1/9/2024: Prison Escape!
PLUS: Elon Claps Back; Yay Tay!; and Evicting Andrew, Again?
Today is Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
It is the 9th day of the year.
357 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
More details on the Alaska Airlines disaster and authorities bust a reptile smuggling ring. Details in HIT LIST.
TIGER WOODS says goodbye to his decades-long partnership with NIKE and MARY LOU RETTON opens up about her health scare. Details in SHOWBIZ.
PRINCE’s “Purple Rain” is heading to the stage and Netflix is auctioning off props from “The Crown.” More in CASTING CALL.
YE has overstayed his welcome at this Miami hotspot. Find out what happened in KARDASH.
There’s more motivation to get PRINCE ANDREW out of the fold once and for all in ROYALS.
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HIT LIST
After a weekend Wall Street Journal report suggesting ELON MUSK regularly enjoys a cocktail of drugs, including ketamine and hallucinogenics, the billionaire explicitly denied the allegations on X.
WORTH REMEMBERING: Musk gave investors and regulators a headache when he took a pull on a joint during an interview with JOE ROGAN in 2018.
In his post, Musk said since that incident, he agreed to three years of random drug testing. “Not even trace quantities were found of any drugs or alcohol.” A rep for Musk said that since then, Musk is regularly tested for drugs at SPACEX – by his own company.
Musk added, “[The Wall Street Journal] is not fit to line a parrot cage for bird 💩.” [via X]
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UPDATE: Investigators found the fuselage section that fell off an Alaska Airlines flight on Friday, triggering the release of oxygen masks for passengers on board and an immediate return to the airport.
WORTH NOTING: Contrary to initial reporting, an entire door section popped off, not just a window.
That section, technically a “door plug,” landed in the backyard of a Portland, Oregon home. The National Transportation Safety Board credited a schoolteacher named “Bob” for alerting officials to the debris.
MEANWHILE: Two cell phones were also recovered nearby. [via NBC News, KPTV]
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RIGHT MAN, RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME: A Connecticut firefighter making some extra money as a snow plow driver saved four lives and three dogs when he drove past a house on fire while clearing snow.
Shaun Bogen spotted the house fire just before 4:00 am on Sunday, alerted his dispatch and called 911. He then woke up the residents inside and waited as more than two dozen firefighters arrived to put out the blaze.
Within an hour it was contained with no injuries reported. The cause of the fire remains undetermined. [via WFSB]
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One of Ecuador’s Most Wanted has mysteriously escaped prison and authorities are conducting a massive nationwide manhunt. Late Monday evening, the government established a nationwide state of emergency to aid the effort.
Gang leader José Adolfo Macías Villamar – better known as “Fito” (likely an abbreviated version of “Adolfito”) – disappeared from his cell at Litoral Penitentiary, described as Ecuador’s biggest and highest-security detention complex, at some point over the weekend.
Fito began his sentence in 2011 but, even behind bars, became the head of Los Choneros gang syndicate after the death of its former leader in 2020. Fito previously escaped from a prison in 2013 and lived on the lam for about three months.
Government officials say at least 3,000 police and law enforcement are actively working to track him down. [via Time]
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Australian authorities recently thwarted a reptilian smuggling ring in Sydney.
Four people were arrested in the bust, which had been on investigators’ radar since September of last year after 59 live lizards were confiscated while enroute to Hong Kong -- a known hub for illicit wildlife trade.
In total, 257 lizards and three snakes were found. Officers estimate that the lizards go for about $3,350, each.
The foursome are due to appear in court this month for their crimes. [via CNN]
BREAKUPS
LISA BONET has filed for divorce from JASON MOMOA.
The news comes two years after they announced their separation.
As for their two young kids, Bonet has asked for joint physical and legal custody. Neither of them will seek spousal support, per the docs.
The two started dating in 2005, and tied the knot in 2017.
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RELATIONSHIPS
“Chicago P.D.” costars JESSE LEE SOFFER and TRACY SPIRIDAKOS are dating.
Multiple outlets reported that the actors have secretly been together for years, which tracks as their characters are also together on the show.
He’s 39 and she’s 35.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW gained 216 points (0.58%) to close at 37,683 on Monday. The S&P increased 66 points (1.41%) to close at 4,763 and the NASDAQ increased 319 points (2.2%) to close at 14,843.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $70; BRENT CRUDE at $76.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.07 on Monday.
₿ BITCOIN surged toward $47,000 by Monday evening, up over $3000 and nearly 7% on the day.
🛩 There were more than 5,525 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Monday and more than 665 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $165 million jackpot or a $79.9 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
Things are about to get SPICY!
MEL B aka Scary Spice aka one-fifth of the iconic girl group the SPICE GIRLS, appeared on the “Today” show and was asked by host HODA KOTB about the possibility of a reunion.
“We’re actually going to be releasing some really good news in about a few weeks that involves all five of us,” she replied, later adding that fans will be “100 percent satisfied.” [via People]
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In an 18th anniversary post, PINK alluded to an almost-break-up with husband CAREY HART, writing in part, “Love is a lifetime of coming back to the table. We almost didn’t make it to this one…”
She also shared a series of snapshots of the two of them over the years, calling him her “stubborn, beautiful, immovable rock.”
Hart posted his own tribute, calling his wife an “amazing human” before joking that he is looking forward to their future, as long as she doesn’t “kill [him] first.”
The two are familiar with relationship struggles. They split in 2008 after just two years of marriage, before reconciling in 2010. From there they welcomed two children, daughter Willow and son Jameson. [via Page Six]
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After 27 years, TIGER WOODS and NIKE have ended their partnership.
Woods announced the news on X, telling followers there will be more news on the matter in the coming days.
Golf fans will remember that Woods would wear a red Nike polo during matches. Also, he would often sport a dark-colored Nike cap. [via NBC]
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Former Olympian MARY LOU RETTON feels “blessed” and “grateful” to be alive after battling a rare form of pneumonia that almost landed her on life support.
She described the ordeal to “Today’s” HODA KOTB, saying “when you face death in the eyes -- [you] have so much to look forward to.”
Making matters worse, Retten had no health insurance, which left her family scrambling for how to cover the month-long hospital stay, and other expenses. A GoFundMe, set up by her daughters, raised over $460,000, which will help offset some medical costs.
Now, still on oxygen, the 56-year-old said she is unsure what the future holds for her health-wise, but she is just thankful to “have made it.” [via THR]
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CASTING CALL
Sunday’s Golden Globes brought in 9.4 million viewers -- up 50% from last year’s show.
As for potential reasons why the jump in viewers…it could have been due to the switch from NBC to CBS, the box office success of films such as “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” or that the network’s football games preceded the show.
That being said, reactions to JO KOY’s job as host were less than impressive. [via TMZ]
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TAYLOR SWIFT’s “Eras Tour” movie is now the highest-grossing concert/documentary film of all-time.
While the film hit theaters in late 2023, it was China’s recent opening that pushed it to the No. 1 spot.
In total, the film has grossed more than $261.6 million at the global box office, beating the previous record holder, MICHAEL JACKSON’s 2009 posthumous documentary, “This Is It” ($261.2 million). [via Billboard]
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PRINCE’s film “Purple Rain” is getting a stage adaptation.
The movie, which grossed almost $100 million worldwide, and debuted 40 years ago, starred Prince as an emerging rock musician in Minneapolis.
The album of the same name was released as the film’s soundtrack, selling over 25 million units worldwide. [via THR]
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“Stranger Things” is back to business.
Filming on the fifth and final season of the series is underway, after being delayed by last summer’s Hollywood strikes.
Netflix shared a photo of the cast, alongside creators MATT and ROSS DUFFER, to mark the return of production.
An official release date has not yet been announced. [via Daily Mail]
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NICOLAS CAGE wants to play Pontius Pilate in “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
He made the revelation on the red carpet during the Golden Globes, saying he has “not done a musical” and thinks he would be “a good Pontius Pilate.” Cage said he wouldn't, however, sing for the job.
As for upcoming roles, Cage is set to star in “Longlegs,” “Arcadian” and “The Surfer.” [via Variety]
WORTH REMEMBERING: Cage said he plans to retire soon in order to spend more time with his family.
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With “The Crown” all wrapped, Netflix is now auctioning off some of the show’s props, including outfits worn by the cast, vehicles and other memorable items.
One of the more notable pieces is a recreation of PRINCESS DIANA’s iconic revenge dress, worn by actress EMMA CORRIN in Season 4. It is expected to get around $13,000.
Proceeds will go toward a program for film students called Left Bank Pictures -- The Crown Scholarship, through the National Film and Television School. [via Daily Mail]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
YE has overstayed his welcome at Miami’s Four Seasons at the Surf Club resort.
Insiders told Clutch Points that security staff at the five-star hotel are sick of his late-night antics and disruptions, including setting up a recording studio in his room, hosting guests into the wee hours of the morning, and creating a ruckus with a parade of SUVs shuttling back and forth in front.
This, of course, all went down when Ye was in town for Art Basel. That was the same time he put on a performance in which he donned a black hood, which many felt resembled those worn by the Ku Klux Klan.
MORAL OF THE STORY: The next time Ye wants to stay in Miami, he will likely have to find a different establishment to set up shop. [via Clutch Points]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
The Saga of the Royal Lodge continues into 2024, with KING CHARLES forcing accused pedophile PRINCE ANDREW to pay for his own security as a condition of remaining a resident in the compound, located within the Windsor estate.
NOW: Renewed rumors suggest PRINCE WILLIAM and his family want to move into the Royal Lodge after all.
An unnamed but “well-placed” source within The Firm tells Express that the King will use these latest allegations to retire his brother from official royal duties for good, and eventually get him out of family-owned property. The Royal Lodge would then be open for Wills, PRINCESS KATE, and their three kids to occupy. Their current home base is an extensive suite within Kensington Palace.
While Andrew has enough money to live comfortably with his inheritance from QUEEN ELIZABETH, he likely can’t keep up his lifestyle and bear the cost of maintenance and security at the same time. [via Express]
DAY OF THE YEAR
International Choreographers Day
National Shop for Travel Day
Play God Day
National Balloon Ascension Day
Poetry at Work Day
National Static Electricity Day
National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
National Cassoulet Day
National Word Nerd Day
National Apricot Day
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ON THIS DATE
1493 - Explorer Christopher Columbus documents his sighting of what he calls mermaids.
In reality they were probably manatees. He described them as "not half as beautiful as they are painted."
The sighting was six months into his trip from Spain en route to Asia. Of course, he actually landed in the Americas.
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1768 - The first modern circus opens in London.
It was staged and promoted by Philip Astley, an English entertainer.
Astley was a former cavalry sergeant major, who discovered the science behind performing physics-defying stunts.
His first trick included waving his sword while riding a horse with one foot on the saddle and the other on the horse's head.
He was an instant celebrity and star. He soon brought in more horsemen and hired a clown and some musicians.
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1776 - "Common Sense" is published by Thomas Paine, a writer of the American Revolution.
It outlined arguments for American independence. It wasn't a book or a magazine, but a pamphlet, which at the time was a common way to share messages with the masses.
“Common Sense” was originally published anonymously. It served to simplify the complicated political ramifications of American independence for everyday people.
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1972 - Luxury ocean liner Queen Elizabeth starts on fire while harbored in Hong Kong.
It was at the time in the hands of a Taiwanese shipping mogul. The fire destroyed the ship completely.
Some suspect arson for the blaze as the tycoon owner had recently taken out a multi-million-dollar insurance policy on the ship, while others suggested pro-Communist radicals attacked and destroyed the ship.
Either way, the famed vessel sank to the bottom of the harbor, and would never sail again.
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1972 - The Milwaukee Bucks beat the LA Lakers, breaking the Lakers' 33 game winning streak. It's the longest win streak in the history of American professional sports.
The match pitted NBA legends Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain against each other.
The Lakers would later beat the Bucks in the Western Division title match.
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1991 - Pete Rose gets banned from being elected into the Hall of Fame for betting on baseball games.
The triple World Series Winner was accused of gambling while playing for and managing the Reds.
He also has a lifetime ban from the game.
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2007 - Steve Jobs announces the iPhone.
It would officially be released on June 29.
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2021 - China places two cities, Shjiazhuang and Xingtai, on lockdown after over 130 cases of COVID-19 are reported.
Businesses are shuttered and people’s movements are controlled.
Meanwhile, a team of WHO scientists traveling to Wuhan to trace the origins of the virus are denied entry.
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BIRTHDAYS
Toosii - rapper - 24
Nicola Peltz - actress, “The Last Airbender” & “Bates Motel” - 29
Nina Dobrev - actress, “The Vampire Diaries” - 35
Cody Carson - punk singer, Set It Off - 35
Kate Middleton - Princess of Wales - 42
Chad Johnson - football player - 46
AJ McLean - pop singer, Backstreet Boys - 46
Omari Hardwick - actor, “Dark Blue” & “Kick-Ass” - 50
Sean Paul - rapper - 51
Dave Matthews - rock singer - 57
Imelda Staunton - actress, “Harry Potter” - 68
J.K. Simmons - actor, “Whiplash” - 69
Jimmy Page - guitarist, Led Zeppelin - 80
Born On This Date
Steve Harwell - rock singer, Smash Mouth - 1967 (d. 2023)
Richard Nixon - 37th POTUS - 1913 (d. 1994)
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