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US says drone strike kills ISIS leader in Syria

July 12, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — A U.S. military drone strike in northwest Syria has killed the top ISIS leader in Syria, U.S. Central Command said Tuesday.

The drone strike is the latest in a series of operations targeting terrorist leaders who have found refuge in a region of the country controlled by rebel forces affiliated with Islamic extremists groups.

U.S. Central Command said in a statement that the strike occurred on Tuesday outside of Jindayris in northwest Syria targeting two senior ISIS leaders.

“Maher al-Agal, one of the top five ISIS leaders and the leader of ISIS in Syria, was killed in the strike,” said the statement.

“A senior ISIS official closely associated with Maher was seriously injured during the strike,” it added. “Extensive planning went into this operation to ensure its successful execution. An initial review indicates there were no civilian casualties.”

Al-Agal was also described as “aggressively pursuing the development of ISIS networks outside of Iraq and Syria.”

“This strike reaffirms CENTCOM’s steadfast commitment to the region and the enduring defeat of ISIS,” said Col. Joe Buccino, a CENTCOM spokesperson. “The removal of these ISIS leaders will disrupt the terrorist organization’s ability to further plot and carry out global attacks.”

The strike is the latest in a series of U.S. military operations in northwest Syria over the past month targeting the leaders of Islamic terrorist groups who have found refuge in a corner of Syria still controlled by rebel forces belonging to Islamic extremist groups.

On June 15, a rare ground raid into northwest Syria carried out by elite special operations forces captured a Hani Ahmed al-Kurdi, a senior ISIS leader involved in actively planning ISIS operations.

Two weeks later, a drone strike killed Abu Hamzah al Yemeni, a senior leader of an al-Qaida-affiliated terrorist group, officials said.

“ISIS continues to represent a threat to the U.S. and partners in the region,” said Buccino, the CENTCOM spokesman.

“CENTCOM maintains a sufficient and sustainable presence in the region and will continue to counter threats against regional security,” the spokesman said.

Selena Gomez makes Emmy history with ‘Only Murders in the Building,’ Adele and Lady Gaga specials get nods

July 12, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Selena Gomez wasn’t nominated for her role in Only Murders in the Building, but she still made Emmy history.

The show was nominated for 17 Emmys on Tuesday, and as an executive producer, she’s nominated in the category of Outstanding Comedy Series. This marks only the second time in the 74-year history of the Emmys that a Latina has ever been nominated as a producer for a comedy series. The first was Salma Hayek, who was nominated in 2007 as a producer of the Fox show Ugly Betty.

Only one Latina has ever won an Emmy for producing in any of the top series categories: Celia D. Costas for 2004’s Angels in America. If Only Murders wins its category, which it very well might, Selena may make history again.

Meanwhile, TV specials starring Adele and Lady Gaga have also received Emmy nods as did a Simpsons short featuring Billie Eilish.

Adele: One Night Only is up for Outstanding Variety Special (Pre-Recorded) as is One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga. Both specials aired on CBS last year and received several technical nominations as well.

When Billie Met Lisa, a Simpsons short which premiered on Disney+, is nominated for Outstanding Short Form Animated Program. Billie and her brother, FINNEAS, both played themselves in the film.

The 74th Emmy Awards air September 12 on NBC.

Luke Combs is determined to always put on a good live show

July 12, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Luke Combs has a specific mindset when it comes to live performing.

Looking back on his early career, Luke recalls having meetings with managers who told him he was more suited to be a songwriter than an artist. Now that he’s a country superstar who has sold out arenas and has 14 number-one hits to his name, Luke says his approach to performing comes from a desire to leave a good impression on every person who attends his show.

“Nobody looks at music. They listen to music. And I knew if I could write great songs and put ‘em out, you’d listen to me and go, ‘I really like that,'” Luke explains to Variety. “And then when you come to see a show…I’m not crazy enough to think everyone in there is going to go, ‘This is the best show I’ve ever seen! This guy’s the best thing ever.’ My goal was always to have no one walk out and go, ‘That was a bad show.'”

The hit singer also hopes that attendees will find a song or moment in the show they connect to most and recognize his passion for his music and fans. “You can’t be everybody’s favorite. But I never wanted anybody to walk out and go, ‘That show let me down.’ And I don’t think that I’ve done that,” he concludes.

Luke released his latest album, Growin’ Up, in June, and it became the highest debut for a country album this year. His current single, “The Kind of Love We Make,” is ascending up the top 20 on country radio.

He’ll embark on the Middle of Somewhere Tour this fall.

‘Succession’, ‘Ted Lasso’ lead the pack with nominations for the 74th Annual Emmy Awards

July 12, 2022 by WDNY Radio

The 74th Emmy Awards nominations were announced Tuesday, and HBO’sSuccessionled the pack with 25 noms. Another HBO drama,The White Lotus, scored 20, tying with Apple TV+’s previous Emmy sweeperTed Lassoin the Comedy category.

HBO’sHacksand Hulu’sOnly Murders in the Buildingeach scored 17 nods, with the latter’s star,Selena Gomez, becoming the first Latina to be nominated as a producer in the Comedy category.

Other firsts includedSquid Gamenamed as the first non-English speaking Outstanding Drama nominee and previous Emmy winnerZendaya,who became the youngest producer to ever be nominated for a series, forEuphoria.

That series earned 16 nominations.

Additionally,Quinta Brunsonbecame the first Black woman to be nominated three times in the Comedy category, as an actor, writer and producer.

Actor and comedianJ.B. SmooveandBrooklyn Nine-NinestarMelissa Fumerorevealed the lucky names during a livestream ceremony at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Many details of the 2022 Emmys, including the host, location and presenters for the three-hour show, have not yet been announced yet.

The 74th Emmy Awards will be held live Monday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and will stream live on Peacock.

Outstanding Variety Talk Series

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Late Night with Seth Meyers
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Outstanding Competition Program

The Amazing Race
Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls
Nailed It!
RuPaul’s Drag Race
Top Chef
The Voice

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Rachel Brosnahan –The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Quinta Brunson –Abbott Elementary
Kaley Cuoco –The Flight Attendant
Elle Fanning –The Great
Issa Rae –Insecure
Jean Smart –Hacks

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Donald Glover –Atlanta
Bill Hader –Barry
Nicholas Hoult –The Great
Steve Martin –Only Murders in the Building
Martin Short –Only Murders in the Building
Jason Sudeikis –Ted Lasso

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary
Barry
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Hacks
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Only Murders in the Building
Ted Lasso
What We Do in the Shadows

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Colin Firth –The Staircase
Andrew Garfield –Under the Banner of Heaven
Oscar Isaac –Scenes from a Marriage
Michael Keaton –Dopesick
Himesh Patel –Station Eleven
Sebastian Stan –Pam & Tommy

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Toni Collette –The Staircase
Julia Garner –Inventing Anna
Lily James –Pam and Tommy
Sarah Paulson –American Crime Story: Impeachment
Margaret Qualley –MAID
Amanda Seyfried –The Dropout

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

Dopesick
The Dropout
Inventing Anna
Pam & Tommy
The White Lotus

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Jodie Comer –Killing Eve
Laura Linney –Ozark
Melanie Lynskey –Yellowjackets
Sandra Oh – Killing Eve
Reese Witherspoon –The Morning Show
Zendaya –Euphoria

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Jason Bateman –Ozark
Brian Cox –Succession
Lee Jung-jae –Squid Game
Bob Odenkirk –Better Call Saul
Adam Scott –Severance
Jeremy Strong –Succession

Outstanding Drama series

Better Call Saul
Euphoria
Ozark
Severance
Squid Game
Stranger Things
Succession
Yellowjackets

Jill Biden apologizes after comparing diversity of Latinos to breakfast tacos

July 12, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — First lady Jill Biden apologized Tuesday through her spokesperson after receiving public backlash for saying in a speech Monday that Latinos are “as unique as breakfast tacos.”

Spokesperson Michael LaRosa tweeted a brief apology on Tuesday morning following an onslaught of criticism from conservatives and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

“The First Lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community,” the tweet read.

The First Lady apologizes that her words conveyed anything but pure admiration and love for the Latino community.

— Michael LaRosa (@MichaelLaRosa46) July 12, 2022

Biden’s invocation of breakfast tacos came at the UnidosUS annual conference, titled “Siempre Adelante: Our Quest for Equity,” in San Antonio on Monday evening, while speaking to the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy group.

The first lady noted in her remarks that the group’s longtime leader, Raul Yzaguirre, had “helped build this organization with the understanding that the diversity of this community — as distinct as the bodegas of the Bronx, as beautiful as the blossoms of Miami, and as unique as the breakfast tacos here in San Antonio — is your strength.”

Republicans pounced on social media, saying she was comparing Latinos to tacos, and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists also clapped back, sending a message to the first lady to “not reduce us to stereotypes.”

NAHJ encourages @FLOTUS & her communications team to take time to better understand the complexities of our people & communities.

We are not tacos.

Our heritage as Latinos is shaped by various diasporas, cultures & food traditions.

Do not reduce us to stereotypes. pic.twitter.com/KQIq5gwsht

— NAHJ (@NAHJ) July 12, 2022

“NAHJ encourages @FLOTUS & her communications team to take time to better understand the complexities of our people & communities. We are not tacos. Our heritage as Latinos is shaped by various diasporas, cultures & food traditions. Do not reduce us to stereotypes,” it said.

Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida responded by changing his Twitter profile picture to an image of a taco and tweeting, “#NewProfilePic.”

But Janet Murguía, the current president and CEO of UnidosUS, tweeted after Biden’s speech that the group was “honored” to host her, calling her “a great educator in, and a great amiga to, our community for years,” and adding she was, “Privileged to call her a friend.”

The analogy and apology from the first lady come at a time with President Joe Biden and Democrats are seeking to reach out to Hispanic voters ahead of the midterm elections and ahead of Biden meeting Tuesday with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador at the White House.

Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” debuts on ’Billboard’ Hot 100 post-’Stranger Things’

July 12, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Metallica can run up that hill, too.

After Stranger Things helped propel Kate Bush‘s 1985 single “Running Up That Hill” to the top five of the Billboard Hot 100, the Netflix sci-fi series’ use of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” in its season four finale has resulted in the 1986 thrasher’s debut appearance on the chart.

“Master of Puppets” currently sits at #40 on the ranking and gives Metallica their first Hot 100 entry since the Death Magnetic single “Cyanide” reached #50 in 2008.

If you’re curious, Metallica’s highest-charting single on the Hot 100 is not “Enter Sandman” or “Nothing Else Matters” but 1996’s “Until It Sleeps,” the lead single off the metal outfit’s first post-Black Album studio effort, Load, which peaked at #10.

Following the premiere of the Stranger Things season four finale on July 1, Metallica issued a statement saying that they were “beyond psyched” and “totally blown away” by the placement of “Master of Puppets.” They even released a TikTok of them shredding along to the scene where the character Eddie Munson plays the song.

Ed Sheeran adorably upstaged at own concert by dancing boy: “Think it’s about time Ed gets a backup dancer”

July 12, 2022 by WDNY Radio

A little boy’s fancy footwork stole the spotlight from Ed Sheeran — during his own concert.

Ed’s official HQ account shared a video Monday of a kid going wild on the dance floor during the Grammy winner’s performance of “Bad Habits.” The kid blends Irish step, break dancing, the robot, some flossing and even a few Michael Jackson poses during the song.

His moves soon attract the attention of other fans in the pit, who begin filming him as he lets loose on the dance floor. Soon, Ed even notices and asks the kid over the microphone to “jump” and “bounce” — to which the boy happily obliges.

“Think it’s about time Ed gets a backup dancer,” Ed Sheeran HQ noted in the caption.

The videos were posted last month by a woman named Michelle Nicol, who took to Twitter and shared even more footage of the dance floor dynamo — this time busting moves to “Shape of You.” She wrote, “My son living his best life at @edsheeran concert last night. Memories that will last forever thank you Ed you was amazing.”

The video ends on a comical note, with the kid exiting the floor to dramatically catch his breath when the song comes to a close.

Nicol also expressed hope that the videos would land on the “Shivers” singer’s radar, so he could see her son’s moves up close — and now, she’s halfway to getting her wish as Ed’s people have caught wind of them.

Official David Bowie doc, ‘Moonage Daydream,’ confirmed to premiere in September

July 12, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Moonage Daydream, the first David Bowie documentary to be officially sanctioned by his estate, has gotten a release date.

According to DavidBowie.com and Bowie’s social media pages, the film will open on September 16 in IMAX cinemas and other theaters around the world. A new official poster for the flick has also been unveiled.

As previously reported, Moonage Daydream was written and directed by Brett Morgen, whose previous films include The Kid Stays in the Picture, the Rolling Stones documentary Crossfire Hurricane and Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck. The new movie is described as “a sublime kaleidoscopic experiential cinematic odyssey that explores Bowie’s creative, spiritual, and philosophical journey.”

Moonage Daydream will feature Bowie’s own narration and includes unseen footage and performances as well as unheard music. The film includes 47 musical tracks, mixed from the original recordings. David’s longtime friend, collaborator and co-producer Tony Visconti, is serving as the musical producer of the project.

Billboard recently reported that the movie will get its TV premiere on HBO and HBO Max in the spring of 2023.

The first trailer for Moonage Daydream debuted in May. You can watch it now on YouTube.

US tourist falls into Mount Vesuvius after taking selfie

July 12, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(NAPLES, Italy) — An American tourist fell into Mount Vesuvius, an active volcano in Italy, after trespassing to take a selfie, officials said.

The 23-year-old man, who dropped his phone and tried to retrieve it after the selfie, fell several meters into the ash of the crater before being saved by nearby park officials on Saturday.

He sustained only minor injuries, officials said.

The man, who has not been named, allegedly walked on an unauthorized path to reach the summit of Mount Vesuvius at 1,281 meters, according to a spokesperson from the Carabinieri of the Forestry department of the Park of Vesuvius.

The spokesperson told ABC News he believes the man went on the unmarked path because tickets for visiting Vesuvius, which cost $2,500 per day, were all booked.

The man had come to the opposite side of the crater, where visitors are not permitted, the spokesperson said.

At around 3 p.m., local news sources reported the park’s volcanological guides had spotted some people on the upper part of the crater, an area forbidden for solo access.

The guides immediately started moving toward the area and were able to come to the man’s rescue after seeing him attempt to retrieve his cellphone, according to Carabinieri’s spokesperson.

The guides also performed first aid on the man’s minor injuries to his legs, arms and back.

According to Carabinieri’s spokesperson, two other Americans, two Brits and one Austrian were with the American man who fell.

Some local sources have reported that there were three family members with him, but the spokesperson believes only one of the other Americans is related to the man who fell.

The Branch of Carabinieri arrived at the scene after the man was rescued, taking him and the others into custody. They were charged with encroachment on public land or land for public use, Italian news reported.

The president of the Volcano Vesuvius Permanent Presidium and Figav-Confesercenti, Paolo Cappelli, told the Corriere Della Sera that he was grateful for the guides’ work.

“[The guides] are always on the crater to safeguard the safety of tourists. So, recognizing the promptness and professionalism shown on this occasion as well seemed the right thing to do,” Cappelli said.

“Having spoken directly with those who provided the rescue, I can safely say that last Saturday on Mount Vesuvius they saved a human life. I officially thank the whole group of guides belonging to the Presidio Permanente Vulcano Vesuvio, always ready and operational in any condition,” Cappelli added.

A spokesperson from the Carabinieri of the Forestry department of the Park of Vesuvius told ABC News that the man could have fallen 300 meters if he wasn’t stopped by the nearby guides.

He said that on the opposite side of the crater, where visitors are permitted, there are barriers around the opening, but where this man was there were none.

According to the spokesperson, it is extremely rare that visitors stray from the authorized path.

He added that he does not think any kind of legal action will be taken against the man, except for a fine.

Architects announce new album, ’The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit’

July 12, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Architects have announced a new album called The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit.

The record is due out October 21 and includes the previously released single “When We Were Young.” A second track titled “Tear Gas” is available now via digital outlets and is accompanied by a video streaming now on YouTube.

The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit follows Architects’ 2021 album, For Those That Wish to Exist, which spawned the U.K. metalcore outfit’s breakout U.S. single “Animals.”

Architects will launch a U.S. headlining tour in September.

Here’s the track list for The Classic Symptoms of a Broken Spirit:

“Deep Fake”
“Tear Gas”
“Spit the Bone”
“Burn Down My House”
“Living Is Killing Us”
“When We Were Young”
“Doomscrolling”
“Born Again Pessimist”
“A New Moral Low Ground”
“All the Love in the World”
“Be Very Afraid”

(Video contains uncensored profanity)

+ More