Britney Spears added a new, four-legged member to her family — a puppy named Sawyer.
“Geez …. can you have two loves of your lives because he comes in second !!!!,” Britney wrote on Instagram, sharing a video of her new addition. “His name is Sawyer and he’s a white Australian shepherd with blue eyes !!!!! I found him in Maui like a dream and took him home with me immediately.”
The Grammy winner noted how smart her puppy was, telling fans, “It’s funny … he doesn’t talk back but it’s like he understands what I’m saying !!!! I can talk to him for 30 min about potty training and rewarding him when he goes potty on the pad !!!! I think he understands me especially with those eyes.”
“He makes my heart melt … he needs me and I like that,” Britney continued, before revealing that she also added another member to her family: “I also have a new cat and will introduce her later.” Britney also mentioned how her new kitten is trying to outsmart her already. “She’s extremely smart and she looks like a miniature cheetah. Me and security couldn’t find her for 2 hours and then when we did she would disappear again,” Britney wrote.
Britney said that her house is “FULL of small animals” but admitted she is not a fan of “potty training.” Her video ended with an impromptu dance session, which briefly showed a curious Sawyer sniffing her feet.
Aside from Sawyer and the new kitten, Britney owns a Doberman named Porsha, whom fiancé Sam Asghari purchased for her in October, as well as a Maltese named Lacey and a Yorkshire Terrier named Hannah.
Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards will headline the sixth annual edition of the star-studded Love Rocks NYC! benefit concert, which will take place March 10 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.
The show will feature Richards reuniting with his solo band The X-Pensive Winos. The lineup also includes Melissa Etheridge, Mavis Staples, ex-Allman Brothers Band singer/guitarist Warren Haynes, Hozier and many more.
The Love Rocks NYC! concert raises money for the God’s Love We Deliver charity, which provides nutritious meals to seriously ill people in the New York City area.
The show will be co-hosted by comedian Mario Cantone and actors Gina Gershon, Kiefer Sutherland, Steve Schirripa and Michelle Buteau.
The event’s house band will be led by longtime CBS Orchestra bassist Will Lee, and will include one-time Bob Dylan and Levon Helm touring guitarist Larry Campbell, Eric Clapton touring drummer Steve Gadd and Fleetwood Mac touring keyboardist Ricky Peterson.
You can sign up for more information about the concert at LoveRocksNYC.com and GLWD.org. The website also is offering a free encore stream of the 2021 Love Rocks NYC! show, which included performances from Jon Bon Jovi, ZZ Top‘s Billy Gibbons, Haynes and many others. Those who watch the event are encouraged to donate money to God’s Love We Deliver.
Richards performance with The X-Pensive Winos at the benefit show takes place just eight days before the release of the 30th anniversary reissue of Keith’s 1992 solo album, Main Offender, which he mainly recorded with the members of the band.
The X-Pensive Winos feature acclaimed drummer/producer Steve Jordan — who became The Rolling Stones’ touring drummer in 2021 — guitarist Waddy Wachtel, bassist/keyboardist Charley Drayton and keyboardist Ivan Neville.
(NEW YORK) — As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.8 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 925,000 Americans, according to real-time data compiled by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
About 64.5% of the population in the United States is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern:
Feb 16, 12:44 pm
Updated mask guidance from CDC could come next week
Updated mask guidance from the CDC is expected to come as early as next week, officials confirmed to ABC News.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky did not elaborate on the timing at Wednesday’s White House briefing, only saying the CDC could “soon” update its guidance.
“We are looking at all of our guidance based not only on where we are right now in the pandemic, but also on the tools we now have at our disposal — such as vaccines, boosters, tests and treatments — and our latest understanding of the disease,” Walensky said. “We want to give people a break from things like mask wearing when these metrics are better and then have the ability to reach for them again should things worsen.”
Walensky added, “Omicron cases are declining and we are all cautiously optimistic about the trajectory we are on … but we want to remain vigilant to do all we can so that this trajectory continues.”
Walensky also stressed that it is still critical for Americans to continue to wear masks if they are symptomatic, have been recently exposed or if they are 10 days post-COVID-19 diagnosis.
-ABC News’ Anne Flaherty and Arielle Mitropoulos
Feb 16, 11:47 am
Deaths projected to drop in weeks to come
Forecast models used by the CDC suggest that daily COVID-19 fatalities will finally begin to fall in the U.S. in the weeks to come.
The ensemble model estimates that only eight states have a greater than 50% chance of having more deaths over the next two weeks compared to the past two weeks, and two states and territories have a greater than 75% chance of seeing an increase.
The models predict the U.S. death toll will be at approximately 968,000 by March 12.
The CDC obtains the forecasts from the COVID-19 Forecast Hub at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where a team monitors and combines forecasting models from the nation’s top researchers. The team then creates an ensemble — displayed like a hurricane forecast spaghetti plot — usually with a wide cone of uncertainty.
-ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulos
Feb 16, 10:50 am
Deaths increasing in 15 states
The U.S. daily case rate has dropped to 144,000 — an 81% drop since the peak about one month ago, according to federal data.
But experts continue to caution that the pandemic is not over, with the country reporting millions of new cases every week and 97% of counties still reporting high transmission. Experts also point out that many Americans are taking at-home tests and not submitting their results, so case totals may be higher than reported.
Deaths — a lagging indicator — remain high.
The U.S. is reporting an average of 2,200 lives lost to COVID-19 each day.
Fifteen states are reporting at least a 10% increase in daily death rates over the last week: Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont and West Virginia.
-ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulos
Feb 16, 10:00 am
Report highlights mounting evidence vaccines can significantly reduce risk of developing long COVID
A new report from the United Kingdom’s public health agency highlights mounting evidence that getting vaccinated can significantly reduce the risk of developing long COVID.
Most people recover fully from COVID-19 but some experience symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath and brain fog for months after infection.
The U.K. report summarizes the results of 15 previously published studies on long COVID from around the world. Collectively, these studies suggest that people who have been vaccinated are far less likely to develop long COVID.
-ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulos, Sony Salzman
Feb 16, 7:37 am
WHO: Weekly global number of COVID-19 cases fell by 19%
The global number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases fell by 19% during the week ending on Feb. 13, compared to the previous week, according to a weekly epidemiological update released Tuesday by the World Health Organization.
Meanwhile, the number of newly recorded deaths from the disease that week remained similar to that of the previous week. Just over 16 million new cases and just under 75,000 new fatalities were reported worldwide during the week of Feb. 7 to Feb. 13, the WHO said.
All WHO regions reported decreases in the number of weekly cases except for the Western Pacific region, which reported an increase of 19%. The number of new weekly deaths increased in the Eastern Mediterranean region, the Western Pacific region, the African region and the region of the Americas, while it remained similar to that of the previous week in the European region and decreased in the Southeast Asia region, according to the WHO.
Remember that contest where someone would be paid $1,100 to listen to 24-hours of heartbreak anthems? Well, the results are in, and they show if you want to get over a breakup, you better listen to Destiny’s Childand Post Malone.
FinanceBuzz hired Cristin Sauter, a musician and psychotherapist, as their DJ of Heartache. She was tasked with listening to the biggest breakup songs of all time and organizing them into playlists coinciding with the five stages of grief: denial, anger, relapse, depression and acceptance.
Taylor Swift snags the title of having the most breakup anthems out of any other artist.
The DJ of Heartache was also tasked to rate each song’s ability to help a listener get over a heartbreak. The songs were scored between one and 10, with 10 being the highest, in their ability to offer “emotional relief through the different stages of a breakup,” per the company’s description.
Although Taylor has the lion’s share of heartbreak anthems, her music only achieved a 5.7 out of 10 on the emotional relief rating scale, or E.R.R. Fleetwood Mac scored the highest, with an E.R.R of 9.5, while second place went to Post Malone and The Beatles, who both earned a nine. Destiny‘s Child took third with an overall E.R.R. of 8.5.
Also making it into the top 10 were Shawn Mendes, James Bay, James Arthur, Lewis Capaldi and Adele, whoall achieved an E.R.R of eight.
As for the artists with the least effective songs, Daughtry and Backstreet Boys both achieved a score of three, while Miley Cyrus earned a 2.2. Fifth Harmony also made it into the bottom 10, earning a mediocre score of two.
(NEW YORK) — Alaska Airlines announced its first-ever subscription-based offering, Flight Pass, which offers travelers with varying budgets and lifestyles a chance to travel along many West Coast routes for a year.
The program, launched Wednesday offering members up to 24 roundtrip flights a year to the most popular routes within California, including nonstop service from California airports to select Nevada and Arizona destinations for a fixed monthly rate.
There are two annual plans for Flight Pass subscribers to choose from based on the best value or most flexibility; the key difference is in the length of the required advanced booking time.
The first plan starts at $49 per month and Flight Pass Pro starts at $199 per month but allows for booking as early as 90 days in advance as well as same-day booking up to two hours before departure.
✈️🎟 NEW! Ready to choose your own travel adventure within California, Nevada or Arizona? With an Alaska Flight Pass subscription, you’ll land frequent, flexible flights for one flat fee. It’s your ticket to more tickets! Get started: https://t.co/iuSq6pqRSlpic.twitter.com/gfSWdxJacf
Alaska Airlines called its flight subscription plan an opportunity for travelers to “lock in main cabin deals for a full year” offering subscribers “lower than average fares on eligible flights.”
“After two years of staying close to home, guests are ready to travel again and with 100 daily flights from 16 airports throughout California and between California to Reno, Phoenix and Las Vegas, Flight Pass will take them there,” Alex Corey, managing director of business development and products for Alaska Airlines, said in a statement.
According to the airline, travel trend reports show that “most Americans are planning domestic travel in 2022, particularly to warm-weather and beach destinations, and some are even more willing to be spontaneous and flexible on future trips.”
Pick a preferred plan: The best value Flight Pass, which requires booking at least 14 days before travel; or the most flexible Flight Pass Pro, which allows same-day booking.
Choose the number of roundtrips you would like annually: 6, 12 or 24 roundtrip flights.
Redeem your credits and book your trip on an eligible flight.
Choose from 100 daily flights connecting 13 California airports to each other and to Reno, Phoenix, and Vegas.
Enjoy your flight.
Neil Thwaites, regional vice president of California for Alaska Airlines, said the company is “uniquely positioned to help our West Coast guests experience more with direct access to destinations near and far from our expanding hubs.”
Flight Pass subscribers can also earn miles toward Mileage Plan elite status.
If you’re a BTS fan who can’t travel to Seoul, South Korea, to watch the group make their grand return to the stage, worry not! A worldwide live streaming event is scheduled to stream in theaters, giving fans an immersive experience while chowing down on big buckets of popcorn.
TS Permission to Dance on Stage – Seoul: Live Viewing will simultaneously premiere in theaters in over 60 countries beginning March 12 at 4:30 p.m. EST. You can check the website for showtimes.
The performance not only marks their first concert since BTS went on an “extended period of rest” late last year, it also will be the first time the Grammy winners held a concert in South Korea since 2019.
Mindy Kaling has just announced a partnership with Amazon Publishing to launch Mindy’s Book Studio, “a boutique story studio” that will publish books “from emerging and established diverse voices” that have been selected by The Office vet, producer, and bestselling author.
Mindy’s Book Studio aims to release, “fresh romantic comedies and poignant coming-of-age stories to make readers laugh — and cringe — to suspenseful dramas with unforgettable female protagonists,” according to a release.
The production shingle will also have an eye to adapting those works into television and film projects exclusively for Amazon Studios, which produced Mindy’s recent comedy series Late Night, starring Kaling and Emma Thompson.
Kaling, who released her hit essay collection Nothing Like I Imagined (Except for Sometimes) through Amazon, will release her 2023 debut novel, described as, “a comedic and twisty page-turner,” through her brand-new endeavor, which Amazon calls the “first-ever book studio.”
The Monsters at Work star said in a statement, “I’m passionate about bringing unique stories to readers and viewers, and I can’t wait to help discover and support talented new voices through Mindy’s Book Studio.”
Garth Brooks’ ongoing Stadium Tour just got a new date, and it’s a venue the singer knows very well.
He announced on Wednesday that he’ll play South Bend, Indiana’s Notre Dame Stadium on May 7, making good on a promise he made over three years ago. In late 2018, Garth played to a crowd of more than 80,000 fans, also filming a concert television special called Garth: Live at Notre Dame.
At the time, Garth promised his Hoosier State fans that he’d be back, and he originally hoped to return to Notre Dame for the conclusion of the Stadium Tour, but the COVID-19 pandemic had other plans. Now, three-and-a-half years later, Garth will make his triumphant return.
It’s the only 2022 Stadium Tour stop in Indiana, Michigan or Illinois. Tickets go on sale February 25 at 10 a.m. ET, and as always for a Garth Stadium Tour show, it’ll be in-the-round seating.
After pausing the Stadium Tour rollout due to the rise of the omicron COVID-19 variant last year, Garth has resumed setting dates for the trek, and he’s been breaking ticket sales records and selling out massive stadium venues.
This spring, he’s got sold-out shows booked in San Diego, Fayetteville, Arkansas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Tickets are still available for his March 26 Orlando date.
Biffy Clyro has announced a new documentary called Cultural Sons of Scotland.
The film, which will premiere on Amazon Prime Video next Friday, February 25, tells the story of the Scottish trio’s latest album, 2021’s The Myth of the Happily Ever After, which they recorded in their home country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve been pretty much everywhere in the world,” frontman Simon Neil says in the doc’s trailer. “That’s helped contextualize why [Scotland] is really important to our band.”
Cultural Sons of Scotland will also screen in select U.K. theaters on February 24. For more info, visit BiffyClyro.com.
Biffy Clyro will launch a U.S. tour in support of The Myth of the Happily Ever After in April.
Veteran Scottish hard-rockers Nazareth will release their 25th album, Surviving the Law, on April 15.
The 14-track collection can be pre-ordered now, and will be available on CD, vinyl, cassette and digital formats.
Nazareth has released the album’s lead track, “Strange Days,” as an advance digital single. A music video for the tune has premiered at the Frontiers Music label’s official YouTube channel.
The band’s current lineup features original bassist Pete Agnew; guitarist Jimmy Murrison, who joined Nazareth in 1994; drummer Lee Agnew, Pete’s son, whose been a member of the group since 1999; and lead singer Carl Sentence, who replaced founding frontman Dan McCafferty in 2015 after McCafferty was forced to retire for health reasons.
Surviving the Law is the second studio album the current Nazareth lineup has recorded, following 2018’s Tattooed on My Brain. The new project features songwriting contributions from all four band members.
Nazareth is best-known in the U.S. for their top 10 cover of the Everly Brothers hit “Love Hurts,” and the classic rock staple “Hair of the Dog,” which both appeared on the band’s 1975 album, Hair of the Dog.
Here’s the full track list of Surviving the Law:
“Strange Days”
“You Gotta Pass It Around”
“Runaway”
“Better Leave It Out”
“Mind Bomb”
“Sweet Kiss”
“Falling In Love”
“Waiting for the World to End”
“Let the Whisky Flow”
“Sinner”
“Ciggies and Booze”
“Psycho Skies”
“Love Breaks”
“You Made Me”
