the state’s GOP primary ballot because, it said, he “engaged in insurrection.”

A majority of the justices appeared during the two-hour argument alleging that states do not have a role in deciding whether a presidential candidate can be barred from running under a provision of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment that bars people who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office. While the justices raised concerns about states reaching different conclusions on whether a candidate could run, several indicated that only Congress could enforce the provision at issue.

Editorial credit: Fedor Selivanov / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani announce new duet ‘Purple Irises’

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani arrives for AFI Lifetime Achievement Gala on June 09^ 2022 in Hollywood^ CA

Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani announced they will be releasing a new collaboration titled “Purple Irises” this Friday, February 9.

The new release will be a standalone single, and the couple posted the cover art on their social media. The retro-looking image features Stefani and Shelton both wearing denim outfits, with Gwen lounging on a sofa and Blake holding an acoustic guitar while sitting on a piano stool along with the title ‘Purple Irises’ and the caption: ‘🪻02.09.24🪻’

Stefani teased fans with a snippet of the tune in a post shared to her TikTok, and shared a look at her and Shelton recording “Purple Irises” in the studio on TikTok along with a message to fans: “We love u guys so excited to share w u 💜💜💜💜💜”

To stream ‘Purple Irises’ head here.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Jason Isbell files for divorce from wife Amanda Shires

Jason Isbell and wife Amanda Shires attend the 63rd annual BMI Country awards at BMI on November 3^ 2015 in Nashville^ Tennessee.

Country music couple Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires are headed for divorce. People reports that Isbell, 45, filed for divorce from Shires, 41, on Dec. 15 in Williamson County outside of Nashville, two months before the couple’s 11th wedding anniversary.

Rumors surrounding Isbell and Shires marriage have been circulating recently, and the two haven’t been photographed together in several months. A birthday tribute to Isbell posted to Shires’ social media account earlier this month was taken down shortly after, and the two unfollowed each other on Instagram. Shires was also not in attendance when Isbell took home two Grammys at this year’s annual award show, including Best American Roots song and Best Americana album.

Isbell plays guitar for Shires’ country music supergroup, The Highwomen (along with Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile and Natalie Hemby), while Shires plays fiddle and performs as a backup singer for Isbell’s band, The 400 Unit.

Isbell and Shires married in February 2013 and have an 8-year-old daughter, Mercy.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Miles Teller to portray Michael Jackson’s attorney in new biopic ‘Michael’

Miles Teller at the 72nd Festival de Cannes; CANNES^ FRANCE. May 18^ 2019:

Lionsgate and Universal Pictures announced in a press release that actor Miles Teller has joined the cast of the Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’ in the role of John Branca, Jackson’s high-powered attorney. ‘Michael’ is directed by Antoine Fuqua from a screenplay by John Logan, with production currently underway. Branca also serves as a producer on the film, alongside John McClain as co-executors of Jackson’s estate. Teller’s Branca is described as “the unyielding attorney who shepherded Michael Jackson’s career as he transitioned from a singing sensation in a boy band to the world-renowned King of Pop.”

Producer Graham King said:“Miles is a compelling screen presence, whom I’ve admired since watching him in Whiplash. He’s the perfect actor to capture John’s enigmatic persona. From our earliest development conversations, it was clear the emotional connection that John still has to Michael. He graciously allowed us to use him as a character in the film and I’m thrilled that it’s Miles who will portray a relationship that extended over 3 decades, through Michael’s greatest triumphs and most difficult days.”  Fuqua added in a statement: “Miles’ finely tuned skills as an actor are up to the challenge of playing a man who is being examined for the pivotal role he played in Michael Jackson’s life. He is the perfect actor to disappear into the role of John Branca.”

‘Michael’ stars Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who will be introduced to audiences in the starring role of the musical icon, with 9-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi portraying the younger Jackson. Colman Domingo and Nia Long will portray Michael’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson.

An official filml synopsis says that ‘Michael’ will give “a riveting and honest portrayal” of Michael Jackson, who died at age 50 in 2009. The film presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, captured by his iconic performances.”  ‘Michael’ will be released in theaters on April 18, 2025.

Editorial credit: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)’ debuting on Disney+ with additional songs

Concert film Taylor Swift : The Eras Tour ; Display at the theater October 22^ 2023

Disney announced on X that the ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ concert film will be available for streaming next month on Disney+. In a statement, Disney CEO Bob Iger said: “The Eras Tour has been a true phenomenon that has and continues to thrill fans around the world, and we are very excited to bring this electrifying concert to audiences wherever they are, exclusively through Disney+.”

Swift also posted the news on Instagram: “This week is truly the best kind of chaos. I’m thrilled to let you know I’ve found a streaming home for The Eras Tour Concert Film, and that home will be @disneyplus. For the first time we’ll be showing the entire concert (including “cardigan”, plus 4 additional songs from the acoustic section!!) and I’m calling it, huge shock, “Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)”. Available starting March 15 which is actually very 🔜😆🫶”

Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) will stream starting March 15. The film will include all songs from the three Los Angeles tour dates during which it was filmed at SoFi Stadium, and will include the song “cardigan,” as well as four additional acoustic surprise songs from the tour: “I Can See You,” “Maroon,” “You Are in Love” and “Death by a Thousand Cuts.” The film was one of the biggest box office sensations of 2023 and stands as the top-grossing concert documentary movie of all time, grossing $180.8 million domestically and $80.9 million overseas for a total of $261.1 million against a mere $15 million budget.

Editorial credit: Sarunyu L / Shutterstock.com