Matthew McConaughey has withdrawn his plans to run for Texas governor. The actor announced his decision to back down from running for office after months of mulling. In a video posted on Twitter and Instagram, McConaughey, 52, said running for governor is a “humbling and inspiring path to ponder.” “It is also a path that I’m choosing not to take at this moment,” he said. The actor's suddent announcement came about two weeks before the candidate filing deadline for the Texas primary, and about two weeks after Beto O’Rourke, a former El Paso congressman and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, announced his run for the office against governor Greg Abbott, a Republican. Earlier, McConaughey drew criticism after he revealed he would not mandate vaccines for young children because he would like more information, adding that in his household, “we go slow on vaccinations, even before Covid.” … [Read more...] about Matthew McConaughey ditches plans to run for Texas governor
Iran returns to negotiations, with a nuclear crisis still looming large for Biden
Iran returned to negotiations over its nuclear program on Monday -- meeting for the first time in over five months, with the country's new hard-line government now in control. Its chief negotiator emerged from closed doors bullish, as Tehran demands its concerns about continued U.S. sanctions be addressed first after former President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal. But the U.S. and the deal's European signatories are warning that after months of stalling, Iran is facing its last opportunity to revive the 2015 deal that placed constraints on its nuclear program in exchange for international sanctions relief. A top European Union diplomat who is coordinating the indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran expressed some guarded optimism afterward -- and much urgency. MORE: Talks over Iran's nuclear program scheduled to resume Nov. 29 amid high tensions "There is clearly a will on all the delegations to listen to the Iranian positions brought by the … [Read more...] about Iran returns to negotiations, with a nuclear crisis still looming large for Biden
Ariana Grande becomes most-played artist on iHeartRadio
iHeartRadio has issued the lists of most played songs and artists of 2021 on Monday. English singer and model Dua Lipa's track 'Levitating' has grabbed the attention of most music fans to become the most-played song of the year. Similarly, American vocalist Ariana Grande has been rated as the most played artist of the year, according to the iHeartRadio lists. On Monday, iHeartRadio, the world's largest radio network, presented a list of the most popular songs overall its affiliated stations. The radio took into account the total audience spins (TAS) and the number of streamings across its stations and on the iHeartRadio app across the country. According to iHeartRadio, approximately 1.2 billion people heard the streaming of Dua Lipa's "Levitating" in the United States alone. Meanwhile, over 2.6 billion music fans heard Ariana Grande over iHeartRadio stations and its app. The Total Audience Spins calculation is based on certified Mediabase airplay and is multiplied by the number … [Read more...] about Ariana Grande becomes most-played artist on iHeartRadio
Lincoln Riley calls landing USC job ‘surreal,’ says leaving Oklahoma was tough but ‘right thing’
All Lincoln Riley had to do was say yes, take a three-hour flight, change the shade on his red tie -- from crimson to cardinal -- and he was suddenly in sunny, 75-degree late November weather, standing inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Monday afternoon being introduced as the 18th head coach in USC football history. "Wow, is this real? Unbelievable," Riley said, turning around to take in the Los Angeles skyline on one side, the Hollywood sign on the other. "It's a surreal moment, to be honest." The overnight hire of Riley away from Oklahoma that reverberated throughout the sport gave way to a celebratory shock Monday. While Riley pinched himself, USC's administrators and power brokers basked in the glory of a statement hire while remaining surprised they found themselves here in the first place. "It was never our goal to change the landscape of college football with one of the biggest moves in the history of the game," USC athletic director Mike Bohn said. "But we did … [Read more...] about Lincoln Riley calls landing USC job ‘surreal,’ says leaving Oklahoma was tough but ‘right thing’
Jim Harbaugh to give all bonus money to Michigan Wolverines athletic department staffers who had pay cut due to COVID-19
Jim Harbaugh will donate any bonus money earned from his contract this season to University of Michigan athletic department employees who had their pay reduced due to COVID-19 issues. Harbaugh said on the "Inside Michigan Football" radio show that he and his wife, Sarah, would give the money back no matter the amount in order for it to be distributed within the department. The Michigan athletic department implemented salary reductions of 5-10% for most of its employees in 2020 to help offset revenue loss from the pandemic as well as salary freezes. The way Harbaugh's contract is constructed, he has the ability to earn bonuses up to $3.475 million. That includes $500,000 for winning the Big Ten East, which the Wolverines did on Saturday by beating rival Ohio State. Harbaugh would trigger $1 million if Michigan wins the Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday against Iowa, and another $500,000 if it makes the College Football Playoff semifinal. Any employee who took a … [Read more...] about Jim Harbaugh to give all bonus money to Michigan Wolverines athletic department staffers who had pay cut due to COVID-19