Month: July 2023

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Entertainment Daypop

Kevin Spacey found not guilty on all charges in U.K. sexual assault trial

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Kevin Spacey has been found not guilty of all sexual assault charges he faced in a U.K. trial. Spacey, 64, was acquitted in London’s Southwark Crown Court of charges including sexual assault, causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent and causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity. It took the jury 12 hours over two and a half days to come to their decision.

The Academy Award-winning actor had faced nine sexual offense charges related to incidents reported by four men that allegedly took place between 2001 and 2013. Spacey pleaded not guilty to all of the charges. In a statement to the press after the verdict was reached, Spacey said: “I imagine that many of you can understand that there’s a lot for me to process after what has just happened today. But I would like to say that I am enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts carefully before they reached the decision. And I am humbled by the outcome today. I also want to thank the staff inside this courthouse, the security and all those who took care of us every single day, my legal team … for being here every day and that’s all I have to say for the moment. Thank you very much.”

Spacey starred in the Netflix series “House of Cards” until he was fired in 2017 when actor Anthony Rapp accused him of prior sexual misconduct which took place in 1986. Last October, Spacey won the $40 million civil lawsuit brought by Rapp, but a New York jury dismissed the claim.

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Rock Daypop

Alice Cooper and Tom Morello team up for ‘White Line Frankenstein’

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Alice Cooper has released “White Line Frankenstein” featuring Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, who also co-wrote the song. “White Line Frankenstein” is the latest song from Cooper’s upcoming album Road.

Cooper shared the inspiration for the track: “If you’re a truck driver who’s been out there a long time, you rule the road. In the song, this surreal tough guy is driving on white lines for his whole life, and he’s probably doing white lines. So, ‘White Line Frankenstein’ would be his CB handle. It’s monstrous and definitely a stage song.”

“White Line Frankenstein” is the second song released from Cooper’s 29th album Road, following the previously released  “I’m Alice.”  Cooper said he wanted the new album to showcase his veteran musicians. “I wanted to show off the touring band, so we wrote songs, went in the studio, and I said, ‘Here’s the deal on this album: no overdubs.’  I said, ‘Everything has to be done in the studio live because the whole idea of this album is showing off how good this band is live.’ So when you hear this album, it sounds like a studio album, but it’s actually them playing live in the studio.”

Road drops on Aug. 25; you can pre-order the LP here.
Take a look at the video for “White Line Frankenstein” – here.

Editorial credit: Davide Sciaky / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

J-Hope announces physical editions of ‘Jack in the Box (Hope Edition)’

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BigHit Music has announced J-Hope of BTS will release Jack In The Box (Hope Edition) in physical format as a special gift for BTS Army members.

The set will be available on CD on August 18th, containing the original album tracks along with three new live recordings from the pop star’s performance at 2022 Lollapalooza in Chicago — “Equal Sign,” “Stop” and “Future” — and two instrumental tracks — “More” and “Arson.” Two variations of the CD will be available with an outerbox, photo book, lyric book, two of four randomly inserted photo cards, one of two posters, one of two paper toys and accompanied user guide, and sticker packs.

Jack In The Box dropped on July 15, 2022, before J-Hope’s military enlistment. J-Hope participated in the overall composition and planning of the new physical album, which showcases the K-pop star’s experimental approach. Jack In The Box was released as a Weverse album which fans could download and listen to the songs via the Weverse Albums application aside from streaming platforms.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor dies at age 56

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The Irish Times reported that singer Sinéad O’Connor, best known for her 1990 hit single “Nothing Compares 2 U,” has died at age 56.  O’Connor’s family said in a statement, confirmed by RTE: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”  No cause of death was revealed as of press time.

O’Connor released her debut album in 1987, and its 1990 follow-up I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got brought her international fame on the heels of her smash hit “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a song written and composed by Prince which became a hit across the globe.  The Irish singer’s mental health struggles plagued her over the years since her early rise to fame, culminating in a hospitalization in 2022 following the death of her 17-year-old son, Shane, whom she shared with musician Dónal Lunny. Shane went missing in January 2022, and O’Connor revealed days later that he’d died by suicide, tweeting at the time: “My beautiful son, Nevi’im Nesta Ali Shane O’Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God. May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace.”

At the beginning of July, O’Connor switched to a new Twitter account, using her full name. She seemed positive about the future, and tweeted on July 11th that she was working on new music and had hopes for an international tour:  “Hi All, recently moved back to London after 23 years absence. Very happy to be home : ) Soon finishing my album. Release early next year : ). Hopefully Touring Australia and New Zealand toward end 2024. Europe, USA and other territories beginning early 2025 : ).  Her final Twitter post on July 17 alluded to her son’s suicide as she linked to a “Great Tibetan Compassion Mantra” and wrote: “For all mothers of Suicided children.”

O’Connor is survived by her three children: Jake Reynolds, 36, Roison Waters, 27,  and Yeshua Bonadio, 16.

Sinéad O’Connor, Iconic Irish Singer, Dies At Age 56

Editorial credit: Paul Keeling / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor dies at age 56

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The Irish Times reported that singer Sinéad O’Connor, best known for her 1990 hit single “Nothing Compares 2 U,” has died at age 56.  O’Connor’s family said in a statement, confirmed by RTE: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”  No cause of death was revealed as of press time.

O’Connor released her debut album in 1987, and its 1990 follow-up I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got brought her international fame on the heels of her smash hit “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a song written and composed by Prince which became a hit across the globe.  The Irish singer’s mental health struggles plagued her over the years since her early rise to fame, culminating in a hospitalization in 2022 following the death of her 17-year-old son, Shane, whom she shared with musician Dónal Lunny. Shane went missing in January 2022, and O’Connor revealed days later that he’d died by suicide, tweeting at the time: “My beautiful son, Nevi’im Nesta Ali Shane O’Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God. May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace.”

At the beginning of July, O’Connor switched to a new Twitter account, using her full name. She seemed positive about the future, and tweeted on July 11th that she was working on new music and had hopes for an international tour:  “Hi All, recently moved back to London after 23 years absence. Very happy to be home : ) Soon finishing my album. Release early next year : ). Hopefully Touring Australia and New Zealand toward end 2024. Europe, USA and other territories beginning early 2025 : ).  Her final Twitter post on July 17 alluded to her son’s suicide as she linked to a “Great Tibetan Compassion Mantra” and wrote: “For all mothers of Suicided children.”

O’Connor is survived by her three children: Jake Reynolds, 36, Roison Waters, 27,  and Yeshua Bonadio, 16.

Editorial credit: Paul Keeling / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Pop Daypop

Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor dies at age 56

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The Irish Times reported that singer Sinéad O’Connor, best known for her 1990 hit single “Nothing Compares 2 U,” has died at age 56.  O’Connor’s family said in a statement, confirmed by RTE: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”  No cause of death was revealed as of press time.

O’Connor released her debut album in 1987, and its 1990 follow-up I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got brought her international fame on the heels of her smash hit “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a song written and composed by Prince which became a hit across the globe.  The Irish singer’s mental health struggles plagued her over the years since her early rise to fame, culminating in a hospitalization in 2022 following the death of her 17-year-old son, Shane, whom she shared with musician Dónal Lunny. Shane went missing in January 2022, and O’Connor revealed days later that he’d died by suicide, tweeting at the time: “My beautiful son, Nevi’im Nesta Ali Shane O’Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God. May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace.”

At the beginning of July, O’Connor switched to a new Twitter account, using her full name. She seemed positive about the future, and tweeted on July 11th that she was working on new music and had hopes for an international tour:  “Hi All, recently moved back to London after 23 years absence. Very happy to be home : ) Soon finishing my album. Release early next year : ). Hopefully Touring Australia and New Zealand toward end 2024. Europe, USA and other territories beginning early 2025 : ).  Her final Twitter post on July 17 alluded to her son’s suicide as she linked to a “Great Tibetan Compassion Mantra” and wrote: “For all mothers of Suicided children.”

O’Connor is survived by her three children: Jake Reynolds, 36, Roison Waters, 27,  and Yeshua Bonadio, 16.

Sinéad O’Connor, Iconic Irish Singer, Dies At Age 56

Editorial credit: Paul Keeling / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Potential strike averted as UPS and Teamsters reach tentative agreement

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UPS and the Teamsters union both announced on Tuesday that have reached a tentative contract on working conditions for UPS’s 340,000 unionized employees. If ratified, the contact would avert a strike that would have been the biggest in 60 years. Voting on the contract begins Aug. 3 and ends Aug. 22.

Part-time workers’ pay was a major sticking point in the negotiations, with many employees decrying the two-tier wage system in the current contract. The new Teamsters leadership called it “unfair,” and that tiered system will end under the new agreement. The new contract also raises starting pay for part-timers to $21 an hour, up from the current contracted pay of $15.50, and includes catch-up raises for longtime workers. Full-time workers will see their top hourly rate go up to $49 an hour. The Teamsters called the five-year contract “overwhelmingly lucrative,” and said it “raises wages for all workers, creates more full-time jobs, and includes dozens of workplace protections and improvements.”

Teamsters president Sean O’Brien said in a statement: “Rank-and-file UPS Teamsters sacrificed everything to get this country through a pandemic and enabled UPS to reap record-setting profits. We demanded the best contract in the history of UPS, and we got it.” The agreement also provides for air conditioning in trucks, paid time off for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and more full-time positions, according to the Teamsters.

UPS chief executive Carol Tomé said in a statement: “This agreement continues to reward UPS’s full- and part-time employees with industry-leading pay and benefits while retaining the flexibility we need to stay competitive, serve our customers and keep our business strong.” 

Editorial credit: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

LeBron James’ 18-year-old son Bronny suffers cardiac arrest during basketball workout

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LeBron James’ eldest son, LeBron “Bronny” James Jr., was hospitalized recently after suffering cardiac arrest. The 18-year-old was rushed to the hospital following a basketball workout at the University of Southern California on Monday, July 24. Bronny is currently in his freshman year at USC and is a member of the school’s basketball team.

According to TMZ Sports, a 911 call was made around 9:26 a.m. PT from the USC Galen Center in Los Angeles, California, where the Trojans basketball team plays and practices. According to the site, Bronny was unconscious and taken to the hospital via ambulance. A spokesperson for the James family told TMZ on Tuesday, July 25: “Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU. We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information …LeBron and Savannah wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of their athletes.”

LeBron and his wife, Savannah James, welcomed Bronny in October 2004; the couple also share son Bryce, 16, and daughter Zhuri, 8. Bronny, a McDonald’s All-American player, recently committed to playing ball for USC.

Editorial credit: 1022 Project / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

LeBron James’ 18-year-old son Bronny suffers cardiac arrest during basketball workout

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LeBron James’ eldest son, LeBron “Bronny” James Jr., was hospitalized recently after suffering cardiac arrest. The 18-year-old was rushed to the hospital following a basketball workout at the University of Southern California on Monday, July 24. Bronny is currently in his freshman year at USC and is a member of the school’s basketball team.

According to TMZ Sports, a 911 call was made around 9:26 a.m. PT from the USC Galen Center in Los Angeles, California, where the Trojans basketball team plays and practices. According to the site, Bronny was unconscious and taken to the hospital via ambulance. A spokesperson for the James family told TMZ on Tuesday, July 25: “Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU. We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information …LeBron and Savannah wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of their athletes.”

LeBron and his wife, Savannah James, welcomed Bronny in October 2004; the couple also share son Bryce, 16, and daughter Zhuri, 8. Bronny, a McDonald’s All-American player, recently committed to playing ball for USC.

Editorial credit: 1022 Project / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Celtics star Jaylen Brown signs $304M contact extension, biggest deal in NBA history

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Jaylen Brown has agreed to a five-year, $304 million contact extension with the Boston Celtics, making it the richest in NBA history. A tweet from Shams Charania read: “BREAKING: Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown has agreed to a five-year, $304 million supermax contract extension with the franchise, per sources. This is the richest deal in NBA history, negotiated by agent Jason Glushon. Fully guaranteed, with a trade kicker. No player option.”

Brown became eligible for a supermax extension once he earned All-NBA honors this season. Brown was eligible for this contract on July 1, but the two sides had issues with the specifics of the deal.  As noted, the deal is currently the most expensive contract in NBA history, and based on the assumed 10% growth in the salary cap (the maximum allowable within the CBA), it will pay Brown a total of $303,734,891 with an average of $60,746,978.20 per year.

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