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3/15/2022: It’s All Putin’s Fault
PLUS: Blippi Baby, Roasting Rebel Wilson, and Pete’s “KIM” Tattoo
Today is Tuesday, March 15, 2022
It is the 74th day of the year.
291 days remain.
TRENDING
WWE legend Scott Hall was trending Monday after his family announced they will “discontinue” his life support. More in Deaths.
#PiDay landed in Twitter’s Top 10 Trends yesterday — Pi Day aka 3/14. Twitter users shared memes and jokes about the mathematical constant.
Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith were trending Monday following the decision on their futures with the Green Bay Packers. Preston signed a 5-year deal with the team, while Za’Darius was released. BTW--They are not related.
#Match2022 was trending yesterday as the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) released its results to applicants seeking residency and fellowship positions.
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HIT LIST
Fox News correspondent Benjamin Hall has been hospitalized while reporting in Ukraine, as journalist casualties mount on the ground there.
MEANWHILE: China remains a wild card in the ongoing conflict. Russia is seeking military and financial assistance, while the West urges China to remain neutral.
ALSO: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will virtually address Congress via video on Wednesday.
AND: Elon Musk announced a plan to end the conflict on Monday morning.
“I hereby challenge Vladimir Putin to single combat,” he wrote, spelling Putin’s name in cyrillic. “Stakes are Ukraine,” he added.
Later, he posted a “choose your fighter” graphic, that put a picture of Putin riding a bear next to a picture of Musk playing with a flamethrower. Musk added, “He can even bring his bear.”
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Pfizer’s CEO said Monday a fourth booster shot against covid is necessary immediately. Pfizer is anticipating trials for kids under 5 to be done in April.
The news comes among hand-wringing that a newly-named “Delta-Cron” variant is increasing cases in Europe.
Despite a case spike in winter across Europe, most countries’ hospitalization rates have been nominally flat. The United Kingdom has announced an end to virtually all travel restrictions.
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A stretch of Interstate in Oregon was shut down Sunday after an animal transport trailer tipped over. For a few hours, 31 cows were roaming the area.
Fortunately, a backup trailer was dispatched and the freeway was cleared with the help of law enforcement.
The driver of the trailer only had minor injuries. Some of the cows were treated as well.
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The Dow finished flat Monday, adding just a point after big gains in the morning.
Oil prices continued to fall: West Texas Intermediate was just over $100 a barrel. Brent Crude was at $106 a barrel.
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CHARTS
Top 5 Songs on iTunes:
Cody Johnson, “Til You Can’t”
Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa, “Sweetest Pie”
Kevin Gates, “Thinking With My Dick (ft. Juicy J)”
Elton John & Dua Lipa, “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)”
Imagine Dragons, “Bones”
Top 5 Songs on Spotify:
Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa, “Sweetest Pie”
Justin Bieber, “Ghost”
Dove Cameron, “Boyfriend”
Camila Cabello, “Bam Bam (ft. Ed Sheeran)”
Lil Nas X, “THATS WHAT I WANT”
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DEATHS
SCOTT HALL has died.
The WWE legend passed away Monday after being taken off of life support.
Hall was put on life support following complications from a procedure to fix a broken hip.
According to multiple outlets, Hall suffered three heart attacks while recovering from surgery in the hospital on Saturday night.
He was 63.
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ROSA BORGNINE has died.
The QVC beauty icon and wife of actor ERNEST BORGNINE passed away on February 26 at her home in Pennsylvania. Her cause of death is unknown.
She was 80.
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BABY NEWS
“SNL” alum BECK BENNET, 37, and his wife, actress JESSY HODGES, 35, welcomed their first child together.
Hodges shared the news alongside a photo of the newborn at the hospital.
The baby’s name and gender were not revealed.
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“Blippi'' actor STEVIN JOHN and his fiancee ALYSSA INGHAM welcomed their first baby together.
Lachlan David John was born on March 9, the couple announced on Instagram alongside a photo of the new family of three.
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HGTV stars STEVE FORD, 44, and ANDREA CARGILL are expecting their first child together, a son, who is due this June.
The couple confirmed the news to PEOPLE.
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RELATIONSHIPS
Country singer KASSI ASHTON is engaged to longtime boyfriend TRAVIS MYATT.
The 29-year-old revealed Monday that Myatt, 32, popped the question during their recent trip to Key West, which is also where they first met five years ago.
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“Love Is Blind” star SHAINA HURLEY, 32, is engaged to her boyfriend CHRISTOS LARDAKIS.
The couple have been dating for a little over a year, following Hurley’s split from her fellow “Love Is Blind” co-star KYLE ABRAMS, 29.
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WEDDINGS
BILLIE LOURD, 29, and AUSTEN RYDELL, also 29, tied the knot on Saturday in Cabo San Lucas.
Lourd’s’ “American Horror Story” co star LESLIE GROSSMAN posted photos from the wedding weekend, which she called “the most fun.”
The couple got engaged in June 2020, just months before welcoming their son Kingston Fisher.
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THE SWAMP
President JOE BIDEN said Monday that VLADIMIR PUTIN alone is to blame for higher gas prices.
“Make no mistake, the current spike in gas prices is largely the fault of Vladimir Putin — it has nothing to do with the American Rescue Plan,” Biden said at a municipalities conference.
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So much for importing Venezuelan oil – which was a bad idea to begin with.
The White House said Monday that talks about importing were no longer active.
The Financial Times reports that any hope of a deal imploded as soon as news leaked about the US envoy sent down there for talks.
IT GETS WORSE: Some insiders are buzzing that Venezuela told the administration to pound sand. After all, the US does not recognize NICOLAS MADURO as the legitimate president of Venezuela and has designated him as an international drug trafficker. There’s even a $15 million bounty on Maduro to get him to appear in federal court on drug trafficking charges.
MEANWHILE: Last week, officials in Saudi Arabia reportedly refused calls from President JOE BIDEN about negotiating a deal to buy their oil too.
WORTH REMEMBERING: This is why the United States must lead from a position of strength and commit to total energy independence through a combination of expansive domestic production and private sector innovations in alternative technologies.
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LOTTERY
No winner for Friday night’s Mega Millions drawing. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $22 million jackpot or a $14.5 million cash payout.
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SHOWBIZ NEWS
DOLLY PARTON has withdrawn her name from this year’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominations.
Explaining her decision on social media, Parton told her followers that she doesn’t believe she has “earned that right.”
Parton was one of 17 nominees announced last month.
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PETE DAVIDSON is heading to space aboard Blue Origin’s fourth human flight.
Joining him are Party America CEO MARTY ALLEN, SHARON and MARC HAGLE, entrepreneur JIM KITCHEN and Commercial Space Technologies President DR. GEORGE NIELD.
The flight will blast off on March 23 from West Texas.
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JUSSIE SMOLLETT’s lawyers are demanding his release claiming he faces both physical and microbial risks.
The actor’s legal team filed an emergency motion Monday, asking a judge to release Jussie while his appeal plays out — arguing that he is at risk of “physical harm” and “of catching COVID-19.”
Also, his lawyers claim that because he is being held in protective custody, his mental health could deteriorate.
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Director JANE CAMPION apologized Monday to VENUS and SERENA WILLIAMS after making a controversial remark during her acceptance speech at the Critics Choice Awards on Sunday night.
After winning Best Director, Campion acknowledged the “incredible women” who were recognized at the show. She called out the Williams sisters saying, “you’re such marvels. However, you don't play against the guys, like I have to.”
In her apology Campion said that she did not mean to “devalue the two legendary Black women and world-class athletes.”
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The twitterverse was not overly enthused with how REBEL WILSON did as host of the 2022 BAFTAs.
While the actress earned major praise following her 2016 and 2020 hosting gigs, Sunday night’s show was abysmal, according to viewers.
“Rebel Wilson is the worst host for this omg,” one fan tweeted.
“Can we all agree that Rebel Wilson is just not funny?” another wrote.
PIERS MORGAN added his two cents, tweeting, “I’m cringing so violently watching Rebel Wilson attempt to host the #BAFTAs that I fear my eye sockets may explode.”
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In a recent interview with GAYLE KING, actor WILL SMITH, 53, says there has “never” been any infidelity in his marriage to actress JADA PINKETT SMITH, 50.
The claim comes amid previous allegations that they dated other people since tying the knot.
In July 2020, Jada shared in an episode of her Facebook Watch series, “Red Table Talk,” that she dated singer AUGUST ALSINA while separated from Will.
Will, meanwhile, called the tryst an “entanglement,” refusing to call it an affair.
The couple have been married since 1997 and share son Jaden, 23, and daughter Willow, 21.
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CASTING CALL
SALMA HAYEK is set to reprise the role of Kitty Softpaws” in the “Puss in Boots” sequel, “The Last Wish.”
She joins ANTONIO BANDERAS, who plays the titular feline.
The sequel will introduce a new character, Perro, who will be voiced by HARVEY GUILLEN.
The film will debut in September.
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“New Amsterdam” will wrap up with its fifth season.
The NBC medical drama, currently in its fourth season, has slipped in the ratings, according to the network.
The fifth and final season will be the show’s shortest, with only 13 episodes.
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KATHERINE MCNAMARA has joined the cast of “Jade.”
She will star alongside MICKEY ROURKE, MARK DECASCOS, SHAINA WEST and MARCUS VINCIOS MACIEL in the action flick.
The movie centers around Jade (West), a woman who swore she would never touch another gun after her brother's accidental death at her own hands. But when she comes between a powerful businessman (Rourke) and her former gang leader (Maciel), she may not have a choice.
McNamara will play the former girlfriend of Jade’s brother.
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ALAN RUCK has joined the cast of “The Burial.”
He joins previously announced JAMIE FOXX, TOMMY LEE JONES, JURNEE SMOLLETT, BILL CAMP and JIM KLOCK.
The Amazon flick follows a charismatic personal injury lawyer famous for his impressive track record and unconventional approach to the law. While working on a case involving a funeral home, the lawyer digs up a complex web of race, power and oppression.
Ruck’s role in the film was not disclosed.
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CIARAN HINDS is joining the cast of Netflix spy drama series “Treason.”
The series follows Adam Lawrence, who was trained and groomed by MI6. His career appears to be set until the past catches up with him in the form of a Russian spy named Kara. A triangular relationship forms between Kara, Adam and his wife, Maddy.
Hinds will play Sir Martin Angelis, the boss and mentor of Adam.
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
In a new trailer for Hulu’s “The Kardashians,” KIM KARDASHIAN tells her sister KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN that KANYE WEST said her “career is over” after filing for divorce.
ALSO: Kim previously told Variety that Ye filmed scenes for the new show, but that was before their split. It is unknown if he will appear in the series.
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PETE DAVIDSON appears to have gotten some new ink in honor of his relationship with KIM KARDASHIAN.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted “KIM,” written in black letters, on Pete’s chest in a recent selfie of the comedian.
The selfie was featured in screenshots of texts Pete sent to Kim’s estranged husband KANYE WEST over the weekend.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
THOMAS MARKLE will testify against his estranged daughter MEGHAN MARKLE and her “ginger husband” in the defamation lawsuit filed by his other daughter, SAMANTHA MARKLE.
During an interview with KARL LARSEN on his YouTube channel, “Remarkable Friendships,” Thomas said that he sides with Samantha in the spat.
As previously reported, Samantha is suing Meghan over “false and malicious statements” she allegedly made doing her sit-down with OPRAH WINFREY.
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SPORTS
MITCHELL TRUBISKY is heading to Pittsburgh.
According to multiple reports, the Steelers have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with the former Buffalo Bills QB.
Trubisky joins fellow QBs MASON RUDOLPH and DWAYNE HASKINS who will compete to fill in the spot vacated by BEN ROETHLISBERGER.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Everything You Think is Wrong Day
National Kansas Day
National Pears Helene Day
National Shoe the World Day
World Social Work Day
National Equal Pay Day
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ON THIS DATE
44 B.C. - Brutus stabs Caesar in the Roman senate.
As many as 60 men were in on the assassination attempt.
They wanted to get at the ruler before he left to fight a war. He had already appointed governors to rule in his absence.
But the senators didn't much like Caesar anyway, and especially didn't want to report to his underlings anymore.
Authentic accounts have Brutus stabbing Caesar in the groin, and the emperor's last words being, in Greek, "You too, my child?"
It was Shakespeare's play that immortalized the Latin phrase, "Et tu, Brute?"
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1783 - General George Washington arrives in New York to end a feud between military leaders and Congress.
The soldiers were upset over having not received adequate compensation for fighting in the American Revolution.
They were promised a lifetime pension of half pay, but instead Congress bought them out with five years of full pay.
Ultimately, Washington persuaded his men to have confidence in the emerging American government.
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1820 - Maine becomes the 23rd state.
It had been under control of Massachusetts as a province since 1647.
Maine became a state in part of a deal struck with Southern senators, who agreed to enter Missouri into the Union as a slave state.
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1917 - Czar Nicholas II of Russia is forced to surrender the throne.
As the February Revolution knocked the royals out of power, Nicholas gave up control to the insurgents.
With the Russian Empire dead, it was quickly replaced with the Soviet Union, and a communist dictator.
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1970 - Bobby Orr becomes the first NHL defenseman to score 100 points in a season.
He knocked in 4 goals against the Detroit Red Wings to surpass the 100 mark.
He finished the season with 120 points -- a ridiculous number for a defensive player, let alone a player on offense.
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1972 - "The Godfather" debuts in theaters nationwide.
The 3-hour epic film followed the lives of the Corleone family.
Based on a bestselling novel by Mario Puzo, the film starred Marlin Brando, who for years had not had a hit movie, and was known for erratic and uncontrollable behavior on set. But director Francis Ford Coppola fought for Brando -- who would win a Best Actor Oscar, which he declined to accept.
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1991 - Four officers with the Los Angeles Police Department are charged with excessive force over the beating of Rodney King.
The encounter occurred earlier in the month and was caught on amateur video footage, sparking mass outrage.
The officers would be acquitted the following year, leading to riots and unrest in the streets of LA.
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2020 - European countries impose restrictions on gatherings and borders as COVID death rates rise dramatically. On this day Italy reported 1,809 deaths, Spain had 288 and France tallied 120.
On this day in the US, the CDC reports 1,629 cases and 41 deaths attributed to the virus.
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BIRTHDAYS
Connor Ball - bassist, The Vamps - 26
Lyndsey Gunnulfsen - rock singer, PVRIS - 28
Lil Dicky - rapper - 34
Eric Decker - football player - 35
Jai Courtney - actor, “A Good Day to Die Hard” & “Jack Reacher” - 36
Kellan Lutz - actor, “Twilight” films - 37
Brian Tee - actor, “Chicago Med” - 45
Eva Longoria - actress, “Desperate Housewives” & “Dora the Explorer” - 47
will.i.am. - rapper - 47
Mark Hoppus - rock singer, Blink-182 - 50
Kim Raver - actress, “Grey’s Anatomy” - 53
Mark McGrath - pop singer, Sugar Ray - 54
Bret Michaels - rock singer, Poison - 59
Dee Snider - metal singer, Twister Sister - 67
Born On This Date
Ruth Bader Ginsburg - Supreme Court Justice - 1933 (d. 2020)
Harry James - trumpet player & husband of Better Grable - 1916 (d. 1983)
Andrew Jackson - 7th President - 1767 (d. 1845)
Saint Nicholas - religious leader - 1270 (d. 1343)
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