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Sec’y of State Blinken says U.S. still in talks with Russia for Griner, Whelan prisoner swap

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In an interview with CBS’ “Face The Nation” on Sunday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States and Russia are still “actively engaged” in talks for a prisoner swap to free imprisoned WNBA star Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan, a retired Marine charged with espionage.

Blinken assured that the United States remains determined to bring Griner and Whelan home months after an offer was proposed in July to release Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer convicted in the U.S.  Said Blinken: “We did put a significant proposal on the table many months ago, and since then, we’ve been engaged repeatedly, in any way that we can, to try to advance it and to look to see if there are different permutations that could achieve what we’re trying to achieve, which is to get our people home. Brittney Griner. Paul Whelan. We’re engaged in that on a regular basis. And it’s my determination that we bring our people home. We will not stop until we do.”

Russian media reported that officials in Moscow are seeking a one-for-one swap; however, Blinken dodged questions about who the U.S. would choose if that were the case: “The other side gets a vote in this. It’s not just what we want. It’s what they’re prepared to do. And this is something that we’re working on almost every day.”

Blinken also said on Sunday in an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper that the White House is working with Congress on legislation that would “help us get around some of the challenges” of designating Russia a State Sponsor of Terrorism.

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Country Daypop

Garth Brooks to extend his Las Vegas residency through 2024

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Garth Brooks is extending his initial 27-date 2023 residency Las Vegas Residency “Garth Brooks/Plus ONE” due to fan demand. Brooks posted on Instagram:  “Due to extraordinary demand Garth Brooks/Plus One Las Vegas Residency at @caesarspalace is extending through 2024. My whole life I have heard the saying, ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day.’ Well, thanks to God and the people, ours was. Truly grateful and unapologetically excited.” – Garth Brooks – More information: Ticketmaster.com/GarthVegas”

Brooks previously shared that his 2023 shows sold out in the first day of presale and hinted that he was working on a way to expand his Vegas stay. “How do you take care of those people who weren’t taken care of? … You’re scared to death, you know, when they tell you that they’re going to put on a whole year of shows. And then, the first day of on-sale, they call you and tell you that the whole year is gone. That’s an amazing feeling, as you can imagine. And all of a sudden it hits you — ‘They want to extend this!’   Brooks continued: “Well, the only thing better than one year at Caesars Palace in Vegas would be two years, right?!! So I’m there!!”

All shows on the “Garth Brooks/Plus ONE” residency will take place at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.  Dates for the new performances will be announced in May 2023. For more information, head here.

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Country Daypop

Miranda Lambert extends ‘Velvet Rodeo’ Las Vegas residency due to popular demand

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Due to fan demand, Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo The Las Vegas Residency has been extended through the end of 2023.  Lambert revealed during her headlining residency show at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino that she will be extending her Las Vegas residency with 16 new shows.

Planet Hollywood tweeted: “We are delighted to announce @mirandalambert’s #VelvetRodeo residency has been extended through the end of 2023 due to remarkable fan demand. The 16 new shows will take place in July, November and December 2023.✨ Get your tickets 👉 https://bit.ly/3udwsDB”‘

Lambert’s added 16 new shows will take place in July, November, and December 2023. The 90 minute-long shows at the 4,600-capacity venue is a celebration of Lambert’s artistry with a 22-song, career-spanning set list that featured tunes from her debut album, Kerosene, to her current project, Palomino.

Tickets for the new shows go on sale to the public Friday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. PT. Fan club members will have access to a presale starting Monday, Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. PT.  Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning Monday, Dec. 5 at 12 p.m. PT until Thursday, Dec. 8 at 10 p.m. PT through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details, visit www.citientertainment.com. Caesars Rewards members, Caesars Entertainment’s loyalty program members and Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers will have access to a presale beginning Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. PT until Thursday, Dec. 8 at 10 p.m. PT.

Tickets may be purchased online at ticketmaster.com/mirandavegas. For tickets, head here.

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Pop Daypop

Jack Harlow announces 2023 Las Vegas Residency

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Jack Harlow will be hitting the stage in 2023 for a Las Vegas Residency. Resorts World’s Zouk Nightclub announced Harlow will perform a series of shows during his 2023 residency, which is set to take place on select dates next year between March 18 and May 27.  Ronn Nicolli, vice president of Zouk Group Las Vegas, said in a statement: “Jack Harlow has continued to dominate the charts and we are thrilled to have him within the Zouk Group family as we head into 2023. We’ve curated an unparalleled roster of headlining talent and we look forward to continuing to provide an epic experience for guests.”

Harlow previously performed at the nightclub back in September, and said in a press release: “I had a great time performing at Zouk in 2022. The energy was electric and I’m looking forward to returning to Vegas to headline in 2023. See y’all there!”

Harlow has been on the road this fall with his Come Home The Kids Miss You tour with City Girls, and was just nominated for three Grammys. For tickets to the Las Vegas Residency, head to ZoukGroupLV.com/JackHarlow

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Pop Daypop

The Weeknd teases music release for ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’

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The Weeknd – born Abel Tesfaye – shared a teaser clip touting the arrival of new material on social media.

On Sunday morning, the Canadian singer uploaded a short clip where a choir can be heard, supported by a booming drum beat (reminiscent of the previous film’s score by James Horner). The visual culminates with the flashing of the ‘Avatar’ movie logo, while the caption attached reads “12.16.22” (the date the new film arrives in North American theaters).

Avatar’s official account retweeted the post and uploaded a clip of the account following The Weeknd on Twitter. Jon Landau, the film’s producer then posted a clip of the two together with the caption: “As the Na’vi [the fictional language of the film] say, ‘Zola’u nìprrte’ soaiane Avatar’… Welcome to the Avatar family.”

It remains unclear what the extent of the Weeknd’s involvement will be in the film or the soundtrack.

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Pop Daypop

Elton John confirmed as headliner for 2023 Glastonbury Festival

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Elton John has been confirmed as the first headliner for 2023 Glastonbury Festival, who will perform on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday, June 25, 2023.  Glastonbury organizers tweeted: “We are incredibly excited to announce that the one and only @EltonOfficial will headline the Pyramid Stage on Sunday night at Glastonbury 2023, for what will be the final UK show of his last ever tour.”

Glastonbury co-organizer Emily Eavis added: “It gives me enormous pleasure to let you know that the one and only Elton John will be making his first ever Glastonbury appearance, headlining the Pyramid Stage on the Sunday night next year. This will be the final UK show of Elton’s last ever tour, so we will be closing the Festival and marking this huge moment in both of our histories with the mother of all send-offs. We are so very happy to finally bring the Rocket Man to Worthy Farm!”

John posted on social media that he “couldn’t be more excited” to be headlining “the greatest festival in the world” next summer: “Every week I speak to new artists on my radio show and Glastonbury is often cited as a pivotal moment in launching their careers – the festival’s genuine, enthusiastic support for the best emerging talent is something I’ve long admired.  Thank you for having me Emily Eavis for my final UK show – it’s going to be emotional.”

No other acts have yet been confirmed for the 2023 Glastonbury Festival, taking place between June 21-25, 2023. Arctic Monkeys and Harry Styles are the rumored remaining two headliners; however, the official announcement of performers is expected to be revealed in March.

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Pop Daypop

BTS’ RM shares video for ‘Wild Flower’ off debut solo album

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BTS’ RM has released his debut solo album Indigo and shared the video for its lead single “Wild Flower.” Indigo is the follow-up to RM’s two mixtapes – 2015’s RM and 2018’s mono – and is the third solo project to be released by a member of the K-pop group this year.

According to a press release, Indigo is a “record of [RM’s] twenties and a candid introduction of who RM truly is. Each track portrays RM’s outspoken opinions, prevailing thoughts, reminiscence of the past and instant feelings.”  The album features collaborations with artists from across the globe, including neo-soul icon Erykah Badu, Anderson .Paak, Mahalia, Korean R&B singer Paul Blanco, iconic Korean singer and actor parkjiyoon, Epik High’s Tablo, and more.

You can check out the video for Wild Flower – here.
Buy or stream Indigo – here.

RM drops ethereal music video for new single, ‘Wild Flower’

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News Daypop

Supreme Court set to review legality of Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan

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According to a SCOTUSblog report, the U.S. Supreme Court will review the legality of the Biden administration’s student debt relief plan during an oral argument in February. Biden’s student debt forgiveness plan would cancel up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt for eligible student borrowers, however, the plan has since been brought to a standstill due to several lower court rulings. The Supreme Court report comes almost two weeks after the Department of Education extended the student loan payment moratorium from its Dec. 31 expiration date to June 2023.

The Biden administration unveiled the federal student loan debt program in August, stating it would cancel up to $10,000 in student loan debt for anyone making less than $125,000 or for households making less than $250,000 a year. Pell Grant recipients, who receive aid based on financial need, would get an additional $10,000 in debt relief. It expected around $32 billion in federal student debt to be canceled for more than 1.6 million Americans during through administration’s student loan forgiveness actions.

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement: “We’re extending the payment pause because it would be deeply unfair to ask borrowers to pay a debt that they wouldn’t have to pay, were it not for the baseless lawsuits brought by Republican officials and special interests.”  The Department of Education wrote in a statement that the pause will extend 60 days after the Biden administration is allowed to implement its student loan forgiveness plan or legal challenges are resolved. Officials said the 60-day period will give the Supreme Court an opportunity to resolve the case during its current term. If the Department of Education can’t proceed with its policy and the legal challenges are still in play by June 30, 2023, student loan payments will resume 60 days after that date.

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Trump special master overturned by appeals court in Mar-a-Lago document review

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A panel of judges on the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday to overturn the appointment of a special master tasked with reviewing thousands of documents seized by the FBI from former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate this summer. The ruling by the three-judge panel goes into effect in seven days, absent intervention by the full circuit court or the Supreme Court.

The judges found: “The law is clear. We cannot write a rule that allows any subject of a search warrant to block government investigations after the execution of the warrant. Nor can we write a rule that allows only former presidents to do so.”  The order eliminates a major obstacle in federal authorities ongoing criminal investigation into whether Trump illegally retained highly classified records after leaving the presidency and obstructed efforts by the government to recover them. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

The appellate judges repeatedly expressed concern that the appointment of third-party judge Raymond Dearie by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon in Florida lacked any clear precedent. Cannon had empowered Dearie, as special master, to evaluate the approximately 13,000 materials taken from Trump’s club, including roughly 100 documents with classification markings. Dearie was supposed to analyze if any of the documents that were taken raised privilege concerns, either executive privilege or attorney-client privilege.

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Country Daypop

Morgan Wallen announces 2023 ‘One Night At A Time World Tour’

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Morgan Wallen has announced a massive 2023 World Tour dubbed ‘Morgan Wallen’s One Night At A Time World Tour,’ which will visit 4 countries and 2 continents. The trek will feature support from ERNEST and Bailey Zimmerman on all dates, and from HARDY and Parker McCollum on select dates. Wallen is also celebrating the announcement of his world tour with the release of a three-song collection on Dec. 2nd, dubbed ‘One Thing At A Time – Sampler.’  That project features the tracks  “One Thing At A Time,” “Tennessee Fan,” and “Days That End In Why.”

Morgan Wallen’s One Night At A Time World Tour is set to kick-off on March 15 with shows in New Zealand and Australia with HARDY. Then on April 15, Wallen will head back to North America with stops at 17 stadiums, various arenas, amphitheaters, and festivals. Wallen will play at several ballparks throughout North America, including New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, Milwaukee’s American Family Field, Chicago’s Wrigley Field, Boston’s Fenway Park and more.  The North American leg of the trek will wrap up on October 7 at Tacoma Dome in Washington.

The tour comes after Wallen’s successful Dangerous Tour, which included more than 50 dates and broke records at 30 venues across the U.S., including historic sellouts at 11 venues.  Said Wallen “Man, what a year 2022 has been with the ‘Dangerous Tour.’  I had the time of my life, and I cannot begin to express how grateful I am that my fans connected with the Dangerous album the way they did  I’ve had so many people ask me if I wanted to take some time off; but the truth is – I have been writing and making so much music in my off-time because I feel as inspired as I ever have. It feels like new songs are pouring out of me, and I love that feeling. We are going to run it back next year with the One Night At A Time World Tour. Bigger venues. New countries. Bigger memories. See y’all there.”

There is no official pre-sale in North American for the One Night At A Time World Tour, so fans should only purchase tickets through verified fans. For more information, visit www.morganwallen.com.

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