12/14/2023: The Hypochondria Paradox 🤒
PLUS: Tesla Recall; Merry Swiftmas; and Archewell’s Spending
Today is Thursday, December 14, 2023.
It is the 348th day of the year.
17 days remain.
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WHAT’S ON TAP
Stocks hit an all-time high and SAM BANKMAN-FRIED’s lawyer dishes on some behind the scenes details from the trial. More in HIT LIST.
LUKE COMBS accidentally sues a fan and TIFFANY HADDISH is releasing another book. More in SHOWBIZ.
NETFLIX finally shares some viewing details & “America’s Most Wanted” returns with JOHN WALSH as host. Find out more in CASTING CALL.
BIANCA CENSORI’s parents have joined the group of those concerned over her marriage to YE. Details in KARDASH.
Despite a down year, the Sussexes’ foundation still gave where it could. More in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
TESLA has initiated a massive recall encompassing almost all of its vehicles sold in the US to update the software that runs its self-driving “Autopilot” feature.
The sweeping recall follows an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that notes the Autopilot feature was engaged on cars during accidents, some fatal. The NHTSA concluded that the program’s “method of making sure that drivers are paying attention can be inadequate,” the AP reports.
With the software update, drivers will have stronger controls and reminders to pay attention to what they’re doing. [via NBC News]
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The DOW on Wednesday closed at an all-time high, bolstered by reports the Federal Reserve might consider rate cuts early next year.
Up 513 points on the day, Dow stocks closed at 37,090, just shy of its peak earlier in the day.
The positive market conditions also surged APPLE’s stock value to an all-time high, at $197.96 a share.
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SAM BANKMAN-FRIED’s lead defense lawyer tells Bloomberg that his client was one of the worst witnesses he ever represented.
David Mills says he only took on the case as a favor to SBF’s parents, with whom he had been personal friends. He now assumes their friendship has been destroyed and will be seen by them as a scapegoat if their son spends the rest of his life behind bars.
Mills also revealed he represented SBF pro bono.
Following SBF’s convictions, his sentencing is set for March. [via DailyMail]
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A sweeping Swedish study suggests that hypochondriacs die earlier than those who don’t compulsively obsess about germs and health.
One expert on the matter tells the Associated Press the results apply mostly to those on the most severe end of the hypochondriac spectrum. The researchers believe the ongoing stress about health wears the individual down over time. [via AP]
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DORITOS has teamed up with flavor innovator company Empirical to create a bottle of booze that tastes just like the cheesy snack.
The Empirical x Doritos Nacho Cheese Spirit was made with real Doritos and alcohol, according to the press release.
It can be enjoyed neat or over ice. [via USA Today]
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DEATHS
Musician JEFFREY FOSKETT has died.
He passed away Monday after a battle with anaplastic thyroid cancer, according to a social media post from his brother.
Foskett was a longtime member of THE BEACH BOYS.
He was 67
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW increased 512 points (1.4%) to close at 37,090, an all-time high. The S&P increased 63 points (1.37%) to close at 4,707 and the NASDAQ added 200 points (1.38%) to close at 14,733.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $69; BRENT CRUDE at $74.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.12 on Wednesday.
₿ BITCOIN surged 4% Wednesday, trading over $43,120 in the evening.
🛩 There were more than 1,885 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday and more than 65 such cancellations.
💰Friday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $28 million jackpot or a $13.3 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
A portrait of OPRAH WINFREY, set to be hung in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, was unveiled this week.
O was on hand for the big reveal, alongside artist Shawn Michael Warren, who yanked the drape off the larger-than-life painting of the media mogul wearing a purple dress in her “prayer garden.”
As for O’s thoughts on the work of art…it’s hard to tell whether she was speechless because she loves it or is mortified. [via CNN]
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LUKE COMBS is taking steps to make right a lawsuit that ordered a Florida woman to fork over $250,000 for making tumblers with his likeness.
The country music star says he was unaware that his team was going after the woman in court, and is now sick to his stomach over the whole thing.
The lawsuit roped in Nicol Harness for selling $20 Luke Combs tumblers on Amazon, She claims she had no idea she was being sued until her account was frozen and she received a judge’s order to pay the hefty fine.
Luke got in touch with the woman and has sent her double the amount that has been frozen and plans to start selling his own tumblers, with all proceeds going to Nicol, who suffers from congestive heart failure.
FOR THE RECORD: Luke said his team goes after large-scale counterfeiters of his merchandise, and he’s not sure how Nicol ended up in the lawsuit. He also added that in no way will she have to pay that fine. [via Billboard]
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MERRY SWIFTMAS: Some Swifties are using their “Eras Tour” concert film popcorn bucket to bring a little extra holiday cheer this year.
A new TikTok trend has fans showing off their small, table-top Christmas trees being placed inside the buckets, and then decorated with friendship bracelets…a nod to her “Eras Tour” concerts. [via TikTok]
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For his efforts in aiding those terrorized in the October 7th attack by Hamas, FLOYD MAYWEATHER was presented with the “Champion of Israel” award.
Remember, he sent his private jet to Tel Aviv with over 5,000 pounds of supplies for civilians and members of the military.
There was also a video montage played at the event showing Mayweather's work with Magen David Adom, a Red Cross-affiliated organization in Israel. [via TMZ]
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Actress TIFFANY HADDISH is releasing another book.
In a People Magazine exclusive, Haddish announced that her second book, “I Curse You With Joy,” a collection of essays and stories, will be released in May.
The book follows 2017’s “The Last Black Unicorn.” [via People]
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CASTING CALL
For the first time ever, NETFLIX has released viewing data for thousands of its shows and movies, covering the first half of the year.
The report, titled “What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report,” features 18,000 titles -- or about 99% of all content viewed on the streaming platform.
For films, “The Mother,” a thriller starring JENNIFER LOPEZ, was the most-watched movie for the first six months with nearly 250 million viewing hours.
On the TV show side of things, Season 1 of “The Night Agent” topped the chart with over 812 million viewing hours, followed by Season 2 of “Ginny & Georgia” (665.1 million hours) and Season 1 of “The Glory” (622.8 million hours). [via Axios]
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ANTHONY ANDERSON will host the 75th annual Emmy Awards.
It will be his first time hosting the event.
Remember, the Emmy Awards will air on January 15, which is later than usual because of the duel Hollywood strikes that went down over the summer. [via ET]
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“Barbie” leads the Critics Choice Award nominations with a record-breaking 18 -- the most of any film in the organization’s 29 years.
The record was previously held by “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and “The Shape of Water,” which landed 14 noms during their respective years.
Other films with high nominations include “Oppenheimer” and “Poor Things” with 13 apiece, including one for Best Picture. [via Variety]
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The Library of Congress announced its 25 movies selected as 2023’s entries into the National Film Registry.
On the list are: 1990’s “Home Alone” and 1993’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
Others selected for preservation include, “12 Years a Slave” (2013), “Apollo 13” (1995), “Fame” (1980) and “Lady and the Tramp” (1955).
HOW IT WORKS: The Library of Congress selects 25 films each year to preserve in the National Film Registry in recognition of their “cultural, historic or aesthetic importance to preserve the nation’s film heritage.” [via People]
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JOHN WALSH is returning to host a revival of “America’s Most Wanted.”
He will be joined by his son Callahan, a child advocate for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
The series originally ran from 1988 to 2011, with Walsh as host.
The revival will premiere on January 22. [via Deadline]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
BIANCA CENSORI’s parents have major concerns about her marriage to the “slightly disturbed” YE.
Insiders told the Daily Mail that Censori’s parents are deeply concerned about Ye’s intentions with their daughter, as the two married one month after his divorce from KIM KARDASHIAN was finalized.
“They really didn’t want Bianca to be his rebound from such a high-profile marriage,” the source explained.
Also, Ye has reportedly not yet met his in-laws. [via Daily Mail]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
On the heels of news that PRINCE HARRY and MEGHAN MARKLE’s Archewell Foundation only earned $2 million in donations last year – from two donors – there’s more details on where some of that money went.
$200,000 to Georgetown University’s gender justice initiative.
$100,000 to the Halo Trust
$10,000 to flood relief in Nigeria
$50,000 to aide humanitarian relief in Ukraine
NEEDS EXPLAINING: Despite the drastic decrease in donations year over year, the foundation’s director saw an annual salary increase worth more than $100,000. [via DailyMail]
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Screwdriver Day
Roast Chestnuts Day
Free Shipping Day
Sustainability Entrepreneurship Day
National Bouillabaisse Day
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ON THIS DATE
1799 - The Great Founding Father George Washington dies.
He suffered from acute laryngitis in his final days, where he rested at his beloved Mount Vernon.
Henry Lee famously eulogized him as "First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."
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1900 - The first study of quantum theory is published by German physicist Max Planck.
The paper explored the existence of particle-like matter -- called "quantum" -- that fueled radiant energy.
He would receive the Nobel Prize almost 20 years later for his continued study in the matter. His findings are the basis for all studies conducted by greats like Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr.
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1902 - Cable begins to be laid across the Pacific Ocean, beginning in California en route to Hawaii.
The Cable Ship Silvertown had on board more than 2200 miles of cable.
On January 1st the next year, the ship would dock in Honolulu, and the first message was sent that day.
Public messages opened the following week. By the end of the year, the cable reached all the way to Manila.
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1911 - Roald Amundsen and his crew reach the South Pole – the first to do so.
The Norwegian explorer was in a race against British explorer Robert Falcon Scott.
Amundsen's base camp was 60 miles closer to the pole than Scott's. He also used sleigh dogs, while Scott chose to use motor sledges, Siberian ponies, and dogs.
While Amundsen reached the pole and returned to camp in late January the next year, Scott and his crew would not survive their journey; they died on the return trip, only 11 miles from base camp.
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1962 - The Mariner 2 space probe comes within 34,000 kilometers of Venus.
It's the first to transmit information about the planet, including data about Venus' heavy, carbon dioxide atmosphere.
On the surface, it was about 900 degrees Fahrenheit.
Contact would be lost early the following year.
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2008 - An Iraqi journalist throws 2 shoes at President Bush while speaking at a press conference in Iraq.
It was Bush’s last trip to the foreign country as president.
Secret Service men quickly subdued the man, and rushed to the president's aide, but Dubya waved them off.
Muntadhar al Zaidi was initially celebrated for his shoe-throwing antics, but he would be given a three-year prison sentence in 2009 for the attack by an Iraqi court.
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2019 - The Bel Air mansion featured in the 1960s TV series “The Beverly Hillbillies” sells for $150 million, making it California’s most expensive property.
The 25,000-square-foot residence was scooped up by Lachlan Murdoch, son of Rupert Murdoch.
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2020 - The US begins administering Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine.
The total death count from the virus hits 300,000.
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BIRTHDAYS
Reign Disick - youngest son of Kourtney Kardashian & Scott Disick - 9
Mason Disick - eldest son of Kourtney Kardashian & Scott Disick - 14
D.K. Metcalf - football player - 26
Tori Kelly - pop singer - 31
Offset - rapper - 32
Vanessa Hudgens - actress, “High School Musical” & “The Princess Switch”- 35
Alex Gaskarth - rock singer, All Time Low - 36
Jackson Rathbone - actor, “Twilight” films & “Criminal Minds” - 39
Mike Fuentes - drummer, Pierce The Veil - 39
Michael Owen - soccer player - 44
Miranda Hart - actress, “Miranda” & “Spy” - 51
James Comey - former FBI director - 63
Stan Smith - tennis player - 77
Born On This Date
Jimmy Doolittle - air force general who conducted the raid on Tokyo in 1942 - 1896 (d. 1993)
George VI - King & dad of Queen Elizabeth II - 1895 (d. 1952)
Nostradamus - French astrologer - 1503 (d. 1566)
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