4/13/2023: An Explosive New Drink
PLUS: Another 2024 Candidate; Arnold Terminates a Pothole; and Harry to Attend the Coronation
Today is Thursday, April 13, 2023.
It is the 103rd day of the year.
262 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
More good news for FTX customers hoping to get some deposited money back and an important warning for Starbucks drinkers. More in HIT LIST.
Another Republican enters the 2024 fray and former President DONALD TRUMP sues his former lawyer. More in THE SWAMP.
A pair of Air Jordans worn by MICHAEL JORDAN sell for a record price and CHRIS EVANS never wants to host “SNL.” More in SHOWBIZ.
Netflix is working on a project about ALEXANDER THE GREAT and ARIANA DEBOSE will return as host of the Tony Awards. More in CASTING CALL.
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HIT LIST
The new management at defunct crypto company FTX says it’s recovered more than $7 BILLION in cash and liquid assets. The company’s attorney told Reuters, “The situation has stabilized, and the dumpster fire is out.”
MORE GOOD NEWS: The recent boom in crypto values has further increased the value of recovered assets, which is good news for people who want their money back – but still no immediate plans for making those funds available.
FTX is considering whether to reopen its exchange operations under competent, mature leadership. The company’s lawyer says that while the technology behind the company was solid, its business practices obviously were not. [via Reuters]
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A few days after NPR executives got hacked off over Twitter applying a “state-affiliated media” tag to their account, the broadcaster says it’s done posting on the social media site.
After the uproar, Twitter changed the label to “Government-funded Media.”
WORTH NOTING: ELON MUSK pointed out (on Twitter, of course) that NPR’s own website still says that “Federal funding is essential to public radio” – they even bolded the word “essential.”
In an interview with the New York Times, NPR’s head honcho said he “would need some time to understand whether Twitter can be trusted again” before returning the organization to the platform. [via NYT]
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Don’t order Starbucks' new olive oil-infused drink unless you’re ready to spend some time in the bathroom.
Several customers -- and employees -- who have tried the new Oleato drink said they had to run to the restroom almost immediately.
The drinks, an oat milk latte, ice shaken espresso with oat milk and golden foam cold brew, each have a spoonful of olive oil. [via CNN]
WORTH NOTING: Olive oil acts as a relaxant and caffeine is a stimulant, mix the two together and you have one strong laxative.
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A new study shows that when it comes to male birth control, a majority of men say they would be open to taking it.
More than 2,000 men, ages 18-50, from the US and Canada, were asked by researchers from the University of California whether or not they would be willing to take a new contraceptive, when one becomes available.
While more than half of those surveyed (54%) said they would be open to taking a hormonal contraceptive, 65% said they would use a non-hormonal one.
Contraceptives currently being trialed for men vary from women’s birth control pills. Men would need to take a pill 30 minutes prior to sex to stop sperm from getting to an egg; women on the pill take it daily. [via Daily Mail]
Yet another argument for men and women being biologically different. Just saying.
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Paul Wilkinson boarded a flight to Belfast, Ireland last month and was shocked to find he was the only one on board.
The 65-year-old, who had purchased a ticket that day, said he initially thought his flight had been delayed or canceled since no one else was waiting to board. After asking the stewards about the lack of passengers, they told him “Oh, Mr. Paul, you’re VIP today…You’re flying on your own.”
After the flight, which Wilkinson said was like having on his own “private jet,” he was treated to another perk -- his was on the only piece of luggage at baggage claim.
BY THE WAY: Wilkinson’s wife, who he was flying to meet in Belfast, flew on an extremely cramped flight. [via NY Post]
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CHARTS
Recommended Reading
Drivers for on-demand food delivery services count on tips on top of the small fee paid by the booking service (like DoorDash or UberEats). But there’s a disconnect between what they expect to earn and what people feel comfortable paying – especially with contactless delivery options where the customer never sees the driver. The New York Times digs into some examples, and leaves unanswered an important question – how much is an appropriate tip? Should it be based on the cost of the ticket, like at a restaurant? Or do people just not give it much thought at all? Read it here >
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DEATHS
Former hockey player RAYMOND SAWADA has died.
He passed away on April 10 after suffering a heart attack while playing the “game he loved,” according to a statement from his family.
Sawada was only 38.
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BABY NEWS
Former E! News host JASON KENNEDY, 41, and his wife LAUREN SCRUGGS, 34, are expecting baby #2.
The couple shared the exciting news on Instagram, calling it a “major surprise” after struggling with fertility issues for years.
They are parents to son Ryver, 1, who they conceived via IVF.
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THE SWAMP
South Carolina Senator TIM SCOTT on Wednesday launched his exploratory committee for a 2024 White House bid and held events in Iowa.
In an email announcing the committee, Scott said, “I’ve been thinking about my faith. I’ve been thinking about the future of our country. And I’ve been thinking about the Left’s plan to ruin America.”
In an interview on Fox News yesterday morning, Scott said, “As opposed to trying to have a conversation about how to beat a Republican, I think we’re better off having a conversation about beating Joe Biden” – nodding to the squabbling over whether America’s Governor RON DESANTIS can beat former President DONALD TRUMP.
SPEAKING OF TRUMP: The former Commander in Chief filed a $500 million lawsuit against his former attorney MICHAEL COHEN on Wednesday. The suit alleges Cohen violated attorney-client privilege and violated his fiduciary duty to Trump as a client. [via Fox News]
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The federal reserve’s economists predict a recession in the next year, Politico reports, as banks tighten lending and inflation persisted over 6% through February.
The recession would endure through 2025.
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW lost 38 points (0.11%) to close at 33,646 on Wednesday. The S&P lost 17 points (0.41%) to close at 4,091 and the NASDAQ lost 102 points (0.85%) to close at 11,929.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $83; BRENT CRUDE at $87.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.62 on Wednesday.
₿ BITCOIN slid 1% and was trading just under $30,000 on Wednesday.
🛩 There were more than 2,540 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Wednesday and more than 70 such cancellations.
💰Friday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing will be for a $476 million jackpot or a $256 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
A pair of Air Jordan 13s worn by MICHEAL JORDAN in the 1998 NBA Finals sold for a record $2.2 million at auction.
Sotheby’s announced the sale this week, noting that it is the highest price ever paid for a pair of shoes at an auction.
MJ wore the sneakers during Game 2 of the Finals, when his Chicago Bulls took on the Utah Jazz. The Bulls ended up winning the Finals. It was MJ’s sixth and final title. [via TMZ]
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ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER cares about his city streets.
After he could not get an answer regarding his repeated requests to fill in a pothole in his Los Angeles neighborhood, Schwarzenegger took it upon himself to fix it.
The actor tweeted out a video of himself, and a helper, using some packaged concrete and shovels to fix the hole. He wrote alongside it, “I always say, let’s not complain, let’s do something about it. Here you go.” [via AP News]
WORTH ASKING: How many other issues could be fixed with this mentality?
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CHRIS EVANS won’t be hosting “Saturday Night Live” anytime in the near future…or ever.
Speaking to ET Canada, the actor called the thought of hosting the sketch-comedy show “terrifying,” though he would be open to making a cameo.
“I’ve avoided hosting ‘SNL’ like the plague for years now just because I’m so scared. It’s terrifying to me. A cameo sounds great -- that’s perfect,” he said. [via NY Post]
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ARIANA GRANDE appreciates fans’ concerns regarding her health, but says they are unnecessary.
After receiving several comments about her being “too thin,” she decided to address the matter in a TikTok video.
“The body that you’ve been comparing my current body to was the unhealthiest version of my body. I was on a lot of antidepressants and drinking on them and eating poorly. I was at the lowest point of my life when I looked the way you consider my healthy, but that in fact wasn’t my healthy,” she explained.
Grande also said that she thinks people should feel “less comfortable” commenting on other people’s bodies. [via Page Six]
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NICK CARTER is being accused of sexual assault, again.
This time, the BACKSTREET BOYS member is being sued by singer MELISSA SCHUMAN, who claims he sexually assaulted her in 2002 in Santa Monica. She says he was 22 at the time and she was 18.
Schuman previously accused Carter in 2017, and filed a police report, but the District Attorney decided not to prosecute. She is once again bringing her claims to the table because of a new bill amending the statute of limitations for civil actions.
Carter has denied all of the allegations, he also sued Schuman for $2.3 million earlier this year, claiming she has a history of trying to extort money from him. [via TMZ]
As previously reported, accuser Shannon Ruth claims Carter sexually assaulted her on his tour bus during his band’s 2001 tour; he has denied the allegations.
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MADONNA’s 1984 album “Like a Virgin,” MARIAH CAREY’s 1994 holiday hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” QUEEN LATIFAH’s 1989 album “All Hail the Queen,” and the 1985 theme song from Super Mario Bros. are all now part of the U.S. National Recording Registry.
They were added as part of “the defining sounds of the nation’s history and culture,” the Library of Congress said yesterday.
In total, 25 albums, singles and other musical artifacts were newly inducted into the registry.
WORTH NOTING: The Super Mario Bros. theme song is the first music from a video game entered into the registry. A press release called it “the most recognizable video game theme in history.” [via AP News]
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CASTING CALL
Netflix is working on a new docudrama about one of the world’s notorious figures, Alexander the Great.
The production, tentatively titled “Alexander the Great,” is currently in production in Morocco. According to Deadline, it will feature both documentary and scripted elements.
HISTORY LESSON: Alexander the Great was the king of the ancient Greek city of Macedon. He is considered to be one of the greatest and most successful military commanders, who created one of the largest empires in history, all before the age of 30.
No word on when the project is expected to debut. [via Deadline]
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HBO has given a series order to another “Game of Thrones” prequel series, “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight,” based on GEORGE R.R. MARTIN’s “Dunk & Egg.”
Here is the official description: “A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.”
The series is one of several in the works at HBO, including one centering on Jon Snow. [via Insider]
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KELLI GIDDISH will reprise her role as Amanda Rollins on “Law & Order: SVU” and “Law & Order: Organized Crime.”
She is returning to star in the “SVU” Season 24 finale and the premiere episode of “OC” Season 3.
Last August, Giddish announced she would be exiting the franchise. Her final appearance was in December.
It is unknown to what capacity she is returning. [via Deadline]
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ARIANA DEBOSE is set to host the Tony Awards again this year.
The actress will be front and center on June 11 at New York City’s uptown United Palace theater.
Tony nominations will be announced on May 2. [via AP News]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
As reconciliation rumors continue to swirl around KHLOE KARDASHIAN and TRISTAN THOMPSON, he is making sure to stick close to the family.
The NBA player, who recently signed with the LA Lakers, was spotted out with KRIS JENNER’s longtime boyfriend COREY GAMBLE on a guys’ night Tuesday night.
Earlier in the evening, Gamble sat courtside at Thompson’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Meanwhile, Khloe insists the two are not getting back together. [via Page Six]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
The Firm announced on Wednesday that PRINCE HARRY will attend the coronation of KING CHARLES on May 6. The official announcement also added that MEGHAN MARKLE “will remain in California with Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet” – their two kids.
No word yet if Harry will sit in attendance or have an official role in the proceedings.
Of course, this will be the first coronation ceremony in nearly 70 years. QUEEN ELIZABETH II’s ceremony was June 2, 1953.
WORTH NOTING: The May 6 coronation is the same day as Prince Archie’s fourth birthday.
ALSO WORTH NOTING: Meg doesn’t want to hang out with the royal family and none of them want her there, so it seems like a win-win situation.
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DAY OF THE YEAR
National Peach Cobbler Day
National Make Lunch Count Day
National Scrabble Day
National Thomas Jefferson Day
International FND Awareness Day
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ON THIS DATE
1360 – English soldiers encamped in Chartres, France as part of the Hundred Years War are assaulted by a vicious hail storm.
The freak weather event is believed to have killed an estimated 1,000 soldiers. One written account described “a foul day, full of myst and hail, so that men dyed on horseback.”
In England, the tragedy was taken as a sign from God, and encouraged King Edward to begin negotiations for peace with France. A peace treaty was signed less than a month later, ending the first phase of the Hundred Years War.
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1928 – A crew of three make the first transatlantic flight in a Junker W33 airplane.
They left from Dublin, and had waited weeks for ideal weather.
The destination was intended to be New York, but between cloudy conditions and malfunctioning compass, they ended up approaching Canada with an oil leak, forcing them to settle for landing on Greenly Island after finding a frozen pond.
Though the plane was damaged the men were uninjured.
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1941 – The Soviet Union and government of Japan agree to a neutrality agreement as World War II continued to rage.
The deal was to last five years, and though the nations had traditionally been at odds, the agreement allowed them to reallocate troops to hotter combat zones.
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1970 – The oxygen tank aboard Apollo 13 explodes.
What was supposed to be the third manned Moon landing turned into a survival exercise. On the ground, Mission Control and engineers scrambled to develop protocols to conserve enough power and oxygen aboard the spacecraft, as the damaged ship approached the Moon.
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1997 – Tiger Woods notches his first Masters win.
He was only 21-years-old at the time, and won with a 12-stroke lead — making him not only the youngest winner at the time, but the first Asian or African to win one of the major tournaments.
He would win again in 2001, 2002, and 2005. With four wins he’s tied for the second-most Masters wins, trailing Jack Nicklaus’ six wins.
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2004 - Barry Bonds hits his 661st career home run, passing his godfather Willie Mays on the MLB all-time list.
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2019 - BTS is the first K-pop group to perform on “Saturday Night Live.”
The host of the night was Emma Stone.
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2020 - NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo declares “I believe the worst is over if we continue to be smart,” regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
The death toll for his state had already passed 10,000.
What a schmuck!
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BIRTHDAYS
Getter - DJ - 30
Allison Williams - actress, “Girls” & “Patrick Melrose” - 35
Hunter Pence - baseball player - 40
Ty Dolla Sign - R&B singer - 41
Kelli Giddish - actress, “Law & Order: SVU” - 43
Carles Puyol - soccer player - 45
Lou Bega - mambo musician - 48
Julia Rose - actress, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” - 50
Aaron Lewis - rock singer, Staind - 51
Marc Ford - guitarist, The Black Crowes - 57
Caroline Rhea - actress, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” - 59
Jimmy Destri - keyboardist, Blondie - 69
Peter Davison - actor, “Doctor Who” - 72
Ron Perlman - actor, “Hellboy” - 73
Al Green - R&B singer - 77
Born On This Day
Jonathan Brandis - actor, “The Never Ending Story II” - 1976 (d. 2003)
Jon Stone - director & co-creator of “Sesame Street” - 1931 (d. 1997)
Butch Cassidy - outlaw & leader of the Wild Bunch - 1866 (d. 1908)
Thomas Jefferson - 3rd POTUS - 1743 (d. 1826)
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