Today is Thursday, November 16, 2023.
It is the 320th day of the year.
45 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
A weird hiccup in FTX’s efforts to get customers their money back and more peril for Iceland. Details in HIT LIST.
JEREMY RENNER shows off a movement milestone and JOE JONAS has some new ink. More in SHOWBIZ.
“Survivor” host JEFF PROBST takes a hard stance on quitters and JAMIE LYNN SPEARS heads downunder. Find out more in CASTING CALL.
SKIMS is heading to DC. Find how more in KARDASH.
The House of Windsor might be stronger than reports indicate. More in ROYALS.
###
HIT LIST
The new management at FTX has recovered nearly $7 BILLION in assets that were misspent and led to SAM BANKMAN-FRIED’s fraud and conspiracy convictions earlier this month. More than half of that is tied up in cryptocurrencies, to the tune of about $4.3 BILLION.
In order to cash it out, they’ll have to sell it on other exchanges.
BUT WAIT: The Securities and Exchange Commission is actively suing two of those major exchanges, arguing it should have regulatory oversight of their business. They’ve already filed suit in a different exchange’s bankruptcy case to prevent the sale of its crypto assets. Now they could stop FTX’s new management from selling off their recovered holdings, and in doing so prolong the time customers who were bilked out of their money have to wait to get their money back. [via Forbes]
IN OTHER WORDS: The same federal agency that was unable to protect FTX customers from getting conned by SBF is now interfering with efforts to get those very people repaid.
GOVERNMENT: Lookin’ out for the little guy.
###
ELON MUSK has a couple of hot irons in the fire.
AT TESLA: A judge has ruled that factory workers can’t wear t-shirts provided by unions to help organize efforts that conflict with Tesla’s dress code. Tesla must allow workers to wear smaller stickers and pins to promote the cause, however. [via New York Post]
IN SAN FRANCISCO: Musk is expected to meet with Chinese autocrat XI JINPING this week while Xi is in the United States. Tesla produces more than one million cars a month at its factory in Shanghai. [via Financial Post]
AT STARBASE: SPACEX is eyeing tomorrow morning for the second launch of its massive Starship rocket. Pending final regulatory approval, it has a two-hour launch window beginning at 7:00 am. The model first launched on April 20 but did not make it into orbit after four minutes of flight. Musk intends the Starship design to pioneer human space travel to Mars. [via SpaceX]
###
Officials in Iceland clocked 800 earthquakes between midnight and Wednesday morning and detected increases in sulfur dioxide, a gas emitted by magma bubbling closer to Earth’s surface.
After seismic activity, increases in sulfur dioxide are a strong indicator of imminent eruption. The entire island nation remains under a state of emergency anticipating disaster. The town closest to the eruption site remains evacuated. [via CBS News]
###
In a scene straight out of “Yellowstone,” a rancher outside Tulsa, Oklahoma, woke up to two of his bison shot, one with its head completely cut off.
The head hasn’t been recovered, indicating whoever killed the bison ran off with it. Local media reports that bison heads can sell for up to $6,000.
Local law enforcement is contacting nearby taxidermists to be on the lookout and report back. [via Fox23]
###
A new hotel in Indonesia is trying to be named the “world’s skinniest hotel.”
The PituRooms, a seven-room hotel measuring just 9 feet wide, is located in Salatiga, Central Java. Standing only five floors high, each of the rooms is furnished with a double bed, shower and toilet. Also, each of the seven rooms gives off a different vibe, thanks to local artwork and interiors, according to architect Ary Indra.
The PituRooms is situated so guests can enjoy views of Mount Merbabu.
WORTH NOTING: Indra, a native of Salatiga, says he hopes the unique hotel will encourage tourism. [via CNN]
###
DEATHS
Football player DEVON WYLIE has died.
He passed away Monday, according to a statement from his family. A cause of death has not been shared.
Wylie played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tennessee Titans.
He was only 35.
###
BABY NEWS
Singer and actress JANA KRAMER has given birth to her third child; her first with fiancee, former soccer player ALLAN RUSSELL.
Roman James Russell arrived on Monday, November 13, according to an Instagram post from Kramer.
He joins big sister Jolie and big brother Jace, whom Jana shares with her ex-husband, former football player MIKE CAUSSIN.
###
BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 163 points (0.47%) to close at 34,991 on Wednesday. The S&P ticked up 7 points (0.16%) to close at 4,502 and the NASDAQ added 9 points (0.067%) to close at 14,103.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $76; BRENT CRUDE at $81.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.34 on Wednesday.
₿ BITCOIN surged more than 6% and $2100 in value to trade over $37,700 by Wednesday evening.
🛩 There were more than 1,960 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday and more than 115 such cancellations.
💰Friday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $267 million jackpot or a $122 million cash payout.
###
SHOWBIZ NEWS
COURTENEY COX, JENNIFER ANISTON, DAVID SCHWIMMER and LISA KUDROW have aired their grief on social media. The “Friends” stars all made emotional posts on Instagram over the past 24 hours detailing how gutted they are over the loss of co-star MATTHEW PERRY.
Cox shared a scene from the show where her character Monica and Perry’s character Chandler end up in bed together; fans of the show will remember it as the beginning of their love story.
Aniston posted a text message Perry had sent her about how making her laugh always made his day. She captioned the message with a lengthy post about how much Perry needed the laughs and how often he accomplished that goal.
Schwimmer shared a photo from “Friends” where his character Ross and Perry’s Chandler were in college. He called the shot one of his “favorite moments” with Perry, noting how looking at it now makes him “smile and grieve at the same time.”
Kudrow posted a photo from her and Perry’s early days on “Friends.” In her caption she thanked him for his “open heart,” his “GRACE” and “LOVE” and all the time they spent together.
The posts come just hours after MATT LEBLANC shared his own memories of the late star. [via Insta: Cox, Aniston, Schwimmer, Kudrow]
###
PINK’s well-intentioned plan to distribute so-called “banned” books during her concerts in Florida this week has been called into question.
In a post on X announcing her goal, users flagged her with a community note that showed these books weren’t banned from schools at all. The list includes classics like “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “Forrest Gump,” “A Catcher In The Rye,” “1984” and others.
Multiple sources have confirmed the list of “banned” books is in fact false, and USA Today noted that Florida has no statewide ban on books. Instead, it has “set guidelines [for] reading content” to be sure the material is grade-level appropriate. [via X, USA Today]
LESSON OF THE DAY: Do your own research.
###
As if WILL SMITH’s love life couldn’t get any messier, his rep is denying claims that the actor was caught engaging in sexual acts with fellower actor DUANE MARTIN years ago.
In an interview with YouTuber TASHA K (the same one R. KELLY is suing), Will’s former assistant claims he once walked in on the two men on the couch in Duane’s dressing room on the set of the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
Now, according to Will’s rep, he is not only denying the rumors but also considering legal action.
Duane Martin has not addressed the claim. [via TMZ]
###
GWYNETH PALTROW’s ski crash trial is getting the musical treatment.
“Gwyneth Goes Skiing,” which centers on the eight-day court case, is set to debut on London's West End next month. LINUS KARP will play Paltrow, while JOSEPH MARTIN takes on the role of Dr. Terry Sanderson, the retired optometrist who claims the actress ran into him on the slopes.
HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED: The actress was sued by Dr. Sanderson for allegedly colliding into him while skiing at the Deer Valley Resort in 2016, leaving him with a concussion, broken ribs and brain damage. Paltrow retaliated in court claiming she thought she was the victim of a sexual assault as Dr. Sanderson came up to her from behind.
VERDICT: Paltrow won the case, and was awarded the $1 in damages she sought in her suit. [via Variety]
###
To celebrate his 10th month of recovery from a near-fatal snow plow accident, JEREMY RENNER shared a video of him skipping down a steep driveway. Once at the bottom Renner appears to get emotional as he reacts to the movement milestone.
Many may recall that on New Year’s Day the “Avengers” star was run over by his snowcat machine. He broke over 30 bones and suffered several other internal injuries. In March he spoke about the accident for the first time with DIANE SAWYER, saying “I chose to survive, this is not going to kill me.” [via Instagram]
###
JOE JONAS got some new ink.
Fans spotted the two chest tattoos during the JONAS BROTHERS performance in Edmonton, Alberta this week.
Just under Joe’s collarbone are two dates — “07.05.22” and “07.22.20” — representing his daughters’ birthdays.
The new tattoos join a slew of others covering Joe’s body, including estranged wife SOPHIE TURNER’s initials. [via Page Six]
###
MARIAH CAREY aka the Queen of Christmas revealed her favorite holiday song this week, and it's not what many assumed it would be.
During an appearance on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” the 54-year-old said her favorite Christmas song is NAT KING COLE’s version of “The Christmas Song.” [via Billboard]
And before you think “well it would be extremely narcissistic of her to say her own song is her favorite” -- this is Mariah Carey we are talking about.
###
CASTING CALL
Future “Survivor” contestants who decide to quit the game will not get their torch snuffed, says host JEFF PROBST.
Probst made the declaration during his appearance on “Live With Kelly and Mark” in response to two current season players quitting the game.
“...if you are a ‘Survivor’ player and you quit, your torch will not be snuffed. That’s over. To get your torch snuffed, you got to play the game,” he exclaimed.
No word on what will happen to quitters’ torches going forward. [via Entertainment Weekly]
###
JAMIE LYNN SPEARS landed in Australia this week where she will begin filming for “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!”
She will compete against Brexit architect NIGEL FARAGE and eight other British notables for the title of King or Queen of the Jungle.
Season 23 of the reality competition show premieres on Sunday.
COMPETITOR: This is the latest competition for Spears, who recently appeared on “Dancing With the Stars,” where she was sent home in week two. [via People]
###
JIMMY KIMMEL will host the Oscars for the fourth time and his second straight year.
ABC bigwigs decided to bring Kimmel back as host after last year’s ceremony drew in almost 19 million viewers -- the most since 2020’s pre-pandemic shows.
Kimmel also hosted in 2017 and 2018. [via Variety]
###
THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KIM KARDASHIAN is reportedly planning to open SKIMS shops in Los Angeles, New York and D.C.
Earlier this summer it was reported that L.A. and New York would get permanent SKIMS locations in 2024. The D.C. location will start as a pop up shop and then move to a permanent location if it does well.
Of course with her newly launched men’s line and partnership with the NBA, WNBA and USA basketball SKIMS could soon be even more of a household name. [via DCNewsNow]
###
WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
The author of a forthcoming book about the inner workings of the Royal Family says that despite all the reports and speculation, KING CHARLES and PRINCE HARRY remain in contact with each other.
Omid Scobie tells People that whereas PRINCE WILLIAM has no interest in mending fences with his brother, the King has maintained a “warmth” with his estranged son. Scobie confirmed a birthday call that included both Harry and MEGHAN MARKLE talking to the King earlier this week.
Scobie’s book, “Endgame,” comes out November 28. [via People]
###
DAY OF THE YEAR
Guinness World Records Day
The Night of Hekate
International Day for Tolerance
Have a Party with Your Bear Day
Clarinet Day
National Button Day
Social Enterprise Day
Use Less Stuff Day
Indiana Day
National Fast Food Day
World Philosophy Day
###
ON THIS DATE
1532 - Conquistador Francisco Pizarro captures Incan emperor Atahualpa.
Pizarro tricked the native king into attending what was supposed to be a peaceful feast held in his honor.
When Atahualpa arrived with his escort of Incas, the Spaniards opened fire on them, killing them all.
Pizarro eventually forced Atahualpa to convert to Christianity. Then he killed them.
###
1849 - Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky is sentenced to death for publicly decrying the government.
He was a part of the Petrashevsky Circle, a group of intellectual radicals who opposed the Tsar.
Just before he was scheduled to be shot by firing squad, someone in the Russian monarchy changed their mind; he was instead sentenced to spend four years working in a Siberian labor camp. This was as good as a death sentence, though some survived.
He would later write his most notable work, “The Brothers Karamazov,” in 1880.
###
1901 - A small electric car breaks the world record for fastest automobile, a title held for 10 years.
The device was called the Torpedo Racer, and it was a glorified platform on bike wheels.
It hit speeds of 57 miles per hour.
###
1945 - The US starts herding German scientists across the Atlantic, to get their help developing rocket technology.
Most of the recruits worked for the Nazis, though not all willingly.
The US was eager to get its hands on the technology that powered the V-1 and V-2 German rockets.
In order to avoid public outcry for getting their help, the military said they were simply volunteers coming to work after the war for small stipends. Officially, the scientists were in American "protective custody."
###
1957 - Notre Dame beats Oklahoma, thus ending the Sooners' 47-game winning streak that spanned 1,512 days.
Ironically, Oklahoma's previous loss was also to Notre Dame, four years earlier.
They also had a 31-game streak that spanned the 1948-1950 seasons.
###
2001 - To wild fanfare and box office glory, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone” opens in theaters stateside.
Christopher Columbus was the director, who followed suit for the second movie, but quit after that.
The franchise of course spans seven books, which turned into eight movies, and made J.K. Rowling a kajillionaire.
###
2010 - Prince William and Kate Middleton announce their engagement.
Will popped the question with a blue sapphire and diamond ring — the same one his father gave his mother, Princess Diana in 1981.
###
2018 - An elevator falls down 84 floors when the hoist rope breaks at the John Hancock Center in Chicago.
All six people survived the drop.
###
2019 - Prince Andrew denies having sex with a teen connected to sex offender and friend Jeffrey Epstein in a disastrous BBC interview.
Legal ramifications would eventually follow the accusations.
###
2020 - Moderna announces that its COVID-19 vaccine is 94.5% effective against the virus.
Early data shows that virtually all of the 30,000 volunteers showed no symptoms after getting two doses of the jab.
###
BIRTHDAYS
Mason Ramsey - country singer - 17
Jack Champion - actor, “Avatar” & “Scream 6” - 19
Bol Bol - basketball player - 24
Noah Gray-Cabey - actor, “My Wife and Kids” - 28
Pete Davidson - comedian, “SNL” - 30
Amanda Clapham - actres, “Hollyoaks” - 33
Kimberly J. Brown - actress, “Guiding Light” & “Halloweentown” - 39
Eric Crouch - football player - 45
Maggie Gyllenhaal - actress, “Donnie Darko” & “The Dark Knight” - 46
Ona Grauer - actress, “Stargate Universe” & “Archer” - 48
Brooke Elliott - actress, “Sweet Magnolias” - 49
Christian Horner - race car driver - 50
Brandi Glanville - reality star, “Real Housewives” - 51
Missi Pyle - actress, “The Artist” & “Big Fish” - 51
Lisa Bonet - actress, “The Cosby Show” & “A Different World” - 56
Dean McDermott - actor, “Open Range” & “Due South” - 57
Dwight Gooden - baseball player - 59
Shigeru Miyamoto - video game designer, Nintendo - 71
Born On This Date
Burgess Meredith - actor, “Rocky” - 1907 (d. 1997)
W. C. Handy - “Father of the Blues” - 1873 (d. 1958)
Tiberius - Roman emperor - 14 AD (d. 37 AD0
###