Month: February 2024

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Lenny Kravitz to receive the Music Icon Award at 2024 People’s Choice Awards

Lenny Kravitz attends CFDA Fashion Awards 2022 at Cipriani South Street on November 7^ 2022

NBC, E! and Peacock announced that Lenny Kravitz will receive the Music Icon Award at the 2024 People’s Choice Awards ceremony, taking place at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica on Feb. 18. Kravitz will also take the stage to perform a medley of his biggest hits during the ceremony.

NBCUniversal Entertainment’s Executive Vice President for Live Events and Specials Jen Neal said in a statement: “With 11 studio albums across a decades-long career, Lenny Kravitz has cemented himself as a global rock superstar. Whether he’s writing and performing his own hit songs or working behind the scenes writing for other industry greats, Lenny’s musical gift is truly unmatched. We’re thrilled to honor him as this year’s Music Icon and look forward to seeing what he brings to the stage.”

Kravitz, 59,mknown for his mix of rock, soul and funk influences, has sold more than 40 million albums worldwide over the last 30 years, earning four Grammy Awards. Kravitz also performed and produced “Road to Freedom” for the Netflix film Rustin, earning a Golden Globe Award nomination for ‘Best Original Song – Motion Picture’ and a Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Song. His latest album Blue Electric Light will be released on May 24.

Hosted by Simu Liu, the 2024 People’s Choice Awards will air live on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC, Peacock and E!.

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

eBay agrees to pay $59 million settlement for improper pill presses sold online

Ebay logo icon; Ebay sign or logotype. Ebay shopping platfrom or e-commerce.

Online retailer eBay has agreed to pay $59 million to settle claims that it violated the Controlled Substances Act (‘CSA’) by selling pill presses that were then used in illegal drug manufacturing. The Justice Department said in a press release Wednesday: “Pill presses and encapsulating machines can be used by criminals to manufacture illegal drugs …when used with a mold, stamp, or die mimicking commonly prescribed controlled substances.”  eBay has also agreed to impose tighter controls on the sale of prohibited and controlled items.

The Justice Department said that some of the pill presses sold via eBay were used to mimic existing brands and that some were capable of pressing thousands of pills in a short time. According to the Justice Department, the CSA requires identities of the purchasing party to be verified for certain kinds of medical equipment, including pill presses.

Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, chair of the Justice Department’s Opioid Epidemic Civil Litigation Task Force, said: “the civil division will continue to work with our law-enforcement partners to ensure that all those involved in the sale of counterfeit pills and the equipment used to manufacture counterfeit pills are held accountable.”

Editorial credit: Fajar Adinda Putra / Shutterstock.com

Categories
News Daypop

Mark Zuckerberg apologizes at Senate hearing with other tech CEOs on child exploitation

META (Facebook) CEO Mark Zuckerberg in Press conference at VIVA Technology (Vivatech)

On Wednesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized to parents and families at a Senate hearing on child safety on social media, who said their children were harmed by social media use. During the heated Senate Judiciary hearing on Capitol Hill, Zuckerberg, who owns social media platforms Facebook and Instagram, answered questions on the impact of social media on children.

The Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing called “Big Tech and the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Crisis” saw lawmakers grill Zuckerberg, as well as X CEO Linda Yaccarino, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, and Discord CEO Jason Citron. The hearing featured a video of children speaking about their experiences with online bullying, abuse and more. Families attended the hearing, some holding up photos of their children as senators questioned the CEOs. Many were also wearing blue ribbons that read, “STOP Online Harms! Pass KOSA!,” referring to the Kids Online Safety Act, which would create a duty of care for social media companies.

Committee chair Dick Durbin bashed the platforms for failing to protect children, and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham told Zuckerberg that he had “blood on his hands” from a “product that’s killing people.”

When Zuckerberg was asked by Republican senator Josh Hawley if he would like to apologize to victims harmed by his product, the Meta CEO addressed families in attendance directly, saying: “I’m sorry for everything you have all been through. No one should go through the things that your families have suffered and this is why we invest so much and we are going to continue doing industry-wide efforts to make sure no one has to go through the things your families have had to suffer.”

Zuckerberg and the other social media CEOs touted their child safety procedures online. Meta has previously said that it has spent $5 billion on safety and security in 2023. The CEOs also said they would work with lawmakers, parents, nonprofits and law enforcement to protect minors. Zuckerberg declined to commit to Hawley’s suggestion that he set up a victim’s compensation fund.

Editorial credit: Frederic Legrand – COMEO / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Angelos family agrees to sell Baltimore Orioles for $1.725 billion

Baltimore Orioles logo^ MLB Team^ Major League Baseball^ American League East Division^ with spotlight background

Baltimore Orioles chairman John Angeles and his family have agreed to sell the American League franchise to a pair of billionaires, David Rubenstein and Mike Arougheti, at a price that values the team at $1.725 billion.

Rubenstein and Arougheti are both from the world of private equity — Rubenstein is the co-founder of the Carlyle Group, and Arougheti is the co-founder of Ares Management. Rubenstein, a Baltimore native, will reportedly be the control person of the new Orioles ownership group, with Arougheti and Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. expected to be part of the ownership group.

Per Puck News’ John Ourand, the deal will be structured to give the new group 40% of the club, with the sale of the remaining stake to come following the death of patriarch Peter Angelos. Angelos, who purchased the Orioles in 1993 for $173 million, has reportedly been incapacitated for years due to suffering from dementia. His son, John, took over as chairman and managing partner in 2020.

The deal must be approved by MLB owners to be finalized. Owners are scheduled to meet at the annual owners meeting next week in Orlando, Fla, where they will receive the official details of the sale next week. MLB’s purchase approval process typically lasts several months. Orioles pitchers and catchers will report Feb. 14 to their spring training facility in Sarasota, Fla.

Editorial credit: WhoopieWhoopie / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

NBA fines Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards $40,000 after criticism of referees

National Basketball Association (NBA) logo

The NBA announced on Wednesday that Minnesota Timberwolves star guard Anthony Edwards has been fined $40,000 for “repeatedly publicly criticizing” officials after their recent 107-101 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Edwards led the Timberwolves with 27 points in Monday’s win, giving Minnesota sole possession of first place in the Western Conference. Edwards made the comments during an interview with Bally Sports North after the victory Monday at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, where he griped about only getting four free throws during the game when he felt he should’ve gotten more calls.

When a reporter asked about how the Timberwolves won the game, Edwards said: “We had to play through every bump and every grab. I don’t know how we won tonight. Big shout out to my team.” Edwards was seen in the postgame celebration calling the referees out for “cheating” and then said in his postgame interview, “I’m going to take the fine, because the refs did not give us no calls tonight.”

Edwards’ criticisms continued in the locker room following the win, telling ESPN’s Tim MacMahon (without prompting): “The refs was bad tonight. Yeah, they was terrible. We was playing 8-on-5.” Edwards added that he feels like he doesn’t get the same respect as other stars in the NBA. “I haven’t earned [referees’ respect] yet, so it’s OK,” Edwards said. “But I think tonight was bad from the refs. It was terrible. We didn’t get no calls as a team. I got fouled multiple times, and I’m walking up to the ref telling him, ‘Hey, can you watch this?’ They just shaking their head. Yeah. And then soon somebody come down from their team and get bumped, it’s a foul. So I just feel like it wasn’t a fair game tonight from the jump. And so that’s why I’m super happy we won the game.”

Edwards is averaging a career-high 25.9 points, 5.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game this season.

Editorial credit: EstetStudio / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Brooks & Dunn to launch ‘Reboot 2024 Tour’

Brooks and Dunn at the 45th Academy of Country Music Awards Press Room^ MGM Grand Garden Arena^ Las Vegas^ NV. 04-18-10

Brooks & Dunn will kick off their “Reboot 2024 Tour” in May, hitting the road on over 20 dates across the U.S. and Canada including cities such as New Orleans, Denver, Salt Lake City, Virginia Beach, Charleston and more through Aug. 10. Serving as support will be David Lee Murphy and Ernest as special guests on tour.

The tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include premium tickets, invitations to the Neon Lounge, exclusive signed posters, VIP merchandise gifts & more. Tickets are available now via Ticketmaster.

For more information, head to: www.brooks-dunn.com.

Editorial credit: s_bukley / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Dolly Parton set to host ‘Pet Gala’ special on CBS

Dolly Parton at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles^ California^ United States on January 9^ 2012.

Dolly Parton will host the special broadcast “Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala” on CBS. The two-hour variety special will not only show some furry friends sporting recreations of Parton’s most iconic ensembles from Dolly’s ‘Doggy Parton’ pet line, but will also feature exclusive performances of Parton’s hits including “9 to 5,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Puppy Love” and “Jolene.” Parton will perform alongside artists including Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, Chris Janson and KC of ‘KC of the Sunshine Band.’

“Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala” will also feature additional apperances from Iain Armitage (“Young Sheldon”), Drew Barrymore, Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth, Margaret Cho, Neil Patrick Harris, Carson Kressley, Jim Nantz and Jessica Simpson, among others. More guests will be announced at a later date.

Says Dolly: “I have hosted or co-hosted many shows throughout my career, but I have never been more excited about co-hosting a show than I am about being part of this pet gala! I love animals. I’ve got all kinds, and of course, I’ve always had little dogs around, and big ones! We’re going to have some of all kinds and colors on the show, and there is nothing more fun to me than when little animals do what they do best, and I’m looking forward to it! There is so much fun stuff, and I know all the animal lovers out there are going to love this show.”

“Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala” is slated to premiere on CBS Network and on Paramount+ on Feb. 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The special will air live and on demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs.

CBS announces Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Dolly Parton set to host ‘Pet Gala’ special on CBS

Dolly Parton at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles^ California^ United States on January 9^ 2012.

Dolly Parton will host the special broadcast “Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala” on CBS. The two-hour variety special will not only show some furry friends sporting recreations of Parton’s most iconic ensembles from Dolly’s ‘Doggy Parton’ pet line, but will also feature exclusive performances of Parton’s hits including “9 to 5,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Puppy Love” and “Jolene.” Parton will perform alongside artists including Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, Chris Janson and KC of ‘KC of the Sunshine Band.’

“Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala” will also feature additional apperances from Iain Armitage (“Young Sheldon”), Drew Barrymore, Kristen Bell, Kristin Chenoweth, Margaret Cho, Neil Patrick Harris, Carson Kressley, Jim Nantz and Jessica Simpson, among others. More guests will be announced at a later date.

Says Dolly: “I have hosted or co-hosted many shows throughout my career, but I have never been more excited about co-hosting a show than I am about being part of this pet gala! I love animals. I’ve got all kinds, and of course, I’ve always had little dogs around, and big ones! We’re going to have some of all kinds and colors on the show, and there is nothing more fun to me than when little animals do what they do best, and I’m looking forward to it! There is so much fun stuff, and I know all the animal lovers out there are going to love this show.”

“Dolly Parton’s Pet Gala” is slated to premiere on CBS Network and on Paramount+ on Feb. 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The special will air live and on demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs.

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Ben Affleck to direct Matt Damon in ‘Animals’ for Netflix

Ben Affleck^ Matt Damon arrive at the 2013 SBIFF Modern Masters Award presented to Ben Affleck at Arlington Theater on January 25^ 2013 in Santa Barbara^ CA

Netflix announced that Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are teaming up for the new crime thriller titled “Animals.” Affleck will direct, with Damon starring, from a script by Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray.

Affleck, 51, and Damon, 53, are producing the project with Dani Bernfeld through their company ‘Artists Equity,’ which they founded in 2022 with the intention of sharing profits with fellow actors and other crew members. Plot details are scarce for “Animals,” but per The Hollywood Reporter the plot will focus on a politician and his wife who must overcome odds to save their kidnapped son.

The duo’s most recent collaboration, 2023’s “Air” marked the first time Affleck directed Damon on screen. However unlike in Air, Affleck will only play a behind-the-camera role.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

‘Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story’ documentary set at Hulu

Bon Jovi members Tico Torres^ David Bryan^ and Jon Bon Jovi attend the opening night of "Diana^ The Musical" on Broadway at The Longacre Theatre.

Hulu announced it has acquired the documentary “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story.”

There have been numerous Bon Jovi documentaries over the years including When We Were Beautiful, which premiered at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. However, the four-part “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story” will mark the first-ever docuseries in the band’s history with full cooperation from all past and present members of Bon Jovi.

A description of the docuseries reads (per Hulu): “As thrilling as the story of a once-in-a-lifetime talent is, it is even more rare that a legend like Jon Bon Jovi lets the world into his most vulnerable moments while he’s still living them. Forty years of personal videos, unreleased early demos, original lyrics and never-before-seen photos that chronicle the journey from Jersey Shore clubs to the biggest stages on the planet. The series relives the triumphs and setbacks, greatest hits, biggest disappointments and most public moments of friction.”

Gotham Chopra (“Kobe Bryant’s Muse,” “Man in the Arena,” “Tom vs. Time”) directed the documentary; it is produced by ‘Religion of Sports’, the company founded by Chopra, and Michael Strahan and Tom Brady. “Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story” will premiere on Friday, April 26 in the U.S. and will be followed internationally on Disney+ and Star+ in Latin America.

Editorial credit: Ron Adar / Shutterstock.com