PROGRAMMING NOTE
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Today is Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
It is the 81st day of the year.
284 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
The AI wars heat up and some mischievous badgers wreak havoc on the Netherland’s rail system. More in HIT LIST.
Former President DONALD TRUMP has not been indicted – yet. When might he appear before a judge? Details in THE SWAMP.
Nevada brothels are offering their services for newly-signed Raiders QB JIMMY GAROPPOLO and NICK LACHEY has been ordered to attend anger management classes. More in SHOWBIZ.
The last “Lord of the Rings” film is heading back to theaters and “We Were Liars” is getting a series adaptation. More in CASTING CALL.
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HIT LIST
Home sales increased 14.5% in February compared to January, marking the largest month-over-month increase in a year.
The spike coincides with the first year-over-year decrease in home values, which ticked down just 0.2%, in nearly 11 years.
WORTH NOTING: Despite an increase in mortgage rates, the supply of homes for sale remains low relative to demand, which is propping up the value of houses. [via CNBC]
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Google rolled out its own chat-based artificial intelligence program, called “Bard,” on Tuesday.
It functions similarly to the acclaimed ChatGPT program. Users have to join a waitlist in order to try Bard out.
WORTH NOTING: A Morning Martini editor joined the waitlist Tuesday morning and was granted access shortly after, so don’t expect an erroneously long wait; Google is just probably metering access to be sure the thing doesn’t crash.
ALSO WORTH NOTING: When queried about movies starring Tom Hanks, Bard spit back answers that included titles like “A Few Good Men” and “Hunt for Red October” – so it still has a ways to go.
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A study by NASA suggests that Earth gets clobbered with giant space rocks more frequently than previously thought.
The consensus among astrophysicists and other Very Smart People has lately been that a one-kilometer-wide space rock hits Earth once about every 600,000 to 700,000 years.
This new study says that in the last million years, four such impact events have happened – for a rate of one about every 250,000 years.
BUT WAIT: Science journal Science says the assertion needs more analysis and peer review. [via Space.com]
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There’s been much speculation over the role of KIM JONG JUNIOR’s daughter, KIM JU AE, as she’d made more appearances with her father in recent weeks.
Radio Free Asia reports that North Koreans in particular aren’t thrilled with the girl’s plump cheeks, suggesting she’s well-fed – while most of the people are gaunt from malnutrition. One Pyongyang insider reportedly says, “Most people aren’t able to eat properly so their cheekbones stick out from their faces even more than ever before.” [via Radio Free Asia]
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Burrowing badgers in The Netherlands have disrupted train routes in some parts for at least the next week.
By digging under rail tracks, trains can’t safely cross until the burrowed parts are fixed.
IT GETS WORSE: Since badgers are protected in the Netherlands, the train companies must first get permission to move the animals before beginning repairs.
One affected company, ProRail, is no stranger to these situations; they even acknowledge on their website, “Living together with badgers can be a real puzzle.” [via Associated Press]
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CHARTS
Top 5 Fiction & Nonfiction Books Currently on the New York Times Best Sellers List:
FICTION:
“It Starts With Us,” Colleen Hoover
“Daisy Jones & The Six,” Taylor Jenkins Reid
“It Ends With Us,” Colleen Hoover
“Never Never,” Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher
“Lessons in Chemistry,” Bonnie Garmus
NON-FICTION
“Spare,” Prince Harry
The Courage To Be Free,” Ron DeSantis
“The Body Keeps the Score,” Bessel van der Kolk
“I’m Glad My Mom Died,” Jennette McCurdy
“It’s Ok To Be Angry About Capitalism,” Bernie Sanders with John Nichols
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DEATHS
Basketball player WILLIS REED has died.
The legendary Knicks Hall of Famer passed away Tuesday. No cause of death was shared.
He played 10 seasons, all with the Knicks, whom he then coached and served as general manager for after he retired from the game in 1974. Reed was also the first member of the Knicks to have his number retired.
He was 80.
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Actor PAUL GRANT has died.
He passed away Sunday after being taken off of life support. Grant was hospitalized last Thursday after London police found him unconscious outside of King’s Cross station. It is not yet known what caused him to collapse and lose consciousness.
Grant is best known for starring alongside HARRISON FORD and MARK HAMILL in “Star Wars” flick “Return of the Jedi.”
He was 56.
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BABY NEWS
Country singer LUKE COMBS, 33, and his wife, music exec NICOLE HOCKING, 30, are expecting their second child.
The pair announced the news on Instagram, captioning a photo “Joining the 2 under 2 club. Baby boy #2 coming this September.”
They welcomed their first son, Tex Lawrence, last June.
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THE SWAMP
Former President DONALD TRUMP lives to die another day – and not in handcuffs, either. Manhattan DA ALVIN BRAGG made no announcement of any kind on Tuesday.
BUT WAIT: The DailyMail reported Tuesday afternoon that the announcement will be today, Wednesday, and that Bragg’s office plans to work with the Secret Service to arrange for Trump’s appearance before a judge some time next week.
MEANWHILE: America’s Governor RON DESANTIS for the first time publicly addressed the invective Trump has hurled his way. In an interview with PIERS MORGAN, DeSantis embraced the “Ron DeSanctimonious” monicker Trump has used on Truth Social to disparage the governor.
“I mean you can call me whatever you want, just as long as you also call me a winner because that’s what we’ve been able to do in Florida is put a lot of points on the board and really take this state to the next level,” DeSantis said.
Later, DeSantis shrugged off all the social media vitriol in general: "It’s not important for me to be fighting with people on social media. It’s not accomplishing anything for the people I represent.” [via The Sun]
WORTH NOTING: DeSantis still hasn’t formally declared his intentions – but now it seems certain.
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Last week, the House Oversight Committee announced they obtained bank records that show a Chinese energy firm paid $3 million to a company owned by Biden Family associate, Rob Walker. Walker then transferred this money to various branches of the BIDEN FAMILY CRIME SYNDICATE and the BIDEN FAMILY CRIME SYNDICATE’s multiple business entities. In some cases, Walker first transferred funds to his personal bank account before writing checks to various Bidens.
When a reporter asked President JOE BIDEN about these transactions, Biden said, “That’s not true.
NOW: Committee Chairman JAMES COMER is demanding Biden correct the record. In a letter to White House Media Commissar KARINE JEAN-PIERRE, Comer said, “President Biden’s statement was misleading and dishonest,” and he pointed out that the bank records came directly from a financial institution.
IN OTHER WORDS: There’s no question that money wired from a CCP-backed energy firm landed into the accounts of multiple members of the Biden family; but there are plenty over how they earned that money, and Biden is lying when he says it’s not true that this $3 million exchanged hands.
ALSO WORTH NOTING: Anyone who’s owned even a hobby business selling doilies on Etsy knows to keep careful separation between personal and business transactions – so why did Rob Walker first transfer some of this money to his personal account before laundering it to other members of the Biden family?
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 316 points (0.98%) to close at 32,560 on Tuesday. The S&P added 51 points (1.3%) to close at 4,002 and the NASDAQ added 184 points (1.58%) to close at 11,860.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $69; BRENT CRUDE at $75.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.43 on Tuesday.
₿ BITCOIN was up again Tuesday, trading over $28,150.
🛩 There were more than 3,440 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Tuesday and more than 165 such cancellations.
💰Tonight’s POWERBALL drawing will be for a $96 million jackpot or a $51.7 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
Fans are struggling to find the humor in a recent cake-smash moment shared to social media by actor CHRIS HEMSWORTH and his wife ELSA PATAKY.
In the clip, Pataky smushed one of her son’s faces into his birthday cake, while the rest of the family looked on laughing. Some felt the incident was “violent” and “ridiculous.”
While Pataky and Hemsworth have not responded to the criticism, others came to their defense, telling the naysayers it was all in good jest. [via Page Six]
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Two Nevada brothel workers are offering newly-signed Raiders QB JIMMY GAROPPOLO free sex for life.
Caitlin Bell and Alice Little, who work at the Chicken Ranch brothel in Sin City, told TMZ that they want to offer up their services to ensure Garoppolo is in the right headspace when on the football field. They also believe with their help he can get the Raiders to the Super Bowl.
MEANWHILE: Fellow Sin City brothel -- Sheri’s Ranch -- has offered a VIP experience to Garoppolo and his new teammates. [via TMZ]
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RUDOLPH ISLEY is suing his younger brother RONALD ISLEY over the rights to “The Isley Brothers” trademark.
According to Rudolph, Ronald applied and got approved for the trademark and is taking all the profits. He says they are supposed to split all band-related earnings 50/50, which they have been doing since their brother O’KELLY ISLEY died in 1986.
Now Rudolph is asking the court to declare the trademark is jointly owned by both brothers.
Ronald has not responded to the suit. [via TMZ]
BY THE WAY: The Isley Brothers started out as a gospel group in the 1950s. They are best known for their hits “Shout!” and “Twist and Shout.”
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CAMERON DIAZ will reportedly retire from acting (again) once she is done filming her Netflix film “Back in Action.”
“These back-to-back 10-hour workdays have been a lot on her and she hates being away from [her 3-year-old daughter] Raddix,” an insider told Page Six. [via Page Six]
WORTH REMEMBERING: Diaz first retired from acting in 2014. During her time away she created her own wine line called Avaline.
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JOSIE CANSECO, the daughter of MLB player JOSE CANSECO, is shutting down speculation that she owes her career to nepotism.
“Everyone claiming I came from all this rich money because I’m a ‘Canseco’ do ur research,” she wrote in a since-deleted Instagram post.
“My ‘family money’ was blown by the time I was 6/7 w bankruptcy n I had to work my a** off to not only sustain my ‘family name’ but also pay my bills cause no one paid that s--t except me,” she continued.
The 26-year-old is a model who has worked for Victoria’s Secret and Moschino. [via NY Post]
REMEMBER: Her dad, who reportedly made over $40 million during his 17-year baseball career, filed for bankruptcy in 2012. He was also at the center of the PED scandal that rocked the league in the 1990s.
TO BE FAIR: Simply having the last name “Canseco” could have given her opportunities that mere mortals would not have been offered.
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WHOOPI GOLDBERG showed off her glasses-free look this week on “The View,” telling fans she recently underwent eye surgery for presbyopia, which is the gradual loss of the eyes’ ability to focus on nearby objects.
She then advocated for the surgery, telling viewers, “If you’re having any issues with your eyes, please go get them checked. The bionic times have arrived.”
Goldberg added that she has worn glasses for 28 years so the new look will be an adjustment for everyone. [via People]
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Singer NICK LACHEY -- of 98 DEGREES fame -- has been ordered to attend anger management classes and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings after getting into an altercation with paparazzo Jody Santos last year.
According to the Daily Mail, Santos was not happy when Lachey seemingly got off scot free from the assault, so she hassled the Beverly Hills Police Department until a consequence was handed down.
Speaking to the outlet about the order, Santos said that should Lachey not complete the classes within a reasonable time, he will be prosecuted and “will get arrested.” [via Daily Mail]
HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED: Last summer, Santos was taking photos of Nick and his wife actress VANESSA LACHEY as they left a Beverly Hills restaurant. Not wanting their photos taken, Nick aggressively confronted Santos and pounded on her car. He later apologized for the incident and said that he had overreacted. Meanwhile, Santos said she was convinced he would have hit her had she not rolled up the window.
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The headliners for this year's Lollapalooza have been announced.
KENDRICK LAMAR, BILLIE EILISH and the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS are set to take the stage August 3-6 at Chicago’s Grant Park.
Other performers include, LANA DEL REY, KAROL G, DIPLO, CARLY RAE JEPSON, THE 1975, LIL YACHTY and more. [via Deadline]
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CASTING CALL
“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” is being re-released in theaters for the film’s 20th anniversary.
According to Deadline, screenings will feature a special introduction from franchise star ELIJAH WOOD and exclusive coverage of a new “Lord of the Rings” tabletop game.
The movie, which is the final in the iconic film series, grossed over $1.1 BILLION when it was released in December 2003. It also won 11 Academy Awards.
It hits theaters on April 13 and April 19. [via Deadline]
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Amazon is working on a series adaptation of “We Were Liars,” by E. LOCKHART.
The story follows the wealthy Sinclair family, who spend every summer on their private island off the coast of Massachusetts. One summer something happens to 15-year-old Candace Sinclair, and after a spell of amnesia, she needs the other three “Liars” to help her remember.
The series is part of a trio of deals Amazon made with Lockhart. [via Deadline]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
KIM KARDASHIAN treated her son SAINT WEST and some of his friends to a soccer game in London.
After the game the group got to meet the star player for Saint Germain, KYLIAN MBAPPE.
“It’s safe to say the boys loved our soccer tour trip! Soccer moms for the win!” Kim captioned a series of snapshots from the trip. [via People]
WORTH REMEMBERING: Last week, Kim and Saint were spotted at an Arsenal game with a camera crew in tow.
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
SARAH FERGUSON revealed that she and PRINCESS DIANA were once arrested while out celebrating her upcoming nuptials to PRINCE ANDREW.
Speaking to daytime talk show host KELLY CLARKSON, Fergie says the two were dressed as police women, which led to actual members of law enforcement arresting them for impersonating police officers.
“We went to a nightclub [...] We sat down, and the waiter came up to us and said, ‘Excuse me, this is a members club. It’s for fun, and we don’t serve police officers here.’” After refusing to leave, the two were arrested.
While in the cop car, Fergie said Diana found some “smokey bacon-flavoured crisps” and “started taking and eating them. Until an officer in the front shouted at her, ‘You can’t do that!’”
Once it was revealed the ladies were royals, they were released.
BUT: Their fun night didn’t end there. Once back at Buckingham Palace, the two reportedly locked Andrew out as he returned from his night of celebrating. [via The Sun]
WORTH ASKING: Who didn’t recognize Diana? Or was it that crazy of an incident that the officers didn’t think Diana and Fergie would behave in such a way?
ALSO: Where was their security?
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DAY OF THE YEAR
As Young As You Feel Day
Bavarian Crepes Day
National Goof Off Day
World Water Day
Gryffindor Pride Day
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ON THIS DATE
1765 - British Parliament imposes the Stamp Act on American colonies.
The law taxed all printed materials, including newspapers, pamphlets, and even playing cards. It was intended to raise revenue to offset debts from the Seven Years' War.
The Stamp Act followed three other major taxes, and the colonists were none too pleased. This last imposition brought to the forefront of revolutionary debate the issue of taxation without representation.
While the British repealed the Act the following year, the damage had been done, and revolution was on its way.
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1933 - President Franklin Roosevelt signs legislation that imposes a federal tax on all beer and wine sales.
The law relaxed the regulations set forth in the Volstead Act, which helped to enforce prohibition. With the new rules, beverages with less than 3.2 percent alcohol by volume could be sold -- and taxed.
The 21st amendment would be ratified later that year, which effectively repealed prohibition after nearly 14 years.
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1945 - The Arab League is formed.
The organization formed an alliance between a handful of Arab countries, sort of like a regional United Nations.
Since then, the Arab League has extended beyond the Arabian Peninsula, and into much of northern Africa. Today it is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.
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1972 - The US Senate passes the Equal Rights Amendment, readying the legislation for ratification by the states.
The language in the law first surfaced in 1923 by women's rights groups. Following the sexual revolution and the rise of feminism in the 1960s, the ideas became popular again.
Hawaii was the first state to ratify, with 30 more states following. But the amendment failed to be approved by the necessary 38 states.
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2007 - News Corp and NBC Universal ink a streaming deal that would later spawn Hulu.
NBC had been putting content on YouTube but was not able to effectively monetize it.
Realizing the need for a business model that allowed easy access to network programming online while still generating profit, network executives were looking for ways to archive old programs and post new ones online.
The result was Hulu, which at first had free access with occasional ads and later, a premium membership that included an extensive backlog of many TV shows.
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2020 - Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei refuses American COVID-19 help, calling the virus a conspiracy theory that was manufactured by the US.
On this day, Iran reported over 1500 deaths — the fourth highest in the world at the time.
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BIRTHDAYS
Mick Shumacher - race car driver - 24
Nick Robinson - actor, “Melissa & Joey” & “Jurassic World” - 28
DAX - rapper - 29
JJ Watt - football player - 34
DJ Moore - football player - 36
Matt Nicholls - drummer, Bring Me The Horizon - 37
Constance Wu - actress, “Crazy Rich Asians” - 41
Dave Portnoy - entrepreneur, Barstool Sports - 46
Reese Witherspoon - actress, “Sweet Home Alabama” - 47
Keegan-Michael Key - comedian - 52
Rick Harrison - reality star, “Pawn Stars” - 58
Matthew Modine - actor, “Weeds” & “Stranger Things” - 64
Andrew Lloyd Webber - composer - 75
James Patterson - novelist - 76
William Shatner - actor, “Star Trek” - 92
Born On This Date
Shawty Lo - rapper - 1976 (d. 2016)
Stephen Sondheim - composer - 1930 (d. 2021)
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