Month: February 2025

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News Daypop

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu meets with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attend the signing ceremony of the Abraham Accords at the White House in Washington^ DC. Washington DC^ USA - September 15^ 2020:

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill, coming shortly after his meeting with President Trump in which it was announced at a joint press conference that the United States plans to “take over” the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu met Thursday with Senate Majority Leader John Thune and a bipartisan group of senators. “We had a good discussion about Israel security and about the imperative of the return of the rest of the hostages,” said Thune who also told reporters that the president “wants to bring a more peaceful and secure Middle East, and he’s putting some ideas out there. ” Appearing alongside the group of senators before the meeting,  Netanyahu simply replied “no” when asked whether U.S. troops are needed in Gaza,

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who also met with Netanyahu at the Capitol on Thursday, has defended Trump’s Gaza proposal, stating that the announcement “was greeted by surprise by many, but cheer by I think people all around the world. He’s taking bold decisive action to try to ensure the peace of that region, ” adding that “we’ve got to stand unequivocally” with Israel.

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News Daypop

Federal judge temporarily pauses Trump administration’s federal worker buyouts

Emblem on the door of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in Washington^ DC. OPM manages the civil service of the federal government.

A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s offer of buyouts to federal workers, after labor unions challenged it. US District Judge George O’Toole said in the brief hearing that the pause will allow both sides to submit arguments. Thursday, February 6 was the deadline for employees to accept the controversial packages; workers will now have until Monday, February 10 to accept the deal, giving more time to weigh the offer.

Per NBC NEWS, the pause stems from a lawsuit that the American Federation of Government Employees and several other unions filed in US District Court in Massachusetts on Tuesday seeking a temporary restraining order to halt the February 6 deadline. The unions also want to “require the government to articulate a policy that is lawful, rather than an arbitrary, unlawful, short-fused ultimatum which workers may not be able to enforce.”

The buyouts promises employees eight months of pay and benefits in exchange for leaving the federal workforce; but numerous provisions in the contract for the offer undercut those claims, saying employees could still have to work and may be barred from outside employment. More than 60,000 federal workers have already accepted the package, an administration official told CNN on Thursday.

American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) president Everett Kelley said in a statement: “We are pleased the court temporarily paused this deadline while arguments are heard about the legality of the deferred resignation program. We continue to believe this program violates the law, and we will continue to aggressively defend our members’ rights.”

Editorial credit: Mark Van Scyoc / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Sports Daypop

Pittsburgh Pirates agree to 1-year, $4M deal with outfielder Tommy Pham

Tommy Pham outfielder for the Saint Louis Cardinals at Chase Field in Phoenix Arizona USA June 28^2017.

The Pittsburgh Pirates agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with free agent outfielder Tommy Pham. Pham can earn an additional $250,000 through incentives.

Pham, 36, made his MLB debut in 2014 with the Cardinals. He hit a career-high 23 home runs in 2017 for the Cardinals, also hitting a career-best .306 that season. Pham will be joining his 10th MLB franchise– he also spent time with the Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks ,where he appeared in the 2023 World Series when the Diamondbacks lost to the Texas Rangers.

Last season Pham spent time with the Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals, where the veteran outfielder hit .248/.305/.368 with nine home runs, 38 RBIs, and seven steals in 116 games. He also ranked in the 97th percentile in chase percentage and 86th percentile in squared-up percentage in 2024.

Pirates pitchers and catchers will report to spring training Feb. 12 in Bradenton, Fla. Full team workouts will start Feb. 18.

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Sports Daypop

Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors swap forwards Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins in blockbuster trade

Jimmy Butler^ an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat^ attends the semifinal match at 2023 Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami MIAMI GARDENS^ FLORIDA - MARCH 31^ 2023

The Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors have swapped forwards Jimmy Butler and Andrew Wiggins in a blockbuster trade that also involved the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz.

Butler — a six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection — averaged 17 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game over 25 appearances this season for the Heat. He had requested a trade, and was suspended multiple times for conduct detrimental to the team in 2024-25. Butler, 35, declined his player option for 2025-26 and agreed to a two-year, $121 million contract with the Warriors.

Wiggins, an 11-year veteran, averaged 17.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game over 43 starts this season for the Warriors. The forward averaged 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per appearance through the first 749 games of his NBA career.  Wiggins, 29, is set to make $28.2 million in 2025-26 – his pact includes a player option for $30.1 million in 2026-27.

In addition to Wiggins, the Heat acquired forward Kyle Anderson and a Top-10 projected first-round pick from the Warriors, and also received forward P.J. Tucker from the Utah Jazz.  Anderson, 31, averaged 5.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game through 36 games this season for the Warriors. The 11-year veteran is under contract through 2026-27. Tucker, 39, averaged just 1.7 points over 31 appearances last season between the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers. The 14-year veteran is set to hit free agency this off-season.

The Pistons received guard Lindy Waters from the Warriors and guard Josh Richardson from the Heat, while the Warriors sent Dennis Schroder to the Jazz.  The 27-year old Waters averaged 5.5 points per game over 38 appearances this season for the Warriors; the four-year veteran also is set to hit free agency this off-season. Richardson, a 10-year veteran, averaged 4.0 points per game through just eight appearances this season for the Heat; the 31-year-old has been out of play due to a heel injury and wasn’t under contract past this season. Schroder, a 12-year veteran, averaged 14.4 points, 6.1 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game through 80 appearances between the Warriors and Brooklyn Nets; the 31-year-old also has an expiring contract.

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Categories
Country Daypop

Thomas Rhett announces Fenway Park concert as part of his ‘Better in Boots’ tour

Thomas Rhett attends the 2019 CMT Artists of the Year at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on October 16^ 2019 in Nashville^ Tennessee.

Thomas Rhett will headline Boston’s famous Fenway Park on Saturday, July 19, with support from special guests Teddy Swims, Tucker Wetmore and The Castellows. The date will serve as a stop on his “Better In Boots Tour,” which will see Rhett visit over 30 other cities across the United States and Canada.

A post from Fenway Park read: “Thomas Rhett is performing live at Fenway on July 19th with special guests Teddy Swims, Tucker Wetmore and The Castellows!  See ya out there! http://redsox.com/thomasrhett”

Rhett said in a statement: “Ever since I was 21, I have always dreamed of headlining Fenway. We were planning on playing Fenway in 2020, but we all know how that panned out. I have never been more excited about something in my career as much as I am about this. I can’t wait to see all your faces there!”

For ticket information, click here.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Country Daypop

Jon Pardi shares title track off upcoming LP ‘Honkytonk Hollywood’

Jon Pardi performs onstage during the "All Time High" tour at the Paramount on January 16^ 2016 in Huntington^ New York.

Jon Pardi has announced that his fifth studio record, “Honkytonk Hollywood,” will be released on April 17th.

Pardi said via Instagram: “I have told some people, but now it’s official! New album Honkytonk Hollywood, out April 11. The title track is out now.”

As a preview of the album Pardi dropped the album’s title track “Honkytonk Hollywood,” which is described as the emotional core of the record. In a press release, Pardi spoke about the track and record as they relate to his journey thus far: “All my albums have been rock and roll with a country flare – this one keeps rockin’. It’s also the most grown-up record I’ve ever made, all my soul. ‘Honkytonk Hollywood’ is for the Nashville that’s in my blood and a nod to my California roots. And now, more than ever, I hope it’s a way to honor and lift up the people of my home state.”

The title track “Honkytonk Hollywood” is now available on all streaming platforms, with the full album available for pre-order HERE.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Netflix releases look at Cillian Murphy, Barry Keoghan in ‘Peaky Blinders’

Cillian Murphy attends the 2024 EE BAFTA Film Awards at The Royal Festival Hall in London^ England. London^ United Kingdom - February 18^ 2024

Netflix has released a first-look image of Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan from the Peaky Blinders film set, noting that production has recently wrapped. Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth, Stephen Graham, Sophie Rundle, Ned Dennehy, Packy Lee, Ian Peck and Jay Lycurgo also star.

In the photo, both men are wearing caps and smiling, with the caption: “THAT’S A WRAP. The Peaky Blinders film has completed production. 📸: Robert Viglasky”

Keoghan’s character has not yet been revealed, but Murphy is set to reprise his role as British Gangster Tommy Shelby. In August, it was announced that Keoghan joined the cast of the highly-anticipated movie. Murphy portrayed the gangster for six seasons between 2013 and 2022.

“Peaky Blinders” was set in Birmingham, England, between 1919 and 1934 and centered on Tommy and his family making a name for themselves on the mean streets of England. A synopsis for the Netflix film reads: “The film, which has now completed filming, will be an epic continuation of the multi-award-winning, six-season gangster saga. Set in Birmingham between 1919 and 1934, Peaky Blinders followed the rise (and sometimes fall) of the Shelby family as they navigated a world wracked with radical social, economic, and political change.”

Editorial credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Jason Momoa to play Lobo in new film ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’

Jason Momoa arrives for the ‘Ambulance’ Premier on April 04^ 2022 in Los Angeles^ CA

Jason Momoa confirmed he has signed on to play antihero Lobo in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.

Momoa posted on Instagram the caption: “they called” alongside a screenshot of a quote from a Fandango interview he gave last year, where he explained how he would love to play his favorite character Lobo — an alien bounty hunter who originated in DC Comics — if he was ever offered the role.

Momoa said in that Fandango interview:  “I collect comics, and I don’t do so much anymore, but he was always my favorite, and I always wanted to play Lobo, because I’m like, ‘Hello? It’s the perfect role. I mean, listen. If they call and ask me to play him, it’s a f**k yeah. I haven’t received that call, so I don’t want to put any fake news out there, but if they ever call me and ask me to play, or ask me to audition, I’m there.”

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will star ‘House of the Dragon’ actress Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, with Matthias Schoenaerts starring as villain Krem of the Yellow Hill and Eve Ridley as Ruthye Mary Knolle. The film will be directed by Craig Gillespie with Ana Nogueira (“The Vampire Diaries”) writing the screenplay based on the run of DC comics by Tom King and Bilquis Evely.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is set for theatrical release on June 26, 2026.

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Categories
Rock Daypop

Billy Idol to embark on 2025 North American tour with Joan Jett

Billy Idol Live at o2 apollo manchester uk^ 20th June 2018

Rock legend Billy Idol is returning to the road and will embark on the It’s a Nice Day To…Tour Again! with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.

In anticipation of the upcoming tour, Idol starred in a short video featuring his iconic catalog, which also stars comedian Matt Rife, as well as cameos from longtime Idol collaborator and guitar player Steve Stevens and tourmate Joan Jett.

The run of arenas and amphitheaters will kick-off with a first run of shows beginning at the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre in Phoenix, Arizona on April 30th through May 23rd in Toronto. The second leg kicks off August 16th in Philadelphia and runs through September 25th in Los Angeles

Five dollars from every ticket sold to the Los Angeles show at Kia Forum will be donated to the American Red Cross to support Southern California Wildfire Relief. Billy Idol will also personally match this donation.

Tickets are on sale; head to Ticketmaster for more information.

Editorial credit: ChrisJamesRyanPhotography / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Rock Daypop

Billy Gibbons releases new single ‘Livin It Up Down in Texas’

Billy Gibbons performs at America Salutes You and Wall Street Rocks Presents Guitar Legends For Heroes at Terminal 5 on November 29^ 2017 in New York City.

ZZ Top frontman Billy Gibbons has released “Livin’ It Up Down in Texas,” a new track previewed in an episode of the hit Paramount+ series Landman, created by Taylor Sheridan.

Gibbons wrote the single along with Landman stars Billy Bob Thornton (Tommy Norris) and Mark Collie (Sherriff Walt Joeberg).“  “Livin’ It Up Down In Texas was produced by Gibbons at Level14 Studios in Nashville.

Gibbons shared of the song: “A hard-hitting, hard rock bombast of sonic Texas soulfulness! It seemed really natural to team up with Billy Bob and Mark to write a song for Landman. ‘Livin’ It Up Down In Texas’ isn’t, per se, autobiographical, but does encapsulate the oil-stained Lone Star lifestyle as seen each week in the series.”

The release of the track also coincides with a solo tour by Gibbons and his band The BFG, including Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Chris “Whipper” Layton and Austin music stalwart Mike “The Drifter” Flanigin. A complete list of dates can be found at billygibbons.com.

Take a listen to Livin’ It Up Down In Texas – HERE.

Editorial credit: Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com