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DOJ announces task force to target Russian oligarchs’ assets

March 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

(WASHINGTON) — The Justice Department on Wednesday announced a task force to target the assets of Russian oligarchs after President Joe Biden previewed the move in his State of the Union address Tuesday night.

“The United States Department of Justice is assembling a dedicated task force to go after the crimes of the Russian oligarchs,” Biden said. “We are joining with European allies to find and seize their yachts, their luxury apartments, their private jets. We’re coming for your ill-begotten gains.”

The U.S. says the oligarchs have ties to President Vladimir Putin and he uses them to launder or hide hundreds of millions of dollars obtained through corruption.

Dubbed Task Force KleptoCapture, the group will investigate and prosecute new sanctions, combat unlawful efforts to undermine restrictions taken against Russian financial institutions by Russians who flout the restrictions, go after oligarchs who use cryptocurrency to evade U.S. sanctions and seize the assets of Russian oligarchs.

The department says it will bring “cutting edge” resources from the deputy attorney general’s office and will be led by a career prosecutor out of the Southern District of New York.

“The Justice Department will use all of its authorities to seize the assets of individuals and entities who violate these sanctions,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland in a press release. “We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those whose criminal acts enable the Russian government to continue this unjust war. Let me be clear: if you violate our laws, we will hold you accountable.”

The Task Force is designed to ensure the “full effect” of sanctions leveled against the Russian government, “which have been designed to isolate Russia from global markets and impose serious costs for this unjustified act of war, by targeting the crimes of Russian officials, government-aligned elites, and those who aid or conceal their unlawful conduct,” the Department says.

Even if Russian oligarchs can’t be prosecuted in the United States, DOJ will still seize assets including personal real estate, financial and commercial assets. DOJ says they will work with their European counterparts around the world to ensure these objectives are met.

The move has bipartisan support.

Last week, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., floated the idea of a DOJ task force seizing Russian assets, calling it the “number one priority” of the supplemental funding bill.

“It is now time for that crowd to lose their yachts loose their luxury apartments, and to pay a price for being part of a thuggish group,” Graham said.

ABC News Allison Pecorin contributed to this report.

Essence to honor Nia Long, Quinta Brunson and more at the Black Women in Hollywood Awards

March 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Actresses Nia Long, Quinta Brunson, Aunjanue Ellis and Chanté Adams will be honored at the 15th Anniversary Black Women in Hollywood Awards, ESSENCE announced on Wednesday.

The highly coveted event, hosted this year by “SnowFall” star Damson Idris, honors Black women for their extraordinary achievements in the entertainment industry.

“For a decade and a half, ESSENCE has spotlighted and honored the Black women who curate and shape Hollywood and the entertainment ecosystem from a variety of roles and positions. We are proud to again commemorate their achievements at our signature awards luncheon and throughout the year,” ESSENCE CEO Caroline Wanga said.

The star-studded affair was commemorated in ESSENCE ’s March/April print issue, which hit stands on Tuesday and features newly-married couple Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts.

“We proudly continue celebrating actresses championing for authentic portrayals and diverse storytelling across film, television and streaming,” said Cori Murray, ESSENCE deputy editor. “Much like our theme, the Black Cinematic Universe, the power in our presence is infinite.”

The Black Women in Hollywood Awards falls during Oscar week and is part of the larger ESSENCE Black Women in Hollywood celebration. The awards will air as a virtual experience on Monday, March 28 from 7-10 p.m. on EssenceStudios.com.

The third annual Essence Hollywood House, an experience developed to provide compelling content and conversation, will be held on March 25.

Sean Paul to head back on the road this spring for North American tour

March 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Sean Paul is ready to hit the road after a two-year pause and, on Wednesday, unveiled his multi-stop Scorcha Tour that kicks off later this month.

The “Temperature” rapper kicks off his 10-stop tour on March 11 at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Florida. He will then hit the nation’s largest metro areas, such as New York City and Las Vegas, before wrapping on May 29 at California’s Monterey Fairgrounds.

This tour fulfills the promise Sean made to fans about returning to the road by the spring. Prior to this, he hadn’t left Jamaica since the pandemic all but shut down the touring industry and halted his plans.

“While a digital platform may keep you connected, it is no substitute for being physically interactive with fans,” the Dancehall star said in a statement.

The Scorcha Tour will support Sean’s upcoming eighth studio album of the same name, which is the follow-up to his Grammy-nominated album, Live N Livin. The tour also coincides with the 20th anniversary of Sean’s breakthrough album, Dutty Rock, which produced the hits “Baby Boy,” “Gimme The Light” and “Get Busy.”

Tickets go on sale this Friday, March 4, at 10 a.m. ET on Sean Paul’s official website.

Catch Richard Marx tonight on ABC’s ‘The Goldbergs’

March 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

If you miss Richard Marx’s amazing 1980s hair, be sure to tune into ABC’s The Goldbergs tonight.

Richard plays himself in the episode, but since the show is set in the ’80s, he’s sporting a wig that resembles the long feathered ‘do he sported during that decade. You can see him in a clip that he’s posted on his socials in advance of the episode, which is also the show’s 200th.

In the clip, Richard is seen talking to Beverly, played by Wendi McLendon-Covey. He asks Wendi for a check for his performance, which he says he “kinda nailed.”

A reluctant Beverly replies, “Well, I’ll tell ya what. I’m gonna write down a number, and you can either take it or leave it.” She hands him a piece of paper.

“That is not a number. And why would I do that to myself?” Richard asks after reading it.

“Oh, boo hoo, write a sad song about it,” snaps Beverly.

“Oh, I will,” replies Richard. “And it’ll be a number one smash hit!”

It’s not clear how Richard and his performance fits into the plot of the episode, which is called “The Wedding.” It involves Geoff, played by Sam Lerner, scrambling to fix things after he finds out no one made a deposit on the wedding venue, and an approaching storm that could jeopardize the entire event. It airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

‘Futurama’ star John DiMaggio tweets he’s returning for new Hulu episodes

March 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

After a salary dispute that reportedly had Hulu searching for a soundalike, a triumphant John DiMaggio tweeted he’ll be returning to voice the hard-drinking, foul-mouthed robot Bender in new Futurama episodes bound for Hulu.

“I’m back baby!” he tweeted Tuesday evening, quoting his shiny metal alter-ego.

DiMaggio’s message was met with a flood of Bender gifs and other positive thoughts from fans.

Two weeks ago, the veteran character actor explained why he wasn’t signed onto the project at that point; his Futurama co-stars Katey Segal, Phil LaMarr, Billy West and others had previously committed.

At the time, DiMaggio, who also voiced Jake the dog on the beloved Emmy-winning animated series Adventure Time, explained the situation.

“Bender is part of my soul & nothing about this is meant to be disrespectful to the fans or my Futurama family,” the actor noted in part, adding, “it’s about self-respect.”

“I don’t think only I deserve to be paid more. I think the entire cast does,” John wrote, explaining he’s “tired of an industry that’s become far too corporate and takes advantage of artists’ time & talent.”

Evidently, show creators Matt Groening and David X. Cohen were pulling for DiMaggio to return to the fold.

Hulu announced early in February that 20 new episodes of the Emmy-winning series would be created for the streaming service.

Machine Gun Kelly releases ’Lockdown Sessions’ EP on streaming services

March 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Machine Gun Kelly has released a new EP featuring select songs from his Lockdown Sessions YouTube series, which first launched in March 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The three-track set includes the songs “Roll the Windows Up,” “Pretty Toxic Revolver” and “In These Walls (My House),” featuring PVRIS.

“It’s been two years since Lockdown Sessions hit YouTube,” Kelly says. “Finally time to upload on streaming platforms.”

“Roll the Windows Up” and “In These Walls” are also available on the Target exclusive edition of MGK’s 2020 album Tickets to My Downfall.

Along with original songs, Kelly’s Lockdown Sessions included a number of covers, including Paramore‘s “Misery Business” with Travis Barker and Oasis‘ “Champagne Supernova” with Yungblud.

Meanwhile, Kelly is prepping his new album Mainstream Sellout, due out March 25. The Tickets follow-up includes the WILLOW collaboration “Emo Girl.”

Luke Bryan and Orlando Bloom have struck up a bromance, thanks to ‘American Idol’

March 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Apparently, there’s a bromance heating up on the set of American Idol!

During Sunday night’s premiere of the hit show’s 20th season, it was revealed that Luke Bryan has struck up a friendship with actor Orlando Bloom, fiancé to fellow judge Katy Perry.

In the humorous clip from the show, the country singer can be seen exchanging pleasantries with The Lord of the Rings star, with the two talking on the phone and video chatting from the Idol set, discussing everything from Orlando’s dirt bike adventure to Katy revealing that her fiancé often asks about Luke.

“Me and Orlando are slowly falling in love,” Luke says with a smile from behind the judges’ table. “Get yourself someone that looks at you like Orlando looks at Luke,” Katy quips.

The unlikely pair have dubbed their bromance #LoveInBloom.

Fans can keep up to date on #LoveInBloom when Idol returns next Sunday night, airing at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Happy Birthday to you, do-doo, do-doo: the late Lou Reed was born 80 years ago today

March 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

It’s been over eight years since Lou Reed took his last walk on the wild side, but had he lived, the influential rocker would have celebrated his 80th birthday today.

Reed came to fame in the late 1960s as the leader, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter of the New York City-based band The Velvet Underground, whose songs explored dark themes such as drugs, kinky sex and domestic violence in the midst of the “Flower Power” era.

Although the group enjoyed little commercial success, their edgy and poetic tunes and sometimes experimental music inspired countless bands and artists that followed in their wake, including David Bowie, Roxy Music, Patti Smith and many notable punk, New Wave and alternative rock acts.

The band’s 1967 debut, The Velvet Undeground & Nico, was ranked #23 on Rolling Stone‘s 2020 list of “The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”

Reed left The Velvet Underground in 1970 and forged a critically acclaimed solo career that spanned over 40 years.

Lou’s best-known solo effort was 1972’s Transformer, which was co-produced by Bowie. The album peaked at #29 on the Billboard 200 and included Reed’s signature tune “Walk on the Wild Side,” which reached #16 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as “Perfect Day.”

Two of Reed’s solo albums were certified gold for sales of 500,000 in the U.S. — the popular 1974 live album Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal and 1990’s New York, which featured the modern-rock hit “Dirty Blvd.”

Reed was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, in 1992 as member of The Velvet Underground and posthumously as a solo artist in 2015.

Reed’s final album project saw him collaborate with Metallica on the 2011 concept album Lulu.

Lou died of liver cancer in October 2013 at age 71.

Lin-Manuel Miranda explains why he didn’t submit “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” for Oscar consideration

March 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Lin-Manuel Miranda has a message to Encanto fans who believe “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” deserved an Oscar nod over “Dos Oruguitas” — the latter captures the essence of the film.

“When you’re submitting a song to the Oscars for consideration, your only goal should be what represents the themes of this movie, because you’re asking for a part to stand in for the whole,” he told ABC Audio’s Close Up with Kelley Carter podcast. He added of the track that plays when Mirabel and Abuela come to a mutual emotional understanding, “‘Dos Oruguitas’ is the kernel. It’s the trauma, and it’s the wonder of this family and their gifts, all in one…musical moment.”

Miranda added that the success of “Bruno” — now Disney’s longest-running number-one song — is “one of the great surprises and joys of my life.”

Should “Dos Oruguitas” win the Oscar for Best Original Song, Miranda will achieve EGOT status. The Hamilton creator finds the honor both “thrilling and intimidating” because, “Everyone in that club is pretty amazing.” He listed off a few of his “heroes” — EGOT winners John Legend, Rita Moreno and Marvin Hamlisch — and said, “I think that the most important thing for me to do is…stay a student and realize I’m still getting started, I still have so much to learn.”

Miranda said late Rent playwright and composer Jonathan Larson — the subject of his directorial debut tick, tick…BOOM! — is another hero of his. “He was the gateway between loving musicals and thinking I could write a musical,” the In the Heights creator explained, noting that he saw Rent when he was 17 and witnessed his diverse community reflected on the Broadway stage. “That was when I understood I had a story to tell.”

New episodes of Close Up with Kelley Carter premiere Wednesdays.

Kanye West, Future, and Kendrick Lamar to headline Rolling Loud Miami 2022

March 2, 2022 by WDNY Radio

Kanye West, Future and Kendrick Lamar are set to headline Rolling Loud Miami 2022, the festival announced Tuesday night.

Sharing a poster of the three-night event, Rolling Loud revealed the entire list of performers, which also includes Lil Baby, Gunna, Lil Durk, Saweetie, City Girls, Gucci Mane, Three 6 Mafia, DaBaby, Kodak Black and more.

Ye will kick off the music festival, headlining on Friday, July 22. Future will headline on Saturday and Kendrick will close out the festival on Sunday.

Tickets for Rolling Loud go on sale Monday, March 7 at 12 p.m. ET at RollingLoud.com.

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