Month: February 2026

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Pop Daypop

Bruno Mars to serve as Record Store Day 2026 Ambassador

Bruno Mars performs at the inaugural iHeartRadio Music Festival at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Las Vegas^ NV^ USA: September 23^ 2011

Organizers of Record Store Day have announced that Bruno Mars will serve as 2026 Record Store Day Ambassador, lending his star power to the annual celebration of independent record shops and vinyl culture. The event returns on Saturday, April 18, marking its 19th year since launching in 2008 to champion brick-and-mortar music stores worldwide.

Previous Record Store Day Ambassadors have included Taylor Swift, Metallica, St. Vincent, Brandi Carlile, Jack White, Paramore, Joshua Homme, Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, Chuck D, Dave Grohl, Run the Jewels, Pearl Jam, Fred Armisen, Amanda Shires & Jason Isbell and Post Malone.

Mars shared in a statement: “Independent record stores are so important because you get the chance to immerse and surround yourself with music and that’s why I’m so excited to be this year’s Record Store Day Ambassador. I love collecting vinyl because nothing is better than sitting on your couch putting on a record and just listening to music like that. It feels like a lost art. To actually sit down, put a record on, and consume it is a very Romantic idea. Go out and support your local independent record store on Record Store Day this year.”

To kick things off, indie record stores across the U.S. will host listening parties on February 25 for Mars’ upcoming album, “The Romantic,” ahead of its February 27 release via Atlantic Records. Fans can expect giveaways and in-store celebrations tied to the album.

Record Store Day will also feature an exclusive Mars release, “The Collaborations,” a compilation highlighting standout partnerships including “Uptown Funk” with Mark Ronson, “Die With A Smile” with Lady Gaga, and the Grammy-nominated “APT.” with ROSÉ.

Following the album launch, Mars will hit the road with The Romantic Tour, his first full headlining trek in nearly a decade and his first-ever stadium tour. Produced by Live Nation, the massive 72-date run across North America, Europe, and the UK has already made history, setting records for both Live Nation and Ticketmaster with 2.1 million tickets sold worldwide in a single day.

Record Store Day co-founder Michael Kurtz said in a statement: “We’re thrilled to have Bruno Mars as our 2026 Ambassador. The world of record stores brings together so many different musical styles, so many people with different musical tastes. Bruno has done a similar thing throughout his life and career, working across different genres, with his wide range of projects and collaborators, all for the love of music and the emotions it brings up. If he ever needed a break from the studio, he’d probably make a good record store employee, with great Staff Picks and customer recommendations.”

Editorial credit: Brian Friedman / Shutterstock.com

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Lorde, Stray Kids, A$AP Rocky headlining 2026 Governors Ball

Lorde performs in concert at Primavera Sound Festival on June 2^ 2018 in Barcelona^ Spain.

Lorde, Stray Kids and A$AP Rocky are set to headline the 2026 edition of Governors Ball, New York City’s signature music festival back for its 16th year.  Governors Ball (or as its commonly referred to ‘Gov Ball’) will return to Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens from June 5-7, coinciding with New York Music Month.

Lorde is set to take the stage on Friday, with Stray Kids headlining on Saturday, and A$AP Rocky closing out the weekend on Sunday. Other artists on this year’s bill include Baby Keem, Kali Uchis, Jennie, Katseye, Geese, Major Lazer, Pierce the Veil, Dominic Fike, Blood Orange, Clipse, Mariah The Scientist, Wet Leg, Amyl and The Sniffers, Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist, The Dare, 2hollis, Ravyn Lenae, Japanese Breakfast, King Princess, Flipturn, Thee Sacred Souls and many more – including NY-based talent Geese, The Dare, Del Water Gap, Arcy Drive, Lexa Gates, The Backfires and Chanpan, as well as School of Rock Queens, School of Rock New York and Kids Rock for Kids.

The 2026 Gov Ball will deliver three days of live music, showcasing more than 60 artists across three stages. This year, Spotify has teamed up with Gov Ball this year for a new in-app experience that allows users to pull from their listening history to help plan their on-site experience.

Gov Ball has also made several monetary donations to support Flushing Meadows Corona Park, where the festival is being held. NYC Parks Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa said in a statement: “Parks are the heartbeat of our communities, and events like Governors Ball demonstrate how our public spaces can bring people together through shared cultural experiences.”

All ticketing information can be found on the festival’s website.

Editorial credit: Christian Bertrand / Shutterstock.com

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FBI formally declines to share evidence with Minnesota officials in Alex Pretti shooting

People protest the ICE killing of Alex Pretti in front of the downtown Federal Building. Los Angeles^ California^ USA - January 25^ 2026

Minnesota’s top investigative agency says the FBI has formally declined to provide evidence or information in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, a decision state leaders are calling highly unusual.

Pretti, an intensive care nurse, was shot and killed by federal agents on Jan. 24 in south Minneapolis while observing their activity. Video recorded by bystanders appears to show him filming agents with his phone before a confrontation escalated. During a struggle, gunfire erupted. The Department of Homeland Security has claimed Pretti approached agents with a weapon and “violently resisted,” an account his family has denounced as “sickening lies.”

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension announced that it was notified the FBI would not grant access to materials related to Pretti’s death. Superintendent Drew Evans described the lack of cooperation as “concerning and unprecedented.” Evans said: While this lack of cooperation is concerning and unprecedented, the BCA is committed to thorough, independent and transparent investigations of these incidents, even if hampered by a lack of access to key information and evidence. Our agency has committed to the FBI and Department of Justice that should its stance change we remain willing to share information that we have obtained with that agency and would welcome a joint investigation. We will continue to pursue all legal avenues to gain access to relevant information and evidence.”

The FBI has also declined to share evidence in the fatal shooting of Renee Good and in the case involving a Venezuelan national, Julio Sosa-Celis. State officials say they have repeatedly requested cooperation in all three investigations without success.

In the immediate aftermath of Pretti’s death, federal agents reportedly prevented BCA investigators from collecting evidence at the scene. The BCA briefly secured a restraining order to block the Department of Homeland Security from altering or destroying materials, but a federal judge lifted that order days later.

Hennepin County Attorney’s Office confirmed it plans to send a formal written demand for evidence in the Pretti case to the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security. County Attorney Mary Moriarty said the refusal to cooperate signals deeper concerns. “We appreciate the BCA’s efforts in pursuing a joint investigation with the federal government, as is the norm,” Moriarty said. “The federal government’s refusal to cooperate is unsurprising but provides a clear indication that they are not confident in their agents’ actions or their immediate response.”

Pretti’s family has also urged federal and state authorities to conduct a joint inquiry. “Justice and accountability requires a thorough and impartial investigation to establish the facts. A truly joint state and federal investigation would be a welcome development,” they said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Democratic members of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform have accused the Trump administration of attempting to conceal wrongdoing in the deaths of Good and Pretti.

Editorial credit: Matt Gush / Shutterstock.com

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Father of Georgia school shooting suspect faces jury as trial begins

Barrow County Courthouse in Winder Georgia 5 18 2023

Jury selection and opening statements began Monday in the case against Colin Gray, the father of the teenager accused of carrying out the 2024 mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia. The shooting left four people dead: teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, along with students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14. Several others were injured.

Gray, 55, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges tied to the Sept. 4 attack, including two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of involuntary manslaughter, cruelty to children and reckless conduct. Prosecutors allege he allowed his 14-year-old son, Colt Gray, access to the AR-15-style rifle used in the shooting — a weapon they say he purchased for the teen as a Christmas gift. Colt Gray, now 16, is being tried separately as an adult and has pleaded not guilty to dozens of charges, including felony murder and attempted murder.

Barrow County District Attorney Brad Smith told jurors the case centers not on parenting in general, but on specific decisions made after clear warning signs. “This is not a case about holding parents accountable for what their children do. That’s not what this case is about,” Smith said. “This case is about this defendant and his actions — his actions in allowing a child that he has custody over access to a firearm and ammunition after being warned that child was going to harm others.”

According to prosecutors, school officials, counselors and law enforcement had previously raised concerns about Colt’s troubling behavior, including alleged threats to carry out a school shooting. Authorities interviewed the father and son more than a year before the attack but did not file charges at the time, citing insufficient evidence tying the teen to online threats.

Smith said the jury will hear that Colt had shown an interest in prior mass shootings and kept disturbing materials in his bedroom. He also cited text messages sent to his father days before the attack, including one in which the teen wrote, “I have to kind of dance around the inconvenient truth at times, I have no control over what these things say and tell me to do.” Despite those red flags, prosecutors contend the rifle remained accessible in the boy’s room.

Defense attorney Brian Hobbs acknowledged the devastation caused by the attack but argued that hindsight cannot be used to assign criminal blame. “What happened at Apalachee High School was tragic, it was horrific, it was terrifying and it was heartbreaking. Nothing said in this courtroom can change that,” Hobbs told jurors, maintaining that Colt concealed his plans and mental state from those around him, including his father: “The evidence will show a teenager who is struggling mentally. A teenager who is deceptive,” Hobbs said. “A teenager who hid his true intentions from everyone — from his family, from his counselor, from his siblings, from DFCS, from law enforcement and most especially from his father.” Hobbs argued that while the outcome was catastrophic, the prosecution must prove that Colin Gray knew — or should have known — his son would commit violence.

If convicted on all counts, Colin Gray faces the possibility of decades in prison.

Editorial credit: Williams Photography 365 / Shutterstock.com

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‘Twenty One Pilots: More Than We Ever Imagined’ concert film coming to IMAX theaters February 26

Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun of Twenty One Pilots performs live at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley. Berkeley^ CA/USA - 7/21/2016

Twenty One Pilots have announced a new concert film called More Than We Ever Imagined, debuting in cinemas and IMAX on February 26th.

The film will chronicle the duo of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun as they played a career-defining show in Mexico City to 65,000 fans at a sold-out stadium during ‘The Clancy World Tour’. As well as capturing their high-energy live performance, the project also incorporates a blend of behind-the-scenes moments, too, and shows the members as they gear up for one of the biggest shows of their career.

Director Mark C. Eshleman said in a statement: “I have spent the better part of the last 16 years of my life following Twenty One Pilots around the world. I have seen them play clubs that were in the basements of bigger clubs for an audience made up of only the other bands on the bill. For ‘More Than We Ever Imagined,’ we were given the opportunity to capture two perspectives of a Twenty One Pilots performance. Over 20 cameras centered around the fans experiencing their show and, the second, the perspective I have had all these years leading up to that sold out stadium in Mexico City, a camera following Tyler and Josh as they take the fundamentals of their show and apply to one of the biggest stages.”

For information and tickets, head HERE.

Editorial credit: Sterling Munksgard / Shutterstock.com

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BTS reveals live stream performance, documentary to air on Netflix

BTS at the 2017 Billboard Awards Press Room at the T-Mobile Arena on May 21^ 2017 in Las Vegas^ NV

BTS have announced ‘BTS The Comeback Live | Arirang,’ a historic livestream performance airing exclusively on Netflix on March 21st at 8 pm KST/6 am ET/3 am PT.

BTS The Comeback Live | Arirang will see the group perform in celebration of their upcoming fifth studio album, Arirang, live from the Gwanghwamun in Seoul – marking the first-ever live event broadcast from Korea to be livestreamed globally.

In addition, the streaming service will air a feature documentary on the band titled BTS: The Return, directed by Bao Nguyen and premiering globally on March 27th exclusively on Netflix. The intimate documentary film chronicling the making of the band’s new album. The documentary offers fans a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the journey behind BTS’s highly anticipated return.

BTS previously revealed their album title for their newly-announced album: ‘ARIRANG’ – which is named after a traditional Korean folk song, symbolizing the band’s reflections on their roots, journey, separation, and reunion, exploring universal feelings of longing and love. The 14-track album is set for release on March 20, 2026, marking the group’s fifth studio album and the follow-up to 2020’s Be.  The group’s last joint project was the 2022 anthology Proof.  A social post announcing the project read: “Pre-order physical variants of BTS’ Album ARIRANG now on the official BTS Store! Album out 2026.03.20. 1PM KST | 0AM ET 🔗https://BTS.lnk.to/ARIRANG”

BTS’s record label BigHit added in a statement: “Arirang” is a traditional Korean folk song renowned both in Korea and globally. Transcending time and generations, the song has long been associated with emotions of connection, distance, and reunion. Arirang “sets out the direction the members will take moving forward. The members were deeply involved throughout the songwriting and production process, infusing their own thoughts and identities while expressing the emotions and reflections they experienced along their journey.”

The group will also embark on what BigHit described as “the largest world tour in K-pop history” spanning 34 cities and 79 shows. The world tour will hit Asia, North America, Europe, Latin America, and Australia, kicking-off with three nights in Goyang, South Korea on April 9th and April 11–12. The tour then heads to Tokyo for two nights before heading to North America, which will include 12 cities and 28 shows, with stops in Tampa, Florida; El Paso, Texas; Baltimore, Maryland, Foxborough, Massachusetts, Stanford, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Chicago, Illinois, East Rutherford, New Jersey and more before concluding the North American run with a return to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA on Sept. 1-2 and Sept. 5-6.  In June/July, the tour travels to Europe, with performances scheduled in Madrid, Spain; Brussels, Belgium; London, United Kingdom; Munich, Germany; and Paris, France. BTS will then continue the tour across Latin America and Asia, including major regions such as São Paulo, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Bangkok, Thailand; and Jakarta, Indonesia, with additional locations to be announced, including Japan, the Middle East, and more.  Tickets to the tour are now sold-out.

Preorder ‘Arirang’ – HERE.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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U.S. forces intercept sanctioned oil tanker after pursuit from Caribbean to Indian Ocean

Aerial view crude oil tanker ship at sea^ Red crude oil tanker ship top view^ Logistic and maritime transpoprtation of petroleum^ Modern offshore terminal loading tanker ship.

The U.S. military has intercepted and boarded another oil tanker tied to Venezuela after tracking the vessel thousands of miles from the Caribbean into the Indian Ocean, the Pentagon confirmed Sunday.

According to the Defense Department, U.S. forces carried out a “right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding” of the Panamanian-flagged Veronica III in the Indo-Pacific Command’s area of responsibility. The operation occurred without incident, and video released by the Pentagon shows American troops climbing aboard the tanker.

“The vessel tried to defy President Trump’s quarantine — hoping to slip away,” the Pentagon said in a post on X. “We tracked it from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, closed the distance, and shut it down.”

The boarding is part of a broader crackdown on vessels transporting sanctioned oil linked to Venezuela. Since December, when President Donald Trump ordered a naval quarantine aimed at pressuring then-President Nicolás Maduro, U.S. forces have intercepted or seized multiple tankers attempting to move crude out of the country. Maduro was captured during a U.S. military operation in January, after which several ships reportedly fled Venezuelan ports.

Ship-tracking data indicates the Veronica III departed Venezuela in early January carrying nearly 2 million barrels of crude and fuel oil. The vessel has previously been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department for activities involving Iranian oil and has been associated with Russian, Iranian and Venezuelan shipments in recent years. Reports also indicate the tanker has operated under different names and flags to evade enforcement.

Monitoring groups using satellite imagery have said at least 16 tankers attempted to leave Venezuelan waters following Maduro’s capture, with several disabling tracking signals.

The Pentagon has not clarified whether the Veronica III has been formally seized or what its ultimate disposition will be. Last week, U.S. forces boarded another tanker, the Aquila II, which remains in U.S. custody pending a final decision.

In its statement, the Defense Department underscored its global reach, declaring: “International waters are not sanctuary. By land, air, or sea, we will find you and deliver justice. The Department of War will deny illicit actors and their proxies freedom of movement in the maritime domain.”

Editorial credit: Mayy Contributor / Shutterstock.com

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DNA from glove found near Nancy Guthrie’s home being analyzed as investigation into her disappearance continues

Savannah Guthrie^ with her mother Nancy Guthrie^ arrives at the 37th Annual Gracie Awards Gala at Beverly Hilton Hotel on May 22^ 2012 in Beverly Hllls^ CA

Authorities investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “TODAY” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, have identified DNA from a glove found near her Tucson, Arizona, residence and are preparing to enter the profile into the FBI’s national database.

The black glove, discovered roughly two miles from the 84-year-old’s home, appears similar to one worn by a masked individual captured on her doorbell camera the morning she vanished. According to officials, the DNA extracted from the glove belongs to an unidentified male. After confirmatory testing, the profile is expected to be uploaded into CODIS — the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System — which contains millions of offender and forensic records.

Investigators collected about 16 gloves from areas surrounding the property in the days after Guthrie was reported missing on Feb. 1. Most were determined to have been discarded by search crews. However, the glove containing the male DNA stood out and is believed to resemble the one seen in surveillance footage.

The FBI has described the individual in the video as a man of average build, approximately 5-foot-9 to 5-foot-10, wearing a black 25-liter Ozark Trail Hiker Pack backpack. Images released from the camera system show a masked person at the front door who appears to be armed.

Officials caution that a DNA match in the system would not automatically solve the case or confirm involvement in Guthrie’s disappearance. The source of the glove may not necessarily be tied to the crime, but authorities say it could provide a valuable lead.

Meanwhile, investigators continue to sort through thousands of tips. Law enforcement activity in recent days has included searches of at least two homes and a SWAT response to a residence less than two miles from Guthrie’s house. No arrests were made. Individuals questioned during traffic stops have since been released, and authorities stress that no one has been formally ruled out.

The case has also involved a ransom demand sent to a local news outlet seeking bitcoin. The Guthrie family has publicly pleaded for her safe return, at one point indicating a willingness to pay despite receiving no proof of life. The FBI has doubled the reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction to $100,000 as the search for answers continues.

Authorities have encouraged anyone with information or tips to contact 1-800-CALL-FBI, 88-CRIME, 520-351-4900, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department or the FBI.

Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com

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Hilary Duff shares video for ‘Roommates’ from upcoming album

Hilary Duff arrives for the Comedy Central^ Paramount Network^ TV Land Press Day on May 30^ 2019 in West Hollywood^ CA

Ahead of the release of her upcoming album ‘Luck…Or Something,’ Hilary Duff has shared the video for “Roommates,” co-written by Duff with her husband, songwriter/producer Matthew Koma, and Brian Phillips.

Duff captioned an Instagram post announcing the video release: “‘Roommates’ is a song about when life is life-ing, babe. It’s that ache for a wilder, freer time — before the days were swallowed by carpools, budget talks, grocery runs and letting old or new insecurities slip in. It’s the restless hum of wanting to find your way back — to your rhythm, to your person, to yourself.”

‘Luck…or Something’ marks Duff’s first new album in more than ten years, and she shared of the title: “I am often asked how I still have my head on straight after growing up in this industry. The album title is my way of answering that question. It’s luck, but there’s also a lot of weight in the ‘…or something’. Many of the things I’ve been through along the way are held there, and I feel like ultimately that’s what’s shaped me.”

In November, Duff dropped the video for ‘Mature’ – the first single from the album, cowritten and produced by Duff’s husband Matthew Koma. ‘Mature’ marked Duff’s first new original single since her 2015 album Breathe In. Breathe Out; she wrote in an Instagram post promoting the track that “‘Mature‘ speaks to my mature self calling my not so mature self on the phone many years ago, and she’s letting her know we landed softly. This was a brief time with a lover that left me with so many questions… It felt like a good place to start. How are we feeling… Mature? OUT NOW 🪩🍒✨” (See the video – HERE).

Duff just launched her “Small Rooms, Big Nerves” mini-tour in London on Jan. 19, which heads to Toronto, Brooklyn and Los Angeles. Additionally, a ‘limited-time engagement’ in Las Vegas is set to take place Feb. 13-15, 2006 (Valentine’s weekend) at Voltaire at The Venetian Resort.  Shortly thereafter, Duff announced an additional set of Las Vegas dates due to popular demand, set for May 22-24.  For more information and to purchase tickets, visit voltairelv.com.

See the video for ‘Roommates’ – HERE.

Luck…Or Something will drop February 20, 2026; presave – HERE.

Editorial credit: DFree / Shutterstock.com

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Pop Daypop

Blackpink to release third mini-album ‘Deadline’ on February 27

Famous Kpop South Korean group BLACKPINK Postcard of Rose^ Jisoo and Jennie. Collectible. February 2023

Blackpink’s agency YG Entertainment announced that the group’s third mini-album, Deadline, will be released on February 27, 2026 – marking their first group project since 2022’s Born Pink.

The five-track album features the previously released single “Jump,” followed by the title track “Go,” as well as “Me and My,” “Champion,” and “Fxxxboy.”

YG explained, “The album title is ‘Deadline,’ which is the same as the world tour that started at Goyang Stadium last July as the first K-pop girl group to travel around the world. This comeback marks the end of a journey of crying and laughing together with global fans.”

Blackpink delayed the album’s release from last year to 2026, with YG adding: “We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the fans who have waited for a long time. We plan to repay you with high-quality music, so please show lots of interest.”

Preorder ‘Deadline’ – HERE.

Editorial credit: NRien / Shutterstock.com