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Ohio man charged with plot to assassinate former President George W. Bush

May 24, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — An Ohio man was charged with aiding and abetting a plot to kill former President George W. Bush, the Justice Department said Tuesday.

Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab, 52, an Iraqi citizen who lived in Columbus, was arrested early Tuesday by the FBI.

Shihab allegedly exchanged money with an undercover informant working for the FBI in an attempt to bring foreign individuals into the U.S. in order to carry out the assassination. He even traveled to Dallas in February 2022 to carry out surveillance of places regularly visited by the former president, the DOJ said.

He appeared in federal court in Ohio earlier on Tuesday, according to the Justice Department.

Shihab, according to a criminal complaint unsealed on Tuesday, said that he wanted to use an FBI confidential source’s service to “illegally” bring ISIS individuals to the US with the intention to murder Bush.

“Shihab told [Confidential Source 1] that the four Iraqi nationals Shihab wanted to smuggle into the United States are planning to kill former president George W. Bush,” the complaint said. “Shihab advised CS1 that former president Bush had a house and farm in Texas. Shihab twice inquired if CS1 knew what type and amount of security there was protecting former president Bush, as Shihab believed CS1 had connections in the Dallas area. Shihab asked if CS1 thought that four to six individuals were enough to kill former president Bush. CS1 stated that he/she did not know but believed former president Bush would have security.”

He repeatedly made claims to a separate confidential source that he’d be able to get a fake passport and be able to smuggle that source’s brother through the U.S.-Mexico border. He said an upfront payment between $10,000 and $40,000 was to be made in order to smuggle people in.

The U.S. Secret Service said it was prepared to handle any threat to the president.

“The U.S. Secret Service takes all threats to our protectees seriously,” it said in a statement to ABC News. “In order to maintain operational security, the Secret Service does not discuss the means and methods used to conduct our protective operations or matters of protective intelligence.”

“President Bush has all the confidence in the world in the United States Secret Service and our law enforcement and intelligence communities,” said Freddy Ford, a spokesman for Bush.

ABC News’ Mark Osborne contributed to this report.

Maverick City Music reigns as #1 on Billboard with “Jireh”

May 24, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Contemporary gospel collective Maverick City Music remains in the #1 spot on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart with their 2019 hit song “Jireh.”

Following its #1 debut in April, this week serves as the 59th time the song has landed on the chart, beating out its own 2020 hit, “Promises,” which lands at #2, as well as Kanye‘s “Praise God” and “Hurricane” in the third and fourth spots, respectively.

“Jireh,” the collaboration with North Carolina gospel collective Elevation Worship and featuring Chandler Moore and Naomi Raine, is one of 13 songs on the 2021 album Old Church Basement. It went on to earn each group their first Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Album at the 2022 ceremony.

Other Maverick City songs on the gospel chart include “Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” featuring Chandler Moore & Cody Carnes and “Worthy Of My Song (Worthy Of It All)” featuring Phil Wickham, Chandler Moore and the Maverick City Gospel Choir.

Maverick City recently announced the Kingdom Tour with Kirk Franklin, set to kick off June 1 in Miami, and the duo’s joint album, Kingdom Book 1, out Friday, June 17.

Speaking of the forthcoming album, Maverick City’s Jonathan Jay said in a press release, “I think this album is for every fan that loves music, and our hope is that these songs and the stories behind them will serve as a way to raise awareness to the challenges that people face every day – many of which are forgotten about.”

“Sit this one out”: Alec Baldwin dragged for deleted Instagram post about workplace safety

May 24, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Alec Baldwin‘s Instagram use has gotten him into hot water once again. In a now-deleted Instagram post found by The Shade Room, Baldwin apparently weighed in on workplace safety regarding a viral fight video.

Former NFL player Brendan Langley was shown punching an employee last week after an apparent dispute over his use of a wheelchair to roll his luggage through Newark Airport. Langley was arrested after the scrum, and the airline employee, who was left bloodied, was fired.

In response to The Shade Room posting the video, Baldwin opined, “The guy working at the airport is the victim. He came to work to do a job.”

He added, “The other guy, with his big mouth, is guilty of workplace abuse, where people come to work with an expectation of safety, even civility. This a**hole who hit this guy should be put on a no-fly list.”

The fact that cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was killed last year at her own workplace — on the set of Baldwin’s Western Rust — didn’t go unnoticed by commenters.

“Sit this one out,” one Instagrammer opined.

“The privilege goes crazy,” noted Essence‘s official Insta account, getting more than 23,000 likes.

“If ‘shoot first ask questions later’ was a person!” another snarked.

In April, the New Mexico Environment Department’s Occupational Health and Safety Bureau fined the producers of the Western $136,793 for on-set safety violations stemming from Hutchins’ death.

The agency issued a “Willful-Serious citation,” declaring that “Rust Movie Productions, LLC management knew that firearm safety procedures were not being followed … and demonstrated plain indifference to employee safety …”

The vintage Colt-style revolver Baldwin was holding had mistakenly been loaded with a live round.

A criminal investigation into Baldwin, who allegedly fired the fatal shot, remains ongoing.

Machine Gun Kelly adds viral guitarist Sophie Lloyd to live lineup

May 24, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Machine Gun Kelly‘s live band will be shredding extra hard this summer.

The “Bloody Valentine” rocker has announced that viral guitarist Sophie Lloyd has joined his touring lineup.

“Added a new friend to the band,” Kelly writes in an Instagram Story alongside a clip of him and Lloyd rehearsing together. In her own post, Lloyd adds that she’s “so incredibly excited and honored to be given this opportunity.”

Lloyd has racked up millions of YouTube views with her “shred” guitar covers of songs including Nirvana‘s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” AC/DC‘s “Highway to Hell” and Guns N’ Roses‘ “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” as well as her own original material. In addition to MGK, Lloyd earned a fan in Muse‘s Matt Bellamy, who sent her one of his signature guitars.

Machine Gun Kelly will be touring in support of his new album Mainstream Sellout, which dropped last March. The outing, which will feature artists Avril Lavigne, Travis Barker and WILLOW on the bill for select dates, launches June 8 in Austin, Texas.

Christina Aguilera unveils ’La Tormenta’ EP

May 24, 2022 by WDNY Radio

It’s been four months since Christina Aguilera delighted with La Fuerza, her first all-Spanish effort in over 20 years, and fans don’t have to wait too much longer for her next effort.

The Grammy winner announced her new EP, which will be called La Tormenta, is coming soon. “I want to fly someone special to LA Pride,” she teased. “Pre-save my new EP La Tormenta and new single Sueltame, for a chance to join me for the celebration of a lifetime.”

The teased single, “Sueltame,” will feature Argentine singer Tini. It is not known when La Tormenta, which means “The Storm” in English, will drop. It follows La Fuerza, meaning “The Strength” in English, which was released on January 21.

The new EP will be the second of three chapters in what will later be assembled into Christina’s upcoming ninth studio album. That untitled record will become her second all-Spanish album following her 2000 effort, Mi Reflejo.

Christina provided a link for fans to sign up to presave the new EP, which boasts, “One lucky fan will win a flyaway for them and their friend to see Christina Aguilera at this year’s LA Pride Festival 2022.”

It was announced in March the “Beautiful” singer will be the headliner for LA Pride, which takes place June 11 at Los Angeles State Historic Park. Tickets for the event are now on sale on LA Pride’s official website.

Ringo Starr auctioning off NFTs featuring original animated artwork, drum tracks

May 24, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Ringo Starr is entering the NFT universe with a new collection of digital tokens that feature animated virtual depictions of artwork he’s created, which will be auctioned off at JuliensAuctions.com on June 13 at 11 a.m. PT.

The “Ringo Starr NFT Collection — The Creative Mind of a Beatle” will include five unique NFTs, each featuring an original animated painting accompanied by a custom-made drum track played and recorded by Starr, and an audio/visual motif echoing his time with The Beatles and his subsequent music career.

Those who purchase the NFTs will also receive a 25-by-25-inch canvas print of the artwork signed by Ringo and will be granted access to join the legendary drummer on an exclusive virtual tour of a gallery of his digital art, called RingoLand.

The winning bidders will receive a private invitation following the auction that will allow them to join the virtual gathering, which was created by Spatial.io, via the web, VR platforms or mobile devices.

Four limited-edition NFTs of each of the five designs will be available, for a total 20 NFT packages that will be auctioned as part of the sale.

“I only ever wanted to be a drummer yet you never know where a new idea or path will lead you,” says Starr. “This new technology is so far out it’s inspired me and I loved creating these NFTs combining my art and my music. Who’d have thought I would be spreading Peace and Love in the MetaVerse.”

Among the NFTs are self-portraits that depict Starr during his early days with The Beatles. Visit JuliensLive.com for more details.

A portion of the proceeds raised by the auction will benefit Ringo’s Lotus Foundation, which funds and supports charitable projects that focus on various social welfare causes.

Aerosmith cancels Las Vegas residency dates as Steven Tyler enters treatment program

May 24, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Aerosmith has canceled the band’s first batch of Las Vegas residency dates due to frontman Steven Tyler entering a treatment program.

“As many of you know, our beloved brother Steven has worked on his sobriety for many years,” the “Dream On” rockers write in a social media statement posted Tuesday. “After foot surgery to prepare for the stage and the necessity of pain management during the process, he has recently relapsed and voluntarily entered a treatment program to concentrate on his health and recovery.”

As such, Aerosmith won’t be playing the Vegas dates scheduled for June and July while Tyler “focuses on his well-being.”

“We are devastated that we have inconvenienced so many of you, especially our most loyal fans who often travel great distances to experience our shows,” the statement reads. “Thank you for your understanding and for your support for Steven during this time.”

Those who purchased tickets to the affected shows will receive refunds.

Aerosmith plans to resume the residency in September.

The Lumineers headlining inaugural BeachLife Ranch festival

May 24, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The Lumineers will be headlining the inaugural BeachLife Ranch festival, a country and Americana-focused spinoff of Southern California’s BeachLife Festival.

BeachLife Ranch will be held September 16-18 in Redondo Beach, the same site as the original BeachLife, which took place earlier this month with performances by The Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, Stone Temple Pilots and 311, among others.

Other announced artists on the bill include Daryl Hall & John Oates, Brandi Carlile, Dierks Bentley, Wilco and Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real. The full lineup will be unveiled at a later date.

For ticket info, visit BeachLifeRanch.com.

Doja Cat speaks on retirement: “I want to disappear for a little bit”

May 24, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Doja Cat is still planning on retiring from music, but she hinted in a new interview that her time away will look more like a hiatus than a permanent goodbye.

Speaking to Elle in an interview before she was forced to drop out of The Weeknd’s tour due to tonsil surgery, the Grammy nominee explained, “I want to finish this tour up, kill it, and see my fans happy. And then I want to start writing again. I’m going to finish this next album, and then I’m going to get the f*** out for a second.”

Doja is already fantasizing about a life post music and revealed, “I want to disappear for a little bit and just do things like wear slides and go to the farmers market” — even though she admittedly doesn’t really care about vegetables.

The singer also quipped, “And I want a dog, too,” revealing she is thinking about getting a Chinese crested dog because they are so unique looking. “They look like they’re 90 from age two weeks. They’re like old people,” she joked. “I think it’s beautiful.”

Speaking of her forthcoming album, Doja admitted she hasn’t “started” it because she’s “got a lot going on, but it’s coming up.”

“I have been getting songs and things sent to me,” she continued. “There’s some really cool stuff that I got sent from friends. They’re all working on beats, and I’m giving them notes and they know what I want, so I’m excited.”

The “Kiss Me More” singer is also thinking about branching out into Hollywood and told the outlet, “I’d love to be in movies. That’s a massive want for me.” She also revealed, “My one hidden passion is stand-up … It feels like it could be a natural, fun thing to do.”

“Y’all know exactly where I’m going with this”: Jordan Davis teases release of “What My World Spins Around”

May 24, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Jordan Davis may be getting ready to drop a summer anthem.

On Monday, the singer posted a video to Instagram responding to a fan’s comment that the unreleased “What My World Spins Around” is “my summer song, calling it right now.”

“I agree with this comment. I think it would be a great summer song. So, in order for it to be a summer song, I should probably release it. And y’all know exactly where I’m going with this,” he teases, alongside several eye emojis as the chorus of the song is heard playing in the background.

This sent off a fury of excitement in the comment section, with many fans demanding to know when the song will be released. One fan called it a “banger” and another referred to it as a prime “summer boat song.”

Jordan previously shared a sample of “What My World Spins Around” on socials back in March and has performed it live during recent concerts. Though he hasn’t shared an official release date for the song, it is currently available for presave.

The Louisiana native recently saw massive success with his multiweek #1 hit with Luke Bryan, “Buy Dirt.”

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