Month: December 2023

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Sports Daypop

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami kicking-off 2024 MLS season vs. Real Salt Lake on Feb. 21st

Inter Miami's Lionel Messi (10) in match against the Los Angeles FC Sunday^ Sept. 3^ 2022^ in Los Angeles

MLS announced on Wednesday that Lionel Messi will kick-off his first full Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign with Inter Miami on Feb. 21, 2024 at home with with a match against Real Salt Lake. Messi joined Inter Miami in July after signing a two-and-a-half year contract.

The MLS 2024 matches were announced along with the full schedule for the regular season, which ends on Oct. 19 followed by the MLS Cup Playoffs and culminating in the MLS Cup on Dec. 7. Among their 34 regular season games, Inter Miami will also visit Orlando City SC on May 15 during MLS Rivalry Week. Miami’s final regular season game is Oct. 19 at New England Revolution.

Messi is a World Cup champion and record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner as best player in the world; he had 11 goals in 14 appearances across all competitions for the MLS side while leading the club to their first-ever trophy by winning the Leagues Cup final.

The 2024 Leagues Cup will be played from July 26 to Aug. 25. MLS regular season matches are not planned in that window. The tournament will begin two days after the MLS All-Star Game, to be played July 24 in Columbus.

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Sports Daypop

Michigan receives notice of allegations from NCAA for recruiting violations

University of Michigan stadium scoreboard; Ann Arbor^ Michigan/USA - June 2009.

According to sources and reported by ESPN, Michigan football has received a notice of allegations from the NCAA related to the investigation into illicit recruiting and coaching during COVID-19 ‘dead period’. Michigan faces four Level II violations, along with a Level I allegation against coach Jim Harbaugh for misleading investigators.

Michigan has 90 days to respond to the notice of allegations, and the NCAA will have 60 additional days thereafter for a rebuttal. Michigan can wait until well after the College Football Playoff to finally address the allegations based on this timeline.

In January, Michigan received a first draft of the NCAA notice, with the program agreeing to several Level II allegations, including texting during the dead period, analysts performing on-field coaching and coaches watching workouts via Zoom during the COVID-19 shutdown. However, Michigan continues to push back on the Level I violation that Harbaugh lied to investigators regarding the incidents. In order to try and get ahead of the NCAA’s punishment, Harbaugh served a self-imposed suspension for three games at the beginning of the season, and also served a separate three-game suspension during the end of the regular season, which was handed down by the Big Ten in response to information the conference received from the NCAA’s findings.

Michigan is also under a separate investigation for coordinated sign-stealing and in-person scouting involving former analyst Connor Stalions.

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Entertainment Daypop

Sister of Céline Dion says singer’s symptoms of stiff-person syndrome have worsened

Celine Dion at the Los Angeles premiere of 'Beauty And The Beast' held at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood^ USA on March 2^ 2017.

Céline Dion’s sister, Claudette Dion, shared in new interview that the singer has reportedly lost control of some of her mobility amid her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis. The disease is considered to be rare and only affects approximately one in a million people.

According to a translation from French, Claudette Dion told 7 Jours: “She doesn’t have control over her muscles. What pains me is that she has always been disciplined. She always worked hard.” Claudette said that it is her dream and her sister’s to return to the stage one day:  “In what capacity? I don’t know. The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle. This is what gets me.”  Claudette added, “There are some people who have lost hope because it is a disease that is not known. If you only knew how many calls we receive at the Foundation to hear from Céline! People tell us they love her and pray for her. She receives so many messages, gifts, blessed crucifixes.”

Dion revealed in a video posted on social media in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with a neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome. The singer said the symptoms are what have been causing her to have severe muscle spasms in the past: “The spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to. I have to admit it’s been a struggle. All I know is singing, it’s what I’ve done all my life.” Dion’s diagnosis caused the singer to reschedule and cancel her entire 2023 tour.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Stiff-person syndrome (‘SPS’), is a disease that causes “progressive muscle stiffness and painful spasms” that are triggered by environmental factors such as “sudden movement, cold temperature or unexpected loud noises.”  Yale Medicine writes that prominent SPS symptoms include muscle stiffening and painful muscle spasms that can be provoked by emotional stress or, again, outside stimuli. These spasms can be “so severe that they cause the person to fall down.”

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Sister of Céline Dion says singer’s symptoms of stiff-person syndrome have worsened

Celine Dion at the Los Angeles premiere of 'Beauty And The Beast' held at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood^ USA on March 2^ 2017.

Céline Dion’s sister, Claudette Dion, shared in new interview that the singer has reportedly lost control of some of her mobility amid her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis. The disease is considered to be rare and only affects approximately one in a million people.

According to a translation from French, Claudette Dion told 7 Jours: “She doesn’t have control over her muscles. What pains me is that she has always been disciplined. She always worked hard.” Claudette said that it is her dream and her sister’s to return to the stage one day:  “In what capacity? I don’t know. The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle. This is what gets me.”  Claudette added, “There are some people who have lost hope because it is a disease that is not known. If you only knew how many calls we receive at the Foundation to hear from Céline! People tell us they love her and pray for her. She receives so many messages, gifts, blessed crucifixes.”

Dion revealed in a video posted on social media in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with a neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome. The singer said the symptoms are what have been causing her to have severe muscle spasms in the past: “The spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to. I have to admit it’s been a struggle. All I know is singing, it’s what I’ve done all my life.” Dion’s diagnosis caused the singer to reschedule and cancel her entire 2023 tour.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Stiff-person syndrome (‘SPS’), is a disease that causes “progressive muscle stiffness and painful spasms” that are triggered by environmental factors such as “sudden movement, cold temperature or unexpected loud noises.”  Yale Medicine writes that prominent SPS symptoms include muscle stiffening and painful muscle spasms that can be provoked by emotional stress or, again, outside stimuli. These spasms can be “so severe that they cause the person to fall down.”

Editorial credit: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

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Entertainment Daypop

‘Wonka’ debuts at No. 1 at the box office with $39M in earnings

Standee of movie 'Wonka' displays at the theater.

The musical “Wonka” debuted with $39 million in its opening in U.S. and Canadian theaters, with its star, 27-year-old Timothée Chalamet, earning his second No. 1 movie (following 2021’s “Dune.”)

“Wonka” is the first big Hollywood release to launch following the end of the SAG-AFTRA actors’ strike, and its success it due in part to Chalamet’s promotion of the film.  Said Jeffrey Goldstein, distribution chief for Warner Bros.: “It shows you the power of a star, and it also shows you the power of a star going out and working a movie. Having him out there after the strikes were over was a win for him and a win for the movie.”

Directed by Paul King, “Wonka” is a prequel to 1971’s “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” with Chalamet starring as a young Wonka trying to open a candy store. The ensemble cast includes Hugh Grant, Olivia Colman and Keegan-Michael Key.

“The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” again ranked second this week with $5.8 million in its fifth week of release, with Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron,” dropping to third with $5.1 million in its second week of release.

Editorial credit: Sarunyu L / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Foo Fighters, Noah Kahan, Weezer set to headline Shaky Knees Festival

Foo Fighters arriving at the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards at the LA Live on August 28^ 2011 in Los Angeles^ CA

Atlanta’s Shaky Knees Festival has revealed its 2024 lineup, featuring headliners Foo Fighters, Weezer, and singer/songwriter Noah Kahan. The event will be held May 3-5 in the Atlanta’s Central Park and will also feature Queens of the Stone Age, the Offspring, Girl in Red, Young the Giant, Billy Idol, Portugal. The Man, and Arcade Fire.

Additional artists include Interpol, Metric, Pond, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Royal Blood, Chicano Batman, Men I Trust, Dinosaur Jr., and Sunny Day Real Estate.

For tickets and other information, head to the festival website.

Shaky Knees Festival Reveals 2024 Lineup with Foo Fighters, QOTSA, and Noah Kahan

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Sports Daypop

Rockets’ Ime Udoka fined $25K, Dillon Brooks fined $35K for comments made to referees during Bucks game

Houston Rockets emblem; American professional basketball team based in Houston^ Texas.

The NBA announced Tuesday in a press release via their communications office that Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks and head coach Ime Udoka have been fined for directing inappropriate language to officials at the end of a 128-119 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. The announcement came directly from Joe Dumars, the Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations, on December 19, 2023.

The incidents in question took place during the final moments of the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game, with 0:38 remaining at Fiserv Forum. Both Brooks and Udoka were assessed technical fouls and were ejected from the game.

Brooks was fined $35,000 for his language and for publicly criticizing the officiating, while Udoka was fined $25,000. Both were ejected with about 38 seconds remaining in the game. The penalties reflect the NBA’s strict stance on maintaining respect and sportsmanship within the game.

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Sports Daypop

The Falcons bench QB Desmond Ridder, will start Taylor Heinicke against Colts on Sunday

Quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) at NFL game at FedEx Field on Nov 14^ 2021 in Landover^ MD

The Atlanta Falcons are benching quarterback Desmond Ridder, and will start Taylor Heinicke against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. It’s the second benching of Ridder this season, who Heinicke replaced as the starter in their Week 9 and 10 losses.

The 24-year-old Ridder has struggled throughout the season, making just 12 of 20 pass attempts for 152 yards and one touchdown with one interception. On the year, he’s recorded 2,528 passing yards and 10 touchdowns with 10 picks. Ridder was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft out of Cincinnati.

The 30-year-old Heinicke is hoping to improve on the Falcons’ 6–8 record in the NFC South, led by the 7–7 Buccaneers. In three appearances this year, Heinicke has completed 55.4% of his passes for 498 yards and three touchdown passes to one interception.

The Falcons will host the Colts on Sunday, with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. ET on Fox.

Editorial credit: Steve Jacobson / Shutterstock.com

Categories
Entertainment Daypop

Check out the Season 2 trailer for HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon’

HBO 'House of Dragons' TV series

HBO revealed the Season 2 trailer for House of the Dragon, sharing on X with the caption: ‘SUMMER 2024. #HOTDS2‘

In the trailer, fans see a glimpse of Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) delivering an ominous warning, on the heels of King Viserys Targaryen’s death: “There is no war so hateful to the gods as a war between kin. And no war so bloody as a war between dragons.”

The Season 2 trailer cones shortly after HBO dropped show’s first dueling posters featuring Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) with “blood for blood” and “fire to fire” overlayed on the apocalyptic posters. In addition, The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year that fans will meet five new dragons, and additional actors have been added: Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne. Simon Russell Beale (as Ser Simon Strong), Freddie Fox (as Ser Gwayne Hightower), Gayle Rankin (as Alys Rivers) and Abubakar Salim (as Alyn of Hull) have also joined ensemble cast.

Season 2 of House of the Dragon premieres summer 2024 on Max; take a look at the trailer – here.

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Pop Daypop

Megan Thee Stallion and Reneé Rapp team up for ‘Not My Fault’ from ‘Mean Girls’ soundtrack

Megan Thee Stallion at the Wallis Annenberg Center^ BEVERLY HILLS^ CA. March 12^ 2023

Megan Thee Stallion has joined Reneé Rapp on the new song “Not My Fault,’ the closing track on the forthcoming soundtrack to the new Mean Girls film, which hits theaters on January 12 (starring Rapp as Regina George).

The upcoming Mean Girls film is a live-action remake of the Broadway musical based on Tina Fey’s 2004 film of the same name. Along with Rapp as Regina George. Fey will portray Ms. Norbury, with Chris Briney, Avantika, Bebe Wood, Angourie Rice, Auliʁi Cravalho, and Jaquel Spivey rounding out the cast.

Megan Thee Stallion’s last release was the single “Cobra” last month; while Rapp released her debut studio album, Snow Angel, in August, along with a deluxe edition in November.

Take a listen to ‘Not My Fault’ – here.

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