Today is Tuesday, October 24, 2023.
It is the 297th day of the year.
68 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
The auto workers strike expands and interest rates find a new way to hammer homeowners. More in HIT LIST.
BRITNEY SPEARS almost didn’t get her first hit and VERA WANG’s daily diet has many in awe. More in SHOWBIZ.
TYLER PERRY has signed a new deal with Netflix. More in CASTING CALL.
KIM KARDASHIAN’s newest SKIMS models almost broke the internet. More in KARDASH.
KING CHARLES is doing his part to combat food waste in Britain. Sort of. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
An estimated 6,800 workers walked off the job at a Ram truck plant on Monday as UNITED AUTO WORKERS expanded their pressure campaign amid a weeks-long standoff with auto manufacturers.
In a statement, Stellantis, which owns Ram, said they brought a 23% wage increase and 50% increase in retirement contributions to their table in their last offer, and have not gotten a response from UAW negotiators.
The expanded strike brings the number of UAW employees not working to 40,000 across three companies. [via NBC News]
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A group of residents from Grantsville City, Utah have rallied together to save their neighbor’s sexy skeleton decor.
City officials issued a warning to the homeowner on Facebook to take down the risque display, which features a skeleton with a purple wig twirling upside down around a street sign as two other skeletons take in the show from lawn chairs.
In response to the post, residents shared their support for the set up, with one person calling city officials a “bunch of prudes.”
In the end, the homeowner respected the city’s wishes and moved the display to his own front yard. [via Insider]
WORTH NOTING: Officials’ only issue with the set up was that it was on a city street sign. The homeowner is perfectly fine with it now on his own property.
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If you buy a home that costs $376,000 on a 30-year note at the current 7% interest rate, it will take over a decade before you break even on the investment – even if you put down 20%!
WORTH NOTING: The typical financial rule of thumb has been waiting half that time, about five years, to break even. [via Axios]
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Minnesotans rank as the least-stressed Americans in a new survey conducted by WalletHub.
The study analyzed stress related to work, money, family, and health-and-safety. Utah, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Massachusetts round out the top five.
Folks in Mississippi are the most stressed in the country, with money-related stress playing a significant role, despite having the lowest cost of living in the nation. [via CNBC]
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GOOGLE has shut down live traffic data on its Maps app and Waze subsidiary, following a request from the Israeli government amid its ongoing war.
Traffic data could be used by Hamas to easily identify clusters of people to maximize casualties.
WORTH REMEMBERING: Google took similar steps when Russia invaded Ukraine last year.
General functionality will remain for finding directions, however. [via The Messenger]
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DEATHS
Actress ELIZABETH HOFFMAN has died.
She passed away of natural causes on August 21, according to recent reports.
Hoffman was best known for her role as Beatrice Reed Ventnor on NBC’s drama series, “Sisters.
She was 97.
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College basketball coach TASHA BUTTS has died.
She passed away Monday after a battle with breast cancer.
Butts coached the Georgetown women’s basketball team.
She was only 41.
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BOBI, the world’s oldest dog, has died.
The beloved canine passed away over the weekend, just months after turning 31.
For reference, the average dog’s lifespan is 10 to 13 years.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 190 points (0.58%) to close at 32,936 on Monday. The S&P lost 7 points (0.17%) to close at 4,217 and the NASDAQ added 34 points (0.27%) to close at 13,018.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $86; BRENT CRUDE at $89.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.54 on Monday.
₿ BITCOIN surged over 5% on Monday, trading well over $31,500.
🛩 There were more than 2,020 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Monday and more than 60 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $114 million jackpot or a $49.1 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
TAYLOR SWIFT has earned her 10th No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 -- landing her the 7th spot, alongside STEVIE WONDER and JANET JACKSON, for most No. 1s on the chart.
Ahead of that talented trio is WHITNEY HOUSTON at No. 6 with 11 No. 1 songs on the chart, followed by MADONNA and THE SUPREMES who have both had 12 No. 1 songs.
In 4th is MICHAEL JACKSON and DRAKE with 13 No. 1 songs, and ahead of them is RIHANNA with 14 hits. MARIAH CAREY is at No. 2 for her 19 No. 1 hits.
Taking the top spot is THE BEATLES, who have 20 No. 1 hits. [via Insider]
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Olympian MARY LOU RETTON is out of the hospital and recovering at home after a multi-week battle with a rare form of pneumonia.
Her daughter shared the good news on Monday, while thanking everyone for their “love and support.”
Two weeks ago, Retton’s daughter revealed that her 55-year-old mom was “fighting for her life.” [via People]
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BRITNEY SPEARS’ iconic hit “...Baby One More Time” almost wasn't hers.
Insiders revealed that Swedish music producer Max Martin originally reached out to the BACKSTREET BOYS and TLC about recording the song, but was turned away. Cue Spears.
She flew out to Sweden to work with Martin on her debut album and fell in love with the song, which found its way to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and landed a Grammy nomination.
It also found a spot in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and has been covered by countless artists.
Also, “...Baby One More Time” turns 25 this week. [via HNHH]
DON’T FORGET: Spears’ memoir “The Woman in Me” hits shelves today!!!
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In his forthcoming memoir, “If You Would Have Told Me,” JOHN STAMOS claims that he caught ex-girlfriend, model TERI COPLEY in a compromising position with fellow actor TONY DANZA.
In response to the alleged affair, Copley says she and Stamos had already called things quits.
For his part, Danza has not yet responded to the claims. [via TMZ]
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Fans are concerned about MADONNA continuing on with her tour after she revealed that she has still not recovered 100% after her health scare earlier this year.
The 65-year-old Material Girl opened up to fans at her Belgium show over the weekend, telling them that there are times she doesn’t feel her best, but will power through.
As for her tour, which was postponed as she battled a bacterial infection, there are a dozen more stops across 15 different countries left to go. [via OK!]
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PARIS HILTON is speaking out against social media trolls mocking her son’s appearance.
“There are some sick people in this world. My angel is perfectly healthy” she commented on a video after critics questioned her 9-month-old son’s head size.
“And yes, of course he has been to a doctor, he just has a large brain,” she later added.
Hilton and her husband CARTER REUM welcomed son Phoenix via surrogate in January. [via Page Six]
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DWAYNE “The Rock” JOHNSON is working with the Grevin Museum in Paris, France to “update” his wax figure.
The museum will fix “important details [...] starting with [his] skin color,” he tweeted in response to those calling out the lack of similarity between the figure and Johnson.
A spokesperson for the museum told TMZ that they will “remedy it as quickly as possible.” [via TMZ]
BY THE WAY: Some X users commented how the wax figure resembled Johnson’s “Fast & Furious” co-star VIN DIESEL, which could be the ultimate burn as the two actors famously feuded during filming in 2016.
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Fashion designer VERA WANG made a surprising confession last week: she eats McDonald’s every day.
The revelation shocked many, as just three years ago the 74-year-old went viral for showing off her toned abs.
She also loves Dunkin’ Donuts. [via Metro]
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CASTING CALL
“Parasite” star LEE SUN-KYUN has been removed from the drama “No Way Out” after news broke that he is under investigation for using drugs.
His exit comes amid a Korean police investigation into eight suspects, including the actor, over allegations of drug use in local bars and at homes. Lee’s attorney issued a statement on the matter, saying his client “will continue to work diligently with law enforcement agencies.”
Lee’s role as a detective in the film, about the contract killing of a man who was just released from prison after serving 13 years, will now be recast, a studio insider told The Hollywood Reporter. [via THR]
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TYLER PERRY has landed a new multi-year deal with Netflix.
He is already working with the streamer on several titles, including WWII flick “Six Triple Eight” and legal drama “Mea Culpa.”
The announcement follows Perry’s partnership with Amazon Studios to write, direct and produce four films for Prime Video.
He is also, of course, tied to Paramount, where he is behind long-running BET series “The Oval,” “Assisted Living” and “Sistas.” [via Deadline]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
Images of football player NICK BOSA posing for KIM KARDASHIAN’s Skims brand nearly broke the internet on Monday.
Less than an hour after the company announced their new line, SKIMS MENS, both Bosa and Skims were trending on X.
“The way my mouth just watered????,” one user commented, while another wrote, “OH KIM YOU KNOW WHAT UR DOING.”
Bosa isn’t the only male athlete who posed for the new line. He is joined by soccer star NEYMAR JR. and Los Angeles Clippers star SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER.
SKIMS MENS launches October 26. [via TMZ]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
KING CHARLES is doing his part to reduce food waste.
Instead of getting a small piece of a freshly-made fruitcake every day, he’s instructed his chefs to serve him pieces off the same cake until it’s gone.
The policy change accompanies the launch of the Coronation Food Project, an initiative aimed at reducing food waste across Britain.
A King of the People indeed. [via The Independent]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Food Day
United Nations Day
National Bologna Day
World Tripe Day
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ON THIS DATE
1648 - The Thirty Years War comes to an end.
The Treaty of Westphalia ended squabbling between a handful of disorganized European countries and fiefdoms.
The fighting began in 1618, when future-king Ferdinand II began imposing Catholicism in all corners of the continent. Protestants weren't a fan of the policy, and every knight and Lord who disagreed took up arms.
Upon the signing of the treaty, the Netherlands became independent from Spain, Sweden took control of the Baltic Sea, and France was declared a sovereign nation. Most significantly, the Holy Roman Emperor lost much of his influence.
The infrastructure of the Treaty helped form the modern-day powers and influences in Europe.
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1881 - US ambassador to France Levi P. Morton drives the first rivet in the Statue of Liberty.
The entire statue would be completed and assembled in Paris by 1884. At that time, construction on the pedestal would begin in New York.
Lady Liberty would arrive in New York Harbor on June 17, 1885.
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1901 - The first documented person spills over Niagara Falls in a barrel.
Annie Edson Taylor was a widowed school teacher. She was seeking thrills and fame, and a way to get rich by telling her story.
The trip was made in a 5-by-3-foot pickle barrel, padded on the inside.
She survived the tumble, but was a bit shaken.
Following the adventure, she had her 15 minutes of fame, including a smattering of photo ops and public appearances. It never made her much money, though.
Today, it's illegal to try to survive falling down the Falls.
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1939 - Nylon stockings are first sold to women.
They were distributed to women at the DuPont factory in Delaware. Nylon was the first synthetic material made from mineral sources that was actually somewhat comfortable.
It was designed as an alternative to silk, for women seeking comfortable undergarments.
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1945 - In order to prevent any future wars, the United Nations is established.
The five permanent members of the Security Council ratified the charter, with a handful of other countries. China, Russia, France, the U.S. and the U.K. hold those permanent seats.
The first General Assembly opened in London the following January.
Construction began on the headquarters in New York on this date in 1949.
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1970 - Salvador Allende takes power in Chile.
He was elected president following a campaign espousing Marxism.
His previous campaigns in 1958 and 1964 weren't quite left-wing enough, based on his initial socialist policies.
Since it was during the Cold War, the U.S. actively supported Allende's opposition.
One of Allende's first acts was to formally recognize the communist governments in North Korea, North Vietnam, and Cuba. He also propped up leftists throughout South America.
Three short years later Augusto Pinochet would lead a military coup to unseat Allende. Pinochet led Chile to years of economic prosperity.
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2018 - A South Carolina woman wins the largest Mega Millions jackpot at that point in US history, at $1.6 billion.
She donated a chunk of her wealth to the Alabama Red Cross to aid tornado relief efforts and several South Carolina charities the following March.
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2021 - Tom Brady becomes the first quarterback in NFL history to record 600 touchdown passes.
He reached the milestone with a pass to Mike Evans as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took on the Chicago Bears.
Tampa Bay would win 38-3.
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BIRTHDAYS
Daya - pop singer - 25
Jaylen Brown - basketball player - 27
Kyla Ross - Olympic gymnast - 27
Sean O’Malley - MMA fighter - 29
Jalen Ramsey - football player - 29
Eliza Taylor - actress, “The 100” - 34
Drake - rapper - 37
Wayne Rooney - soccer player - 38
Adrienne Bailon - pop singer & TV show host, “The Real” - 40
Monica Arnold - R&B singer - 43
Kevin Kline - actor, “Sophie’s Choice” & “Big Chill” - 76
F. Murray Abraham - actor, “All the President’s Men” - 84
Robert Mundell - “father of euro” - 91
Born On This Date
Melvin Purvis - FBI agent that led the hunt for Baby Face Nelson & John Dillinger - 1903 (d. 1960)
Merian C. Cooper - film director & producer, “King Kong” - 1893 (d. 1973)
James S. Sherman - 27th VP of the US - 1855 (d. 1912)
Domitian - Roman Emperor - 51 AD (d. 96 AD)
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