Month: June 2022

Categories
Pop Daypop

Harry Styles’ ‘Harry’s House’ debuts at No. 1 with new vinyl sales record

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Harry Styles has set a new record for first-week vinyl sales with Harry’s House, selling 182,000 copies in the United States. Taylor Swift previously held the record with last fall’s Red (Taylor’s Version), which sold 114,000 vinyl copies in its first week.

Harry’s House debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 upon its release, moving 521,500 album equivalent units. Styles will launch his tour of North America beginning in August, following a summer run in Europe.

Harry Styles breaks Taylor Swift’s vinyl sales record with ‘Harry’s House’

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Categories
News Daypop

1 dead, 2 injured in shooting after New Orleans high school graduation at Xavier University

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According to the New Orleans Police Department (“NOPD”), one person was killed and another two were injured outside of Xavier University’s convocation center Tuesday, following a New Orleans high school graduation ceremony.  Shots were fired shortly before noon, when the parking lot was full graduating students from Morris Jeff Community School, and their families. The victim of the shooting died at a hospital, and was a grandmother of one of the graduates.

NOPD deputy superintendent Christopher Goodly said during a press conference that the two injured, both men, were taken to the hospital by New Orleans EMS with non life-threatening injuries. A fight between two women broke out in the parking lot shortly after the ceremony ended, but police did not say whether either of the women involved in the altercation was the shooter. Three people were taken in for questioning, but no arrests have been made, Goodly said. Investigators also confiscated more than one weapon.

Xavier University’s convocation center hosts multiple high school graduation ceremonies each spring. This is not the first graduation ceremony to turn violent this season. A large fight broke out inside Xavier University’s convocation center on May 20 shortly after students from G.W. Carver High School graduated.  Governor John Bel Edwards addressed both high school graduation shootings in a statement Tuesday:  “We must do more to ensure that those who pose an unacceptable risk of harm to others aren’t able to acquire or keep firearms.” Edwards said, adding in light of recent gun violence in Buffalo, New York and Uvalde, Texas, “gun safety discussions and action involving expanded background checks and red flag laws are very much in order.”

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Categories
News Daypop

Homeland Security recovers 70 missing children and human trafficking victims in Texas operation

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According to a release from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a three-week operation in west Texas dubbed “Operation Lost Souls” has led to the recovery of 70 missing children as well as sex trafficking victims. The investigation was conducted by the Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) and ran from the end of April through mid-May in El Paso, Midland, and Ector.

The missing children, many of them who were identified as runaways, ranged in age from 10 to 17 years old. Some of the children found were also victims of sex trafficking and physical and sexual abuse, according to ICE. Most of the children were recovered from west Texas, but others were found in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as well as Colorado and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

DPS Maj. Matthew Mull said: “At the Department of Public Safety, teamwork is one of our core values. We are grateful for all of our law enforcement partners who participated in this operation and who work around the clock every day to protect our communities, including our youth.” The agencies also provided victim services and counseling to the children rescued and their families.

El Paso Deputy Special Agent in Charge Taekuk Cho said in a statement: “Operation Lost Souls exemplifies Homeland Security Investigations’ commitment to protecting the public from crimes of victimization. HSI is committed to continue working with our law enforcement partners to locate, recover and help missing children heal, while ensuring that perpetrators are held responsible for these heinous crimes and brought to justice.”

No arrests have been announced, but authorities said HSI is investigating “additional information and leads.” If you have information about a human trafficking victim or information about this type of criminal activity, please contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888.

Editorial credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Veteran MLB pitcher J.A. Happ announces retirement after 15 seasons

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Left-handed pitcher J.A. Happ announced his retirement from baseball after 15 seasons in Major League Baseball.  In an appearance on “The Heart Strong” podcast with Jessica Lindberg, the 39-year-old Happ told Lindberg that he worked out this offseason to stay ready in case an opportunity came his way; however, when he turned on the television on Opening Day, he realized that the time was right to move on.

Happ pitched for eight teams over the course of his 15 years in the majors, beginning with the Phillies in 2007. He went on to play with the Astros, Blue Jays, Mariners, Pirates, Yankees and Twins. Happ most recently pitched for the Cardinals in 2021, making 11 starts for St. Louis after he was traded by Minnesota in late July.

In 354 appearances in the majors, Happ made 328 starts, earned a lifetime 133–100 record and achieved a 4.13 career ERA. He earned 1661 strikeouts, a 2.49 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and 21.5 wins above replacement. Happ was named an All-Star for the first (and only) time in his career in 2018, and was a part of the Philadelphia’s World Series championship team in 2008.

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Categories
Sports Daypop

Coco Gauff defeats Sloane Stephens in French Open quarterfinals to reach first grand slam singles semifinal

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No. 18 seed Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Sloane Stephens from the 2022 French Open in the quarterfinals Tuesday. The 18-year-old Gauff defeated Stephens 7-5, 6-2 to reach her first Grand Slam semifinal. Gauff last faced Stephens at last year’s US Open, where she lost in straight sets. Stephens, 29, won the 2017 US Open and was a finalist for the 2018 French Open.

Gauff said after the win:  “Even last year I was too focused on trying to fulfill other people’s expectations. I know no matter how good or bad my career is, I think I’m a great person. So I think that’s a message for all the young players out here: Even in life in general, your results or your job or how much money you make doesn’t define you as a person. So just know that if you love yourself, who cares what anyone else thinks.”

Gauff will now face world no. 59 Martina Trevisan on Thursday for a place in the final.

Editorial credit: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Thomas Rhett earns his 19th No. 1 with “Slow Down Summer”

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Thomas Rhett has hit No. 1 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart with Slow Down Summer, earning Rhett his 13th consecutive chart-topper and 19th career No. 1. The song was penned by Thomas Rhett, his father Rhett Akins, Sean Douglas, Jesse Frasure, and Ashley Gorley.

Rhett also just released his new single “Half Of Me” featuring Riley Green, written by Thomas Rhett, Rhett Akins, William Bundy and Josh Thompson. Said Rhett: “Today is a really cool day. I’m pretty blown away to be celebrating my 19th No. 1 with ‘Slow Down Summer’ and the release of my new single ‘Half Of Me.’ I wrote both of these songs with my dad, which is special to me, and several other truly incredible songwriters. I hope fans have as much fun singing along to ‘Half Of Me’ as we did writing it.”  Shared Green: “Thomas Rhett always puts out great songs, and I was excited when he asked me to sing on this one. It’s going to be a fun beer-drinking song for the summer.”

Rhett is also about to hit the road on his headlining summer tour dubbed the Bring The Bar To You Tour, which will feature support from Parker McCollum and Conner Smith.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium is designated as an official Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame landmark

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The Ryman Auditorium has been designated as an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame landmark by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. President of Ryman Hospitality Properties, Mark Fioravanti, and President and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Greg Harris, made the announcement in a dedication ceremony, joined by Nashville Mayor John Cooper and Old Dominion

During the dedication ceremony, a historic marker was unveiled to celebrate the milestone. The Ryman, currently celebrating its 130th anniversary, now joins 11 other rock & roll landmarks throughout the country. Matthew Ramsey, lead vocalist of Old Dominion, said: “It’s spiritual, and it’s one of the reasons she’s called the Mother Church. Like any good mother, she commands respect and makes you feel at home. As Music City and country music continue to expand around her, she remains the center of the family. She’s a beacon and a bucket list experience for us all, creators and fans alike.”

The Ryman and R&R Hall Of Fame also announced a multi-year partnership, including a new daytime tour exhibit at the Ryman scheduled to open later this year featuring the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees who have graced the Ryman stage over the years.

Ryman Auditorium Designated as Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark

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Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Rita Moreno joins cast of ‘Fast X’ as Vin Diesel’s grandmother

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Vin Diesel announced on Instagram that Rita Moreno will be starring in ‘Fast X’ as his grandmother. Diesel said in a video that includes Moreno and fellow Fast and Furious franchise star Michelle Rodriguez: “It’s been my dream forever to work with Rita Moreno and the fact that she’s here playing my grandmother makes my soul smile. I’m so blessed.”  Moreno replied:  “I think my old age was waiting for you to invite me.” 

Fast X, the 10th installment in the Fast and Furious series, is set to debut in theaters on May 19, 2023. Filmmaker Louis Letterier replaces Justin Lin as director, who exited the project in April.  The film also stars Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Sung Kang, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Charlize Theron, Jason Momoa and Brie Larson.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Kevin Spacey to avoid extradition and ‘voluntarily appear’ in U.K. court for sexual assault charges

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Kevin Spacey will “voluntarily” appear in the United Kingdom to face four new sexual assault charges that were brought against him last week. If Spacey does not voluntarily appear in the U.K., British authorities plan to seek the actor’s formal extradition from the U.S. Spacey can be formally charged only following his arrest in England or Wales.

The 62-year-old actor provided a statement to “Good Morning America” on Tuesday, in which he says he is “confident” he can prove his innocence: “I very much appreciate the Crown Prosecution Service’s statement in which they carefully reminded the media and the public that I am entitled to a fair trial, and innocent until proven otherwise. While I am disappointed with their decision to move forward, I will voluntarily appear in the U.K. as soon as can be arranged and defend myself against these charges, which I am confident will prove my innocence.”

The charges against Spacey in Britain were announced last Thursday by the U.K.’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which has spent over a year reviewing a file passed to them by the Metropolitan Police. Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “The CPS has authorized criminal charges against Kevin Spacey, 62, for four counts of sexual assault against three men. He has also been charged with causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. The charges follow a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation. The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Spacey are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”  Some of the charges are believed to stem from Spacey’s time at the Old Vic theater in London, where he served as artistic director from 2004-2015. Following multiple allegations of sexual assault against the actor in the U.S., the theater undertook an internal investigation which resulted in 20 victims coming forward who claimed he had behaved inappropriately toward them.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Guitarist Dave Navarro shares details on his battle with long-haul COVID since December

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Jane’s Addiction recently announced they would be pulling out of their appearance at Welcome to Rockville, with Perry Farrell citing guitarist Dave Navarro’s “long bout with COVID” as the reason. In a new Instagram post, Navarro is detailing his bout with COVID, revealing that he’s been dealing with long-haul COVID since December and that it’s been “pretty awful.”

On Instagram, Navarro wrote, “So yeah, I’m one of the ones who came down with the ‘long haul covid.’ Been sick since December and supposedly will be back to my old self in… nobody knows how long. If there are any of you who are still suffering long after your negative results, I’m just saying you aren’t alone. The fatigue and isolation is pretty awful but try to spend your time with the ones you love and stay creative. That’s how I’m trying to get through this thing. Also lots of spiritual practices, meditation and yoga have been very helpful. I’ll be ok, just don’t know when.”  Navarro went on to add that “all indicators are pointing to a full recovery at some point!  Sending you all love and light. Even to those of you who are stoked I’m sick!”

Many cases of what’s deemed “long haul COVID” have been identified, where lingering effects have continued well beyond the initial infection. According to the CDC, some of these conditions can last weeks, months or even years. Post-COVID conditions are found more often in people who had severe COVID-19 illness, but anyone who has been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can experience post-COVID conditions, even people who had mild illness or no symptoms from COVID-19.

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