10/24/2024: Something’s Fishy
PLUS: Election Countdown; Stay Like a Deetz; and Backup Plan Vacation Home
Today is Thursday, October 24, 2024.
It is the 298th day of the year.
68 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
A sales slump hits STARBUCKS and a new threat heads to the front lines of the war in Ukraine. Details in HIT LIST.
Another DIDDY accuser comes forward and JT needs to rest. More in SHOWBIZ.
NICOLE KIDMAN didn’t hold back while filming her upcoming erotic thriller and JASON SEGAL’s mom wasn’t ready to see so much of her son on the big screen. Details in CASTING CALL.
KIM and co. are appalled over recent YE accusations. More in KARDASH.
A new take on the Sussexes’ recent real estate purchase. Details in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
THERE ARE 12 DAYS until Election Day and here’s the state of the race.
– Journalist MARK HALPERIN coyly said there’s a story about DONALD TRUMP being shopped around that, if true, would end his campaign, and that he’s not the only reporter or outlet to have been presented with the information. No word what could be more campaign-ending than being accused of rape and treason, but that’s how things go in the Year of Our Lord 2024. Halperin later clarified that he does not believe the claims made in the pitch, either, and wanted to warn about misinformation in the closing days of the race.
– KAMALA HARRIS made brief comments from her official residence Wednesday afternoon addressing reporting in The Atlantic about statements Trump made during his first term, again alleging he’s fond of Adolf Hitler. Depending on who you ask, these allegations were either discredited by witnesses at the time or proof positive that the Republican nominee is a very, very bad man.
– Harris will give a speech on Tuesday at the National Mall that the Washington Post characterizes as her “closing argument,” a week before Election Day.
– The Trump campaign has filed a Federal Elections Commission complaint against his opponent, accusing the Harris campaign of accepting foreign help after Britain's Labour Party announced it was deploying to battleground states to campaign for her.
– The Department of Justice sent a letter to ELON MUSK’s America PAC that his $1 MILLION-a-day lottery could violate federal election law barring payments for votes or voter registration.
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The Department of Defense has confirmed that North Korean troops have deployed to Ukraine to support Russia’s aggressive invasion of Ukraine.
In a Tuesday interview, Secretary LLOYD AUSTIN could not confirm the role these troops are playing, but said frontline deployments would be “very, very serious.”
Previously, South Korean intelligence suggested about 3,000 North Koreans had already been sent, with up to 10,000 total preparing to deploy by the end of the year.
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An earlier-than-expected earnings preview from STARBUCKS shows the challenges ahead for new CEO BRIAN NICCOL. Sales fell 6% in the United States in the third quarter and were down 7% globally.
Niccol has pushed for simplified menus and improved in-store experiences since taking the helm. He said in a video coinciding with the data release that the company will need to “fundamentally change our strategy.” Despite the chain’s massive reach, Niccol says it’s a goal to give each location a “community coffeehouse” feel.
The full earnings report comes out October 30. [via CNN]
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Managers of the Santa Cruz Harbor in California are grappling with a surge in dead anchovies filling the water.
The fish have congregated in shallow water for the season, but in doing so have used up the oxygen. The harbormaster tells local media, “it’s kind of like a fish tank that’s overstocked.” On an even creepier note, the harbormaster also says there’s more dead fish at the bottom of the harbor, too.
He adds that people are devising plans to pump oxygen into the water to curb the onslaught and in the meantime they’re actively scooping up the remains. [via KSBW]
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Pepperidge Farm has changed the name of its iconic fish-shaped snack from “Goldfish” to “Chilean Sea Bass” in an effort to entice more sophisticated snackers.
The limited-time rebrand is to remind Gen Z and Millennials who grew up with Goldfish that the snack can still be their go-to.
SIDE NOTE: Goldfish is getting close to reintroducing their Elf Maple Syrup Flavored Grahams; just in time for the holiday season. [via NY Post]
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 409 points (0.96%) to close at 42,514. The S&P lost 53 points (0.92%) to close at 5,797 and the NASDAQ lost 296 points (1.6%) to close at 18,276.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $70; BRENT CRUDE at $75.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.15 on Wednesday.
₿ BITCOIN slid Wednesday, down 1.5% and trading around $66,300.
🛩 There were more than 1,915 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday and more than 50 such cancellations.
💰Friday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $229 million jackpot or a $107.4 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
SEAN COMBS’ former personal trainer claims he was “drugged and repeatedly sexually assaulted” by the music mogul.
The alleged victim says after being drugged Combs passed him “around like a party favor” for others’ “sexual enjoyment.”
His story matches the endless list of accusers: gets invited to a party, signs an NDA, unknowingly accepts a drug-laced drink from, and ends up being sexually assaulted by Combs and/or other guests.
Texas-based attorney TONY BUZBEE is representing this accuser as well. [via Us Weekly]
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PATRICK MAHOMES SR. started his 10-day jail stint on Tuesday, as part of the plea agreement he made with prosecutors in his latest DWI case.
He was also ordered to serve five years of probation.
Mahomes was arrested in February on his third DWI. At the time of his arrest, he name dropped his son, Kansas City Chiefs QB PATRICK MAHOMES, who was set to play the Raiders in the Super Bowl just days later. [via TMZ]
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JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE is taking a brief break from his “Forget Tomorrow World Tour” after having been diagnosed with bronchitis and laryngitis.
He shared rescheduled dates on Instagram, promising fans, “I’ll make it up to you.” [via Instagram]
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JUSTIN BIEBER is considering taking legal action against some of his former business managers, claiming they “mismanaged” his funds.
It is unknown how much was squandered, but insiders say it is a significant amount.
Don’t think The Biebs is struggling financially, however, he sold his music catalog in January 2023 for $200 million. His net worth at the time was $100 million. [via TMZ]
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Prior to getting shot last week in Vegas, rocker JAKE E. LEE reportedly got into a “confrontation” with “a couple of thieves.”
“There was a verbal confrontation which ended with an agreement that I would walk one way and they would walk the opposite. That didn’t work out,” the 67-year-old rocker wrote on Facebook.
As previously reported, Lee was out walking his dog when he encountered the group of masked individuals, who opened fire at him. He was struck multiple times and rushed to the hospital.
Authorities believe the attack was completely random, and are still investigating.
Lee meanwhile, has been released and will make a full recovery. [via NY Post]
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GLENN CLOSE will receive AARP The Magazine’s Movies for Grownups Awards career achievement honor.
“I am so honored to receive [the award],” Close said in a statement. “Even though I feel like I’m still 35, if not younger.”
The AARP launched the Movies for Grownups initiative in 2002 to advocate for audiences over 50 years old and to fight ageism in Hollywood.
The ceremony will be held in January. ALAN CUMMING will host. [via AP]
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CASTING CALL
The Deetz residence from “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is now available to visit thanks to Airbnb.
The home is part of the vacation rental company's immersive "Icons" experiences and they promise is "just as it appears" in the 2024 reboot of TIM BURTON's classic horror-comedy, according to People Magazine.
Located in New Jersey, the place is available to book for a three-hour experience between now and November 4.
As an overnight stay is not an option at the iconic home, Airbnb is offering one-night stays at other listings nearby at no additional cost. [via People]
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NICOLE KIDMAN confessed to needing multiple breaks while filming her upcoming erotic thriller, “Babygirl,” calling the sex scenes “exhausting.”
“There were times when we were shooting where I was like, ‘I don’t want to orgasm anymore,” she told The Sun. (imitation only, of course!)
In the film, Kidman plays a high-powered CEO who gets into an affair with a much-younger man played by HARRISON DICKINSON.
ANTONIO BANDERAS also stars in the movie, playing Kidman’s husband. [via The Sun]
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JASON SEGAL’s mom was so upset after seeing his full frontal nude scene in 2008’s “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” that she did what any mom would do, and sent a family email.
After seeing her baby boy’s junk on the screen -- at the premiere, no less -- Segal says his mom went into crisis mode and sent an email to the rest of the family, writing in part, “I would like to inform you that Jason has chosen to do full frontal nudity in his upcoming film.”
BY THE WAY: Segal says he was actually dumped one time…while naked. [via NY Post]
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TOM HOLLAND confirmed this week that “Spider-Man 4” is officially happening.
“Next summer we start shooting. Everything’s good to go. We’re nearly there. It’s super exciting,” he shared during an appearance on the “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
As for the plot, insiders are staying mum. [via THR]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KIM KARDASHIAN and her family are reportedly “livid” over new allegations stated in a lawsuit filed by former Yeezy employee, LAUREN PISCIOTTA against YE.
According to an insider, Kim has done her best “to maintain a healthy coparenting relationship with [Ye], but it’s taking everything in her not to speak out right now.”
As previously reported, Pisciotta claims that she was “sexually assaulted” by Ye during a studio session co-hosted by SEAN COMBS; at which time he would have been married to Kim. [via InTouch]
MEANWHILE: Page Six reports that Kim is “pretty much a single mom” to the four children she shares with Ye, as he is “sadly not around very much.” [via Page Six]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
When news broke that PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE purchased a ritzy vacation crash pad in Portugal, rumors swirled they were after a “Golden Visa” to make travel around Europe more accessible – but royal observer Hugo Vickers has another theory.
With just days to go until Election Day in the United States, a Trump administration could lead to Harry’s expulsion from the country. The Biden Administration has blocked Freedom of Information Act requests for details about Harry’s immigration file, especially after the royal admitted to using drugs in his memoir, which would typically disqualify someone seeking residency in the United States. Trump has not yet weighed in on the issue.
Vickers tells Express, "I think it's very wise to take all the possibilities into account [and look to live elsewhere]. Looking at it from the outside, it makes perfect sense that they should have a backup plan.” [via Express]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Jamaican Jerk
National Kangaroo Awareness Day
World Kangaroo Day
National Bandana Day
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 importantly, 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 U.N. 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 '58 and '64 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 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 - The largest Mega Millions jackpot in US history, at $1.6 billion, is won by a woman in South Carolina.
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 QB 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
Amon-Ra St. Brown - football player - 25
Daya - pop singer - 26
Jaylen Brown - basketball player - 28
Jalen Ramsey - football player - 30
Sean O’Malley - MMA fighter - 30
Eliza Taylor - actress, “The 100” - 35
Jason Tartick - reality star, “The Bachelor” - 36
Drake - rapper - 38
Wayne Rooney - soccer player - 39
Adrienne Bailon - pop singer - 41
Monica Arnold - R&B singer - 44
Scott Peterson - murderer whose case took the nation by storm - 52
Kevin Kline - actor, “Sophie’s Choice” - 77
F. Murray Abraham - actor, “All the President’s Men” - 85
Bill Wyman - rock bassist, Rolling Stones - 88
Born On This Date
David Nelson - actor, “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet” - 1936 (d. 2011)
Melvin Purvis - FBI agent, hunted Baby Face Nelson & John Dillinger - 1903 (d. 1960)
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