4/18/2023: Fyre Festival 2 Registration Now Open! (Sort Of)
PLUS: Sea of Cocaine; CCP in the USA; and “We Need To Talk About Kanye”
Today is Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
It is the 108th day of the year.
257 days remain.
WHAT’S ON TAP
An Australian man breaks a push-up world record and three Boeing engineers create the perfect flying paper airplane. More in HIT LIST.
The Chinese Communist Party has boots-on-the-ground spies in America operating in the open. More in THE SWAMP.
JALEN HURTS lands a massive contract extension and SHAQ has finally been served in an FTX-related lawsuit. More in SHOWBIZ.
“The Phantom of the Opera” ends its 35-year Broadway run and “Super Mario Bros. Movie” is box office gold. More in CASTING CALL.
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HIT LIST
More than 1,600 packages of cocaine were found bobbing around in the sea off eastern Sicily on Monday.
Italian authorities believe the packages, which were wrapped in plastic and strung together with netting, were dropped in the water by one vessel and another was supposed to collect it and bring it inland.
The catch is estimated to be worth about 400 million euros ($450 million) in the streets. [via AP News]
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An Australian accountant has broken the world record for the most push-ups completed in one hour.
Lucas Helmke, 33, did 3,206 push-ups in a Brisbane gym, setting the new record, which has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records.
The previous record of 3,182 push-ups in one hour was held by fellow Australian Daniel Scali.
BUT WAIT: Local media outlets in Florida report that a man there has already beat Helmke’s record by 58 push-ups, but it has not yet been officially recognized. [via NY Post]
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A group of Boeing engineers have broken the world record for farthest flight by paper airplane.
The three aerospace engineers flew a paper aircraft 289 feet, 9 inches (about the length of a football field).
The previous record of 252 feet, 7 inches was set by a group from South Korea in April 2022.
To read more about how they came up with the perfect design, folds and creases for their paper plane, click here.
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APPLE – the company that makes your iPhones and shiny laptops – is getting into the banking business.
In a partnership with Goldman Sachs, the tech company is introducing a 4.15% high yield savings account program. Users can open accounts directly on their devices connected to their digital wallets – as long as you have the Apple credit card. Cardholders will get rewards points deposited directly into the account, though they don’t have to. [via CNBC]
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Want to be a part of Fyre Festival 2, produced, once again, by BILLY MCFARLAND?
The registration website is live at fyrefetival2.com. Once you identify whether you’re interested in getting on the list as an attendee, investor, vendor, or performer, the site asks, “Why you?,” where you put in a brief explanation for why you should get access to this exclusive event with very minimal details.
Upon submission, a message arrogantly reads, “We’ll let you know what’s next. We can’t f*** this one up.”
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CHARTS
Top 5 Songs on Apple Music:
Morgan Wallen, “Last Night”
Drake, “Search & Rescue”
Ella Baila Sola, “Eslabón Armado, Peso Pluma”
Yng Lvcas & Peso Pluma, “La Bebe”
Toosii, “Favorite Song”
Top 5 Songs on Spotify:
Post Malone, “Chemical”
PinkPantheress & Ice Spice, “Boy’s a liar Pt. 2”
Rema & Selena Gomez, “Calm Down”
SZA, “Kill Bill”
Miley Cyrus, “Flowers”
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RELATIONSHIPS
KYLIE JENNER, 25, is reportedly dating actor TIMOTHEE CHALAMET, 27.
The two have been spotted on outings over the past few weeks, leading to rumors of a romantic relationship. On Monday, an insider said that they two “are keeping things casual at this point.”
Neither Jenner nor Chalamet have addressed the rumors publicly.
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BILL HADER, 44, and comedian ALI WONG, 40, are officially back together after a brief split.
A rep for the “Barry” star confirmed to multiple outlets on Monday that the pair are dating again.
The couple were first linked last year following Wong’s divorce from entrepreneur JUSTIN HAKUTA and Hader’s split from actress ANNA KENDRICK.
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THE SWAMP
The New York Times (!!!) reports that the Biden White House “didn’t want to hear it” when border officials raised concerns about illegal immigration fueling the illegal child labor industry. The warning signs about these practices were “ignored or missed” by the administration, the Times reports.
And remember all the manufactured outrage about “kids in cages”?
GET A LOAD OF THIS: “As the administration scrambled to clear shelters that were strained beyond capacity, children were released with little support to sponsors who expected them to take on grueling, dangerous jobs.” [via NYT]
IN OTHER WORDS: For the sake of political optics, to solve a problem Democrats invented for campaign talking points, the Biden administration released tens of thousands of illegal immigrant children from government facilities so that they can go work illegally at places that do not abide by the administration’s own labor laws.
So there’s that.
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The Chinese Communist Party might have a firehose of American data through our use of TikTok, but they also have boots-on-the-ground spies working here in the wide open view of the public.
Two CCP-linked officials were charged on Monday by the federal Department of Justice, accused of illegally operating an overseas police station for China and for committing crimes to censor and monitor Chinese dissidents currently living in the United States.
WORTH NOTING: This is an incredible breach of American sovereignty.
WORTH ASKING: What will President JOE BIDEN do about it?
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IT’S ALL A SHOW: Newly-elected Congressman JEFF JACKSON from North Carolina on Monday posted a viral video that exposes how much all of the public caterwauling is just a big show.
In the video, he explains how the bombastic public outrage – on both sides of the aisle – fuels TV ratings, which fuel the elected officials’ campaign coffers. But behind the scenes, Jackson says it’s always more level-headed and civil. The whole thing is worth a watch:
https://twitter.com/jeffjacksonnc/status/1647955875317833729?s=46
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BY THE NUMBERS
📈 The DOW added 100 points (0.3%) to close at 33,987 on Monday. The S&P added 13 points (0.33%) to close at 4,151 and the NASDAQ added 34 points (0.28%) to close at 12,157.
🛢 WEST TEXAS INTERMEDIATE closed at $80; BRENT CRUDE at $84.
⛽ The national average price of a GALLON OF GAS was $3.67 on Monday.
₿ BITCOIN tumbled on Monday, losing more than 2.5% and trading just over $29,500.
🛩 There were more than 5,760 FLIGHTS delayed within, into, or out of the United States on Monday and more than 230 such cancellations.
💰A winning ticket for Friday night’s MEGA MILLIONS drawing was sold at a convenience store in Queens, New York. The winner has the choice of the $476 million jackpot or $253.1 million in cash. Tonight’s drawing will be for a $20 million jackpot or a $10.6 million cash payout.
SHOWBIZ NEWS
Philadelphia Eagles QB JALEN HURTS has signed a five-year contract extension with the team worth $255 million, making him the highest-paid player in the league with $51 million a year.
The contract includes $179.3 million in guarantees and has a no-trade clause.
Hurts led the team to the Super Bowl last year, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. [via ESPN]
WORTH NOTING: QB DESHAUN WATSON’s $230 million contract with the Cleveland Browns is the largest in terms of guaranteed money.
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ALEC BALDWIN wants a lawsuit filed by cinematographer HALYNA HUTCHINS’ parents and sister tossed out.
He claims that Hutchins had been “distanced” from her family “physically, financially and emotionally for years before her death,” and therefore they have no “viable cause of action.”
Meanwhile, the family’s lawyer, GLORIA ALLRED, released a statement saying that Baldwin is “once again attempting to avoid responsibility.”
As previously reported, Hutchins was fatally shot on October 21, 2021 as Baldwin was rehearsing with a pistol on the set of “Rust.” [via NBC News]
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MALALA YOUSAFZAI is working on a new memoir, which she calls her “most personal book yet.”
The memoir does not yet have a title or a scheduled release date.
Yousafzai’s first book, “I am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban,” was published in 2013, one year before she received the Nobel Peace Prize. [via AP News]
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Fans are not loving new co-hosts, and real life couple, KELLY RIPA and MARK CONSUELOS.
Mark made his debut opposite his wife on the show, now titled, “Live with Kelly and Mark,” on Monday; taking over for RYAN SEACREST, who exited the daytime talkshow to focus on other business ventures.
The couple’s first day was met with negative reviews from viewers, who said their “fake banter” was “painful.” Many also slammed Kelly for “interrupting” Mark on numerous occasions.
It wasn’t all bad though. There were some positive notes about the new TV couple, with one fan calling them their “new favorite morning duo,” and another commented on how “natural” they are together. [via Daily Mail]
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After a three month chase, SHAQUILLE O’NEAL has finally been served legal papers in connection to an FTX-related lawsuit.
As previously reported, the NBA legend is one of many defendants in a class-action lawsuit that was filed last year. The suit alleges that celebrity endorsers “failed to do their due diligence before promoting FTX products to the general public.”
Others listed in the lawsuit include STEPH CURRY, TOM BRADY, GISELE BUNDCHEN and LARRY DAVID. [via Markets Insider]
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LEONARDO DICAPRIO and model IRINA SHAYK are just friends, despite much speculation they may be more.
The two were spotted cozying up to each other at Coachella over the weekend, sparking relationship rumors. Insiders told TMZ that the two were there with a large group of friends.
What’s more, Leo is friends with Irina’s ex, BRADLEY COOPER, and the three have hung out in the past. [via TMZ]
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A week after suffering a medical emergency, JAMIE FOXX remains in the hospital.
Page Six reports that the actor is still undergoing tests as doctors try to determine what is causing his issues.
As previously reported, Foxx fell ill on set of his upcoming film “Back in Action.” He was rushed to the hospital, and was said to be improving, but it now seems that may not quite be the case.
There have been no details shared by Foxx or his family regarding the situation. [via Page Six]
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CHRIS CORNELL’s widow, VICKY CORNELL, and his former band SOUNDGARDEN have settled their dispute regarding the release of previously unheard material recorded by Chris prior to his death in 2017.
In a joint statement, the sides said that they have reached an “amicable out of court resolution” after years of feuding. The resolution that was reached means “Soundgarden fans around the world [will] hear the final songs that the band and Chris were working on.”
As previously reported, Vicky sued Soundgarden in 2019 over royalties and the rights to the unreleased songs. The band argued the tracks belonged to them.
No details regarding the agreement have been shared. [via Entertainment Weekly]
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CASTING CALL
“The Phantom of the Opera” had its final curtain call on Sunday, ending Broadway’s longest-running show.
The last performance was No. 13,981 at the Majestic Theatre.
It opened on January 26, 1988. [via AP News]
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“Super Mario Bros. Movie” pulled in an additional $87 million last weekend, securing the best second weekend ever for an animated movie in North America.
Worldwide, the film stands at $678 million. [via Daily Mail]
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THE DAILY KARDASHOPUS
YE will be the focus of a new documentary, titled “We Need To Talk About Kanye.”
Investigative journalist MOBEEN AZHAR will take a deep dive into Ye’s celebrity status and how he holds onto that level of fame despite several outrageous acts.
Most recently, Mobeen worked on “The Battle for Britney,” which centered on her fight to remove her years-long conservatorship.
As for the Ye documentary, one source told The Mirror that the rapper “is aware” of the project, but has “no editorial control” over the finished product.
“We Need To Talk About Kanye” will air later this year. [via The Mirror]
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WE’LL NEVER BE ROYALS
LET THEM EAT QUICHE! KING CHARLES and QUEEN CAMILLA have chosen a quiche recipe they hope all of England cooks to celebrate the coronation on May 6 as part of the “Big Lunch” festivities following the official proceedings.
The recipe was posted on the official royal family’s social media, featuring a chef for the palace making the dish, which includes spinach, beans, cheese, and tarragon. The Firm says you can eat it hot or cold, and that it goes well with a green salad and boiled potatoes.
WORTH NOTING: The new monarchs could choose literally anything to eat … and they chose this.
WATCH:
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DAY OF THE YEAR
Pet Owners Independence Day
World Heritage Day
National Columnists’ Day
National Lineman Appreciation Day
National Pinata Day
International Amateur Radio Day
National Animal Crackers Day
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ON THIS DATE
1521 - Martin Luther refuses to recant his anti-Catholic writings after the Holy Roman Emperor publicly called for him to do so and return to the Church.
Later that year Luther would be excommunicated and declared a heretic.
In the ensuing decades, Luther's philosophy would shape much of non-Catholic, western, Christian theology.
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1775 - Paul Revere and William Dawes set out on their historic ride to warn of British invasion.
British troops were en route to Concord to capture Sam Adams and John Hancock, but the Patriot forces were ready, having expected aggression for quite some time.
The first encounter of British troops and American rebels pitted 700 redcoats against 77 minutemen.
The Patriots hastily dispersed, but suffered their own casualties. Eight were dead and 10 more wounded, while only one Brit was injured.
Either way: The American Revolution had begun.
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1906 - An earthquake in San Francisco kills nearly 4,000 and leaves countless more homeless from a series of fires that started in its wake.
Shockwaves were felt across the Pacific Northwest, all the way up to Oregon.
The earthquake ruptured water mains, and the small fires that started up spread quickly, with firefighters unable to put them out.
It would take another week for the blazes to be contained..
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1923 - Yankee Stadium opens in New York City.
Prior to its construction the Yankees shared a facility with the New York Giants baseball team.
In its prime, the stadium hosted three papal masses, championship boxing matches, and many historic victories accomplished by the Yankees.
It would serve as the home for the baseball team until 2008, when a new park opened on an adjacent property.
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1942 - James H. Doolittle leads a raid of American bombers on Japan.
The 16 B-25s launched from the USS Hornet 650 miles east of Japan.
The raid caused only minor damage, but did expose the island nation as vulnerable to military attack.
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1989 - Chinese students rally against their government, calling for democracy and freedom.
These uprisings and riots would later culminate with the Tiananmen Square massacre, where communist troops murdered the protestors by the hundreds.
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1994 - Former president Richard Nixon suffers a stroke.
He would die four days later at 81-years-old.
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2017 - Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to score 100 goals in the Champions League.
He hit the milestone with a hat trick in Real Madrid’s 4-2 win over Bayern Munich.
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2020 - Lady Gaga hosts the “Together At Home” virtual benefit concert for the World Health Organization’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.
A six-hour long pre-show was streamed online, followed by a two-hour telecast.
Andra Day, Common, The Killers, Charlie Puth, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, and more all performed.
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BIRTHDAYS
Suri Cruise - daughter of Tom and Katie Holmes - 17
PinkPantheress - pop singer - 22
Ski Mask the Slump God - rapper - 27
Virginia Gardner - actress, “Runaways” & “The Goldbergs” - 28
Chloe Bennet - actress, “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” - 31
Britt Robertson - actress, “Girlboss” & “For the People” - 33
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley - actress, “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” - 36
America Ferrera - actress, “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” & “Superstore” - 39
Miguel Cabrera - baseball player - 40
Kourtney Kardashian - reality star - 44
Melissa Joan Hart - actress, “Sabrina: The Teenage Witch” - 47
David Tennant - actor, “Doctor Who” & “Camping” - 52
Conan O’Brien - TV show host - 60
Jeff Dunham - ventriloquist - 61
Eric Roberts - actor, “The Expendables” & “Runaway Train” - 67
Kenny Ortega - director - 73
James Woods - actor, “Any Given Sunday” & “Salvador” - 76
Born On This Date
Harold Innocent - actor, “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” - 1936 (d. 1993)
Samuel P. Huntington - political scientist & presidential advisor - 1927 (d. 2008)
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